Systems Development NQF 4

Luther Varsity in Southern Africa

A Place of Academic and Professional Excellence

Systems Development

NQF 4 | SAQA ID: 48872 |164 Credits

The purpose of this qualification is to build a foundational entry into the field of Computer Sciences and Information Technology, specifically into the field of Systems Development, covering basic knowledge needed for further study in the field of Systems Development at Higher Education Levels.

While the qualification can be acquired through formal study as well as in the workplace, through scholarships, LUSA places strong value in a combination of formal study and internships to provide the student with a controlled learning environment that introduces into teaching, key principles of professionalism, ethics and entrepreneurship.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose of the qualification:

The qualification can be acquired in the traditional way of formal study as well as in the workplace, through studentships. Acquiring the qualification through studentships has the potential of addressing the problems of the past, where newly qualified people getting into the industry struggled to get employment, because they were required to have practical experience. The workplace experience can now be gained while acquiring the qualification through the various studentship schemes that are planning to use this qualification.

A qualifying student at this level will be a well-rounded entry-level Systems Developer with a good fundamental knowledge of the Information Technology field, coupled with interpersonal and business skills, preparing for later specialisation in Systems Development fields.

The qualification is designed to:

provide students with an entry level for further study in Information Technology and related fields, as well as for initial employment in the computer industry.
allow many of the listed unit standards to be used in Studentship Schemes in the Information Systems and Technology sector, as well as other sectors where Information Technology is a key requirement.
Provide a foundational qualification for people who are pursuing a career in the computer industry, or related fields. People with this qualification have an introductory level of understanding about computer industry concepts and/or are able to work in areas of Information Technology with little technical complexity, for example entry-level computer programming, as junior project team member.
Allow the credits achieved in the National Certificates in Information Technology (Level 2 & 3) to be used as foundation (i.e. learning assumed to be in place) for the requirements of this qualification.
Have a flexible structure to allow for changing requirements in the computer industry, and to allow providers to create learning programs with a predominantly Information Technology component but tailored to meet local, national or international needs.

Rationale of the qualification:

This qualification has been formulated such that it reflects the workplace-based needs of the Information Technology Industry as expressed by its stakeholders.
The input has been used to ensure that the qualification provides the student with accessibility to be employed within the IT Industry.

The introduction of national qualifications in Information Technology based on unit standards will allow students to qualify for a national qualification by accumulating the required credits via short learning programmes or workplace practical experience or both. It also allows students to achieve the qualifications through recognition of prior learning and/or studentships schemes, overcoming past barriers in the methods of achieving formal qualifications.

Academically this National Certificate is intended to be an entry-level qualification in the area of Systems Development. The qualification builds on knowledge areas covered in National Certificates and short learning programmes at NQF level 2 to 4, and it facilitates entry into the Systems Development field. It aims to enhance readiness for further study in Information Technology and related fields at the Further Education level, provides a pathway into further study at Higher Education level, as well as providing for initial employment in the computer industry.

One of the most important needs for this qualification is to provide for the recognition of prior learning. There are currently no unit standards based registered qualifications for Software Development. However, programs are written, installed, maintained and upgraded on a daily basis in a number of different industry sectors. People with workplace experience in the areas covered by this qualification will now be allowed to request assessment and get recognition for prior learning.

The qualification provides the student with the flexibility to articulate in the Telecommunications, Information Technology and Electronic Industries and other industries where IT is a key component, like the Financial Services Industry.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that the student is competent in skills gained at the further education and training band, with exposure to computing as an advantage, but not a requirement. A learning assumption of this qualification is foundational skills in English and Mathematics at NQF level 3. Further learning assumed is the ability to use a personal computer competently, and competence in the unit standard, “Participate in formal meetings”, NQF Level 2 (ID 14911).

The assumed learning can be acquired in the traditional way of formal study as well as in the workplace. Acquiring the competencies in a workplace (either via formal studentships or normal on-the-job training) has the potential of addressing the problems of the past, where formal qualifications were only obtainable by way of formal study.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL):

Many of the competencies used in the Information Technology profession have traditionally been acquired through short courses and on-the-job training, which did not provide formal recognition of the knowledge and skills acquired. These competencies are still today viewed by most industries as invaluable, with the sad reality that there is no formal recognition. The nature of the Information Technology field means that competence is developed experientially, therefore the assessment processes should recognise experience versus theoretical knowledge. Recognition of prior learning will now allow people with these valuable competencies to be assessed and recognised formally.

Any student wishing to be assessed may arrange to do so without having to attend further education or training. For recognition of prior learning the student will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence of relevant experience, in a prescribed format, to be assessed for formal recognition. The assessor and student will decide jointly on the most appropriate assessment procedures, subject to the assessment rules of the relevant ETQA. Learning assumed to be in place must be assessed by the assessor prior to any assessment relating to this qualification.

QUALIFICATION RULES

The Qualification consists of a Fundamental, a Core and an Elective Component.

To be awarded the Qualification students are required to obtain a minimum of 165 credits as detailed below.

Fundamental Component:

The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards in:

Mathematical Literacy at Level 4 to the value of 16 credits
Communication at Level 4 in a First South African Language to the value of 20 credits
Communication in a Second South African Language at Level 3 to the value of 20 credits

It is compulsory therefore for students to do Communication in two different South African languages, one at Level 4 and the other at Level 3

All Unit Standards in the Fundamental Component are compulsory.

The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 56 credits all of which are compulsory.

Core Component:

The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 63 credits all of which are compulsory.

Elective Component:

For the achievement of the minimum 165 credits required, students are required to do at least 46 credits in the elective component.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

A student will be able to:

Communicate effectively with fellow IT staff & users of information systems.
Demonstrate an understanding of different types of computer systems and the use of computer technology in business.
Demonstrate an understanding of problem-solving techniques, and how to apply them in a technical environment.
Demonstrate an understanding of Computer Technology Principles.
Demonstrate an understanding of Computer Programming Principles.
Work effectively as a team member within a development project environment.

Carry out, under supervision, a small size task to demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge, techniques & skills needed to understand the fundamentals of Computer Programming.

SEE CURRICULUM

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	14918	Describe the principles of Computer Programming	3	5
Core	14913	Explain the principles of computer networks	3	5
Core	14927	Apply problem solving strategies	4	4
Core	14910	Apply the principles of Computer Programming	4	8
Core	14933	Demonstrate an understanding of creating multimedia/web-based computer applications with scripting	4	6
Core	14924	Demonstrate an understanding of information systems analysis	4	3
Core	14930	Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of developing software for the internet	4	3
Core	14909	Describe the difference between programming in Object Orientated and Procedural Languages	4	4
Core	14915	Design a computer program according to given specifications	4	8
Core	14917	Explain computer architecture concepts	4	7
Core	14944	Explain how data is stored on computers	4	7
Core	14920	Participate in groups and/or teams to recommend solutions to problems	4	3
Fundamental	119472	Accommodate audience and context needs in oral/signed communication	3	5
Fundamental	119458	Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts	3	5
Fundamental	119457	Interpret and use information from texts	3	5
Fundamental	119465	Write/present/sign texts for a range of communicative contexts	3	5
Fundamental	12154	Apply comprehension skills to engage oral texts in a business environment	4	5
Fundamental	9015	Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems	4	6
Fundamental	119462	Engage in sustained oral/signed communication and evaluate spoken/signed texts	4	5
Fundamental	119469	Read/view, analyse and respond to a variety of texts	4	5
Fundamental	9016	Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts	4	4
Fundamental	7468	Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues	4	6
Fundamental	119459	Write/present/sign for a wide range of contexts	4	5
Elective	244574	Apply knowledge of HIV/AIDS to a specific business sector and a workplace	3	4
Elective	114636	Demonstrate an understanding of preventative maintenance, environmental and safety issues in a computer environment	3	6
Elective	14912	Investigate the use of computer technology in an organisation	3	6
Elective	10313	Comply with service levels as set out in a Contact Centre Operation	4	10
Elective	14908	Demonstrate an understanding of testing IT systems against given specifications	4	6
Elective	14926	Describe information systems departments in business organisations	4	3
Elective	14921	Describe the types of computer systems and associated hardware configurations	4	6
Elective	252210	Handle a range of customer complaints	4	4
Elective	14919	Resolve computer user`s problems	4	5
Elective	118028	Supervise customer service standards	4	8
Elective	120379	Work as a project team member	4	8

Source: South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Luther Varsity in Southern Africa