Handbook

Postgraduate Studies

Ritson Timetables

Information Sheet

IT Timetables

Staff

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Teaching and learning profile for Information Technology

The pervasion of 5IR and advent of a hyper connected society place new demands on the computing graduate. These digital natives are entrusted to provide technologically enriched innovations towards solutions for persistent societal and industrial challenges.

In response to this glocal demand, our Department maintains a carefully architected pyramid of programs. These range from low down Higher Certificate aimed at enhancing the digital literacy of the student which better equips them for the demands of their chosen higher education pathways, to a high powered Honours Degree aimed at developing skills in key areas of computing like, AI, Robotics, Computer Vision and IoT. The apex consists of Masters and PhD and our team of established mentors usher postgraduate students towards leveraging their newly instilled knowledge in applied research for solving real-world problems.

Undergraduate and graduate programs’ curriculum derive from the international computing curriculum for which ACM/IEEE are custodians. This allows for a world class computing curriculum which permutated throughout our programs which endows our graduates with cutting edge knowledge in emerging ICT and a practical ability of their application.

Computing staff are a dedicated and experienced team of academics from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. There are varying years of experience ranging from new appointments to career academics and those with many years of industry experience. Our staff are continuously developing new skills in stewardship, teaching and learning pedagogy, research and engagement and evolving teaching and learning practices to keep pace with socio-technological developments and to cope with digital divide.

Learning technologies have always featured in our practices and we are not newcomers to the recent boom in embracing technologically enhanced learning platforms. As early as the 2000s online learning platforms have featured in our instruction. High tech computer laboratories boast the latest equipment and software to enhance the learning experience. A recent grant led to the purchase of multi-million Rand high powered computers to support advanced research in areas like data analytics and AI. We have the only Luban workshop in South Africa fitted with state-of-the-art equipment for Robotics, 3D printing and IoT. In addition we have partnerships with leaders in IT industry including, Microsoft, AWS, IBM, SAP, Huawei, Cisco and others.

We pride ourselves with research accomplishments. Collaborations with researchers from other regions such as, Korea, China have resulted in incredible innovations in smart energy, AI and big data analytics. Post graduate students are often the recipient of research awards, grants and accolades. This contributes in part towards DUT achieving world ranking status for high quality research output.

Along the way, headliner grabbing students have left their mark. A group of postgraduate students have formed a club that delivers ICT solutions for many needy and opportune ambits in the University. Undergraduate students are local, regional and sometimes continental representatives for heavyweights in IT like, Microsoft, AWS and IBM.

 

Research Profile

DUT is ranked within the top 5 Universities in South Africa and in the top 300 Universities World Ranking. This accolade is mainly a result of high quality research and demonstrates our ability as a serious heavy-weight contender. Each year, computing research makes significant contributions to achieving such accolades.

Masters and PhD students (PG students) speak highly of their learning experience and of their time spent at DUT. These students hail from many local and international regions, forming a rich tapestry of culture and ethnicity which enriches the overall learning experience via interactions. Our students mingle with different cultures, languages and socio-economic standing which is vital in an industry that has long ago diminished regional boundaries and promoted global collaborating teams.

Our research is often fascinating and captivating. PG students ply their skills to perform exciting research in areas of big data, data analytics, data streaming, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, IoT, edge computing, cyber security, cloud computing, user experience, software engineering, image processing and computer vision. Research is underpinned by a simple philosophy of innovative and clever computing solutions that improve the lives and livelihood of society. Research is applied in nature and design-research by methodology.

Some of our recent PG student research topics are: Using ICT for disease intervention in resource constrained environments: case study Narok county, Kenya; A Context-Aware word embedding model for morphologically rich languages using Sesotho saLeboa as a Case Study; Detecting identity theft in real time using big data; Predicting depression on social media using machine learning; Integrating design thinking and DevOps for improved requirements engineering in agile software projects and Design model of IoT ready network architecture for Botswana Healthcare System; and practical course delivery as a service for higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe: A robotic and artificially intelligent approach.

We boast state of the art computing resources and a wide range of support units dedicated to enhance the research experience and enable the PG student to quickly satisfy their research goals. There are dedicated PG student computer laboratories with high-tech computers and equipment for AI, Big Data, Robotics, IoT and 3D printing. There are comfortable spaces for research outside the computer laboratories and lecture halls should the PG student need to work on their thesis. The Library provides access to top ranked computing journals and other publications accessible from anywhere in the world. In addition, the Writing Centre provides one-on-one peer assistance to improve quality of the thesis or publication.

PG students complete their studies well within their planned timeframes and embark on successful careers in academia or in IT industry, both locally or abroad. They achieve publications and other research outputs along their journey which enhances their profiles. Our PG Degrees are recognized world-wide and some of our mentors have achieved international acclaim and regional awards and ratings for their advanced standing in a certain field of computing. This profile is increasing with each passing year.

 

Being the largest department in this faculty, the popularity of this department is reflected in the large number (approximately 500) first year students it takes in annually. Students have the opportunity to choose from the following streams: Bachelor of ICT, Diploma ICT Applications Development and Postgraduate Programmes

• The Bachelor of ICT : This CHE-accredited Degree offering in BICT was offered for the first time in 2019. The department may accept a limited number of students into the second or third year of study, who’s BICT Programme aligns with the University, subject to availability of space.
• The Diploma in ICT in Applications Development: The CHE-accredited Diploma offering in ICT (Applications Development) commenced in 2016. An augmented 4-year curriculum is devised in order to enhance student development and to improve the student’s chances of successful completion. The department may accept a limited number of students into the second or third year of study, who’s ICT Programme aligns with the University, subject to availability of space.
• The Diploma in ICT in Applications Development (4 year Foundation) is an augmented 4-year curriculum devised to enhance the student development and to improve the student’s chances of successful completion.
• The B Tech IT, and B Tech FIS programmes are in phase out, and no new applications are being accepted for these programmes.
• Update to application process for Higher Certificate in Information Technology:Despite the Higher Certificate details not included in the printed CAO Handbook, prospective students must still apply for the Higher Certificate in Information Technology  through the CAO.It is available as a programme offered at DUT.  The CAO code for the Higher Certificate in IT is: DU-D-HIT.

 

Postgraduate Graduates: The Department offers the following postgraduate qualifications namely,

• Honours Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology
• Master of Information and Communications Technology (MICT)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology (PhD)
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Both Masters and PhD programmes are full research programmes requiring submission of a full-thesis for examination. There is no coursework.

 

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ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
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National Diploma Financial Information Systems Entrance Requirements
Bachelor of Technology Financial Information Systems (Phased out – no new registration for 2020)
Information & Communications Technology Entrance Requirements
Bachelor of Information & Communications Technology Degree Entrance Requirements
Bachelor of Technology Information Technology (Phased out – no new registration for 2020)
Postgraduate Degree in Information Technology: Masters and PhD
Shortcourses

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NEWS
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INSETA Bursary for Honors in IT Students

Memorandum: Roll Out to Assist Students Working Remotely During COVID-19 Pandemic

Department of Information Technology Launches ITA and Test Centre

DUT Hosts IT Workshop With Sastri College

Top Performing IT Student Awards 2018

Mohapi to host Microsoft workshops for IT students at DUT

DUT’s Department of IT Pioneering New Research Output in ICT

Application to become a tutor

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Contact Information