PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

To prepare in-service teachers to teach Computer Science up to ‘A’ Level and produce highly qualified personnel for educational institutions, government departments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

2.0   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry:   

Diploma in Computer Science Education from accredited and recognised institution or equivalent.

3.0   PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

Areas of Study:

Computer Science Education

Specialist Focus:

Training teachers in Computer science education

Orientation:

Research and innovation-oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on practical aspects

 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Employability:

Graduates can be employed as teachers, lecturers, Education Inspectors, Training Officers, consultants, laboratory technicians, IT consultancy, network support engineers, IT managers and the like in related industries.

Further Studies:

Master’s and Doctoral studies in Computer Science Education.

5.0   PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, seminars, group work, industrial visits, micro-teaching, teaching practice, research projects, individual independent study, virtual and online teaching.

 

Level 1 Semester 1 

Code            Module Description                                                                        Credits

BCHS131    Culture and Heritage Studies                                                             12

BED144       Schools Curriculum Competencies and Innovation                             12                                                                                                                                          

SECS101     Computer Technology Concepts and Practices                                   12

SECS102     Fundamentals of Computer Architecture                                         12

SECS103     Foundations of Computer Programming                                             12

SECS104     Mathematics for Computing                                                              12

SECS105     Systems analysis and design                                                              12

 

Level 1 Semester 2

BED131       Research Methods and Statistics                                                        12

BED231       Assessment and Evaluation Techniques                                             12

SECS106     Data Structures and Algorithms                                                         12

SECS107     Advanced Pedagogics in Computers Science                                      12

SECS108     Object-Oriented Programming 1                                                        12

SECS109     Software Engineering with Object(s)                                                 12

 

Level 2 Semester1

BEIE501      Entrepreneurship and Industrialisation in Education                            12

EDGS231    Gender Studies for Educators                                                            12

BEFM231                School Administration & Financial Management in

                     Education                                                                                         12

SECS201                 Operating Systems and Hardware                                                      12

SECS202     Managing Network Hardware and security                                         12

 

Electives

EFS 131:      Sociological Issues in Education                                                        12

or

EFPS 131:    Psychological Issues in Education                                                     12

or

EFPH 131:   Philosophical Issues in Education                                                      12

 

Level 2 Semester 2

SECS203     Database Systems                                                                                  12

SECS204     Internet Programming                                                                       12

SECS205     Object Oriented Programming 11                                                      12

SECS206     Management Information Systems                                                     12

BED135       Contemporary Issues in Education                                                     12

BED232       Research Project                                                                               24

BED136       Educational Management                                                              12

MODULE SYNOPSES

BCHS131: Culture and Heritage Studies

The module examines the concepts of culture and heritage as they relate to unhuism/ubuntuism, innovation and industrialisation. Emphasis is placed on the values of social, historical, architectural, scientific and cultural heritage that can be capitalised on for socio-economic development. Exploration of landscapes that contain cultural heritage associated with knowledge, songs, stories, art objects and human remains.  

SECS101: Computer Technology Concepts and Practices

This module is designed to familiarise the students with computer technology concepts and the operation of computers and various application programmes and equip them to use computers in their respective areas of study to solve problems afflicting human society. It also covers work on a number of systems and emerging technologies like IoT, Cloud computing, Moodle and Moocs, and the like, basic application software, computer networking and computer security issues.

SECS102: Fundamentals of Computer Architecture

This module shows students how computers really work and how millions of transistors come together to form a complete computing system. Topics covered include transistors, logic gates, basic processor components, memory, input/output devices, and low-level machine instructions. This module has a required lab component and is required for the entire programme.

SECS103: Foundations of Computer Programming

This module covers essential elements of computer programming.  It provides the student with the skills required to design, code, test and execute programmes that can be used to solve everyday problems inherent in business, civil society and government. Topics include compilers, interpreters, data types, variables, expressions, control structures, functions, arrays, files, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging computer programmes, Fundamental data structures, primitive types and mini projects on programming.

SECS104: Mathematics for Computing

This module introduces the student to mathematical concepts for computing. Topics to be covered include binary and other number bases, mathematical sets and functions, logic and Boolean algebra, finite state machines, relations, graphs and trees.

SECS105: Systems analysis and design

The module introduces the student to systems theory and concepts. Topics to be covered include the system development life cycle SDLC, tools of the analyst, the planning phase, project management, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment and maintenance phases.

BED131: Research Methods and Statistics

The module introduces students to the basic principles of research. It develops the students’ knowledge and skills in the following areas: identification of research problems in education; selection of appropriate research designs and data collection tools; data analysis techniques; research findings and conclusions; and research report writing. The module also introduces students to educational research that is aligned with sustainable development issues such as environmental conservation and poverty eradication.

BED231: Assessment and Evaluation Techniques

The module covers assessment and evaluation issues in education across all subject areas. The content of the module includes an analysis of the concepts of evaluation, assessment and measurement in education; contemporary ideas on how to improve assessment and evaluation in schools; test designing; analysis of test results; national examinations and grading.

SECS106: Data Structures and Algorithms

This module focuses on designing, implementing and analysing efficient data structures and algorithms for computer programmes. Topics covered include algorithms and programmes, lists, queues, dictionaries, tree data structures, sorting techniques, directed and un-directed graphs, representation of graphs, heuristic algorithms, and implementation of data structures in any high-level programming language.

SECS 107: Advanced Pedagogics in Computer Science

This module is about computer technology and classroom dynamics, resources for the teaching of Computer Science, and Issues in the design of ICT learning environments.  Emphasis shall be on strategies for teaching computing, development of marking criteria assessment of computer projects, and management of computer laboratories.

SECS 108: Object Oriented Programming I

This module aims to introduce students to the concept of OOP. It also introduces students to the C++ language and trains students to develop applications in C++. Topics to be covered include characteristics of OOD systems, classes and objects, message passing, Data abstraction, data hiding, inheritance and polymorphism.

SECS 109: Software Engineering with Objects

This module is an introduction to software engineering in industry. It covers the problems and solutions manifest in real software development and modification projects. Different models of the software engineering process are compared and contrasted. Current best practices in software engineering and various approaches to software process improvement are presented. Topics to be covered include approaches to software development, requirements concepts and analysis, classes and associations interactions, states and activities and use of UML tools in software development.

BEIE501: Entrepreneurship and Industrialisation in Education

The module equips the students with entrepreneurial skills on how to set up and successfully operate business/production units within and outside educational environments. Students are expected to develop a conceptual framework for entrepreneurship and distinguish between wage employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship. Familiarisation with the incubation hub and the transformation of education into an industry are considered.

EDGS231: Gender Studies for Educators

The module exposes students to the concept of gender and its significance to education. It also exposes students to how education spaces construct gender differences and the implications of these differences on learners and staff, and how schools can close the gender gap by studying theoretical perspectives on gender, cultural dimensions and their implications to education. It also exposes students to different empowerment frameworks and legislation.

BEFM231: School Administration and Financial Management in Education

The module introduces students to sound administration and financial management practices followed in schools and other educational institutions. It tackles the basic tenets of the nature and purpose of administration and familiarises students with skills in budgeting and budgetary control. Students are further introduced to the accounting systems in schools and the interpretation of policies and statutes that govern financial and asset management in educational institutions.

BED144: Schools Curriculum Competencies and Innovation                                                                                                                                            

The module introduces students to the schools’ curriculum and basic theories of curriculum development. It explores the philosophy of the Zimbabwean competence-based curriculum and its implications for teaching. The specific competencies in the curriculum are analysed in relation to how they empower students with life-long competencies that prepare students for sustainable livelihoods inside and outside formal employment. Such competencies include but are not limited to creativity, innovation, industrialisation, and entrepreneurship.

SECS201: Operating Systems and Hardware

This module covers the basics of operating systems, their characteristics and applications, Hardware concepts, storage devices, motherboards, configuration and maintenance, hardware and network security and troubleshooting, and recovery from disasters.

EFS131 & EFPS131 & EFPH131: Applied Educational Foundations

This module enhances students with basic philosophical, psychological and sociological theories that are central to the learning and development of children from diverse backgrounds. The module also interrogates the interconnection between educational foundations and innovation, thereby further equipping students with vibrant critical thinking skills to awaken the creative capabilities inherent in them.

BED232: Research Project

The student shall cover a substantial amount of work doing a systems design project which entails working with a live client to solve a business problem. At the end of it, all the student must be able to design and develop a software product that can be adopted by individuals, or a business organisation to demonstrate innovation and promote industrialisation.

SECS202: Managing Network Hardware and Security

This module covers networking fundamentals, Ethernet LANs and switches, IP version 4 addressing and subnetting and its implementation, IP version 6, fundamentals of WANs, virtual LANs and operating CISCO routers and network security

SECS203: Database Systems

This module covers database concepts and users, Architecture and ER modelling, relational models and relational algebra, database queries, functional dependencies and concurrency control in database transactions as well as database security.

SECS 204: Internet Programming

This module introduces The World Wide Web, The Internet and Mark-up (HTML), Style: CSS, User experience and Design principles, Dynamic Web content development with PHP. PHP files includes, development of PHP Web applications, python scripts, web security and web content management systems.

SECS205: Object oriented Programming 11

The module exposes students to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), java classes and objects, constructors, inheritance, interfaces, threads and swings, applets and web application development capabilities.

SECS206: Management Information Systems

This module covers basic concepts in Management information systems. Information systems in global business today, ISs in organisations, ethical, legal and social issues in ISs, business intelligence, internet, telecommunications and wireless technologies, E-commerce and IS security, managing global projects and systems, and managing IT infrastructure.

BED135: Contemporary Issues in Education

The module exposes students to the most current global trends like globalisation, sustainable development goals, gender, human rights, and health pandemics and how these feed into and also how they affect the Zimbabwean Education system.  The thrust is to leverage current trends in promoting innovation, industrialisation and modernisation through Education 5.0.