BSc (Honours) Information Systems Students will enrol for the courses shown below: 

First Year
To be preceded by an orientation week during which a course on study skills will be given.  These are introductory courses to Information Systems.

Skills are developed in handling data, records, files and databases for efficient information retrieval.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Second Year
Semester 1

Semester 2

Third Year (Placement)-Industrial Attachment The Industrial Attachment requires students to work for a specific organisation under the joint supervision of an academic supervisor from the University and Industrial supervisor from the organisation to which the student is attached. 

Objectives
To provide a vehicle through which students can gain valuable exposure to the business environment in which they shall be employed to establish and maintain strong links with industry and commerce.

To afford the student the opportunity to experience the real world of work and to appreciate the relationship between theory and practice.

To enable the student to have some insight into how theory and practice blend together so that satisfactory results may be achieved.

To provide possible opportunities for employment after graduation.
IT 311        Work Related Learning                        4

Fourth Year
Semester 1

Semester 2

Course Synopsis

Year 1 First Semester

IS 111  Computer Hardware Architectures
The course equips the student with skills and knowledge to troubleshoot hardware problems, configure PC Video, Memory and IRQ and I/O port conflicts.  The course should benefit PC technicians, engineers and any personnel involved in the daily operations and support of PC Hardware and Software.

IS 112 Internet Fundamentals
The course focuses on the technologies driving the availability of the Internet and consequently the World Wide Web and communication services available through the Internet.  At the end of the course students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the technologies upon which the Internet is based.  They should be able to use the tools which facilitate the utilization of the information and services available on the Internet.

IS 113  Systems Analysis and Design
The content of this course concentrates on exposing the student to an in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to use Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology and Object Oriented Data Modelling techniques.  The knowledge will give them the capability to analyse systems, identify problems and requirements specifications, as well as produce documentation necessary to facilitate the development of computer-based solutions to problems prevalent in a variety of organizations.  Students will learn how to apply the basic techniques of analysis and design for the purpose of developing a computer based solution to a problem.

BM 114  General Management Principles
The course aims to introduce the student to the evolution of management thought and influencing factors:  the schools of management thought – classical, behavioural, systems and contingency and their proponents (Frederick Taylor, Henry Fayol, Max Weber, Elton Mayo, Douglas McGregor etc).

CS 111 Communication Skills
The course aims to equip students with communication skills essential for academic work at University level and also to help students develop critical reading and thinking skills.

Year 1 Second Semester

IS 121  Introduction to Database Systems
The course equips the student with the understanding of essential theory as well as practical skills necessary for them to be able to develop efficient and effective Relational Database Application systems to solve a variety of problems faced by the business community.

IS 122  Programming with Visual Basic
The aim of the course is to introduce students to problem solving techniques using Visual Basic, and to expose them to fundamental building blocks of Visual Basic Programming.  The course provides the student with practical skills necessary to create database applications for the Windows environment.

IS 123  Programming Using C
This course covers fundamental concepts of C programming language and basic principle tools required to develop programs.  The sequence of topics provides a straight forward and disciplined way of developing programs which promote good programming habits.  The course begins with an outline of basic structure of a C program data types and data representation and storage.  This is followed by mastering of key words, operators and programming constructs.  The final topics concentrate on creating advanced storage methods (such as arrays and structures), reuse and functional decomposition and design methodology.

IS 124  Gender and ICT
The course examines the concept of gender and its impact on society.  A critical review of theoretical perspectives that have tried to define gender, the consequences of gender, categorization in relation to our attitudes towards violence, social movements that have challenged existing gender categories and social justice interventions/ measures to redress gender inequality will be attempted in this course.

IS 125  Computer Networks and Telecommunications
The course provides the student with the fundamental knowledge needed to plan, identify requirements, and design, select hardware and software and configure an enterprise network.  The students will be exposed to a solid understanding of how Token Ring and Ethernet LAN work.  The course is suitable for those intending to get involved in designing, configuring or implementing LANs, including system analysts, design engineers, technical managers and telecommunications personnel.

Year 2 First Semester

IS 211 Management Information Systems
The course is designed to provide the student with knowledge and ability to make use of information systems to improve managerial decision making.  The student will learn how computing technologies and Information System Techniques facilitate managerial functions.

IS 212  Computer Quantitative Methods
The aims of the course are to:
Develop the student’s ability to apply mathematical (computational) techniques and concepts in solving common programming problems
Provide the student with supporting knowledge to cope with other courses subjects

IS 213  Software Engineering
The course exposes the student to a variety of software development models, analysis and design and methodologies employed by software engineering professionals in creating, testing and maintaining quality software.  The course will benefit those interested in working as software developers or managers of teams of software developers.

IS 214  Advanced Database Systems
The course will provide the student with working knowledge and practical skills in two important and latest Database Management Systems as well as the importance and use of SQL.  Introduction to Database Management Systems is a prerequisite of this course.

EDM 115  Business Economics
This course covers a range of critical interest to the practising manager.  The course will focus on the theory and analysis of business as well as empirical applications, applied problems and case studies.  It makes use of analytical tools mainly of microeconomics and macroeconomics in analyzing and solving problems in business.

Year 2 Second Semester

IS 221 Visual C++
The course serves to quip the students with the fundamentals of developing windows-based applications.

IS 222 Concepts of Java
Students will get an opportunity to learn a platform of independent language (the language can be executed on many different types of computers without being recompiled).  Object oriented design, modeling and programming will be further developed and enhanced.

IS 223  Web Graphics Design and Java Scripting
The course enables students to create dynamic web pages.  Java script will be used for connecting to the database platform for example mysql, sql server, oracle etc.

IS 224  Design and Analysis of Algorithms
The course assists students in using algorithms.  They must be able to design their own algorithms to solve problems, compare algorithms:  time complexity, space complexity, implement the algorithms using programming languages C, C++, Java)

BM 124  Small Business Management
The course provides students with an understanding of the role of small enterprises in an economy.  It also aims at exposing students to entrepreneurships, nature and problems of the small business sector and how small enterprises are managed for development.

Year 3
Industrial Attachment

Year 4 First Semester

IS 411  Enterprise Information Systems
The course assists students in identifying requirements and information system basic processes and EIS functional areas in an organization.  It also focuses on the types of information systems and architecture of EIS.

BM 225  Research Skills
The course equips students with the knowledge and techniques needed to identify research problems, determine and collect data needed, analyze and interpret data, present information and make recommendations for management decisions.


IS 413  Quality Management
The course aims at enabling students on how to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical, legal aspects of the profession and standards that regulate the conduct of professionals in the discipline of Information Systems.

IS 414  Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems
This course gives an introduction to the field of artificial intelligence.  Al’s scientific goal is to understand intelligence by building computer programs that exhibit intelligent behavior.  At the end of the course students should have an understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems.  The topics covered include an introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Problem solving by search, knowledge representation, acquisition and expert systems.

IS 415   Advanced Visual Basic
The course is an extension of the introduction to Programming with Visual Basic course which is a prerequisite of this course.

Year 4 Second Semester

IS 421  Decision Support Systems
This course seeks to provide essential Decision Support Systems (DSS) concepts, skills needed to build and implement DSS, and hands-on experience with decision support software tools.  Additional types of systems covered:  Executive Information Systems (EIS), Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) and  Expert Systems (ES).

IS 422  Computer Auditing
The students will be expected to understand how each of the four tasks/categories;
Strategy
Policies and procedures
Management practices
Organization structure and contribute to the information systems department’s ability to effectively, efficiently and economically support an organization’s business objectives.

IS 423  Project Management in Computers
The course aims to expose the students to a structured project management philosophy and method that can be applied to any kind of project whether big or small.

The content is based on the PRINCE 2 methodology, which focuses on the product to be produced rather than the activities to produce the product.  At the end of the course the students will be able to view tasks in small projects and be in a position to apply the Project Management knowledge gained to plan and execute the task efficiently and effectively.

BM 111   Accounting & Finance
The course aims to equip the student with the requisite abilities to draw up books of accounts for an organization and be able to make use of accounting and financial information in planning, decision-making and controlling of tasks in organizations.

IS 425  Research Project
Students are required to use this time to identify an information systems-related project problem to solve.  The process of identification has to be properly documented using concepts the students will be covering in the Project Management course and Research Skills.

Examinations
Examinations are written at the end of each semester.  Examiners may, in addition, test any candidate orally and/or having the candidate do a practical examination.

To be admitted to the examinations, a candidate must have:

Attended the approved courses of study as provided for in the General Regulations to the satisfaction of the University.  Attendance shall be taken to include submission of required written assignments and participation in seminars, tutorials and practical classes.

Paid all the prescribed tuition and examination fees in accordance with the General Regulations.
Assessment

Assessment shall be by final examinations and continuous assessment.

A candidate shall have satisfactorily completed the prescribed courses to be eligible for admission to the examinations in those courses.

Coursework shall constitute 30% and the formal examination 70% of the examination.

A student should have a minimum of 15 out of 30 for coursework and 35 out of 70 for final examination.

A candidate who passes more than 50% of the courses in one semester in aggregate shall be permitted to proceed to a subsequent semester carrying failed courses and repeat the ones she/he failed when they are next offered.

Except where otherwise stated, all papers shall be of three hours duration.

Except with the permission of the Senate, no candidate shall proceed to any of the courses prescribed for subsequent parts of the programme before completing all the previous prescribed courses.

Except with the permission of the Senate, no candidate shall proceed to courses prescribed for Year IV before satisfactorily completing the Placement Year in Year III.

Notification of results
Detailed results shall be published in accordance with the provisions of the General Regulations.


Evaluation
During the Placement Year, a student shall work under the joint supervision of the Faculty and a supervisor from the organization for which the student is working.

The academic supervisor shall visit the organization at least twice during the attachment period at agreed dates and times.
On these visits the academic supervisor shall meet with the organization supervisor to determine each student’s overall development and progress.

Before each visit, the industrial supervisor shall be supplied with evaluation forms for the student.  The academic supervisor shall collect these forms at the conclusion of each visit.  The evaluation shall become part of each student’s industrial attachment record.

Not later than two weeks after the end of the Placement Year, each student shall be required to submit a report (to be known as the Final Report) in which he/she shall be required to demonstrate how his or her theoretical knowledge has applied to practical problems and situations arising from the daily activities of the organization to which he/she has been attached.  The aim of the Final Report is to determine whether the student is creative and able to apply the knowledge gained through studies and experience to recognize problems and analyze the situations encountered on the job during the attachment.

A Faculty Academic Panel of assessors and the industrial supervisor(s) shall jointly evaluate the Final Report.

To obtain an overall pass, a student must pass both the Continuous Assessment (based on the regular progress reports) and the Final Assessment components of the Industrial Attachment.

A student who fails any of the Industrial Placement courses shall be required to repeat the year before proceeding to the Final Year of the Programme.

The Overall assessment shall be as follows:   

Continuous Assessment (Industrial/Supervisor’s Report) and Final Assessment (Employer’s Report).

The Continuous Assessment mark shall be determined by the Faculty Panel of Examiners from the marks awarded by the Industrial and Academic supervisors(s) in the Progress Reports.

The Final Assessment mark shall be determined on the basis of the following scale:-
-40% Work-Related Learning Supervisor’s Report -40% Work-Related Learning Employer’s Report -20% Work-Related Learning Student’s Report

Two copies of the Final Report in a form approved by the University shall be submitted to the Faculty office within two weeks after the end of the Attachment Year.

A student who fails to meet the due date of submission of the Final Report shall normally be considered to have failed the Final Assessment.

A student who fails to secure Industrial Attachment shall be deferred and shall repeat the year.

A student, who fails the Final Report but passes the Continuous Assessment components of the third year, may be allowed to re-submit an amended Final Report within one month after the results for re-assessment.

The General Academic Regulations on Pass, Repeat, Discontinue and Withdraw shall apply to Industrial attachment. 
(N.B - Attachment fees to be charged)