University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023

BSc (Computer Science) (12134001)

Department Computer Science
Minimum duration of
3 years
study
Total credits 444
NQF level 07

Admission requirements
Important information for all prospective students for 2023
The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a
National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click
here for this Faculty Brochure.
Minimum requirements
Achievement level
English Home Language or
English First Additional Mathematics
APS
Language
NSC/IEB NSC/IEB
5 5 30
The suggested second-choice programmes for BSc (Computer Science) are BSc (Information and Knowledge
Systems) and BCom (Informatics).
Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
You will be considered for final admission to degree studies if space allows, and if you have a National Senior
Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with admission to bachelor’s degree studies, and comply with the
minimum subject requirements as well as the APS requirements of your chosen programme.
Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure:
Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.
International students: Click here.
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a
registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based
on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from
other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.
Closing dates: Same as above.
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered

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student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for
admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.
Note:
● Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be
considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
● Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
● Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the
programmes for which they apply.
Closing date for applications from returning students
Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be
submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.

Additional requirements
Please note that additional admission requirements may result from certain electives.
Candidates who do not comply with these requirements are advised to register for BSc IT, depending on whether
they comply with the admission requirements the programme.

Promotion to next study year

Refer also to General Academic Regulation G4.
a. A student must pass all the modules of the first year of study, before he or she is permitted to register for
any module of the third year of study. Module prerequisites remain applicable. Exceptions to this rule will be
considered by the relevant head of department and the Dean.
b. A new first-year student, who has failed in all the prescribed modules of the programme at the end of the first
semester, will not be permitted to proceed to the second semester in the School of Information Technology.
c. A student who has not passed at least 70% of the credits of the current year of study after the November
examinations will not be re-admitted to the School of Information Technology.
d. Students who fail a module for a second time, forfeit the privilege of registering for any modules of an
advanced year of study.
e. Students whose academic progress is not acceptable can be suspended from further studies. Refer to the
following important regulation: G4 and/or regulations as they appear for the applicable programmes.
f. A student who is excluded from further studies in terms of the stipulations of the above-mentioned
regulations will be notified in writing by the Dean or admissions committee at the end of the relevant
semester.
g. A student who has been excluded from further studies may apply in writing to the admissions committee of
the School of Information Technology for readmission on or before 12 January.
h. Should the student be readmitted by the admissions committee, strict conditions will be set which the
student must comply with in order to proceed with studies.
i. Should the student not be readmitted to further studies by the admissions committee, he/she will be
informed in writing.
j. Students who are not readmitted by the admissions committee have the right to appeal to the Senate
Committee for Admission, Evaluation and Academic Support.
k. Any decision taken by the Senate Committee for Admission, Evaluation and Academic Support is final.

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Pass with distinction
A degree (undergraduate) in the School of IT is conferred with distinction on a student who did not repeat any
module of his/her final year, obtained a weighted average of at least 75% (not rounded) in all the prescribed
modules for the final year, provided that a subminimum of 65% is obtained in each of these modules and
provided that the degree is completed in the prescribed minimum period of time. Ad hoc cases will be considered
by the Dean, in consultation with the relevant head of department.

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Curriculum: Year 1
Minimum credits: 174

Students wishing to continue with Mathematics or Mathematical Statistics on year level 2 or 3 need to take WTW
114, WTW 124 and WTW 162. Students not wishing to continue with Mathematics or Mathematical Statistics on
year level 2 or 3, need to take WTW 152, WTW 134, WTW 146 and WTW 148.
Students are required to choose a science elective as part of the BSc Computer Science first year. The choice is
dependent on the Grade 12 Physical Science results. A student who achieved a level 5 in Physical Science in
Grade 12 may choose between Physics (PHY 114 and PHY 124) and Chemistry (CMY 117 and CMY 127). A level 4
in Physical Science allows the student to choose Biological Science (MLB 111, BOT 161 and MBY 161) and
Geology (GLY 155 and GLY 163). A student who does not have Physical Science in Grade 12 has a choice
between Physics (PHY 131 and SCI 154) and Geography (ENV 101, GGY 156, GGY 168 and GMC 110).
Students wanting to continue with Data Science electives in second and third year are required to include either
Mathematical Statistics (WST 111 and WST 121) or Statistics (STK 110 and STC 122) to fulfil the statistics
requirement for the degree programme. All other students require Statistics (STK 110 and STK 120)..

Fundamental modules
Academic information management 111 (AIM 111)
Module credits 4.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Service modules
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology and Religion
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Information Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate
technology.

Academic information management 121 (AIM 121)

Module credits 4.00
NQF Level 05

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 Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Service modules Faculty of Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology and Religion
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Informatics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of
information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.

Academic literacy for Information Technology 121 (ALL 121)

Module credits 6.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 web-based period per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Unit for Academic Literacy
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
By the end of this module students should be able to cope more confidently and competently with the reading,
writing and critical thinking demands that are characteristic of the field of Information Technology.

Academic orientation 112 (UPO 112)

Module credits 0.00
NQF Level 00
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department EBIT Deans Office
Period of presentation Year

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Core modules
Program design: Introduction 110 (COS 110)
Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites COS 132 , COS 151 and Maths level 5
Contact time 1 practical per week, 1 tutorial per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
The focus is on object-oriented (OO) programming. Concepts including inheritance and multiple inheritance,
polymorphism, operator overloading, memory management (static and dynamic binding), interfaces,
encapsulation, reuse, etc. will be covered in the module. The module teaches sound program design with the
emphasis on modular code, leading to well structured, robust and documented programs. A modern OO
programming language is used as the vehicle to develop these skills. The module will introduce the student to
basic data structures, lists, stacks and queues.

Operating systems 122 (COS 122)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Prerequisites COS 132
Contact time 1 practical per week, 1 tutorial per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Fundamental concepts of modern operating systems in terms of their structure and the mechanisms they use
are studied in this module. After completing this module, students will have gained, as outcomes, knowledge of
real time, multimedia and multiple processor systems, as these will be defined and analysed. In addition,
students will have gained knowledge on modern design issues of process management, deadlock and
concurrency control, memory management, input/output management, file systems and operating system
security. In order to experience a hands-on approach to the knowledge students would have gained from
studying the abovementioned concepts, students will have produced a number of practical implementations of
these concepts using the Windows and Linux operating systems.

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Imperative programming 132 (COS 132)
Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Service modules
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites APS of 30 and level 5 (60-69%) Mathematics
Contact time 1 practical per week, 1 tutorial per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
This module introduces imperative computer programming, which is a fundamental building block of computer
science. The process of constructing a program for solving a given problem, of editing it, compiling (both
manually and automatically), running and debugging it, is covered from the beginning. The aim is to master the
elements of a programming language and be able to put them together in order to construct programs using
types, control structures, arrays, functions and libraries. An introduction to object orientation will be given. After
completing this module, the student should understand the fundamental elements of a program, the importance
of good program design and user-friendly interfaces. Students should be able to conduct basic program analysis
and write complete elementary programs.

Introduction to computer science 151 (COS 151)

Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites APS of 30 and level 5 (60-69%) Mathematics.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
This module introduces concepts and terminology related to the computer science discipline. General topics
covered include the history of computing, machine level representation of data, Boolean logic and gates, basic
computer systems organisation, algorithms and complexity and automata theory. The module also introduces
some of the subdisciplines of computer science, such as computer networks, database systems, compilers,
information security and intelligent systems. The module also focues on modelling of algorithms.

Calculus 114 (WTW 114)

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Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Prerequisites 60% for Mathematics in Grade 12
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
*This module serves as preparation for students majoring in Mathematics (including all students who intend to
enrol for WTW 218 and WTW 220). Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for
their degree: WTW 114, WTW 158, WTW 134, WTW 165.
Functions, limits and continuity. Differential calculus of single variable functions, rate of change, graph
sketching, applications. The mean value theorem, the rule of L'Hospital. Definite and indefinite integrals,
evaluating definite integrals using anti-derivatives, the substitution rule.

Discrete structures 115 (WTW 115)

Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites 50% for Mathematics in Grade 12
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Propositional logic: truth tables, logical equivalence, implication, arguments. Mathematical induction and well-
ordering principle. Introduction to set theory. Counting techniques: elementary probability, multiplication and
addition rules, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, inclusion-exclusion rule.

Mathematics 124 (WTW 124)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05

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 Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites WTW 114
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree:
WTW 124, WTW 146, WTW 148 and WTW 164. This module serves as preparation for students majoring in
Mathematics (including all students who intend to enrol for WTW 218, WTW 211 and WTW 220).
The vector space Rn, vector algebra with applications to lines and planes, matrix algebra, systems of linear
equations, determinants. Complex numbers and factorisation of polynomials. Integration techniques and
applications of integration. The formal definition of a limit. The fundamental theorem of Calculus and
applications. Vector functions and quadratic curves.

Mathematics 134 (WTW 134)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites 50% for Mathematics in Grade 12
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 134, WTW 165,
WTW 114, WTW 158. WTW 134 does not lead to admission to Mathematics at 200 level and is intended for
students who require Mathematics at 100 level only. WTW 134 is offered as WTW 165 in the second semester
only to students who have applied in the first semester of the current year for the approximately 65 MBChB, or
the 5-6 BChD places becoming available in the second semester and who were therefore enrolled for MGW 112
in the first semester of the current year.
Functions, derivatives, interpretation of the derivative, rules of differentiation, applications of differentiation,
integration, interpretation of the definite integral, applications of integration. Matrices, solutions of systems of
equations. All topics are studied in the context of applications.

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Linear algebra 146 (WTW 146)
Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites 50% for Mathematics in Grade 12
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree:
WTW 124, WTW 146 and WTW 164. The module WTW 146 is designed for students who require Mathematics at
100 level only and does not lead to admission to Mathematics at 200 level.
Vector algebra, lines and planes, matrix algebra, solution of systems of equations, determinants. Complex
numbers and polynomial equations. All topics are studied in the context of applications.

Calculus 148 (WTW 148)

Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites WTW 114 GS or WTW 134 GS or WTW 154 GS or WTW 153 GS
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree:
WTW 124, WTW 148 and WTW 164. The module WTW 148 is designed for students who require Mathematics at
100 level only and does not lead to admission to Mathematics at 200 level.
Integration techniques. Modelling with differential equations. Functions of several variables, partial derivatives,
optimisation. Numerical techniques. All topics are studied in the context of applications.

Mathematical modelling 152 (WTW 152)

Module credits 8.00

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NQF Level 05
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites 50% for Mathematics in Grade 12
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
The module serves as an introduction to computer programming as used in science. Modelling of dynamical
processes using difference equations; curve fitting and linear programming are studied. Applications are drawn
from real-life situations in, among others, finance, economics and ecology.

Dynamical processes 162 (WTW 162)

Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites WTW 114
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 162 and WTW
264.
Introduction to the modelling of dynamical processes using elementary differential equations. Solution methods
for first order differential equations and analysis of properties of solutions (graphs). Applications to real life
situations.

Elective modules
Plants and society 161 (BOT 161)
Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Education
Prerequisites MLB 111 GS
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly practicals

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Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Botanical principles of structure and function; diversity of plants; introductory plant systematics and evolution;
role of plants in agriculture and food security; principles and applications of plant biotechnology; economical and
valuable medicinal products derived from plants; basic principles of plant ecology and their application in
conservation and biodiversity management.
This content aligns with the United Nation's Sustainable Debelopment Goals of No Poverty, Good Health and
Well-being, Climate Action, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Life on Land.

General chemistry 117 (CMY 117)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
A candidate must have Mathematics for at least 60% and 60% for Physical
Prerequisites
Sciences.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Chemistry
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
General introduction to inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry. Atomic structure and periodicity. Molecular
structure and chemical bonding using the VSEOR model. Nomenclature of inorganic ions and compounds.
Classification of reactions: precipitation, acid-base, redox reactions and gas-forming reactions. Mole concept and
stoichiometric calculations concerning chemical formulas and chemical reactions. Principles of reactivity: energy
and chemical reactions. Physical behaviour gases, liquids, solids and solutions and the role of intermolecular
forces. Rate of reactions: Introduction to chemical kinetics.

General chemistry 127 (CMY 127)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science

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 Natural and Agricultural Sciences students: CMY 117 GS or CMY 154 GS Health
Prerequisites
Sciences students: none
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Chemistry
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Theory: General physical-analytical chemistry: Chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, buffers, solubility
equilibrium, entropy and free energy, electrochemistry. Organic chemistry: Structure (bonding), nomenclature,
isomerism, introductory stereochemistry, introduction to chemical reactions and chemical properties of organic
compounds and biological compounds, i.e. carbohydrates and aminoacids. Practical: Molecular structure (model
building), synthesis and properties of simple organic compounds.

Introduction to environmental sciences 101 (ENV 101)

Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Humanities
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Geography Geoinformatics and Meteorology
Period of presentation Quarter 1
Module content
Introducing the basic concepts and interrelationships required to understand the complexity of natural
environmental problems, covering an introduction to environmental science and biogeography; including a first
introduction to SDGs and Aichi targets.

Aspects of human geography 156 (GGY 156)

Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Health Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 3 lectures per week

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Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Geography Geoinformatics and Meteorology
Period of presentation Quarter 2
Module content
This module begins by fostering an understanding of human geography. Then follows with the political ordering
of space; cultural diversity as well as ethnic geography globally and locally; population geography of the world
and South Africa: and four economic levels of development. The purpose is to place South Africa in a world
setting and to understand the future of the country.

Introduction to physical geography 168 (GGY 168)

Module credits 12.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Humanities
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 practical fortnightly, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Geography Geoinformatics and Meteorology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Note: Students cannot register for both GGY 168 and GGY 166.
This module serves as an introduction to the field of physical geography and geomorphology. Initially, a
theoretical overview of a variety of geomorphic realms will be studied. Students will be taught about the key
processes that are present in each realm and how those processes work together in order to produce specific
landforms. In addition, students will receive training in several fundamental analytical techniques, including
cartographic skills, aerial photographs and introductory GIS.

Introduction to geology 155 (GLY 155)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
A candidate must have passed Mathematics with at least 60% in the Grade 12
Prerequisites
examination.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Geology
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
Solar system; structure of solid matter; minerals and rocks; introduction to symmetry and crystallography;
important minerals and solid solutions; rock cycle; classification of rocks. External geological processes (gravity,
water, wind, sea, ice) and their products (including geomorphology). Internal structure of the earth. The dynamic
earth – volcanism, earthquakes, mountain building – the theory of plate tectonics. Geological processes
(magmatism, metamorphism, sedimentology, structural geology) in a plate tectonic context. Geological maps
and mineral and rock specimens. Interaction between man and the environment, and nature of anthropogenic
climate change.

Earth history 163 (GLY 163)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Prerequisites GLY 155
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Geology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
This module will give an overview of earth history, from the Archaean to the present. Important concepts such
as the principles of stratigraphy and stratigraphic nomenclature, geological dating and international and South
African time scales will be introduced. A brief introduction to the principles of palaeontology will be given, along
with short descriptions of major fossil groups, fossil forms, ecology and geological meaning. In the South African
context, the major stratigraphic units, intrusions and tectonic/metamorphic events will be detailed, along with
related rock types, fossil contents, genesis and economic commodities. Anthropogenic effects on the
environment and their mitigation. Practical work will focus on the interpretation of geological maps and profiles.

Cartography 110 (GMC 110)

Module credits 10.00
NQF Level 05
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Geography Geoinformatics and Meteorology
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
History, present and future of cartography. Introductory geodesy: shape of the earth, graticule and grids, datum
definition, elementary map projection theory, spherical calculations. Representation of geographical data on
maps: Cartographic design, cartographic abstraction, levels of measurement and visual variables. Semiotics for
cartography: signs, sign systems, map semantics and syntactics, explicit and implicit meaning of maps (map
pragmatics). Critique maps of indicators to measure United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in South
Africa.

Introduction to microbiology 161 (MBY 161)

Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 05
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly tutorials
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
The module will introduce the student to the field of Microbiology. Basic Microbiological aspects that will be
covered include introduction into the diversity of the microbial world (bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic
microorganisms and viruses), basic principles of cell structure and function, microbial nutrition and microbial
growth and growth control. Applications in Microbiology will be illustrated by specific examples i.e.
bioremediation, animal-microbial symbiosis, plant-microbial symbiosis and the use of microorganisms in
industrial microbiology. Wastewater treatment, microbial diseases and food will be introduced using specific
examples.

Molecular and cell biology 111 (MLB 111)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
A candidate who has passed Mathematics with at least 60% in the Grade 12
Prerequisites
examination
Contact time 1 practical/tutorial per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
Introduction to the molecular structure and function of the cell. Basic chemistry of the cell. Structure and
composition of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Ultrastructure and function of cellular organelles, membranes
and the cytoskeleton. General principles of energy, enzymes and cell metabolism. Selected processes, e.g.
glycolysis, respiration and/or photosynthesis. Introduction to molecular genetics: DNA structure and replication,
transcription, translation. Cell growth and cell division.

First course in physics 114 (PHY 114)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Education
A candidate must have passed Mathematics and Physical Science with at least
Prerequisites
60% in the Grade 12 examination
Contact time 1 discussion class per week, 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Physics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
SI-units. Significant figures. Waves: intensity, superposition, interference, standing waves, resonance, beats,
Doppler. Geometrical optics: Reflection, refraction, mirrors, thin lenses, instruments. Physical optics: Young-
interference, coherence, diffraction, polarisation. Hydrostatics and dynamics: density, pressure, Archimedes’
principle, continuity, Bernoulli. Heat: temperature, specific heat, expansion, heat transfer. Vectors. Kinematics of
a point: Relative, projectile, and circular motion. Dynamics: Newton’s laws, friction. Work: point masses, gasses
(ideal gas law), gravitation, spring, power. Kinetic energy: Conservative forces, gravitation, spring. Conservation
of energy. Conservation of momentum. Impulse and collisions. System of particles: Centre of mass, Newton’s
laws. Rotation: torque, conservation of angular momentum, equilibrium, centre of gravity.

First course in physics 124 (PHY 124)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Education
Prerequisites WTW 114 GS and PHY 114 GS
Contact time 1 discussion class per week, 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Physics
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
Simple harmonic motion and pendulums. Coulomb’s law. Electric field: dipoles, Gauss’ law.Electric potential.
Capacitance. Electric currents: resistance, resistivity, Ohm’s law, energy, power, emf, RC-circuits. Magnetic
Field: Hall-effect, Bio-Savart. Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws. Oscillations: LR-circuits. Alternating current: RLC-
circuits, power, transformers. Introductory concepts to modern physics. Nuclear physics: Radioactivity.

Physics for biology students 131 (PHY 131)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Education
Service modules Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
A candidate must have passed Mathematics with at least 60% in the Grade 12
Prerequisites
examination
Contact time 1 discussion class per week, 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Physics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Note: PHY 131 is aimed at students who will not continue with physics. PHY 131 cannot be used as a substitute
for PHY 114.
Units, vectors, one dimensional kinematics, dynamics, work, equilibrium, sound, liquids, heat, thermodynamic
processes, electric potential and capacitance, direct current and alternating current, optics, modern physics,
radioactivity.

Exploring the universe 154 (SCI 154)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Prerequisites Prohibited combination SCI 164
Contact time 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Physics
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
Students from all faculties are welcome to join us in our exploration of the universe from an earth-bound
perspective. We reflect on the whole universe from the sub microscopic to the vast macroscopic and mankind’s
modest position therein. To what degree is our happiness determined by stars? Echoes from ancient firmaments
- the astronomy of old civilisations. The universe is born with a bang. Stars, milky ways and planets are formed.
Life is breathed into the landscape on earth, but is there life elsewhere? The architecture of the universe –
distance measurements, structure of our solar system and systems of stars. How does it look like on
neighbouring planets? Comets and meteorites. Life cycles of stars. Spectacular exploding stars! Exotica like
pulsars and black holes.

Statistics 122 (STC 122)

Module credits 13.00
NQF Level 05
At least a 60% in STK 110 or an average of 60% for either (1) WST 133, WST 143,
WST 153; (2) STK 113, STK 123, STK 121; (3) STK 133, STK 134, STK 121; (4) WST
Prerequisites
133, WST 143, STK 121 (An aegrotat exam is available to students who obtained
50%-59%)
Contact time 1 practical per week, 1 tutorial per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Inferential concepts. Experimental and observational data. Measures of association, uncertainty and goodness of
fit. Sampling error and accuracy of estimation. Introduction to linear regression, reduction of variation due to
regression. Conditional distributions of residuals. Simulation based inference: conditional means and prediction
intervals. Bivariate data visualisation. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated
and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.
This module is also presented as a summer school for students who initially elected and passed STK 120 with a
final mark of at least 60% and then decides to further their studies in statistics as well as for students who
achieved a final mark of between 40% - 49% in STC 122 during semester 2.

Statistics 110 (STK 110)

Module credits 13.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
At least 5 (60-69%) in Mathematics in the Grade 12 examination. Candidates who
Prerequisites
do not qualify for STK 110 must register for STK 113 and STK 123
Contact time 1 practical per week, 1 tutorial per week, 3 lectures per week

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Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Descriptive statistics:
Sampling and the collection of data; frequency distributions and graphical representations. Descriptive
measures of location and dispersion.
Probability and inference:
Introductory probability theory and theoretical distributions. Sampling distributions. Estimation theory and
hypothesis testing of sampling averages and proportions (one and two-sample cases). Supporting mathematical
concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within
a data science framework.

Statistics 120 (STK 120)

Module credits 13.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
STK 110 or both STK 113 and STK 123 or both WST 133 and WST 143 or both STK
Prerequisites
133 and STK 143
Contact time 1 practical per week, 1 tutorial per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Students can only get credit for one of the following two modules: STK 120 or STK 121.
Analysis of variance, categorical data analysis, distribution-free methods, curve fitting, regression and
correlation, the analysis of time series and indices. Statistical and economic applications of quantitative
techniques: Systems of linear equations: solving and application. Optimisation, linear functions, non-linear
functions. Marginal and total functions. Stochastic and deterministic variables in statistical and economic
context: producers' and consumers' surplus. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are
illustrated using simulation within a data science framework.
This module is also presented as STK 121, an anti-semester module. This is a terminating module.

Mathematical statistics 111 (WST 111)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05

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 Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites At least 5 (60-69%) in Mathematics in the Grade 12 examination
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Characterisation of a set of measurements: Graphical and numerical methods. Random sampling. Probability
theory. Discrete and continuous random variables. Probability distributions. Generating functions and moments.

Mathematical statistics 121 (WST 121)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 05
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites WST 111 or WST 133, 143 and 153
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Statistical inference: Point and interval estimation.
Hypothesis testing with applications in one and two-sample cases. Introductory methods for: Linear regression
and correlation, analysis of variance, categorical data analysis and non-parametric statistics. Identification, use,
evaluation and interpretation of statistical computer packages and statistical techniques.

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Curriculum: Year 2
Minimum credits: 124

Students who wish to continue with Data Science in second year are required to include Mathematical Statistics
(WST 211, WST 221 and WST 212) or Statistics (STK 210, STK 220 and WST 212) in the second year, depending
on the choice of statistics modules taken in the first year.
The modules to continue with Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics or Statistics, Physics and Chemistry in the
third year must be done in consultation with the programme organiser and may require second year elective
modules to be included in the degree programme.

Fundamental modules
Community-based project 202 (JCP 202)
Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 06
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 other contact session per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Informatics
Period of presentation Year
Module content
The Joint Community Project module is a credit-bearing educational experience where students are not only
actively engaging in interpersonal skills development but also participate in service activities in collaboration
with community partners. Students are given the opportunity to practice and develop their interpersonal skills
formally taught in the module by engaging in teamwork with fellow students from different disciplines and also
with non-technical members of the community. The module intends for the student to develop through
reflection, understanding of their own experience in a team-based workspace as well as a broader
understanding of the application of their discipline knowledge and its potential impact in their communities, in
this way also enhancing their sense of civic responsibility. Compulsory class attendance 1 week before Semester
1 classes commence.

Core modules
Theoretical computer science 210 (COS 210)
Module credits 8.00
NQF Level 06
Prerequisites COS 110 and COS 151
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English

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Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
This module introduces students to a framework for investigating both computability and complexity of
problems. Topics include, but are not limited to: finite-state machines, regular expressions and their application
in a language such as awk, the Halting problem, context-free grammars, P vs NP problem, NP-complete class,
reduction techniques, regular languages, DFAs and NFAs, Lattices, Church-Turing thesis.

Data structures and algorithms 212 (COS 212)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 06
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites COS 110
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Data abstraction is a fundamental concept in the design and implementation of correct and efficient software. In
prior modules, students are introduced to the basic data structures of lists, stacks and queues. This module
continues with advanced data structures such as trees, hash tables, heaps and graphs, and goes into depth with
the algorithms needed to manipulate them efficiently. Classical algorithms for sorting, searching, traversing,
packing and game playing are included, with an emphasis on comparative implementations and efficiency. At
the end of this module, students will be able to identify and recognise all the classical data structures;
implement them in different ways; know how to measure the efficiency of implementations and algorithms; and
have further developed their programming skills, especially with recursion and polymorphism.

Software modelling 214 (COS 214)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 06
Prerequisites COS 212
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
The module will introduce the concepts of model-driven analysis and design as a mechanism to develop and
evaluate complex software systems. Systems will be decomposed into known entities, such as design patterns,
classes, relationships, execution loops and process flow, in order to model the semantic aspects of the system in
terms of structure and behaviour. An appropriate tool will be used to support the software modelling. The role of
the software model in the enterprise will be highlighted. Students who successfully complete this module will be
able to concep-tualise and analyse problems and abstract a solution.

Netcentric computer systems 216 (COS 216)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 06
Prerequisites COS 110
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
This module will introduce the student to netcentric systems by focusing on the development of systems for the
web, mobile devices and the cloud. To lay the foundation on which the rest of the module can follow, traditional
web-based programming languages such as HTML5, JavaScript, CSS and Python will be covered differentiating
between client-side and server-side computation. Persistence of web-based data will be included for both client
and server-based computation. These technologies will be extended and applied to mobile platforms where the
availability of a connection, location-services and mobile device limitations play a role. For cloud platforms,
aspects relating to task partitioning, security, virtualisation, cloud storage and access to the shared data stores,
data synchronisation, partitioning and replication are considered. In order to practically demonstrate that a
student has reached these outcomes, students will be required to use, integrate and maintain the necessary
software and hardware by completing a number of smaller practical assignments where after integrating all
these technologies into a comprehensive and practical programming project is required.

Introduction to database systems 221 (COS 221)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 06
Prerequisites COS 110
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
This module will expose students to the evolution of databases systems. They will be able to model data
conceptually, in terms of models such as conceptual, relational, object oriented, graph-based and network and
the mapping between models, in particular between the conceptual and relational model. Foundational concepts
relating to the relational model will be considered, such as: entity and referential integrity, relational algebra and
calculus, functional dependency, normals forms, Indexing of database systems and transaction processing will
also form an integral part of the curriculum. The physical data representation of the databases system both in
memory and within the file system of the operating system will be considered.

Concurrent systems 226 (COS 226)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 06
Prerequisites COS 122 and COS 212
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Computer science courses mostly deal with sequential programs. This module looks at the fundamentals of
concurrency; what it means, how it can be exploited, and what facilities are available to determine program
correctness. Concurrent systems are designed, analysed and implemented.

Computer organisation and architecture 284 (COS 284)

Module credits 16.00
NQF Level 06
Prerequisites COS 212 GS
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
This module provides the foundations on which other modules build by enabling a deeper understanding of how
software interacts with hardware. It will teach the design and operation of modern digital computers by studying
each of the components that make up a digital computer and the interaction between these components.
Specific areas of interest, but not limited to, are: representation of data on the machine-level; organisation of
the machine on the assembly level; the architecture and organisation of memory; inter- and intra-component
interfacing and communication; data paths and control; and parallelism. Topic-level detail and learning
outcomes for each of these areas are given by the first 6 units of ‘Architecture and Organisation’ knowledge
area as specified by the ACM/IEEE Computer Science Curriculum 2013.
The concepts presented in the theory lectures will be reinforced during the practical sessions by requiring design
and implementation of the concepts in simulators and assembly language using an open source operating
system.

Discrete structures 285 (WTW 285)

Module credits 12.00
NQF Level 06
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites WTW 115
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Setting up and solving recurrence relations. Equivalence and partial order relations. Graphs: paths, cycles, trees,
isomorphism. Graph algorithms: Kruskal, Prim, Fleury. Finite state automata.

Elective modules
Statistics 210 (STK 210)
Module credits 20.00
NQF Level 06
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites STK 110, STC 122 or WST 111, WST 121
Contact time 1 practical per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
Statistical problem solving. Causality, experimental and observational data. Probability theory. Multivariate
random variables. Discrete and continuous probability distributions. Stochastic representations. Measures of
association. Expected values and conditional expectation. Simulation techniques. Supporting mathematical
concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within
a data science framework.

Statistics 220 (STK 220)

Module credits 20.00
NQF Level 06
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites STK 210
Contact time 1 practical per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Multivariate probability distributions. Sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Frequentist and
Bayesian inference. Statistical learning and decision theory. Simulation techniques enhancing statistical
thinking. Supervised learning: linear regression, estimation and inference. Non-parametric modelling.
Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical algorithms. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted
through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

Mathematical statistics 211 (WST 211)

Module credits 24.00
NQF Level 06
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites WST 111, WST 121, WTW 114 GS and WTW 124 GS
Contact time 2 practicals per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
Set theory. Probability measure functions. Random variables. Distribution functions. Probability mass functions.
Density functions. Expected values. Moments. Moment generating functions. Special probability distributions:
Bernoulli, binomial, hypergeometric, geometric, negative binomial, Poisson, Poisson process, discrete uniform,
uniform, gamma,exponential, Weibull, Pareto, normal. Joint distributions: Multinomial, extended hypergeometric,
joint continuous distributions. Marginal distributions. Independent random variables. Conditional distributions.
Covariance, correlation. Conditional expected values. Transformation of random variables: Convolution formula.
Order statistics. Stochastic convergence: Convergence in distribution. Central limit theorem. Practical
applications. Practical statistical modelling and analysis using statistical computer packages and the
interpretation of the output.

Applications in data science 212 (WST 212)

Module credits 12.00
NQF Level 06
Prerequisites WST 111, WST 121 or STK 110, STC 122
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Introductory machine learning concepts. Data base design and use. Data preparation and extraction. Statistical
modelling using data base structures. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical
coding and simulation within a data science framework.

Mathematical statistics 221 (WST 221)

Module credits 24.00
NQF Level 06
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites WST 211
Contact time 2 practicals per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
Stochastic convergence: Asymptotic normal distributions, convergence in probability. Statistics and sampling
distributions: Chi-squared distribution. Distribution of the sample mean and sample variance for random samples
from a normal population. T-distribution. F-distribution. Beta distribution. Point estimation: Method of moments.
Maximum likelihood estimation. Unbiased estimators. Uniform minimum variance unbiased estimators. Cramer-
Rao inequality. Efficiency. Consistency. Asymptotic relative efficiency.
Bayes estimators. Sufficient statistics. Completeness. The exponential class. Confidence intervals. Test of
statistical hypotheses. Reliability and survival distributions. Practical applications. Practical statistical modelling
and analysis using statistical computer packages and the interpretation of the output.

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Curriculum: Final year
Minimum credits: 144

Students have a choice of electives (45 credits) from Computer Science (COS 314, COS 344 and COS 326);
Information Science (IMY 310 and IMY 320); Data Science (STK 353 and COS 314), Mathematics; Mathematical
Statistics or Statistics; Physics and Chemistry. The module choices for Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics or
Statistics, Physics and Chemistry must be done in consultation with the programme organiser and may require
second year elective modules to be included in the degree programme.

Core modules
Software engineering 301 (COS 301)
Module credits 27.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 212 and COS 214
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Year
Module content
The module exposes students to problems associated with software development on an industrial scale. Overall
goals of the module are: to become familiar with the latest trends in software engineering; to understand the
software engineering process and to appreciate its complexity; to be exposed to a variety of methodologies for
tackling different stages of the software lifecycle; to understand and apply the concepts of systems
administration and maintenance; to complete the development of a fairly large object orientation-based
software product. The focus of the module is on a project that lasts the whole year. The project is completed in
groups of approximately four (4) students and teaches students to take responsibility for a variety of roles within
a group, and to understand the different requirements for these; to experience the advantages and problems of
working in a group; professionalism with regards to particularly colleagues and clients.
After the successful completion of this module, the student will be able to: understand the psychology of a
client; work in groups; and have an appreciation for planning, designing, implementing and maintaining large
projects. These qualities should place the students in a position in which they are able to handle software
development in the corporate environment.

Computer security and ethics 330 (COS 330)

Module credits 18.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 110
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English

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Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
This module develops an appreciation of the fundamentals and design principles for information assurance and
security. Students will develop a clear understanding of the basic information security services and mechanisms,
enabling them to design and evaluate the integration of solutions into the user application environment.
Emphasis will be placed on services such as authorisation and confidentiality. Students will acquire knowledge
and skills of Security Models such as the Bell-LaPadula, Harrison-Ruzzo Ullman and Chinese Wall Model. Students
will develop a detailed understanding of the confidentiality service by focusing on cryptology and the practical
implementation thereof. The student will be introduced to professional and philosophical ethics. At the end of
the module students will be able to engage in a debate regarding the impact (local and global) of computers on
individuals, organisations and society. The professionalism of IT staff will be discussed against national and
international codes of practices such as those of the CSSA, ACM and IEEE.

Computer networks 332 (COS 332)

Module credits 18.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 216
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
The objective of this module is to acquaint the student with the terminology of communication systems and to
establish a thorough understanding of exactly how data is transferred in such communication networks, as well
as applications that can be found in such environments. The study material includes: concepts and terminology,
the hierarchy of protocols according to the OSI and TCP/IP models, protocols on the data level, physical level and
network level as well as higher level protocols. The practical component of the module involves programming
TCP/IP sockets using a high level language. The emphasis throughout is on the technical aspects underlying the
operation of networks, rather than the application of networks.

Programming languages 333 (COS 333)

Module credits 18.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 110
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
Programming languages are the backbone for software development. Each language has its own different
syntax and semantics, but there are many common concepts that can be studied and then illustrated through
the languages. The module concentrates on issues of object orientation, including delegation, iteration and
polymorphism. It surveys how languages provide the basic building blocks for data and control, as well as
exception handling and concurrency. At the end of the module, students will be able to appreciate the rich
history behind programming languages, leading to independent principles that evolve over time. They will be
skilled at using a variety of programming languages, including new paradigms such as functional, logical and
scripting, and will know how to learn a new language with ease. From this experience, they will be able to apply
evaluation criteria for choosing an appropriate programming language in a given scenario.

Compiler construction 341 (COS 341)

Module credits 18.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 210 and COS 212
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
This module will introduce the student to the fundamentals of compiler construction. These include: the
structural difference between a high-level and a von-Neumann language, the meaning of syntax and semantics
and what semantics-preserving correctness means; the concepts of regular expressions, finite automata,
context-free grammars in the context of programming languages; the need to construct parse-trees for given
programmes; the application of data structures and algorithms for the purpose of code-analysis, code-
optimisation and register-allocation; and the limits of code-analysis in terms of undecideability and the halting
problem.
After successful completion of the module, the student will have an understanding of the importance of
compilers and will understand how to implement a compiler, in terms of its components, the scanner, parser,
type checker and code-generator for a given grammar.

Elective modules
Artificial intelligence 314 (COS 314)
Module credits 18.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 110
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science

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Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
The main objective of this module is to introduce a selection of topics from artificial intelligence (AI), and to
provide the student with the background to implement AI techniques for solving complex problems.
This module will cover topics from classical AI, as well as more recent AI paradigms. These topics include: search
methods, game playing, knowledge representation and reasoning, machine learning, neural networks, genetic
algorithms, artificial life, planning methods, and intelligent agents. In the practical part of this module, students
will get experience in implementing
(1) game trees and evolving game-playing agents;
(2) a neural network and applying it to solve a real-world problem; and
(3) a genetic algorithm and applying it to solve a real-world problem.

Database systems 326 (COS 326)

Module credits 18.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 221
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
This module builds on a prior introductory module on database technology and provides more advanced
theoretical and practical study material for managing large volumes of data, for example, noSQL database
systems and MapReduce. The module will consider file system models, for example Hadoop, relevant for big
data storage, manipulation at scale, mining and visualisation. Basic knowledge of parallel decomposition
concepts will be included.

Computer graphics 344 (COS 344)

Module credits 18.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites COS 110 and WTW 124 or WTW 146
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Computer Science
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
The aim of this module is to acquire a sound knowledge of the basic theory of interactive computer graphics and
basic computer graphics programming techniques. The theory will cover graphics systems and models, graphics
programming, input and interaction, geometric objects and transformations, viewing in 3D, shading, rendering
techniques, and introduce advanced concepts, such as object-oriented computer graphics and discrete
techniques. The module includes a practical component that enables students to apply and test their knowledge
in computer graphics. The OpenGL graphics library and the C programming language will be used for this
purpose.

Multimedia 310 (IMY 310)

Module credits 25.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Information Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
*Closed - requires departmental selection.
Human-computer Interaction. This module involves a study of human-computer interaction and human-
information interaction; humans as computer and information users; and the ethical aspects relating to the
creation of multimedia information products. A detailed study of the role, composition and functioning of an
interface, underlying principles in the design and evaluation of interfaces, will also be undertaken.

Multimedia 320 (IMY 320)

Module credits 30.00
NQF Level 07
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Information Science
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
*Closed - requires departmental selection.
Trends. This module covers a wide array of themes that relate to how multimedia and technology in general, is
applied in the world today. It aims to critically assess the latest design and development trends, and evaluate
the benefits and pitfalls associated with these new advances. It is also concerned with the creation of user
centric applications through the implementation of the fundamental design laws of user experience design. The
practical component of the module covers video editing tools and the basic skills required to create attractive
videos.

The science of data analytics 353 (STK 353)

Module credits 25.00
NQF Level 07
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites WST 212
Contact time 1 practical per week, 3 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Data exploration. Data wrangling. Statistical coding. Algorithmic thinking. Sampling: basic techniques in
probability, non-probability, and resampling methods. Text mining and analytics. Machine learning: classification
and clustering. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation
within a data science framework.

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this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students
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be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

University of Pretoria Yearbook 2023 | www.up.ac.za | 11:02:30 12/12/2022 | Page 35 of 35