Many organizations, enterprises, companies and industries are increasingly embracing the emerging new technologies and/or applications in their day-to-day work. Such emerging new technologies include: mobile applications, wireless applications and networks, clouding computing, etc. At the same time these organizations are faced with the challenge of processing huge amounts and volumes of data which comes from their various business processes and activities. Processing, these data, without the use the appropriate technology, may pose a number of challenges. Most organizations, have however, acquired and adopted the use of some of the emerging technologies to help them cope with this challenge.
Information Systems is a discipline that offers organizations the tools to collect, manage, process their data and disseminate the information that comes thereof. Information Systems as a discipline, draws expertise from a number of other areas: these include Business and Management, Psychology, Social Sciences, Philosophy, Medicine, Mathematics, Engineering, etc. Information Systems as a discipline helps organizations in combining the hardware and software to process their vast amounts of data, to make well-informed managerial decisions using the information that results from such data, and to develop their in-house customized applications, etc.
The rapid changes in technology in today’s business environments have provided a need for a programme that provides graduates with the ability to manage technology and communicate with technologists. The Bachelor of Information Systems is designed specifically to attract students that need to learn more about the utilization of information systems in business environments. The main focus of the Bachelor of Information Systems is to provide a state-of-the-art program that considers modern principles and theories of computing together with the practical applications of information systems.
The Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS) examines both the organizational, Informational and technological issues that are needed for the analysis and design of business information systems.
Admission Requirements
To gain admission to the Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS) programme, a candidate must first of all satisfy the general requirements for admission into Kyambogo University at a Bachelors level. In addition a candidate shall be eligible for admissions to the BIS programme on meeting any of the following minimum qualifications:-
Direct Entry
At least two principle passes in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE or its equivalent and at least 5 credits at O-level.
For the purpose of computing entry points, the advanced level subjects shall carry the following weights:
- Weight 3: Economics, Geography, Mathematics
- Weight 2: Physics, History, Biology, Chemistry, Entrepreneurship
- Weight 1: Divinity, Fine Art, Technical Drawing
- Weight 0.5 Any other subject
Diploma Entry
A person may be admitted to the degree programme (entry into year one) via the diploma scheme if the person has:
- Any Class II-Credit (minimum) Diploma from a recognized institution, and
- At least one(1)principal pass at A-Level and two (2) subsidiary passes obtained at the same sitting of the Uganda Advanced Certificated of Education (UACE)
- At least five (5) credits at O-level obtained at the same sitting of the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE).
A person may be admitted in the second year (entry into year two) if he/she has:
- A recognized Diploma in Computing (Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering) or its equivalent from an institution recognized by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and having passed mathematics at O-level.
Crediting the Diploma qualification, for those entering on the degree programme via the Diploma entry scheme, will be done as follows to obtain the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) for the year:
| Class | CGPA range |
| Class I- Distinction | 4.40 – 5.00 |
| Class II – Credit | 2.80 – 4.39 |
| Class III – Pass | 2.00 – 2.79 |
Unclassified Diploma will be evaluated from the transcripts.
Mature Age Entry Scheme
A person may be admitted to the degree programmed via the mature entry scheme if the person has:
- Passed the mature age entry examinations appropriately administered by the University and approved by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Year One Semester One
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIS1101 | Introduction to Computers and Information Systems | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SHM1101 | Humanities and Communication Skills | 60 | 0 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS1102 | Computer Applications | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS1103 | Business Statistics | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SIS1104 | Discrete Mathematics | 45 | 0 | 4 |
Semester load=19
Year One Semester Two
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIS1201 | Management Information Systems | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SIS1202 | Introduction to Programming | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS1203 | Business Computing | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS1204 | Computer maintaince and Management | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS1205 | Internet Technologies and Web Authoring | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS1206 | Industrial Attachment | 12 weeks | 4 |
Semester load =23
Year Two Semester One
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIS2101 | E-commerce | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS2102 | Information Systems Analysis And Design | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS2103 | Database Systems Design and Development | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS2104 | Object Oriented Programming | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS2105 | Multimedia Systems | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
Semester load=19
Year Two Semester Two
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIS2201 | Computer Networks and Data Communications | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS2202 | Website Design, Programming and Administration | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS2203 | Database Systems Implementation | 45 | 30 | 45 | 4 |
| SIS2204 | Research Methods | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS2205 | Business Process Analysis and Modeling | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SIS2206 | Industrial Attachment | 12 weeks | 4 |
Semester load=23
Year Three Semester one
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIS3201 | Systems Administration | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS3102 | Information Systems Project Management | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS3103 | Information Systems Security | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS3104 | Software Engineering Principle | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SIS3105 | Enterpreneurship Skills | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
Semester load=18
Year Three Semester Two
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIS3201 | Decision Support Systems | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SIS3202 | Social Issues in Computing | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SIS3203 | Organisation Behaviour | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SIS3204 | Business Intelligence and data warehousing | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SIS3205 | BIS Project | 0 | 120 | 75 | 5 |
Semester load=18
Information Systems professionals occupy a unique yet incredibly important area that combines Information systems, information technology and business. They possess a level of expertise that relates to both Information Technology and business needed among organizations.
There are many different jobs and career prospects associated with the Bachelor of Information Systems. An information Systems professional has a chance to play roles that allow him/her to make meaningful and much-needed contributions to businesses. Although an Information Systems Professional can play different roles, the major role is that of an Information systems Manager which includes:
- researching and installing new systems
- implementing technology, directing the work of systems and business analysts, developers, support specialists and other computer-related workers
- evaluating user needs and system functionality, ensuring that IT facilities meet these needs
- planning, developing and implementing the IT budget and obtain competitive prices from suppliers to ensure cost effectiveness
- organizing the purchase of hardware and software
- scheduling upgrades and security backups of hardware and software systems
- guaranteeing the smooth running of all IT systems, including anti-virus software, print services and email provision
- ensuring that users adhere to software licensing laws
- providing secure access to the network for remote users
- securing data from internal and external attack
- offering users appropriate support and advice
- managing crisis situations, which may involve complex technical hardware or software problems
- mentoring and training new IT support staff
- keeping up-to-date with the latest technologies
- Contributing to organizational policy regarding quality standards and strategic planning.
An Information systems professional with a good knowledge of information systems, information technology, business processes, good communication skills and excellent practical skills can be absorbed in
- national and multinational companies
- universities and research institutes
- private and public business organizations/industries
- government parastatals and departments
- data processing departments
- IT/Software companies, and
- in areas where computers and computer-aided systems are used e.g., in aeronautics and space science, petroleum, oil and gas industry, chemical and power plants, manufacturing industry, etc.
Thus a graduate of Information Systems can also work as a:
- Software Engineer: A person concerned with high technical and programming skills who enjoys being heavily involved in designing and executing business workflow processes.
- Software Developer: Similar to a Software engineer, a software developer plays a pivotal role in customizing systems and applications, and work closely with system engineers and computer programmers.
- Computer Systems Analyst: A person who helps organizations establishes and implements information systems, as well as the business processes and workflows involved in integrating business and technology. Systems Analysts are also often involved in the design and creation of the documentation associated with specific information systems and technical equipment used by the company.
- Business analyst: A person who is responsible for identifying, understanding and documenting the customer requirements, problem statement and helps in defining the scope of the overall project. He/she Carries out solution evaluation and provides best recommendations to the organization.
- Network and Computer System Administrator/Architect: A person concerned with managing and administering the company’s network system – including network setup, configuration, network user management, network audit, network monitoring, network file sharing and management, etc. He/she manages and administers networking and data communication systems, including local area networks, wide area networks, extranets, and intranets.
- Database Designer/Administrator: A person concerned with designating, implementing, managing and administering the company’s database. A database designer/administrator analyzes and evaluates the data needs of the organization. He/she develops and improves data resources to store and retrieve critical information.
- Information systems Manager: A person, who plans, arranges and manages all IT-related operations within a company. He/she also helps in establishing and executing goals for the organization and the processes for achieving organizational goals and objectives.
- Information Research Scientist: A person, who engages in research, invents and designs new strategies and methods for computing technology.
coming soon!