MPhil/PhD Degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems

1.0 Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the proposed programs are:

a) To adequately address both the academic and industry higher level of computing knowledge and skills needs within a single program, through the integration of the two areas of computing specializations, i.e. Computer Science and Information Systems.

b) To increase the critical mass of higher caliber computing professionals and potential computing academics in the country in line with global trends. Also, to train higher-level computing personnel with greater potential for productive computing academic career and professional practice, a cadre of personnel that is in great demand but in short supply locally, regionally, and globally.

c) To develop lecturers who will contribute to enquiry, development and synthesis of new knowledge in the theory and research of computing and academia. The students who are in this program will also develop internationally, regionally, and nationally recognized independent research that contributes to the frontier of knowledge in today’s fast growing technology. They will also demonstrate ability to present and defend research output to a critical audience.

2.0 Rationale for the Program

a) Botswana like many other countries is becoming more and more reliant on Information Technology in economic and social sectors. To keep up with the pressures or challenges of IT implementation and application the country needs to have skilled IT personnel. Maitlamo, Botswana’s National ICT Policy LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK & CHANGE REPORT Final Report, December 2004 aims to make the country’s economy competitive by creating an enabling environment for the growth of the ICT industry in the country and making Botswana a Regional ICT Hub. Government initiatives such as the Botswana Innovation Hub are focused on creating an environment where businesses could be developed through research and de-velopment. The objectives of the National ICT policy will be realized with skilled local manpower up to the level of research in areas of ICT. One of the factors that would attract International Companies to the Innovation Hub is an educated local workforce. The proposed programs will produce skilled workforce that could drive ICT developments.

b) Local tertiary institutions are looking towards the University of Botswana to increase the high calibre staff strength in their establishments together with research outputs. The University of Botswana seeks to be a centre of excellence by moving from a teaching Institution to a research Institution therefore the situation necessitates the need of high calibre manpower to lead in the research. The local institutions are also interested in starting re-search projects as shown by the high enrolment number of their academic staff members in our Masters programs.

c) The statistical analyses have been carried out in all three ways. These are: on-line access to the university websites, through personal contacts by getting there, and the data-survey done through an advertisement to fill the vacancy in the department. Based on them and the feedback taken from the honorable members of the advisory board, it was found that there were a very few MPhil/PhD programs running in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems being in the SADC region. Existing programs in the region and internationally are not easily accessible to local students due to a number of factors including high tuition fees, family and social commitments. The University of Botswana is in a better position to fill this gap and produce research graduates for its consumption as well as for other international institutions and industry through the proposed programs.

3.0 Career Opportunities

These programs will produce professionals at senior levels of operations, administration, management, design & planning and are expected to fill gaps in high demand areas such as computer auditing project management etc.

Career opportunities for computer scientists are, therefore, plentiful and varied at senior to very senior level besides the academic ones. In fact, a competent Computer Scientist is employable in many positions that are traditionally associated with Computer Science. These include but are not limited to: Computer Programmer or Analyst; Applications Programmer; Software Engineer; Network Administrator; Database Administrator; Computer Systems Consultant; Information Systems Manager; Operations Manager; Technical Consultant; Systems Analyst; Systems Development Manager; Project Manager, Sales and End-user Technical Support Manager or Consultant, Computer Science Academic or Researcher.

4.0 Departmental Regulations for MPhil/PhD Degree Programmes in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems

General Regulation 50.0** for the degrees of MPhil/PhD will apply.

4.1 MPhil Degree Program

The program of study shall be offered for the award of the Master of Philosophy in Computer Science and Master of Philosophy in Computer Information Systems by supervised research and course work both as indicated in General Regulation 41.1

4.2 PhD Degree Program

The program of study shall be offered for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Information Systems by supervised research only.

4.3 Entrance Requirements and Regulation

In line with the General Regulation 50.0** the following minimum entrance requirements shall apply:

a) In order to register for the MPhil degree, a candidate must discuss the proposed programme with the Department of Computer Science and then submit with the application form, an acceptable outline of the research, in addition to satisfying regulation 50.1**.

b) A candidate may be required to undergo a departmental assessment and evaluation in order to determine whether or not s/he is adequately qualified to undertake the M.Phil. program of study. On the basis of this assessment and evaluation, the departmental board shall make a recommendation whether a candidate is admissible or not admissible into the MPhil degree program in Computer Science/Computer Information Systems.

5.0 Submission of Application

The procedure for submitting the application for admission to the MPhil/PhD. pro-grams shall be as stipulated in General Regulation 50.1** and 50.2** respectively.

6.0 Registration

The procedure for registration for the M.Phil./Ph.D. programs shall be as prescribed in General Regulation 50.3**

A student shall register for and complete 24 credits of Thesis research for MPhil program.

A student shall register for and complete 72 credits of Thesis research for PhD program.

6.1 Transfer of Registration

The procedure of transfer of registration from MPhil to PhD or from PhD to MPhil programs shall be as prescribed in General Regulation 50.7**

7.0 Award of the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Degree

A student shall be eligible for the award of MPhil in Computer Science after satisfying all the requirements of the program as given in General Regulation 50.10**

8.0 Award of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree

A student shall be eligible for the award of PhD in Computer Science or PhD in Computer Information System after satisfying all the requirements of the program as given in General Regulation 50.10**

9.0 Programme Structure

In line with the General Regulation

a) A student should take and pass, at M.Phil. level, the designated course(s) recommended by the Department, as indicated in sections 14.1 and 14.2

b) In exceptional cases, the School of Graduate Studies, acting on a recommendation by the Department of Computer Science, shall exempt a student from such courses.

c) A student registered for MPhil/PhD will be required to present at least one Departmental seminar per semester.

9.1 Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

CSI800 Supervised Research and Thesis in Computer Science (MPhil.)

CIS800 Supervised Research and Thesis in Computer Information Systems (MPhil.)

9.2 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

CSI900 Supervised Research and Thesis in Computer Science (PhD)

CIS900 Supervised Research and Thesis in Computer Information Systems (PhD)

In pursuit of academic excellence