Programmes

The Bachelor of Information and Knowledge Management (Library and Information Studies) is a 4-year full-time single major, degree extending over a period of eight semesters. 

Programme Structure

Most courses offered in the BIKM (LIS) programme have 3 credits except for projects and industrial placement which carry a maximum of 4 credits. The minimum average credit load per semester in BIKM (LIS) core courses varies depending on the elective courses that the candidate chooses. 

Candidates must obtain a minimum of 124 credits including all core courses and optional courses or elective courses. The 4-year programme credit accumulation in core courses will be 81 credits

Entrance Qualifications

 The normal requirements for entrance to the BIKM single major degree shall be:

• Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education or equivalent. All candidates for admission must have a minimum of credit in English.
• A pass in the Diploma in Information and Knowledge Management from this university or its equivalent from any other recognized institution.
• Candidates with a Diploma in Library and Information Studies, Archives and Records Management and Knowledge Management from the University of Botswana or its equivalent from any other recognized institution may be admitted directly to Level 300 of the programme.
• Candidates with a Certificate in Library and Information Studies, Archives and Records Management, Information and Knowledge from the University of Botswana or its equivalent from any other recognized institution may be admitted directly at Level 200 of the programme.

Semester 1

Core Courses

ARM100: Introduction to Records Management (3 credits)
IKM100: Introduction to Knowledge Management (3 credits)
LIM100: Introduction to Information Science (3 credits)
LIM 101:  Collection Development Management (3 credits)

General Education

COM111: Communication and Study Skills I (3 credits)
ICT121: Computing and Information Skills (2 Credits)

Semester 2

Core Courses

LIM102: Introduction to Organising Information (4 credits)
IKM101: Knowledge Management Theory and Practice (3 credits)
ARM101: Introduction to Archives (3 credits)

General Education

COM112: Communication and Study Skills II (3 credits)
ICT122: Computing and Information Skills (2 credits)

Semester 3

Core Courses

LIM200: Digital Libraries (3 credits)
IKM200: Knowledge Management Systems (3 credits)
ISS221: Data and Information Management 1 (3 credits)

Optional Courses

LIM201: Publishing and the Book Trade (3 credits)
ARM 201:  Preservation of Information Materials (3 credits)

Semester 4

Core Courses

LIM202: Management of Library and Information Systems (3 credits)
ARM200: Archival Arrangement and Description (3 credits) (Pre –requisite: ARM101)
ARM201: Preservation of Information Materials (3 credits)

Optional Courses

LIM203: Social Networking Issues for Information Professionals (3 credits)
LIM204: Information Literacy (3 credits)

Semester 5

ISS321: Data and Information Management (3 credits) (Pre-requisite: ISS221)
IKM300: Customer Knowledge Management (3 credits)
IKM301: The Knowledge Economy (3 credits)
LIM300: User Needs and Services (3 credits)

Optional Courses

ARM300: Vital Records and Disaster Planning (3 credits)
LIM304: Information and Society (3 credits)

Semester 6

IKM302:  Research Methods in IKM (3 credits)
IKM303: Industrial Attachment (4 credits) (Pre-requisites: ARM200, IKM200 and LIM200)
LIM301: Business Information Systems (3 credits)
LIM302: Content Management (3 credits)

Optional Courses

ARM301:  Electronic Records Management (3 credits) (Pre-requisite: ARM100)
ARM302: Orality and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (3 Credits)
LIM303: Health Information Systems (3 credits)
LIM304: Information and Society (3 credits)

Semester 7

LIM400: Project Management for Information Professionals (3 credits)
LIM401: Marketing of Information Services (3 credits)

Optional Courses

ARM400: Access and Reference Services (3 credits) (Pre-requisite: ARM200)
IKM400:  Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3 Credits)
IKM401: Competitive Intelligence (3 credits)

One elective course

Semester 8

LIM402: Information Ethics, Legal and Policy Issues (3 credits)
LIM403: Project Work in Information and Knowledge Management (4 credits)
LIM404: Information Security (3 credits)

Optional Courses

ARM401: Managing Audio Visual Archives (3 credits) (Pre-requisite: ARM101)
ARM402: Management of Records in Specialized Environments (3 credits)
IKM402: Knowledge Management Strategies for Information Agencies (3 credits)

Job Opportunities for BIKM (LIS) Graduates

BIKM majors have the possibility to work in positions such as: knowledge manager; knowledge project manager; knowledge analyst; data analyst; data manager; internal communications manager; knowledge leader; information manager; records manager; web manager; information specialist; information consultant; information analyst; internet and intranet expert; indexer; information and knowledge manager; business analyst;  end-user support specialist; information systems manager; project manager; systems analyst; company/corporate  archivist and web content manager.