Yearbooks

Programme: BIT Information Systems

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
12133300 Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 3 years Total credits: 377 NQF level:  07
Contact:
Prof C de Villiers
[email protected]
+27 (0)124203085

Programme information

Candidates
The degree is awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 381 credits, of which 140 are required at first-year level, 121 at second-year level, and 120 at third-year level.
 

Admission requirements

  • 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 Grade 12 certificate 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 in 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. 
  • Tuition will be presented in English only.
  • Should a candidate obtain an APS of 26 to 29, consideration for admission will be based on the results of the NBT, provided the numbers of students in designated groups have not been reached.

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

APS

NSC/IEB

AS Level

NSC/IEB

AS Level

 

5

C

4

D

30

(26 - 29 admission based on the NBT)

* 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.

 

Additional requirements

Also consult the G Regulations.
i.   A student is promoted to the following year of study after obtaining the required credits as mentioned below:
•    Second year of study after obtaining at least 70% of the credits of the first year of study.
•    Third year of study after obtaining at least 70% of the credits of the second year of study.
ii.   The degree is conferred if all the prescribed modules have been passed.

 

Promotion to next study year


 

    Pass with distinction

    Also consult the G Regulations.

    1. A student is promoted to the following year of study after obtaining the required credits as mentioned below:
    • Second year of study after obtaining at least 70% of the credits of the first year of study.
    • Third year of study after obtaining at least 70% of the credits of the second year of study.
    1.  The degree is conferred if all the prescribed modules have been passed.

    Minimum credits: 136

    Choose one elective stream from: Computer Auditing, Information Science, Entrepreneurship, E-Business, Geography, Data Science Management and e-Taxation. 

    Fundamental modules

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      Introduction to information systems, information systems in organisations, hardware: input, processing, output, software: systems and application software, organisation of data and information, telecommunications and networks, the Internet and Intranet. Transaction processing systems, management information systems, decision support systems, information systems in business and society, systems analysis, systems design, implementation, maintenance and revision.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introduction to quantitative methods for Information systems to students.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introduction to programming.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Programming.

      View more

    • Module content:

      General systems theory, creative problem solving, soft systems methodology. The systems analyst, systems development building blocks, systems development, systems analysis methods, process modelling.

      View more

    • Module content:

      The entrepreneurial mind-set; managers and managing; values, attitudes, emotions, and culture: the manager as a person; ethics and social responsibility; decision making; leadership and responsible leadership; effective groups and teams; managing organizational structure and culture inclusive of the different functions of a generic organisation and how they interact (marketing; finance; operations; human resources and general management); contextualising Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in each of the topics.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Value chain management: functional strategies for competitive advantage; human resource management; managing diverse employees in a multicultural environment; motivation and performance; using advanced information technology to increase performance; production and operations management; financial management; corporate entrepreneurship.

      View more

    Elective modules

    • Module content:

      Simple statistical analysis: Data collection and analysis: Samples, tabulation, graphical representation, describing location, spread and skewness. Introductory probability and distribution theory. Sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Statistical inference: Basic principles, estimation and testing in the one- and two-sample cases (parametric and non-parametric). Introduction to experimental design. One- and twoway designs, randomised blocks. Multiple statistical analysis: Bivariate data sets: Curve fitting (linear and non-linear), growth curves. Statistical inference in the simple regression case. Categorical analysis: Testing goodness of fit and contingency tables. Multiple regression and correlation: Fitting and testing of models. Residual analysis. Computer literacy: Use of computer packages in data analysis and report writing.

      View more

    • Module content:

      This module deals with the core principles of economics. A distinction between macroeconomics and microeconomics is made. A discussion of the market system and circular flow of goods, services and money is followed by a section dealing with microeconomic principles, including demand and supply analysis, consumer behaviour and utility maximisation, production and the costs thereof, and the different market models and firm behaviour. Labour market institutions and issues, wage determination, as well as income inequality and poverty are also addressed. A section of money, banking, interest rates and monetary policy concludes the course.

      View more

    • Module content:

      This module deals with the core principles of economics, especially macroeconomic measurement the private and public sectors of the South African economy receive attention, while basic macroeconomic relationships and the measurement of domestic output and national income are discussed. Aggregate demand and supply analysis stands core to this course which is also used to introduce students to the analysis of economic growth, unemployment and inflation. The microeconomics of government is addressed in a separate section, followed by a section on international economics, focusing on international trade, exchange rates and the balance of payments. The economics of developing countries and South Africa in the global economy conclude the course.

      View more

    • Module content:

      The nature and function of accounting; the development of accounting; financial position; financial result; the recording process; processing of accounting data; treatment of VAT; elementary income statement and balance sheet; flow of documents; accounting systems; introduction to internal control and internal control measures; bank reconciliations; control accounts; adjustments; financial statements of a sole proprietorship; the accounting framework.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Property, plant and equipment; intangible assets; inventories; liabilities; presentation of financial statements; enterprises without profit motive; partnerships; companies; close corporations; cash flow statements; analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Budgeting, payroll accounting, taxation – income tax and an introduction to other types of taxes, credit and the new Credit Act, insurance, accounting for inventories (focus on inventory and the accounting entries, not calculations), interpretation of financial statements.

      View more

    • Module content:

      This module begins by fostering an understanding of human geography. Then follows with the political ordering of space; cultural diversity as well as ethnic geography globally and locally; population geography of the world and South Africa: and four economic levels of development. The purpose is to place South Africa in a world setting and to understand the future of the country.

      View more

    • Module content:

      History, present and future of cartography. Introductory geodesy: shape of the earth, graticule and grids, datum definition, elementary map projection theory, spherical calculations. Representation of geographical data on maps: Cartographic design, cartographic abstraction, levels of measurement and visual variables. Semiotics for cartography: signs, sign systems, map semantics and syntactics, explicit and implicit meaning of maps (map pragmatics). Critique maps of indicators to measure United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa.

      View more

    • Module content:

      This module is an introduction to the study field of information science and its various professions. Key concepts that will be discussed include the following: the human as information processor and user; the life-cycle of information in terms of processes, products and role-players; as well as the communication of information. The social-ethical impact of globalisation is included as a key concern, with reference to Africa.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Organisation and representation of information. This module provides the student with an introduction to the basic principles and processes underlying the organisation and representation of information. The process of organising information in documents and on the web, in multimedia formats, by means of document image processing and in databases are dealt with. Themes on the representation of information through the creation of metadata include various general and domain specific metadata schemas such as Dublin Core as a metadata standard for the Web, as well as various other metadata schemas.
      Practical classes include basic HTML and the design of Web pages incorporating and applying what was covered in theory.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Personal information management. This module focuses on personal information management within an organisational context. It deals with managing information and knowledge that is peculiar to an individual and which enables him/her to perform his/her job.
      Topics include: creating an environment in which the individual can manage his/her information and knowledge; the skills needed to be able to manage personal information and knowledge; information overloading which gives rise to personal information and knowledge management, as well as the manner in which individuals can switch from personal information management to personal knowledge management; personal information and knowledge management as a career.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Information and communication technology. This module offers a brief overview of hardware and software, telecommunications technology, LANs, WANs and intranets, the information highway, the internet and the World Wide Web, computer ethics, ICTs, e-commerce, mobile computing technology and the influence that new trends and developments have on the distribution of information.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Inferential concepts. Experimental and observational data. Measures of association, uncertainty and goodness of fit. Sampling error and accuracy of estimation. Introduction to linear regression, reduction of variation due to regression. Conditional distributions of residuals.  Simulation based inference: conditional means and prediction intervals. Bivariate data visualisation. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.
      This module is also presented as a summer school for students who initially elected and passed STK 120 with a final mark of at least 60% and then decides to further their studies in statistics as well as for students who achieved a final mark of between 40% - 49% in STC 122 during semester 2.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Descriptive statistics:
      Sampling and the collection of data; frequency distributions and graphical representations. Descriptive measures of location and dispersion.
      Probability and inference:
      Introductory probability theory and theoretical distributions. Sampling distributions. Estimation theory and hypothesis testing of sampling averages and proportions (one and two-sample cases). Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

      View more

    Minimum credits: 121

    Choose one elective stream from: Computer Auditing, Information Science, Entrepreneurship, E-Business, Geography, Data Science Management and e-Taxation. 

    Fundamental modules

    • Module content:

      This project-orientated module is a form of applied learning which is directed at specific community needs and is integrated into all undergraduate academic programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology. 
      The main objectives with the module are as follows:
      (1) The execution of a community-related project aimed at achieving a beneficial impact on a chosen section of society, preferably but not exclusively, by engagement with a section of society which is different from the student's own background.
      (2) The development of an awareness of personal, social and cultural values, an attitude to be of service, and an understanding of social issues, for the purpose of being a responsible professional.
      (3) The development of important multidisciplinary and life skills, such as communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
      Assessment in this module will include all or most of the following components: evaluation and approval of the project proposal, assessment of oral and/or written progress reports, peer assessment in the event of team projects, written report-back by those at which the project was aimed at, and final assessment on grounds of the submission of a portfolio and a written report.

      View more

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      In this module students are equipped with an understanding of the moral issues influencing human agency in economic and political contexts. In particular philosophy equips students with analytical reasoning skills necessary to understand and solve complex moral problems related to economic and political decision making. We demonstrate to students how the biggest questions concerning the socio-economic aspects of our lives can be broken down and illuminated through reasoned debate. Examples of themes which may be covered in the module include justice and the common good, a moral consideration of the nature and role of economic markets on society, issues concerning justice and equality, and dilemmas of loyalty. The works of philosophers covered may for instance include that of Aristotle, Locke, Bentham, Mill, Kant, Rawls, Friedman, Nozick, Bernstein, Dworkin, Sandel, Walzer, and MacIntyre.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Database design: the relational model, structured query language (SQL), entity relationship modelling, normalisation, database development life cycle; practical introduction to database design. Databases: advanced entity relationship modelling and normalisation, object-oriented databases, database development life cycle, advanced practical database design.

      View more

    • Module content:

      An overview of systems infrastructure and integration.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Database management: transaction management, concurrent processes, recovery, database administration: new developments: distributed databases, client-server databases: practical implementation of databases.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Systems analysis. Systems design: construction; application architecture; input design; output design; interface design; internal controls; program design; object design; project management; system implementation; use of computer-aided development tools.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Advanced programming.

      View more

    Elective modules

    • Module content:

      In this module an introduction to taxation as a discipline in the South African tax environment is provided. The income tax concepts covered in this module are gross income, special inclusions, exempt income, general deductions, special deductions, prohibited deductions and allowed assessed losses. The implications of a capital gains tax event, specific sections of the Income Tax Act applicable on individuals as well as fringe benefits and specific allowances for individuals are discussed. Concepts such as the prepaid tax system, tax implications of donations tax events as well as the tax implications of a deceased person will be covered. Finally an introduction to the basic principles of VAT is included. 

      View more

    • Module content:

      Preparation and presentation of company annual financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Companies Act, the Framework and Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice relating to the following: presentation of financial statements; revenue; investments; provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets; events after the balance sheet date; inventories; income taxes; leases; property, plant and equipment; impairment of assets; intangible assets; investment property, changes in accounting estimates and errors; introduction to financial instruments.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Preparation and presentation of company annual financial statements in compliance with the requirements of Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice relating to the following: employee benefits; the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates; accounting policies; earnings per share; cash flow statements; interests in joint ventures. Branch accounting. Introduction to consolidations, including basic consolidation techniques for both wholly-owned and partly-owned subsidiaries. Introduction to public sector accounting.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), theoretical concepts and applications of GIS. The focus will be on the GIS process of data input, data analysis, data output and associated technologies. This module provides the foundations for more advanced GIS and Geoinformatics topics. Practical assessments and a mini-project make use of South African and African examples and foster learning and application of concepts aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

      View more

    • Module content:

      The nature of geographical data and measurement.Application of statistics in the geographical domain. Probability, probability distributions and densities, expected values and variances, Central Limit theorem. Sampling techniques. Exploratory data analysis, descriptive statistics, statistical estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis and regression analysis. Examples used throughout the course are drawn from South African and African case studies and taught within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

      View more

    • Module content:

      This module aims to provide students with a working knowledge and skills to learn methods and techniques for collecting, processing and analysing remotely sensed data. Throughout the module, emphasis will be placed on image processing, image analysis, image classification, remote sensing and applications of remote sensing in geographical analysis and environmental monitoring. The module is composed of lectures, readings, practical exercises research tasks and a project or assignments of at least 64 notional hours. In particular, the practical exercises and research tasks incorporate South African examples using satellite remotely-sensed data, as well as field spectral data measurements, to promote understanding of the state of land cover and land use types (e.g. spanning agricultural resources, water resources, urbanization) and how changes over time could impact on the changing climate in accordance with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Information seeking and retrieval. This module explores the theory and practice of effective information seeking and retrieval. It builds on supporting research paradigms such as the systems, user-centred, cognitive and socio-cognitive paradigms. The focus is on the complexities of effective information seeking and retrieval within the context of information behaviour on a personal level, as well as in the context of professional, academic or everyday information needs.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Representation and organisation. Information needs to be represented and organised in a system for it to be effectively retrievable. This module deals with the representation and organisation of information on the level of individual entities (e.g. indexing), from the perspective of the users (user profiling), as well as within a document collection (taxonomies and ontologies).

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introduction to the audit environment. Nature, objectives, history and development of internal auditing. The internal auditing profession and the role of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Ethical code and standards of internal auditors (IPPF). An organisation’s internal control environment and internal control systems. Introduction to Information Technology (IT). General controls and application controls frameworks. The internal audit process and tools and techniques used during the audit Introduction to sampling.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introduction to corporate governance. Relationship between internal auditing and other related disciplines and individuals. Background to external auditing. Internal and external audit approaches.The identification of weaknesses, risks and controls for the revenue and procurement systems in the system. The audit of internal control systems and the audit of financial statements.

      View more

    • Module content:

      *Module content will be adapted in accordance with the appropriate degree programme. Only one of KOB 281– 284 may be taken as a module where necessary for a programme.

      Applied business communication skills

      Acquiring basic business communication skills will enhance the capabilities of employees, managers and leaders in the business environment. An overview of applied skills on the intrapersonal, dyadic, interpersonal, group (team), organisational, public and mass communication contexts is provided. The practical part of the module (for example, the writing of business reports and presentation skills) concentrates on the performance dimensions of these skills as applied to particular professions.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Logistics management
      The role of logistics in an enterprise; definition and scope of customer service; electronic and other logistics information systems; inventory management; materials management with special reference to Japanese systems; management of the supply chain. Methods of transport and transport costs; types and costs of warehousing; electronic aids in materials handling; cost and price determination of purchases; organising for logistics management; methods for improving logistics performance.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Creativity, innovation and identification of opportunities: the role of creativity; techniques to facilitate creativity; barriers to creativity; creative versus critical thinking within the broad business managerial context. Creative problemsolvingand identification of opportunities: identification of opportunities; development of ideas; evaluation and prioritising of ideas, ideation and design thinking. Creativity and its role in design thinking towards facilitating business innovation. Design thinking techniques are applied with an emphasis on customer empathy. Business innovation is translated from the process of design thinking into incremental or disruptive new products, services and or processes. A clear understanding is created with regards to the following elements in business innovation: types and forms; technology waves; models; processes and sources. The management of innovation is also an integral part of the module.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Creating a new product, service or process to market. Comprehensive prototype feasibility and business modelling. Designing business models aligned with the market realm. Value-to-customer building and business efficiency development. Translation of business models into bankable business plans.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Business ethics; sustainability and the economic system; key social challenges; key environmental challenges; key economic challenges; conventional vs. progressive measure of progress; short-term vs long-term orientation; development as an outcome of growth; sustainable development as opposed to conventional development; sustainable development goals; sustainable development goals and the changing role of business in society; implications for the notion of corporate citizenship; global responses and solutions; local
      responses and solutions.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Project management and negotiations:
      Introduction Project management concepts; needs identification; the project, the project manager and the project team; types of project organisations; project communication and documentation. Planning and control: planning, scheduling and schedule control of projects; resource considerations and allocations; cost planning and performance evaluation.
      Negotiation and collective bargaining: The nature of negotiation; preparation for negotiation; negotiating for purposes of climate creation; persuasive communication; handling conflict and aggression; specialised negotiation and collective bargaining in the South African context.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Statistical problem solving. Causality, experimental and observational data. Probability theory. Multivariate random variables. Discrete and continuous probability distributions. Stochastic representations. Measures of association. Expected values and conditional expectation. Simulation techniques. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Multivariate probability distributions. Sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Frequentist and Bayesian inference. Statistical learning and decision theory. Simulation techniques enhancing statistical thinking. Supervised learning:  linear regression, estimation and inference. Non-parametric modelling. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical algorithms. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introductory machine learning concepts. Data base design and use. Data preparation and extraction. Statistical modelling using data base structures. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

      View more

    Minimum credits: 120

    Choose one elective stream from: Computer Auditing, Information Science, Entrepreneurship, E-Business, Geography, Data Science Management and e-Taxation. 

    Core modules

    Elective modules

    • Module content:

      The purpose of the module is to enable the learner to calculate the value-added tax liability and to journalise transactions; calculate the normal tax liability (including the determination of taxable capital gains and assessed capital losses) of individuals, companies, estates and trusts,discuss tax principles on value-added tax and normal tax; and calculate and discuss provisional and employees' tax and to object against an assessment.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Advanced theory and practice of Geographic Information Systems; GIS applications; design and implementation of GIS applications. A project or assignments of at least 64 notional hours. Diverse South African examples will be used to expose the students to various data sources, geospatial analyses, and data representation to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Construction of Raster Geovisualisations, spatial model construction and use, multi-criteria decision analysis. Factor analysis: Principle component analysis. Geostatistics: Spatial dependence modelling, ordinary kriging. Markov chains and cellular Automata, combined models. Examples using data from South Africa are implemented. A project or assignment of at least 64 notional hours.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Information Organisation. The module is concerned with the organisation of information in the digital environment focusing on the structure and use of document management and workflow systems, as well as distribution channels and virtual environments. The characteristics and application of the internet, intranets, as well as portals and applications use, are considered.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Information and Knowledge Management. This module focuses on information and knowledge management at an operational level and introduces information and knowledge management at a corporate strategic level. It deals with the management of information and knowledge, which enables the organisation to be competitive. In this module the focus is on four aspects, namely: the 21st century organisation, the external and internal stakeholders that have an interest in information products, as well as the infrastructure that should be in place in organisations to manage information products. The module concludes with a few topics relating to information management at a corporate strategic level.

      View more

    • Module content:

      General and application IT controls. The identification of weaknesses, risks and controls for the inventory, bank and cash systems. Statistical sampling. The audit of internal control systems and the audit of financial statements. Internal audit and external audit reports.

      View more

    • Module content:

      The identification of weaknesses, risks and controls for the payroll system and health and safety environment. The audit of internal control systems and the audit of financial statements. Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATS). Introduction to performing an operational/performance audit. Relevant legislation and other guidelines that affect the internal audit profession. Introduction to the public sector internal audit environment.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Strategy formulation: the deliberate strategy process of formulating a vision and mission statement, conducting internal and external environmental analyses and selecting appropriate strategies. It will enhance an understanding of the level of strategy formulation, gaining competitive advantage in your market place and thinking strategically.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Strategy execution: The role of management in strategy implementation; budgets as instrument in the implementation process; leading processes of change within enterprises; supporting policies, procedures and information systems for implementation in the various functional areas; evaluation and control of implementation. South African case studies to create contextual relevance.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Introduction to international management
      International business management; the process of internationalisation; growth in international trade and investment; the evolution of multinational enterprises; management perspectives on international trade and international trade theories; international trade regulation; economic integration; the formation of trading blocks, and free-trade areas.
      The international business environment
      The cultural environment of international business; the political and legal environments as well as the economic environment of international business; the international monetary system; the foreign exchange market; and international capital markets.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Evaluates how to strategically align, plan for and direct investments in, and governance of, processes for continuous renewal of analytic deployments in business. An overview of analytics in the business context will be provided that will cover: concepts of strategic and operational analytics; overview of concepts like dimensional modeling, the Model Life cycle, data mining, big data, KPIs and metrics, ERP and analytics, in-database/memory analytics; real-time analytics and data stream analysis. The applied decision making aspect will focus on mastering quantitative modeling tools and techniques for business decision-making and deterministic optimisation techniques.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Supervised learning.  Linear and non-linear regression. Ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood estimation. Violations of the assumptions, residual analysis. Cross validation. Statistical inference. Bootstrap inference. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

      View more

    • Module content:

      Data exploration. Data wrangling. Statistical coding. Algorithmic thinking.  Sampling: basic techniques in probability, non-probability, and resampling methods. Text mining and analytics. Machine learning: classification and clustering. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

      View more


    The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

    Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

    FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences