Degree Profile of

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Data Science and Informatics

Institution: Midlands State University
Duration: 4 years
Credit Load: 540
Minimum Credit Load : 480
Maximum Credit Load : 540
Maximum MBKs Credit 384
Load :
Level: SADC-QF - Level 8
Accreditation Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
Organisation(s):
Period of reference: To be accredited by ZIMCHE in 2021

1.0 Purpose of the Programme

By the end of the programme a graduate will be able to:

● Apply knowledge of Data Science and Informatics to solve real-life problems.
● Conceptualise, design and develop an Information system to meet desired needs.
● Be able to use and understand classical and modern data-analytics techniques, statistical
machine learning techniques, AI, parallel and distributed computing, to solve practical problems
characterised by large-scale data.
● Employ algorithmic problem-solving skills to the problem at hand, including defining
clear requirements to a problem, decomposing the problem, using efficient strategies to arrive
at an algorithmic solution, and implementing solutions through programming in a suitable high-
level language.
● Build expertise in a range of appropriate software, including the widely used Python and
R languages for a career in Data Science and Informatics.
● Apply modern data science methods to one or more domains of application (e.g. business
analytics, finance, biotechnology, and public health).
● Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility in areas such as data ownership,
security and sensitivity of data, consequences and privacy concerns of data analysis, and the
professionalism of transparency and reproducibility.

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2.0 Entry Requirements
For all entry pathways, candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level subjects/ National
Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject at
grade C or better.
Normal Entry
‘A’ Level Mathematics or Statistics and a pass at ‘A’ level in at least two of the following
subjects or their equivalents: Accounts, Economics, Management of Business and Computer
Studies.
Special Entry
National Diploma or Higher National Diploma in Information Technology or any related
fields.
Mature Entry
Should be at least 23 years old for females and 25 years old for males AND should have at
least 2 years relevant industrial experience.
Visiting School
either:
A National Diploma in an Information Technology related field or any equivalent
Tertiary qualification
or: At least two (2) passes in relevant “A” level subjects and proof of employment

3.0 Programme Characteristics

Programming, Data Science fundamentals, Human-Computer Interaction,
Areas of Computer and Information Ethics, Machine Learning, Data Warehousing,
Study: Data Mining, Enterprise Architectures, Web Mining, Database
Administration
Specialist
Data Science and Informatics
Focus:
Research and innovation-oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally
Orientation:
oriented and focused on practical aspects

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 The programme builds the research-technology-innovation continuum and
Distinctive
focuses on knowledge development and application using a student-centred
Features:
approach
4.0 Career Opportunities and Further Education
Careers in Data Science and Informatics include Data Science Engineer,
Employability
Data Analysts, Big Data Consultant, Data Warehouse Specialist, Database
:
Administrator, and Business Intelligence Analysts.
Master’s and Doctoral studies in Data Science and Informatics or in
Further
interdisciplinary programmes related to Cloud Computing and the Internet of
Studies:
Things.
5.0 Programme Delivery
Teaching and
Lectures, tutorials, computer practicals, group work, work-related learning
Learning
report, mini WRL research project, individual independent study
Methods:
Written and oral examinations, tests, computer projects, presentations,
work-related learning reports, mini WRL research projects, final year
research project reports and continuous assessments. Each credit has 10
Assessment
notional hours. Practical modules have a continuous assessment mark
Methods:
weight of 40% whilst other modules constitute a weight of 30%.
Examinations will be both theoretical and practical depending on the
module.

6.0 General provisions

The Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree programme is normally studied over four levels
and shall normally include a period of Work-Related Learning during Level Three.
6.1 The Visiting School programme caters for students who are in full-time employment
and is studied over three levels.
6.1.1 The Work Related Learning for the Visiting School programme will run concurrently
with the second level. The period that students are at their workplaces during the second level
(outside the one week per month during the semester when the students attend lectures at the
University) shall constitute the Work-Related Learning.
6.2 The Special Departmental Regulations shall prescribe the total number of modules per
programme per semester, and the degree structures.
6.3 In level Four (Level Three for Bachelor of Commerce Visiting School), each student

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shall be required to write a Dissertation on a chosen subject or topic within his/her field
programme of study and this work may be based on tasks and research performed during the
Work-Related Learning period.
6.4 Exemption is a process of crediting a student with the module(s) already passed in
programmes similar or equivalent to the one on offer. A student may be exempted from
studying such modules.
However, the student has to apply for a credit transfer. In his/her application the following
should be attached:
(a) A transcript of the module(s) to be credit transferred.
(b) A synopsis of the module(s) from the University/College where the module was
attained.
(c) A support letter from the Registrar’s Office of the institution where the module(s) were
attained.
6.5 The respective Departmental Boards will sit and assess applications for credits transfers
and would recommend accordingly to Senate.
6.6 No student shall be exempted from more than 50% of the modules offered in the
programme.

7.0 Programme assessment

Continuous Practical Module:

Assessment: Written Assignments, In-Class Tests, Presentations, Seminars 15%
Practical – (Laboratory work, Workshops)
25%
Non-Practical Module:
Written Assignments, In-Class Tests, Presentations, Seminars 25%
Written Practical Module 60%
Examinations: Non-Practical Module 75%

Project assessment: Project documentation 60%

Project Implementation (actual system) 40%

8.0 Provision for progression

8.1 Students shall progress from Semester One to Semester Two at each Level after they

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have passed more than 50% of the modules taken in a semester.

8.2 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.

8.3 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 the 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.
8.4 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.

9.0 Failure to satisfy examiners

Refer to Section 9 of the General Academic Regulations.

10.0 Grading and degree classification

All Bachelor’s degrees shall be classified in the following classes: First Class, Upper Second
Class, Lower Second Class and Pass.
The following Grading and Degree Classification System shall be adopted for all modules and
programmes:
75% and above 1 (First Class)
65%- 74% 2.1 (Upper Second
Class)
60%-64% 2.2 (Lower Second
Class)
50%-59% 3 (Pass)
40%-49% Fail (Supplementable)
39% and below Fail

11.0 Degree weighting

11.1 The results for Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 shall be weighted as follows:

Level 1 10%
Level 2 20%
Level 3 30%
Level 4 40%

11.2 For the Visiting School Programme the weighting shall be as follows:
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 Level 1 10%
Level 2 50%
Level 3 40%

12.0 Programme structure

A student will not be allowed to register for a module with a prerequisite if the
prerequisite is not passed.

Level 1 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
CS131 Communication Skills 12
DSI 131 Introduction to Informatics 12
DSI 132 Foundations of Data Science 12
DSI 133 Human-computer interaction principles and practices 12
DSI 134 Principles of programming for Data Science and Informatics 12
DSI 135 Computer Architecture and Organisation 12
DSI 136 Data structures and Algorithms 12

Level 1 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
DSI 137 Computer-information ethics, social informatics, and data governance 12
DSI 138 Mathematical foundations of Data Science and Informatics 12
DSI 139 Introduction to Python DSI 134 and DSI 136 12
DSI 140 Information Infrastructure 1 12
DSI 141 Natural Language Processing 12
DSI 142 Operating systems DSI 135 12
DSI 143 Fundamentals of Data warehouse and Data Mining 12

Level 2 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
GSB211 Gender Studies 12
ENT 131 Entrepreneurship 12
DSI 231 Introduction to research in Data Science and Informatics 12
DSI 232 Information Systems Analysis, Design and Development Methodologies 12

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DSI 233 Enterprise Architecture 12
DSI 234 Information Representation 12
DSI 235 Machine Learning I: Using Python DSI 139 12

Level 2 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
DSI 236 Introduction to Media Application Development DSI 133 12
DSI 237 Statistical analysis DSI 138 12
DSI 238 Organisational Informatics 12
DSI 239 Data Science and Informatics Project 1 12
DSI 240 R Programming and Computer vision 12

*Student will not proceed for Work-Related Learning if DIS 239 is not passed.
Level 3 Semester 1 and 2
DSI 331 Work Related Learning Report 45
DSI 332 Academic Supervisor’s Report 45
DSI 333 Employer’s Assessment Report 30

Level 4 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
DSI 431 Data Science and Informatics Project Management 12
DSI 432 Information Infrastructure 2: OOP programming with JAVA DSI 140 12
DSI 433 Advanced Data warehouse and Data Mining DSI 143 12
DSI 434 Optimisation Techniques and Applications with Numpy 12
DSI 435 Applied cloud computing for data-intensive sciences 12

Level 4 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
DSI 436 Big Data analytics and visualisation using matplotlib and seaborn DSI 240 12
DSI 437 Machine Learning II: Using JAVA DSI 235 12
DSI 438 Data Science and Informatics Project 2 24

MODULE SYNOPSES
Level 1 Semester 1
DSI 131 Introduction to Informatics
The module introduces students to foundational Informatics concepts. Topics to be covered
include basic information representation and processing; searching (including fundamental
search algorithm) and organisation; evaluation and analysis of information; internet-based

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information access tools; cutting edge technologies; informatics tools for various human
domains; and problem-solving with information technology.

DSI 132 Foundations of Data Science

The module is designed to introduce students to a range of topics and concepts related to the
Data Science process. The following topics will be covered: introduction to big data concepts,
tools and techniques; gathering and sorting data; data pre-processing; understanding structured
and unstructured data types; data analysis and visualisation; probability and statistics; decision
theory; estimation theory; coordinate systems; linear transformations; effects of computation on
data graph theory; and algorithms; pattern recognition and basic machine learning algorithm;
different clustering approaches.

DSI 133 Human-computer interaction principles and practices

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles and practices of human-computer
interaction (HCI) and evaluation. The module will cover Foundations of Human-Computer
Interaction; Interaction Design; Understanding Users, Cognitive and Affective Factors; The
Computer and Human-Computer Interaction; Web Interfaces; Introduction to Interactive System
Design; Discuss Data Gathering and Requirements Analysis with a focus in HCI aspects;
Interfaces Design and Prototyping; Usability Testing & Analytic Evaluation.

DSI 134 Principles of programming for Data Science and Informatics

The module explores the concepts and structures governing the design and implementation of
programming languages. It presents an introduction to the concepts behind compilers and
runtime representations of programming languages; features of programming languages
supporting abstraction and polymorphism; and the procedural, functional, object-oriented, and
concurrent programming paradigms.

DSI 135 Computer fundamentals: Architecture and Organisation

This module introduces students to the basic instruction set architecture and organisation of a
modern computer. Topics include an introduction to computer systems; instruction set
architecture and design; assembly language programming; computer arithmetic; processing unit
design; memory system design; input-output design and organisation; pipelining design
techniques; reduced instruction set computers (RISCs); and introduction to multiprocessors.

DSI 136 Data structures and Algorithms

This module covers the analysis and design of fundamental data structures and engages learners
to use data structures as tools to algorithmically design efficient computer programs that will
cope with the complexity of actual applications. The module focuses on basic and essential topics
in data structures, including array-based lists, linked lists, skip lists, hash tables, recursion, binary
trees, scapegoat trees, red-black trees, heaps, sorting algorithms, graphs, and binary trees.

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Level 1 Semester 2
DSI 137 Computer-information ethics, social informatics, and data governance
This module introduces students to ethical and professional issues that occur when designing and
using networked information technologies and information resources. It examines frameworks
for making ethical decisions, emergent technologies and their ethical implications, and
information and computer professionalism. Topics include privacy; intellectual property;
cybercrime; games; social justice; and codes of professional ethics; key principles and objectives
of data governance in an organisation and how it impacts other parts/functions of the organisation
that create, consume, or present data/information/insights; the importance of data design and
architecture in future-proofing an organisation’s decision support capabilities.

DSI 138 Mathematical foundations of Data Science and Informatics

This module introduces students to fundamental mathematical concepts relevant to Data Science
and Informatics. Topics covered are finite mathematics; automata and computability theory;
elementary probability and statistics; and basics of classical information theory to be used in
subsequent modules.

DSI 139 Introduction to Python

This module is designed as an introduction to the Python programming language. Students are
introduced to core programming concepts like data structures, conditionals, loops, variables, and
functions. The module includes an overview of the various tools available for writing and
running Python and gets students coding quickly. It also provides hands-on coding exercises
using commonly used data structures, writing custom functions, and reading and writing to files.

DSI 140 Information Infrastructure 1

This module introduces students to software architectures of information systems and basic
concepts and procedures of system and application development. Topics include Python
programming syntax; procedural programming fundamentals; principles of developing dynamic
and database-driven applications for the World Wide Web; relational database concepts; and
basic MySQL statements.

DSI 141 Natural Language Processing

This module is intended to teach the principles and methods of statistical natural language
processing as well as provide hands-on experience with Python text analysis. Text data
processing is essential in a variety of fields, including computer science, journalism, social
science, psychology, and political science. Data is generated in such a large amount and at such
a fast rate in this era of the internet and social media that it is almost difficult to analyse it and
find interesting patterns out of it in the traditional way. That is why, in order to do statistical
textual content analysis, students, lecturers, and researchers from diverse fields are turning to

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computational tools. Students will be able to conduct authoritative large-scale statistical analysis
of textual data and discover relevant patterns using NLP. Natural language processing knowledge
is also highly sought after in the industry. Topics include Markov Models, Neural Networks,
RNN, LSTM Architectures, Sequence Labeling, Syntactic Parsing, Statistical Parsing, Neural
Parsing, Semantic Parsing, Information Extraction, Machine Translation and Conversational
Agents.

DSI 142 Operating systems

This module explores the design and implementation of computer operating systems. Topics
include historical aspects of operating systems development; systems programming; process
scheduling; synchronisation of concurrent processes; deadlocks; virtual machines; memory
management; virtual memory and paging; I/O and file systems; system security; OS/architecture
interaction; and distributed operating systems.

DSI 143 Fundamentals of Data warehouse and Data Mining

The aim of the module is for students to study the basic principles of data mining and data
warehousing architecture. It intends to introduce more advanced topics in databases such as data
mining and data warehousing. This module introduces methods and theory for the development
of data warehouses and data analysis using data mining; Data quality and methods and techniques
for pre-processing of data; Modelling and design of data warehouses; Algorithms for
classification, clustering, and association rule analysis; and Practical use of software for data
analysis.

Level 2 Semester 1
DSI 231 Introduction to research in Data Science and Informatics
This module presents a broad overview of research philosophy, designs, and methods. The
module covers a wide range of applied and theoretical research, and the content is specifically
tailored to reflect the rapidly emerging field of Data Science and Informatics. The module will
include major methods that are at the core of contemporary approaches to research in Data
Science and Informatics.

DSI 232 Information Systems Analysis, Design and Development Methodologies

The module introduces students to information systems development procedures. This module
covers information systems analysis, designed, and developed to conform to the needs of users
or use requirements. The module also looks at different types of systems development
methodologies with particular emphasis being placed on how the human component and other
stakeholders are involved or catered for. The development methodologies will include Waterfall;
Agile; Lean; Iterative; Prototyping; DevOps; Spiral; and V-model.

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DSI 233 Enterprise Architecture
This module provides students with a quick survey of enterprise architecture tools and business
modelling and application development. The module will cover the following topics:
Introduction and evolution of Enterprise Architecture; Types of, and the relation between
architectures; Software architecture to technology architecture continuum; Systems thinking and
business thinking; Solution and Enterprise Architecture - business and IT strategies; Capturing
architectures – use of models; Architectural styles; Documenting architectures; Quality
attributes; Overview of EA frameworks and practices; Capturing enterprise application and data
architectures; and the human side of architecting.

DSI 234 Information Representation

This module introduces students to information representation in computer systems. Topics
include relational databases in the ER model; SQL commands; database design, implementation,
and normalisation; database triggers; backup, security, and other data management tasks; data
extraction from JSON and XML and their use for transmitting objects between browser and
server; and social and ethical issues.

DSI 235 Machine Learning I: Using Python

This module has been prepared for students aspiring to develop applications involving machine
learning techniques using the powerful yet simple programming language, Python and its
packages. Topics include Core concepts and algorithms used for supervised and unsupervised
learning; Application of machine learning algorithms for the tasks of classification and
prediction; Methods for data preprocessing including normalisation, feature extraction and
selection, dimensionality reduction, and re-balancing; Practical recommendations for applying
machine learning algorithms; and Evaluation and analysis of the performance of machine
learning algorithms.

Level 2 Semester 2
DSI 236 Introduction to Media Application Development
This module introduces students to concepts and skills related to the design of interactive
multimedia applications for the web, desktop, and mobile devices. Topics covered include
JavaScript fundamentals; Program flow control; User input and functions; DOM manipulation
and CSS; Arrays and objects; Events; Introduction to P5; P5 graphics and animation; P5 graphics
and animation: arrays and loops; P5 graphics and animation: functions, objects and classes.

DSI 237 Statistical analysis

This module is designed to provide students with the basic concepts of data
analysis and statistical computing. Topics to be covered include Bayesian analysis, Judging
conditional probability, Data classification, Linear regression, Resampling, Subset selection,

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Shrinkage, Dimension reduction, Nonlinear models and Tree-based analysis, Support vector
machines and Unsupervised learning. Tools required are SPSS;

DSI 238 Organisational Informatics

This module examines the various needs, uses, and consequences of information in
organisational contexts. Topics include organisational types and characteristics; functional areas
and business processes; information-based products and services; the use of and redefining the
role of information technology; the changing character of work-life and organisational practices;
socio-technical structures; and the rise and transformation of information-based industries.

DSI 239 Data Science and Informatics Project 1

This module puts knowledge gained into practice as students work in teams to develop an
information system. Students will embark on a development project that combines their
computing skills and the fundamental concepts learnt with available tools and metrics into an
application or dashboard for measuring, analysing and interpreting data within the context of
specific business goals and objectives.

DSI 240 R Programming

The module teaches students how to program in R and how to use R for effective data analysis
and visualisation. The topic includes the R working environment; arithmetic and logical
operators; salient functions for manipulating data, and getting help using R; data structures,
variables, and data types used in R.

Level 3: Work-Related Learning

Students culminate their programme studies through the practical application of concepts and
practices working in the industry setting through skills and knowledge acquired in levels 1 and
2. The Work-Related Learning will focus on the following aspects: explore a potential career
path within data science and informatics; master knowledge and skills acquired during Data
science and Informatics continuous assessments; collaborate to create information technology
projects and solve problems in a workplace environment, using soft skills like communication
and teamwork; reflect upon Work-Related Learning experience in making future career choices,
and develop an innovative digital application in light of theory and practice.

Level 4 Semester 1
DSI 431 Data science and Informatics Project Management
This module will focus on project management in a Data Science and Informatics setting.
Students will become conversant in the tools and techniques of project management, such as
project selection methods, work breakdown structures (WBS), network diagrams, critical path

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analysis (CPA), critical chain scheduling, cost estimates, earned value management, motivation
theory and team building.

DSI 432 Information Infrastructure 2: OOP programming with JAVA

This module will explore the systems architecture of distributed and Web-based applications in
greater depth. The topics covered are practices of developing well-designed; reusable software
components; advanced object-oriented programming (OOP) knowledge and practice; the use of
Model/View/Controller (MVC), Factory and Abstract software architectural pattern; and
application development with Rapid Application Development (RAD) method.

DSI 433 Advanced Data warehouse and Data Mining

The module gives students advanced concepts of different statistical techniques to learn practical
skills of learning useful patterns in data. The module would be covered by applying data mining
concepts using R Programming. The topics included are Statistical Learning, Assessing Models
Accuracy, Association, Classification, Clustering and Regression; mining the web, text and
social media.

DSI 434 Optimisation Techniques and Applications

The module explores the optimisation process from a real planning problem to the interpretation
of solutions to the underlying optimisation problem. The module will cover the following:
development of advanced optimisation models and solution methods; discrete elements; classes
of optimisation problems and the properties; deterministic and stochastic modelling;
interpretation of the solution; advanced use of commercial software for modelling and solving
optimisation problems.

DSI 435 Applied cloud computing for data-intensive sciences

This module provides students with programming models and tools of cloud computing to
support data-intensive science applications. The module will cover the following topics: data-
intensive sciences and the data centre model; clouds with infrastructure, platform, and software
as a service; virtualisation technologies and tools; introduction to FutureGrid; parallel
programming using MapReduce vs. Message Passing Interface (MPI); MapReduce and data-
parallel applications using Hadoop; iterative MapReduce and data mining algorithms
using Twister; MapReduce on multicore/graphics processing unit; NoSQL databases
and parallel query processing; high-level language (Hive and Pig) Amazon Elastic Compute
Cloud (EC2) and Microsoft Azure and their applications.

Level 4 Semester 2
DSI 436 Data analytics and visualisation
This module helps students develop the understanding that they will need to make informed
decisions using data and to communicate the results effectively. Topics include descriptive

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statistics; correlation and simple regression; probability; point and interval estimation;
hypothesis testing; multiple regression; time series analysis and index numbers; human visual
perception; visualisation design, interaction techniques, and evaluation methods. Data analytic
tools include Microsoft Excel; R Programming; and Python.

DSI 437 Machine Learning II: Using JAVA

This module teaches students how to perform various Data Science and Informatics tasks using
Java. The following topics will be covered: ML algorithms for creating ML models; creating
deep learning models using the Eclipse Deep Learning 4j Java library; concepts for building ML
models such as pattern recognition, classification, and regression; implementing NLP techniques
in building ML and DL models.

DSI 438 Data Science and Informatics Project 2

The students design and develop a project in Data Science and Informatics. The project is a
substantial multi-chapter document and a carefully designed and evaluated application, based on
well-planned research methods and Information systems analysis, design and development
methodologies. Details are worked out between the student and supervising Departmental
member. Students are expected to perform the following:
● Evaluate the research literature critically, interpreting Data science and Informatics
deficiencies for current practice and the project research problem;
● Assess the projects of published research articles in Data Science and Informatics.
● Formulate research problems, specific research objectives within a topic area of Data
Science and Informatics.
● Determine appropriate research methods and Information system development
methodologies to solve the problem; and
● Design and develop a Data Science and Informatics application

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