BIS MULTIMEDIA

BIS Multimedia (Code 12131013) 

 
Programme coordinator
Office: IT Building 6-59, Hatfield Campus
Email: [email protected]
 
Programme information

The rapid evolution of digital technology has redefined how we create, communicate, and interact with information. The Multimedia qualification in the Department of Information Science equips students to design and develop interactive digital experiences across various platforms and media. This includes websites, games, animations, mobile applications, and other user-centred interactive systems.

The programme integrates technical development skills with creative problem-solving and critical understanding of current computing and digital innovation trends. Students gain hands-on experience in web development, interaction design, animation, video and sound editing, and 3D modelling. A strong emphasis is placed on programming and core computer science principles, giving students the foundation to build robust, scalable, and intelligent digital systems. They also engage with human-computer interaction, user experience design, and emerging technology trends.

By combining practical application with theoretical insight, the qualification prepares students to navigate and shape the rapidly changing landscape of interactive technology. This degree offers the skills and perspective needed to remain relevant and adaptable in an increasingly digital world where engagement, usability, and innovation are critical.

What makes this programme unique?

This programme bridges the gap between design and development, equipping students to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams. Graduates gain the versatility to operate in both creative and technical roles, with the ability to move between front-end design, user experience, and back-end development tasks.

Through its integration of programming, computer science fundamentals, and applied digital technologies, the programme prepares students to engage with cutting-edge tools and methodologies used in industry, from web development and game design to immersive environments and interactive media. This versatility ensures graduates are not only technically capable but also industry-relevant and future-ready.

Admission requirements
  • The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is full and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
  • The following persons will be considered for admission: Candidates who are in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
  • Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students.
  • A valid qualification with admission to degree studies is required.
  • Minimum subject and achievement requirements, as set out below, are required.
  • All lectures at the University of Pretoria are presented in English only.
Minimum requirements
  • English Home Language or English First Additional Language: NSC/IEB – 4 or AS Level – D
  • Mathematics: NSC/IEB – 5 or AS Level – C
  • APS – 30
*Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission.
 
*International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission.
 
Teaching staff presenting the INL, INY, IMY and PUB modules
 
Curriculum

The curriculum for the BIS in Multimedia degree programme comprises of fundamental, core and elective modules in each study year. The degree is awarded after a minimum of at least 403 credits have been obtained successfully.

Curriculum: Year 1

Minimum credits: 134

Fundamental modules (14 credits)

Code

Module

Prerequisites

Credits

Period

AIM 111

Academic information management 111

 

4

S1

AIM 121

Academic information management 121

 

4

S2

ALL 121

Academic literacy for information technology

 

6

S2

UPO 112

Academic orientation 112

 

0

Y

 

Core modules (120 credits)

Code

Module

Prerequisites

Credits

Period

IMY 110

Introduction to web technologies

Departmental selection

12

S1

IMY 120

Digital authoring tools

 

12

S2

INL 110

Information Science: Introduction to information science 110

 

12

S1

INL 120

Information Science: Organisation and representation of information 120

 

12

S2

COS 132

Imperative programming 132

APS of 30, Maths level 5 in NSC

16

S1

COS 110

Program design: Introduction 110

COS 132, COS 151 and Maths level 5 in NSC

16

S2

COS 151

Introduction to computer science 151

APS of 30, Maths level 5 in NSC

8

S1

COS 122

Operating systems 122

COS 132

16

S2

VIO 102

Visual design 102

Maths level 5 in NSC, or WTW 114 or WTW 133 and WTW 143

16

Year

 

Curriculum: Year 2

Minimum credits: 148

Fundamental module (8 credits)

Code

Module

Prerequisites

Credits

Period

JCP 202

Community-based project 202

 

8

Year

 

Core modules (140 credits)

Code

Module

Prerequisites

Credits

Period

IMY 210

Multimedia: Advanced Web technologies (1) 210

IMY 110 or equivalent HTML knowledge

12

S1

IMY 211

Interactive technology theory

Departmental selection

12

S1

IMY 220

Multimedia: Advanced web technologies (2) 220

IMY 210, COS 216

12

S2

COS 212

Data structures and algorithms 212

COS 110

16

S1

COS 216 

Netcentric computer systems 216

COS 110 

16

S1

COS 214

Software modelling

COS 212

16

S2

COS 226

Concurrent systems 226

COS 122, COS 212

16

S2

COS 284

Computer organisation and architecture 284

COS 212 GS

16

S2

VIO 202

Visual design 202

VIO 102

24

Year

 

Curriculum: Final Year

Minimum credits: 121

Core modules (85 credits)

Code

Module

Prerequisites

Credits

Period

IMY 300

Multimedia: Project 300

COS 212

35

Year

IMY 310

Multimedia: Human-computer interaction 310

Departmental selection

25

S1

IMY 320

Multimedia: Trends 320

Departmental selection

25

S2

 

Elective modules (at least 36 credits*)

Code

Module

Prerequisites

Credits

Period

Select at least two of the following modules:

COS 301

Software engineering 301

COS 212, COS 214

27

Year

COS 314

Artificial intelligence 314

COS 110

18

S1*

COS 332

Computer networks 332

COS 216

18

S1*

COS 333

Programming languages 333

COS 110

18

S2*

COS 341

Compiler construction 341

COS 212

18

S1*

COS 330

Computer security and ethics 330

COS 110

18

S2*

COS 326

Database systems 326

COS 226

18

S2*

COS 344

Computer graphics 344

COS 110 and WTW 124 or WTW 146

18

S1*

*Please note:  The semester in which these modules are offered may vary from year to year.

Students who wish to continue with a BSc(Hons)(CS) should consult the Computer Science department for the correct admission requirements to the degree. COS 301 and three COS electives are compulsory admission requirements for BSc(Hons) (CS).

 

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