Undergraduate

Two undergraduate degrees offered in the Department of Informatics:

BCom (Informatics Information Systems)

BIT (Information Systems)

 

Brochure: Informatics at a Glance


BCom (Informatics Information systems)

What does the programme entail?

BCom (Informatics Information Systems) studies the application and use of the computer and information systems in the organisation. The superiority of students in this field lies in their broad background in the field of economic and management sciences, which implies that the world of business is not strange to them. The use of information technology by organisations is growing exponentially and new, more complex and challenging applications are explored and developed on a daily basis. It has the benefit that, in addition to the obvious fact that the work environment of the informatics specialist is particularly interesting, there is also the advantage that many job opportunities are available to well-qualified informatics specialists. Informatics specialists have the knowledge to analyse the information needs of organisations, be it businesses, government departments, non-profit organisations or any other organisation where information is crucial. They not only analyse the needs, but also address those needs by designing and implementing information systems. Information systems nowadays refer to computer-based systems (including mobile applications) that store and manipulate data so that people can understand, use, interpret and make decisions based on the information.

The BCom (Informatics) degree offered by the University of Pretoria is the only degree in Africa that is internationally accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) of the USA.

Duration of the programme

The BCom(Informatics Information Systems) programme takes a minimum of three years to complete.

Contact information

Prof Marita Turpin / Prof Riana Steyn

Tel          +27 (0)12 420 3798

Email     [email protected]

Website    www.up.ac.za/informatics

What are the entrance requirements?

  • You need a Grade 12 certificate with university exemption;
  • Mathematics: 4 (50%), NOT Mathematics Literacy;
  • Afrikaans or English: 5 (60%)

APS Score: 30

What subjects do I take as part of my degree?

Your major subject will be Informatics in your first, second and third year. Compulsory subjects in your first year are:

  • Financial Accounting;
  • Economics;
  • Statistics;
  • Computer and Information Literacy;
  • Academic literacy
  • Business Management;

       The subject Informatics is spread over three years at undergraduate level. During this period, 14 Informatics modules are completed. INF 113, 171, 154, 164, 271, 272, 370, 354 are the specialist stream taken by students with Informatics as their main subject. This stream concentrates on problem solving, technical analysis, design and the construction of systems. The aim is to develop expert information system builders.

Informatics 112, 214 , 261, 225, 315 and 324 are the courses that focus on computer and information systems environment. Many BCom students choose these courses to prepare themselves better for today's working environment. Informatics 264 is taken only by BCom (Accounting) students.

Students who do not study one of the degree courses in the School of Information Technology are not allowed to register for INF 315, 324, 354 or 370. 

Program Educational Objectives

PO_01: The Informatics graduate must have a broad business understanding and real world perspective to be Information Systems enablers in organizations and understand the strategic significance of Information Systems.

PO_02: The Informatics graduate must have strong analytical and critical thinking skills to be able to apply both traditional and old concepts and skills.

PO_03: The Informatics graduate must design and implement information technology solutions that enhance organizational performance.

PO_04: The Informatics graduate must exhibit strong ethical principles and have good interpersonal communication and team skills.

PO_05: The Informatics graduate must have skills in basic statistical and mathematical models to be used in analyzing data.

PO_06: The Informatics graduate must understand that systems consist of people, hardware, software and data.

Student Outcomes of the Degree

The Student Outcomes of our degree are linked to the following ABET (international accreditation body) outcomes:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  6. Support the use, delivery, and management of information systems within an Information Systems environment.  [IS]


Enrollments and graduates

BCom (Informatics Information Systems)

 

Academic Year

Enrollment Year

Total

Undergrad

Total

Grad

Degrees Awarded

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Associates

Hons Bachelors

Masters

Doctorates

Current Year

2019

FT

189

179

129

 

 

497

 

 

 

 

 

1

2018

FT

141

126

129

 

 

397

88

 

44

34

5

2

2017

FT

94

119

102

 

 

317

72

 

50

70

7

3

2016

FT

107

83

104

 

 

294

72

 

70

50

3

4

2015

FT

72

74

112

 

 

259

76

 

67

75

6



BIT (Information Systems)

What does the programme entail?

BIT (Information Systems) studies the application and use of the computer and information systems in the organisation. The use of information technology by organisations is growing exponentially and new, more complex and challenging applications are explored and developed on a daily basis. It has the benefit that, in addition to the obvious fact that the work environment of the information systems specialist is particularly interesting, there is also the advantage that many job opportunities are available to well-qualified information systems specialists. The superiority of students in this field lies in their specialist stream, which can be Computer Auditing, Information Science, Entrepreneurship, e-Business, Geography, Data Science Management or e-Taxation.

Duration of the programme

The BIT(Information Systems) programme takes a minimum of three years to complete.

Additional information

https://www.up.ac.za/yearbooks/2024/EBIT-faculty/UD-programmes/view/12133300

 

Contact information

 

Prof Marie Hattingh

Tel          +27 (0)12 420 3798

Email     [email protected]

Website      www.up.ac.za/informatics

 

- Author Hanlie Smuts

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