BSC IT Qualification

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donvilla07

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Hi all,

I'm looking for some advise regarding this qualification. I am currently employed as an IT Supervisor, however do not have much in terms of qualifications. I've learnt by doing.
I am interested in getting some qualifications to go with my experience and a BSC is one option I've considered, but I do have a few concerns:
1. Is it worthwhile studying a degree? Given the rapid changes in technology, would the information learnt in the first couple of years still be relevant by the time I've completed the degree?
2. Is there another institution, other than Unisa, that offers a BSC part-time? I've had a look on the Unisa website, however they do not offer any explanation as to what the various degrees entail or even what modules are included in each degree. It seems this information is only available during the registration period?

I appreciate any feedback.
 
For (1), you don't have to worry about the particular technologies, it is the concepts and higher level theory that are the important bits, and these change very slowly (there is very little from my BSc degree 20+ years ago that is obsolete today).

Something that does come to mind, is whether or not a BSc will actually help with your current career. What do you mean by IT supervisor? Desktop admin? System admin? Network admin? Do you supervise any of these groups? If so, and you want to continue what you are doing, I expect that the benefit would be minimal. If, however, you want to move into software development, BI, etc., it would likely be very beneficial.
 
cguy said:
For (1), you don't have to worry about the particular technologies, it is the concepts and higher level theory that are the important bits, and these change very slowly (there is very little from my BSc degree 20+ years ago that is obsolete today).

Something that does come to mind, is whether or not a BSc will actually help with your current career. What do you mean by IT supervisor? Desktop admin? System admin? Network admin? Do you supervise any of these groups? If so, and you want to continue what you are doing, I expect that the benefit would be minimal. If, however, you want to move into software development, BI, etc., it would likely be very beneficial.
Click to expand...

I work for a SME, overseeing all the IT functionality, from desktop support, networking, firewall to managing the development of our custom software. I do not develop the software myself, however I am the middle man between our organisation and the developers. I spec all development projects and test once complete. I supervise the IT team, which consists of myself plus 1 other.
My main interest in pursuing a BSC is that it offers the software development as well as management knowledge, this could possibly allow me to grow to become the IT manager (no such position currently exists at our organisation), as well as develop the software myself.
 
Does anyone perhaps know of another institution where I can study BSC part-time? Or know how I can go about getting more information on the different options offered by Unisa?
 
donvilla07 said:
I work for a SME, overseeing all the IT functionality, from desktop support, networking, firewall to managing the development of our custom software. I do not develop the software myself, however I am the middle man between our organisation and the developers. I spec all development projects and test once complete. I supervise the IT team, which consists of myself plus 1 other.
My main interest in pursuing a BSC is that it offers the software development as well as management knowledge, this could possibly allow me to grow to become the IT manager (no such position currently exists at our organisation), as well as develop the software myself.
Click to expand...
BSc typically has little to no management modules. You're looking for BCOM if that's what you're after.
 
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If you are after a Management/Business Analyst/Project Manager role in the IT world then I would recommend a BComm. Information Systems course coupled with a cert from either one of the aforementioned roles.
There is a development stream within Information Systems as well but looking at what you want, it seems like you want to know a bit more about programming but don't really want to jump in, you maybe just want to talk the talk with the tech team?

I would go with the IS course over Bsc. if you are looking into Management.
 
donvilla07 said:
Thanks, did not know that. And BCom has no programming modules.
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Bcom IT absolutely has programming modules.

B.Sc = bachelors in science. Thus science heavy.
Typically you take math or stats until your final year. You may also have modules such as physics on offer.

Bcom informatics will have management, accounting and other commerce oriented modules, along with the programming modules.
 
donvilla07 said:
Thanks, did not know that. And BCom has no programming modules.
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BComm. is broad... It is BComm Information Systems that you should be looking into. Read my previous post.
IS has 2 streams, one with a little programming and another with other fancy stuff.
 
The BCom in Information Systems does seem more relevant, looking at the modules. I was initially looking at BCom in Information and Technology Management, which did not have any programming modules, unless the module names aren't explanatory enough.

I would in fact like to be able to do the programming myself. I assume that a BSc would be necessary for this?
 
donvilla07 said:
The BCom in Information Systems does seem more relevant, looking at the modules. I was initially looking at BCom in Information and Technology Management, which did not have any programming modules, unless the module names aren't explanatory enough.

I would in fact like to be able to do the programming myself. I assume that a BSc would be necessary for this?
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No degree is necessary for you to be able to program. You can teach yourself to program right now, using information on the net.
 
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Messugga said:
No degree is necessary for you to be able to programme. You can teach yourself to program right now, using information on the net.
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This is true. Will be difficult to work full-time, study BCom part-time & learn to program at the same time as well though.
So, ideally a BCom would be the best option, coupled with self-taught programming
 
donvilla07 said:
This is true. Will be difficult to work full-time, study BCom part-time & learn to program at the same time as well though.
So, ideally a BCom would be the best option, coupled with self-taught programming
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You understand that there are many, many different "BCom" degrees, right?
 
DanDango said:
https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/755708-Bsc-Informatics-UNISA
Bachelor of Science in Informatics http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corpor...chelor-of-Science-in-Informatics-(98907).html

Curriculum for this qualification http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corpor...in-Informatics-Informatics-(98907-–-INF).html
Click to expand...

Thank you! That's exactly what I'm looking for.
How did you get to the page with the modules listed? I've been trying to find that info for days.
 
donvilla07 said:
Thank you! That's exactly what I'm looking for.
How did you get to the page with the modules listed? I've been trying to find that info for days.
Click to expand...

On Unisa Home page click on register to study. Click on undergraduate. Cick on 1: FIND YOUR QUALIFICATION & CHOOSE YOUR MODULES. Click on Science, Engineering and Technology. Click on any of the list of courses and scroll down for Curriculum.
 
DanDango said:
On Unisa Home page click on register to study. Click on undergraduate. Cick on 1: FIND YOUR QUALIFICATION & CHOOSE YOUR MODULES. Click on Science, Engineering and Technology. Click on any of the list of courses and scroll down for Curriculum.
Click to expand...

Could have sworn I did that before, without finding this info...:confused:
Thanks for the hep man. The BSc in Informatics is exactly what I was looking for
 
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