REGULATIONS FOR THE MASTER OF COMMERCE DEGREE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (BS30)
| Duration | 1,5 years |
| Credit Load | 306 |
| Minimum Credit Load | 270 |
| Maximum Credit Load | 340 |
| Maximum MBKs Credit Load | 206 |
| ZNQF Level | 9
|
- PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME
The goal of the programme is to educate students to become Information Systems Engineers and Managers who have the ability to conceive IT solutions in the widest context. The programme aims to develop the sound conceptual, technical, analytical and communication skills that are required to succeed in the I.T. profession. To this end, the programme employs a rigorous case analysis approach, which requires students to exercise their analytical abilities and develop effective verbal and written communication skills
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for entry into this programme, prospective students must hold a good pass in an honours degree in Information Systems, Computer Science or relevant qualification with a strong programming background.
- PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS
Areas of study: Programming; Artificial Intelligence; Database Systems; Management; Emerging Technologies; Security; Networking
Specialist Focus: The goal of the programme is to help meet the increasing demand for knowledgeable personnel who possess a balanced combination of technical and managerial skills.
Orientation: Research and innovation oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on practical aspects
Distinctive Features: The programme builds the research-technology-innovation continuum and focuses on knowledge development and application using a student-centred approach
- CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Programmer; Project Manager; Chief Information Officer; Consultant; Database Designer; Systems Designer; Chief Technology Officer
Further studies
Doctoral studies in Information Systems or in interdisciplinary programmes related to Information Systems
- PROGRAMME DELIVERY
- Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures, tutorials, group work, dissertation, individual independent study
- Assessment Methods:Written and oral examinations, tests, final year dissertation, presentations, term papers, continuous assessments.
- LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- use computing and mathematics skills in solving real-time problems.
- develop models for development using the computing and mathematics application
- design, implement, and evaluate a computer‐based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs of commerce and administration
- create companies and businesses in data analytics to reduce production costs, crime and detection of risks.
- innovate in the field of business computing, connectivity and data security
- Design affordable data analytics packages and business support for entrepreneurships.
- GENERAL PROVISIONS
Refer to faculty and general regulations
- PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT
Coursework marked out of 40 (Test 15%, Assignments 5%, Practicals 15%, Term paper 10%) and
Written Examinations marked out of 60
- PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION
- Students shall progress from Semester One to Semester Two at each Level after they have passed more than 50% of modules taken in a semester.
- The Faculty Board of Examiners shall meet at the end of the first semester of the level to ratify the marks obtained by candidates and considered by Departmental Boards.
- The Faculty Board of Examiners shall meet at the end of the second semester of a level to ratify the marks obtained by candidates and make recommendations to Senate on issues of progression by students to the next level. In the case of repeat level students, the Faculty Board of Examiners may, however, make a recommendation to withdraw or discontinue the student at this stage.
- For a student to proceed from one level to the other, he/she must have passed at least 75% of the number of modules normally scheduled in a particular level of a programme.
- FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS
Refer to general regulations
- GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION
Refer to general regulations
- DEGREE WEIGHTING
Refer to faculty regulations
- AWARD OF DEGREE
Refer to general regulations
- PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Level 1 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
MIM 731 Operating Systems and Microcomputer Technologies 18
MIM 732 Advanced Databases 18
MIM 733 Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems 18
MIM 734 Object Oriented Programming- Java 18
MIM 735 E-Commerce Strategies 18
Level 1 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
MIM 736 Software Engineering 18
MIM 737 Information Security 18
MIM 738 E-Corporate Governance and Ethics 18
MIM 740 Change Management 18
MIM 739 Applied Research Methods 18
Level 2 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
MIM 833 Advanced Project Management 18
MIM 831 Advanced Data Communication and Networking 18
MIM 832 Dissertation/Research Project 90
- SYNOPSES
MIM 731 Operating Systems and Microcomputer Technologies
Review of fundamental Operating systems concepts. The history of design of operating systems. Detailed study of the internal functioning of operating systems. Optimization of modern operating systems performance. Case studies of Linux and Windows. Introduction to microcomputer system software and a comparison of microcomputer systems vs. embedded systems.
MIM 732 Advanced Databases
The module builds upon the student’s general understanding of database systems acquired in the prerequisite undergraduate module(s). Concepts such as database architectures, parallelism, distributed databases, speciality databases and applications, data warehousing, data mining and its algorithms, XML data and web databases will be discussed.
MIM 733 Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems
This module seeks to consolidate the basics of artificial intelligence and expert systems and move to the application of these aspects in practical industrial situations. It also seeks to show how knowledge and reasoning are demonstrated through the use of intelligent agents. Knowledge representation techniques such as rules, frames, cases and semantic nets are also explored.
MIM 734 Object Oriented Programming – Java
This module offers full coverage of the theory and practice of object-oriented programming in a project-based environment. Detailed concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, and encapsulation are covered. Java language concepts such as inner classes, exceptions, coupling, and cohesion will be described. The use of threads in Java will be looked at. Students should be able to develop real-life applications using Object Oriented Programming aspects.
MIM 735 E-Commerce Strategies
The module seeks to develop an understanding and appreciation of the significance of e-commerce concepts and issues in the contemporary business world. The student will be able to examine the business implications of e-commerce in the following areas Corporate Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Customer Experience, Customer Relationship Management, E-Services, Marketing channels, distribution, Online Product Promotion and Payment Systems among others.
MIM 736 Software Engineering
The module aims to develop a broad understanding of the discipline of software engineering (gained in the earlier Software Engineering course) by considering the wider systems engineering context in which software plays a role. It aims to examine the concepts and techniques associated with a number of advanced and industrially relevant topics, relating to both the product and processes of software engineering. It seeks to complement this with an account of the associated practical and professional issues in software engineering. The module will also provide an on-going project clinic to directly support the group project work.
MIM 737 Information Security
Information security pervades every aspect of the modern online experience, now reaching into mobile phones and games consoles as well as conventional computers. This course covers some of the fundamental principles of computer security. After identifying some different aspects of security, a number of practical challenges will be presented. For each one, the aim is to specify the requirements of a solution, explain an appropriate (mathematics-based) tool, and then discuss pitfalls, attacks, and countermeasures. Topics covered include will one-way functions, symmetric and asymmetric block ciphers, keyed hashes, digital signatures, and simple key exchange protocols. Principles of digital forensics: Digitization (storage, interchange, digital objects, composites, and packages) . The module has been aligned to the ACM/IEE curriculum. The topics that dealt with theoretical aspects of digital computer signal processing have been reviewed to reflect a Solid approach rather than abstract approach
MIM 738 E-Corporate Governance and Ethics
The module looks at corporate governance theories, corporate governance codes, Board of Directors, Corporate governance in Zimbabwe in private Companies and public sector companies. The relationship between IT governance and corporate governance, IT governance focus areas, IT governance frameworks, IT Governance Risk Management, Information Security Governance, Problems in implementing IT Governance in Zimbabwe.
MIM 739 Applied Research Methods
Research, research types, Research planning and design, Project Proposal, Data collection techniques, Literature review, Research techniques, Methodology and Methods, Sampling techniques, Validity and reliability, Research report writing, Ethical issues in Information Systems Research.
MIM 740 Change Management
Understanding the Changing Environment, Drivers of Change in the World around Us, Living in the Comfort Zone and Resistance to Change, Typical Change Initiatives, Understanding the Need for Change, Building Advocacy – Diminishing Complacency, Tactics for Success.
MIM 831 Advanced Data Communication and Networking
Presentations and detailed analysis of computer/data networking technologies. Topics include ISOOSI layers 2 and above networking technologies, such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, Ethernet networks, multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), and Internet protocol technologies, and their applications. Network architectures, protocol stacks, routing algorithms, quality of service (QoS), flow control and traffic management techniques, router/switch design, and data network applications/services will be studied.
MIM 832 Dissertation/Research Project
A completed Dissertation shall be submitted to the department two months before exams, A dissertation is carried out by the students in an area of their choice related to the discipline of Information Systems. The Dissertation applies the concepts and tools taught in the applied research module.
MIM 833 Advanced Project Management
The module seeks to equip students with the technical knowledge in areas of project management and the ability to work in a pro-active manner to minimise threats and maximise opportunities. Concepts to be covered include strategic project management, managing project integration, stakeholders and initiation, project quality management, project procurement management, project risk management and project HR management.