Programme Name and Duration
The programme name is Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology (BIST) and is hosted at the Department of Information Systems. The programme runs for 3 academic years comprising of six (6) semesters.
1.1 Target Group
The program targets two categories of entry schemes, namely Direct Entry and Diploma holders in relevant programs.
1.2 Nature of the Program
The day program has both government and privately sponsored students. The evening program has privately sponsored students only.
1.3 Duration
The duration of this program is three (3) academic years consisting of six semesters and two recess terms. Each semester lasts for seventeen (17) weeks out of which two
- weeks are for The first and second years will in addition have a recess term of 10 weeks. For students without the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) certification will take CCNA as an audited course during the first year recess term.
1.4 Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for privately sponsored students shall be UGX 3,200,000 Uganda Shillings per year for Ugandans (see appendix) and East African students and UGX 4,700,000 Uganda Shillings per year for International Students.
Programme Description
The Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology (BIST) is a three year full-time Program open to all qualifying students, commencing in the 2017/2018 academic year.
The Program will be based on an effective curriculum, achieved through considering a number of factors that cover the opportunities, and gaps that need to be addressed by the BIST Program. These included;
- The requirements from the inter university council for East Africa’s March 2015 benchmarks for developing curricula for bachelor of Information Technology Programs
- The internationally recognized ACM curriculum development guidelines for undergraduate degree programs in information systems and information technology
- A market analysis to evaluate the attractiveness and the dynamics of the Information Systems and Technology market within East Africa. Special attention was paid on the kind of jobs/roles being advertised within this market segment and the different skills set that are being sought
- Feedback obtained over a three year period (2013 – 2016) from our industrial partners where our students were placed for the Internship / field
- Consultations made with the ICT Association of
- Industrial and alumni feedback: key stakeholders and experts from regulatory authorities, industry and academia were invited to provide insights as to what their expectations are of an Information Systems and Technology.
The emphasis of this Program is on the ability of graduates to develop conceptual and practical IT skills and their application in communication, business problem solving and integration of organizational functions within the overall business strategy. The BIST program is thus designed to equip learners with the concepts, knowledge and skills required to build and manage robust computer information systems and electronic services that are properly aligned with organizational business strategy.
Graduates of this Program will take up positions related to functionalizing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) domain in public and private sectors. Examples of these positions include: Web-Designers, Web-Programmers, Information Technology Planners, Systems Analysts, IT Project Managers, IT systems auditors, Information Systems Specialists, Security Specialists, Systems Administrators, Network Developers, Network Engineer and Forensics, Network Administration, Programming, Information Technology and Assurance. These competences cover the three broad areas of Information Technology Security, Systems Development and Information Systems Management.
All aspects of the global computing field continue to face rapid and frequent change. The professional context in which the BIT and BIS graduate works has changed considerably over the decades and curricula need to reflect this change. University level curricula need frequent cyclic change to remain effective. The merger of the Bachelor of Information technology and the Bachelor of Information Systems programs at SCIT reflects the need for the following:
- It is a requirement by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for a periodic review of curricula based on program cycles: considering that the BIT and BIS programs were last reviewed in They had run for a cycle of three
- years, and were due for review. The proposed BIST program is in line with this
- A compelling argument for merging the two programs into one Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology (BIST) is a response to strong industry Feedback from internship evaluation reports of the students by industry stakeholders consistently revealed a need by the IT and IS job market for more system developers, system security experts and information systems managers. Furthermore, the students from the two programs were not a ready workforce as characteristically they had strong theoretical knowledge but less skilled on the practical applicability of this knowledge. The BIST program is therefore demand driven and tailored to bridge this gap as well.
- There is an increased demand for graduates equipped with knowledge and skills critical for success in the 21st century such as; life and career skills; learning and innovation skills; and information, media and technology The BIST program (with its three areas of specializations) provides learners with essential skills to be at the cutting edge in the rapidly evolving digital economy. The curriculum is designed to educate graduates who are prepared to enter the workforce equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and competencies. The BIST program design separates the core of the curriculum from the electives with the intent of supporting the concept of career tracks.
The program is therefore designed to have a set of selected course units that enable a graduate to apply IT and IT skills in solving societal and organizational problems in such diverse fields as medicine, agriculture, commerce, tourism and environment among many others. The mode of delivery used in the program provides for learning, life, and career skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
The Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology (BIST) program aims to educate and develop students in broad and deep aspects of information systems and technology concerned with their implementation in a wide variety of organizational environments. It is designed to address the concerns of different stakeholders by focusing on a learner’s academic ability, employability and personal development. Specifically, the Program seeks to:
- Equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to learn, design, develop, install, and implement all types of computer information systems and
- Provide learners with knowledge and innovative skills required to develop applications of Information Systems and Technology in a dynamic organizational
- Prepare learners for life-long learning and research in the area of Information Systems and Technology.
- Connect learners to industry through placements and internships in the field of Information Systems and Technology.
- Impart professional, legal, security, ethical and social awareness pertinent to Information Systems and Technology.
- Equip the learner with soft skills and attitude to work as part of a team in multicultural, global, technical and non-technical environments.
Upon successful completion of this Program, students should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competencies to learn, design, develop, install, and implement all types of computer information systems and technologies used in
6.2. Skills
- Utilize the knowledge and innovative skills required to develop applications of Information Systems and Technology in a dynamic organizational
- Apply the soft skills and be able to work as part of a team in multicultural, global, technical and non-technical
- Pursue further studies and carry out research in the area of Information and Systems
- Demonstrate application of knowledge and skills learnt in real practical
6.3. Values and Attitudes
Demonstrate a considered appreciation of the necessary legal, security, ethical and professional values appropriate to the provision of information services.
6.1. Admission Requirements
Direct Entry
A candidate must satisfy the general minimum entry requirements of Makerere University. Students’ entry through ‘A’ level must have:
- At least two principle passes at advanced level of education
- At least five passes (with credits in English and Maths) at ordinary level in one sitting or its equivalent.
For purposes of computing weighted points, the advanced level subjects shall be grouped and weighted as follows:
Table 1: A level subjects used to compute weighted points for comparison with minimum weighted points
Group | Weight | Subjects |
Essential |
3 | Two best done subjects from among: Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Biology and Geography, Entrepreneurship. |
Relevant | 2 | Any other best one done subject of all A level subjects |
Desirable | 1 | General Paper, Sub-Mathematics, Computer Studies |
Others | 0.5 | All others |
Diploma Holders
Applicants should possess at least a second class (lower division) Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Information Technology, CCNA, or any other Diploma with Business or Computing aspects or equivalent performance from recognised institutions by the Makerere University Senate / National Council of Higher Education.
Mature Age Entry
Under the Mature Age Entry Scheme, the following are the major Policies;
- For a candidate to qualify for entry to the University he/she MUST sit and pass the university Mature Age Entry Examinations.
- To be eligible to the Mature Age Entry Examinations, the candidate MUST be at least 25 years old before 1st August of the year in which admission is
No candidate who had previously attended a programme at Makerere University shall be re-admitted to the University under this scheme to a programme of study in which he/she failed to qualify during his/her previous attendance.
Programme Structure
Year 1 Semester I (5 Courses)
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (5 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 1101 | Foundations of Information Systems and Technology |
45 |
30 |
— |
60 |
4 |
Core |
Modified |
IS |
CSK 1101 | Communication Skills | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | Lang. |
IST 1102 | Emerging Trends in Information Systems and Technology |
45 |
— |
30 |
60 |
4 |
Core |
Modified |
IS |
CSC 1107 | Structured Programming | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | CS |
MTH 1110 | Basic Mathematics | 30 | — | 30 | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | MTH |
Audited course: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
CSC 1109 | Computer Literacy | 30 | 60 | — | 60 | 4 | Audited | Old | CS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
Year 1 Semester II (5 Courses)
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (5 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 1201 | Applied Business Statistics | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
IST 1202 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IS |
IST 1203 | Data and Information Management I | 30 | 60 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
IST 1204 | Systems Analysis and Design | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
CSC 1214 | Object Oriented Programming | 30 | 60 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | CS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
Year 1: Recess Term
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
CSC 1303 | Cisco Certified Network Associate | — | 150 | — | 75 | 5 | Audited | Old | CS |
CSC 1304 | Practical Skills Development | 15 | 90 | 30 | 75 | 5 | Core | Old | CS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
Year 2 Semester I (5 Courses)
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (5 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 2101 | Data and Information Management II | 30 | 60 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IS |
IST 2102 | Web Systems and Technologies I | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IT |
BAM 2102 | Entrepreneurship Principles | 30 | — | 30 | 45 | 3 | Core | Modified | Bus |
IST 2103 | Information Systems Security and Risk Management |
30 |
30 |
— |
45 |
3 |
Core |
Old |
IS |
IST 2104 | Electronic Media Systems and Multimedia |
45 |
30 |
— |
60 |
4 |
Core |
Old |
IT |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
|
|
|
Year 2 Semester II (5 Courses)
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (5 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 2201 | System Administration | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 2202 | E-services | 30 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
IST 2203 | Research Methodology | 45 | — | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IT |
IST 2204 | IST Project Management | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IT |
IST 2205 | Web Systems and Technologies II | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IT |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
Year 2: Recess Term
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
IST 2302 | Field Attachment | — | 150 | — | 75 | 5 | Recess | Old | IS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
Year 3 Semester I (5 Courses) – Information Technology Security Option
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (5 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3101 | Project I | 45 | 30 | 30 | 75 | 5 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 3102 | Network Security | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | New | IT |
IST 3103 | Enterprise Network Management | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 3104 | Intrusion Detection and Incident Management |
45 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
4 |
Core |
New |
IT |
IST 3105 | Digital Forensics Investigation | 45 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IT |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
Year 3 Semester II (4 Courses) – Information Technology Security Option
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (3 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3201 | Project II | — | 100 | 50 | 75 | 5 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 3202 | Ethical Hacking | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | New | IT |
IST 3203 | IT Law and Ethics | 30 | — | 30 | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IT |
Electives: (1 Course) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3204 | Information Systems Audit | 30 | 30 | — | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IS |
IST 3205 | Software Systems Testing | 30 | 30 | — | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
Year 3 Semester I (5 Courses) – Systems Development Option
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (5 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3101 | Project I | 45 | 30 | 30 | 75 | 5 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 3106 | Integrative Programming and Technologies |
30 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
4 |
Core |
Old |
IT |
IST 3107 | Intelligent Systems | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
IST 3108 | Applications Development | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
CSC 3110 | User Interface Design | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | CS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
Year 3 Semester II (4 Courses) – Systems Development Option
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (3 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3201 | Project II | — | 100 | 50 | 75 | 5 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 3203 | IT Law and Ethics | 30 | — | 30 | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IT |
IST 3206 | System Integration and Deployment | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IT |
Electives: (1 course) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3204 | Information Systems Audit | 30 | 30 | — | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IS |
IST 3205 | Software Systems Testing | 30 | 30 | — | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
Year 3 Semester I (5 Courses) – Information Systems Management Option
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (5 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3101 | Project I | 45 | 30 | 30 | 75 | 5 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 3108 | Applications Development | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
IST 3109 | Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence |
30 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
4 |
Core |
Old |
IS |
IST 3110 | Business Process Management | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 | Core | Old | IS |
IST 3111 | Information Systems Architecture | 45 | 30 | — | 60 | 4 | Core | Modified | IS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
Year 3 Semester II (4 Courses) – Information Systems Management Option
Course Code | Course Name | LH | PH | TH | CH | CU | Type | Remark | Host dept |
Cores: (3 core courses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3201 | Project II | — | 100 | 50 | 75 | 5 | Core | Modified | IT |
IST 3203 | IT Law and Ethics | 30 | — | 30 | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IT |
IST 3207 | Information Systems Strategy, Management and Acquisition |
45 |
30 |
— |
60 |
4 |
Core |
Old |
IS |
Electives: (1 Course) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
IST 3204 | Information Systems Audit | 30 | 30 | — | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IS |
IST 3208 | Modelling and Simulation | 30 | 30 | — | 45 | 3 | Core | Old | IS |
Total CU |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
The Graduation Load
The minimum graduation load is one hundred twenty three (123) credit units. The core courses in the first four semesters (year 1 plus year 2) contribute eighty seven (87) credit units to the graduation load. Each of the three tracks (in year 3) contributes thirty six (36) credit units to the graduation load.