JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology

(Four Year Program)

REGISTRATION

BCT-1
No student shall be registered for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology without
satisfying the minimum University entry requirements.

Applicants should note that this is a MINIMUM requirement and this does not guarantee any applicant
automatic admission to the School of Computing and Information Technology or to the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology.

BCT-2
(a) In addition each student who is registered in the School of Computing and Information
Technology for the B.Sc. in Computer Technology must have an overall minimum aggregate of
C+ (Plus) and an average grade of C + (C Plus) in one of the following combinations of three
subjects taken in K.C.S.E. (or equivalent examination)

i. Mathematics Physics, Chemistry

ii. Mathematics, Physical Science, Biological Science
(b) Holders of KACE/GCE (“A” level) or Diploma qualifications in appropriate science subjects or
another qualification deemed to be equivalent by the Senate may be considered.

Requirements are as given below:

EITHER

(i) a principal pass in Maths or Physics plus one other principal pass in a science subject in “A”
level/Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE)/General Certificate of Education (GCE).

OR

(ii) a Diploma in relevant subjects and with at least a credit pass from an institution
recognized by the Senate.
OR

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(iii) a Diploma in Computer Science / Information Technology with at least a credit pass in relevant subjects
from an institution recognized by the Senate.

OR

(iv) any other qualifications equivalent to (i) to (iii) above.

2.1 (c) Students who hold any of the qualifications (ii) and (iii) above may at the discretion of the Senate be
given credit for the work done.

2.2 Each student shall be required to take a combination of units as defined in BCT-3 and in accordance with
BCT-6, 7, 8 and 9 in consultation with the Director of the School of Computing and Information Technology. An
approved combination of required and additional units may be modified only with the consent of the Director
during the third week in the semester. For such modifications the students shall seek and obtain prior permission
from the Director.

i. Students who register for their units after the first three weeks of the semester or who request
modification of their required or additional units after the first three weeks of the semester may
have their registration approved subject to (c) (ii) and subject to their paying a late registration
fee of KShs. 50.00 during week 4, which sum may be determined from time to time at the
discretion of the University Senate.

ii. No registration of students or modification of required or additional units shall be allowed after
week 4 of the semester.

iii. A student who does not register for a particular unit but who completes the course work and
who sits for the examination in that unit will be deemed not to have sat for the examination in
that unit.

BCT-3
Courses shall be offered in terms of units, one unit being defined as a series of 35 one-hour lectures. For
this purpose a one-hour lecture is equivalent to a two-hour tutorial or a three-hour practical period, or an
equivalent amount of other assigned study or practical experience or any combination of these that may
be approved by the School of Computing and Information Technology.

BCT-4
To qualify for the award of the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology a candidate
shall have completed study for the Degree extending over a period of not less than FOUR academic
years and not more than SIX academic years.

BCT-5
(a) In ALL the years of study admission for a specific unit in any department shall be subject to the
student meeting the departmental requirements.

(b) A student MAY be allowed to register for a maximum of TWO extra units during any year of
study as ADDITIONAL UNITS in consultation with the Department(s) concerned. The extra
unit(s) will not be counted towards the classification of the Degree, but will appear in the
transcript.

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 (c) A course unit taught jointly between two or among more departments will be counted as a single
unit.

BCT-6
In the First Year a student shall be required to take a minimum of 16 units distributed as follows:

(a) Two University Units

(i) Communication Skills
(ii) HIV/AIDS

(b) Fifteen institute and departmental units.

BCT-7
Second, Third and Fourth Year of Study
(a) In the second, third and fourth years of study, an approved combination of units in any one year
shall have a minimum of SIXTEEN required units, as prescribed in the course outline, plus any
additional units if desired, as provided for in BCT- 5(a) and 5(b).

(b) Each registered student should undertake an industrial attachment during the vacations following
the second semester of second and third year of study, for a period of not less than 8 weeks each
year, being equivalent to ONE unit, and shall be subject to the general regulations for practical
training and industrial attachment.

(c) Each student shall be required to take a Computer Systems Project, during the fourth year of study,
being an equivalent of two units.

(d) Each student shall be required to take General Economics, Principles of Industrial Management,
and Accounts and Finance under entrepreneurship skills.

BCT-8
Enrolment for additional unit(s) outside the School of Computing and Information Technology is
possible provided it is approved by the Director of the School and the Dean of the Faculty in which the
unit(s) are being offered and is feasible within the teaching timetable; and shall not be counted towards
the award of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science.

EXAMINATIONS

ORDINARY EXAMINATIONS
BCT-9
(a) All units shall be examined during the semester in which they are taken. Such examinations shall
be named ordinary examinations.

(b) Examinations shall consist of continuous assessments and University Examinations.

(c) Continuous assessments shall normally comprise practicals, tests and assignments. Continuous
assessments shall contribute 30% and written University Examinations shall contribute 70% of the
marks; except that where a unit consists solely of practical work, it may be assessed out of 100%
by continuous assessment.

A student who has not completed two thirds of the continuous assessments for any unit shall have
his/her ordinary examination results nullified and shall be deemed to have failed in the unit with a
total mark of zero. However such a student may be allowed at the discretion of the ISchool of

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 Computing and Information Technology to sit for a supplementary examination in that unit if
he/she has failed in not more than five required units in the ordinary examinations.

(d) The University Examinations shall consist of written papers covering each unit completed. The
time allowed shall be 2 hours per unit.

(e) Each unit shall be graded out of 100 marks and the pass mark shall be 40.
The marks shall be translated into letter grades as follows:-

70% and above A

60% and below 70% B
50% and below 60% C
40% and below 50% D
Below 40% E

(f) Subject to the provisions of BCT-12 a student who absents himself/herself from a University
Examination for any unit shall be deemed to have failed in the unit, with a total mark of zero.

(g) Industrial attachment shall be assessed and graded on PASS and FAIL basis.

PROGRESS TO NEXT YEAR OF STUDY

BCT-10

In order to proceed to the next year of study candidates must pass all the required units.

SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS
BCT-11
(a) A candidate may sit supplementary examinations in a maximum of four units in any one year. The
maximum marks in supplementary examinations shall be 40% and shall not include continuous
assessment marks.

(b) Subject to the provisions of BCT- 12 a student who absents himself/herself from all the
supplementary examinations he/she was required to sit shall be assumed to have deserted from
the degree course and shall be deregistered forthwith.

SPECIAL EXAMINATIONS
BCT-12
If for some good cause a candidate is unable to sit for one or more examination papers; or is unable to
undertake essential parts of the work for continuous assessment he/she may, on the recommendation of
the School of Computing and Information Technology, and with the approval of the Senate, be
permitted to take special examinations, or undertake extra work for continuous assessment. Special
examinations shall normally be scored out of 100% and shall include continuous assessment. However
the maximum marks in special carry over examinations shall be 40% of the total marks and shall not
include continuous assessment marks.

REPEATING

BCT-13

(a) Subject to BCT 15, a candidate who fails to satisfy BCT 11 even after taking
supplementary examinations shall be required to repeat the failed unit (s)
externally. He/she shall be required to retake the examination(s) in the

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 failed unit(s) during the next time the unit(s) is (are) offered at the ordinary
examination. Such a candidate shall be required to register for the examination in
every failed unit, with the Registrar(Academic), the Faculty and the concerned
Department(s) in the semester when the unit is offered, during the first three
weeks of the semester. A candidate, who has registered for the examination
in every failed unit, may be allowed to attend lectures for every failed unit and to
utilize other facilities upon making appropriate arrangements subject to BCT- 22.
However no marks shall be awarded for any continuous assessment taken. Such a
candidate shall be deemed to be repeating the concerned year of study.

(b) Subject to BCT 15, a candidate, who fails five (5) required units at the ordinary
examinations in any year, shall be required to repeat the failed unit (s)
externally. He/she shall be required to retake examinations only in the failed
units during the ordinary examination period when examinations for the individual
units are offered. Such a candidate will not be allowed to retake examinations during
the supplementary period immediately following the ordinary examination period in
which he/she failed the five units. Such a candidate shall be required to register for
the examination in every failed unit, with the Registrar(Academic), the Faculty and
the concerned Department(s) in the semester when the unit is offered, during
the first three weeks of the semester. A candidate, who has registered for
the examination in every failed unit, may be allowed to attend lectures for the units
and to utilize other facilities upon making appropriate arrangements subject to BCT
22. However no marks shall be awarded for any continuous assessment taken. Such a
candidate shall be deemed to be repeating the concerned year of study.

(c) Subject to BCT 15, a candidate who is repeating externally and who fails an examination, which he/she had
retaken during the ordinary examination period, may be allowed to sit supplementary examinations in the
failed unit(s) as provided for in BCT 12

Progression

(d) The maximum marks in supplementary examinations shall be 40% of the total marks and shall not include
continuous assessment marks.

(e) When a candidate sits for a supplementary examination in any failed unit, the final
mark for the unit shall be the mark awarded in the supplementary examinations.
However, in a case where a candidate would have qualified to proceed to the next
year of study or to pass the final year of study with one failed unit under BCT. 11(a)
or (b) or (c) and yet the candidate sat for an optional supplementary examination in
which he/she scored a mark which was lower than that in the ordinary examination
leading to his/her average mark being less than 40% in the number of units
specified, the candidate will retain the mark in the ordinary University examination
as the final mark.

(f) A candidate who has passed any supplementary examination and who is not satisfied that the grade has
been correctly shown on his/her transcript may appeal to the Registrar (Academic) for the transcript to be
corrected . No appeal for such correction shall be entertained in a case where the appeal has been submitted
later than one (1) month after the student has received the transcript.

STAYING OUT
BCT-14

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 (a) Subject to the approval of the University Senate a newly admitted student who for some good
cause is unable to register in the first year of study may be allowed to defer his/her admission for

one or two complete academic years, and to be admitted to the first year of study at the start of the
following academic year or of the academic year immediately thereafter.
(b) Subject to the approval of the University Senate a continuing student who for some good cause is
unable to register in any year may be allowed to stay out of the University for a period of one or
two complete academic years, and to resume study at the start of the following academic year or of
the academic year immediately thereafter. Such a student shall not be treated as a repeating student
for the year in question unless he/she had already been required to repeat that year.

(c) (i)Subject to the approval of the University Senate a student who has registered and who for some
good cause is unable to complete the course work for any academic year may be permitted to
register for the same year of study as a readmitted student at the start of the following academic
year or of the academic year immediately thereafter. Such a student shall not be treated as a
repeating student for the year in question unless he/she had already been required to repeat that
year.

(ii) Subject to approval by the Senate, a registered student who has completed
the course work and sat for the examinations of the first semester, and who for
some good cause is unable to complete the coursework for any academic year, may
be allowed to stay out of the university for a period of one or two complete academic
years and may be permitted to register during the second semester of the same year
of study as a readmitted student at the start of the second semester of the following
academic year or the academic year thereafter subject to fulfilling BCT.7, 8. The
results for the first semester examinations shall stand. Such a student shall be
required to pay fees for the second semester only, unless there has been an
outstanding fees balance.

(d) Notwithstanding (b), (c) above a student taking academic leave shall not be
allowed to stay out for a total period of more than four (4) academic years after
registration in the first year of study.

DISCONTINUATION

BCT-15
(a) A candidate who fails in six (6) or more units at the ordinary examinations in any year of study
shall be discontinued.

(b) A candidate who fails in any supplementary examination after repeating shall be
discontinued

APPEAL FOR REASSESSMENT

BCT-16
A student who is not satisfied with the grade which he/she has been awarded in any unit may appeal
to the Registrar (Academic) for a re-marking of the written examination paper in that unit on
payment of the appropriate fee which the University Senate shall determine from time to time. The
grade and mark recommended by the examiner(s) shall be the final grade and mark awarded to the

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 student for the unit. No appeal for re-marking of any unit shall be entertained in cases where the
appeal has been submitted later than one month after the student has been notified of the result.

DEREGISTRATION

BCT-17
(a) Subject to BCT-14(a) and (b) a student who has qualified to register for any year of study but
who has failed to register by the end of week four of the first semester shall be assumed to have
deserted from the degree course and shall be deregistered forthwith.

(b) Subject to BCT-14(c) a student who has registered for a particular semester but who has failed to
complete at least two thirds of the continuous assessments in all the units in which he/she has
registered shall be assumed to have deserted from the degree course and shall be deregistered
forthwith.

(c) Subject to the provisions of BCT-12 a student who absents himself/herself from at least six
University examinations in any semester shall be assumed to have deserted from the degree
course, and shall be deregistered forthwith.

EXAMINATION IRREGULARITIES

BCT-18
A student who is found to be guilty of any irregularities during any continuous assessment or
University examination shall be subject to the appropriate penalties as detailed in the University
document on examination irregularities as per the University Examination Regulations.

AWARD OF DEGREE

BCT-19
(a) To be considered for the award of the Degree, a candidate must have taken and passed in sixty
five (65) required units and in both units of industrial attachment.

(b) A candidate who qualifies for the award of the Degree shall be placed in one of the three classes
as follows:-

(i) First Class Honours

(ii) Second Class Honours (Upper Division)
Second Class Honours (Lower Division)
(iii) Pass

(c) No candidate with the overall average mark, as defined in BCT-20, of less than 40% shall be
awarded the Degree.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEGREE

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BCT-20
Subject to the provision of BCT-21 the final classification of the Degree shall be based on the average
mark for all the required sixty three (63) Institute and Departmental units in Bachelor of Science in
Computer Technology taken over all the years of study.

The Degree shall be graded as follows:-

(i) First Class Honours to a candidate whose average mark is 70% or above.
(ii) Second Class Honours (Upper Division) to a candidate whose average mark is at least 60% but
less than 70%.
(iii) Second Class Honours (Lower Division) to a candidate whose average mark is at least 50% but
less than 60%.
(iv) Pass to a candidate whose average mark is at least 40% but less than 50 %.

FEES

BCT-21
Notwithstanding any of BCT-1 to BCT-21 above, registration of a student in the School of Computing and
Information Technology, release of results and awarding of the Degree shall be subject to the student fulfilling all
University regulations concerning payment of fees and other monies due to the University.

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COURSE UNITS

FIRST YEAR

SEMESTER I
BIT 2102 Computer Hardware and Organization
BIT 2205 Networking Essentials
BCT 2101 Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems
BCT 2102 Software Applications-I
BCT 2103 Software Applications-II
BCT 2104 Principles of Programming Languages
BCT 2105 Accounting Software
BCT 2106 Internet

SEMESTER II
SMA 2104 Mathematics for Sciences
BIT 2104 Introduction to Programming
BIT 2106 Operating Systems –I
BIT 2109 Object Oriented Programming –I
BIT 2116 Network System Design and Implementation
BCT 2201 Computing and Communication Skills
BCT 2202 Principles of Electrical Engineering.
BCT 2203 Principles of Computer Maintenance
SZL 2111 HIV AIDS
Elective Unit
BCT 2204 Entrepreneurial Skills

SECOND YEAR

FIRST SEMESTER
SMA 2100 Discrete Mathematics
BIT 2110 Operating Systems-II
BIT 2111 Computer Aided Design.
BIT 2119 Management Information Systems
BIT 2204 Network Systems and Administration
BCT 2205 Electronics
BCT 2206 Digital Electronics
BCT 2207 Multimedia Applications

BCT 2212 Attachment -I

SECOND SEMESTER
SMA 2101 Calculus –I
BIT 2115 Object Oriented Programming -II
ICS 2203 Internet Application Programming
BIT 2118 Application Programming -I
ICS 2105 Data Structures and Algorithms
BCT 2301 Systems Development
BCT 2302 Assembly language

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BCT 2303 Systems Engineering

THIRD YEAR

FIRST SEMESTER
SMA 2102 Calculus –II
BIT 2203 Advanced Programming
BCT 2304 Database Management Systems
BCT 2305 Data Communications
BCT 2306 Fundamentals of Computer Security Technology
BCT 2307 Parallel and Distributed systems
BCT 2308 Software Development Tools and Environments
BCT 2309 Object Oriented Systems Design

SECOND SEMESTER
BIT 23 05 Human Computer Interface
ICS 2307 Simulation and Modeling
BCT 2310 Automata theory
BCT 2311 Compiler Construction
BCT 2312 Database Design and Management
BCT 2313 Formal Software Specification Methods
BCT 2314 Cryptography and Computer Security
BCT 2315 Computer Systems Project
BCT 2412 Attachment –II

FOURTH YEAR

FIRST SEMESTER
BIT 2312 Client/Server systems and computing
BCT 2401 Operations Research
BCT 2402 Research Methodology
BCT 2403 Knowledge Based Systems (KBS)
BCT 2404 Decision Support Systems (DSS)
BCT 2405 Computer Graphical Systems
BCT 2406 Project Research and Definition

SECOND SEMESTER
BIT 2313 Professional Issues in Information Technology
BIT 2212 Business Systems Modeling
BCT 2407 Organization and Management
BCT 2408 Computer Architecture
BCT 2409 Project Management
BCT 2410 Seminar Presentations
BCT 2411 Project Implementation

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