Information technology and computing deals with the capture, processing, transfer, archival, retrieval of data/information including the hardware associated with these functions. No machine has undergone such a rapid technological change over a fifty-year period as a computer.
The present day microcomputer is far from the first electronic computer ENIAC developed in 1945.The revolution in computer field is mainly on account of the advances in the production of chips. Computers are finding more and more applications in industries, business and daily life.
With a scene existing today, probably no one can afford to be ignorant about computers. Even a layman is today anxious to know what a computer is, how it works and how one communicates with it. The subject of computers is no doubt complex. It is flooded with jargons and one is likely to be easily lost.
Internet technologies and distributed database systems have made man to get what he needs from his home. Trends towards global connectivity and standards have reduced the traditional advantages of being close to customers in many businesses. Uganda computer industry is growing at a faster rate. Many Schools have introduced computer studies, and many schools have computer studies or ICT on the school curriculum. Though many computers are now being imported in the country, very few people are computer literate.
The Bachelor of Information Technology (BITC) is intended to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in the different areas of computing so that they able to solve and address societal computing/ICT related problems. The course is intended to address the human resource gap in computing by producing graduates who can confront computing challenges faced by society.
To achieve this goal, the course includes special and focal areas that that impart both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to the student. These areas include: Subject-specific Knowledge and Understanding, Cognitive skills, Intellectual Skills, Application of Knowledge and Understanding; Communication skills, ICT skills, Numeric skills, Analytical Techniques and Practical Skills and the General Transferable Skills.
Admission Requirements
To gain admission into the Bachelor of Information Technology and Computing (BITC) course a candidate must first of all satisfy the general requirements for admission into Kyambogo University. In addition a candidate shall be eligible for admissions to the BITC programme on meeting any of the following minimum qualifications:-
Direct Entry
At least two principal passes in Mathematics and in either Physics or Economics and the third best done of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Entrepreneurship, or Technical Drawing, and a (subsidiary) pass in General paper, Mathematics or Computer Studies (ICT) and any relevant subject at advanced level and five credits at ordinary level in one sitting.
For the purpose of computing entry points, the advanced level subjects shall carry the following weights:
| Subject Category | Weight |
| Essential | 3 |
| Relevant | 2 |
| Desirable | 1 |
| Others | 0.5 |
Essential: Mathematics and either with Physics or Economics,
Relevant: The third best done of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Entrepreneurship, Technical Drawing.
Desirable: Computer Studies, General Paper, Subsidiary Mathematics
Others: Any other science subject done
Diploma Entry Scheme
A person may be admitted to the degree programme (entry into year one) via the diploma scheme if the person has:
- A 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.
A person who obtained a pass diploma will be admitted in the first year of the BITC programme.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS1101 | Introduction to Information Technology and Computing | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS1102 | Computer Applications | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS1103 | Discrete Mathematical Structures | 45 | 0 | 45 | 4 |
| SCS1104 | Probability and Statistics | 45 | 60 | 75 | 5 |
| SCS1105 | Differential, Intergral and Vector Calculus | 60 | 0 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS1106 | Humanities and communications Skills | 60 | 0 | 60 | 4 |
Semester load=24
Year One Semester Two
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS1201 | Differential Equations and Systems Modeling | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS1202 | Programming Language Fundamentals | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS1203 | Linear Algebra | 45 | 30 | 60 | 3 |
| SCS1104 | Computer Architecture | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS1105 | Operating Systems concepts | 60 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SCS1106 | Computer Management and maintaince | 45 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
Semester load=21
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCCS1207 | Industrial Attachment 1 | 10 Weeks | 4 |
Semester load=25
Total First year credits=49
Year Two Semester One
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS2101 | Information Systems and Design | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2102 | Numerical Analysis and computation | 60 | 0 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2103 | Introduction to Data communication and Networking | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| SCS2104 | Structured Programming | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2105 | Network Management Concepts | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
Semester load=18
Year Two Semester Two
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS2201 | Operating Systems Implementation | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2202 | Object Oriented Programming-introduction | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2203 | Introduction to Database Management Systems | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2204 | Software Engineering | 45 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2205 | Internet Technology | 30 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS2206 | Research Methods in Computing Science | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
Year Three Semester one
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS3101 | Graph Theory | 45 | 0 | 45 | 3 |
| SCS3102 | Data Structure And Algorithms | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS3103 | Computer Graphics | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS3104 | Distributed Computing Systems | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
| SCS3105 | Intermediate Data communication and Networking | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SHM3101 | Enterpreneurship | 45 | 30 | 45 | 3 |
Semester load=25
Year Three Semester Two
| Course Code | Course | L | P | CH | CU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCS3201 | Intermediate Data Base Management Systems | 30 | 60 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS3202 | Microprocessor Base System Design | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS3203 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS3204 | Geographic Information Systems and Processing | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
| SCS3205 | Project | 0 | 150 | 75 | 5 |
Semester load=21
Total Third year credits=46
Due to the rapid growth of Computer Science and Information Technology in the last three-four decades, there has been a high demand of Computer Science and Information Technology Professionals.
There are a number of job prospects and careers for graduates of computing especially those with a degree in Computer Science and Information Technology since computers pervade, and have become an integral part of, our daily lives. Computers are found used in cars, planes, ships, watches, micro-waves, telephones, x-ray machines, industrial and manufacturing heavy-duty machines, offices, etc.
A Computer Science and Information Technology professional with a good knowledge of computer science, information technology, 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 Computer Science and Information Technology can work as a:
- Software Engineer: a person concerned with the design and development of many types of software, e.g., office and business applications, computer games and cartoons, operating systems, network software, compilers, etc.
- Hardware engineer: a person concerned with research, designing, testing and manufacturing and installation of computer hardware, e.g., computer chips, circuit boards, microcontrollers, VLSI chips, analog sensors, mixed circuit boards, routers, memory devices, etc. This role is played by a Computer engineer or electronics engineer.
- Programmer/Technical Writer: a person concerned with designing/writing computer programs and specialized packages for a number of different business processes. A computer programmer writes the code that enables software to operate as intended by software engineers/developers. This person is also concerned with writing manuals, guides, and references for computers and computer programs/software.
- Web developer: a person concerned with the development of websites for the internet. Most serious companies and organizations strive to have websites through which: the world knows who and what they are, they advertise their products and services, etc.
- Web master: a person concerned with the configuration and setting up the websites, taking care of the security of the websites, creating firewalls against hackers, stalkers, updating the website, etc.
- System (Business) analyst/IT Consultant: a person concerned with studying, researching, analyzing and designing (computer: business and/or information) systems and advising the users and management about the strengths and weaknesses of the current system, designing new systems, purchasing and installation of computer systems. A systems analyst also researches the business procedures/processes and plans their computerization. He/she provides expert guidance to organizations/companies during the development and/or purchase of computer systems
- 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.
- Computer Research Scientist: A person, who engages in research, invents and designs new strategies and methods for computer science and information technology.
coming soon