University of Limpopo UL Computer Science
Welcome to the homepage of the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (SMCS)! The SMCS is one of the four in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture (FSA) at the University of Limpopo.
It comprises three departments, namely, Computer Science (COSC), Mathematics and Applied Mathematics (MAM), and Statistics and Operations Research (STOR) all of which offer programmes that cut across the entire faculty and spread to schools in other faculties. For this reason, the SMCS is the largest school in the FSA with a student population of over 2,000 students enrolled in our Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science Honours, Master of Science and
Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Socio-economic development and technological advancement are dependent on solid mathematical and computational skills, and hence a qualification in applied mathematical sciences or computer science is the most sought-after in the 21st century. This makes the SMCS one of the most popular in the institution. Our students are trained in the applications of the latest computer software packages in seven computer laboratories equipped with 486 computers. The SMCS boasts three centres of academic excellence: The Telkom Centre of Excellence for Speech Technology (in COSC), is dedicated for research in speech technology, the Centre for Mathematics Explorations (in MAM), is devoted for assisting school learners and teachers with various topics in school mathematics, and the Statistical Consultancy Centre (in STOR), caters for the university and the public needs in issues relating to statistical analysis.
On the research side, the SMCS boasts more than 45 dedicated and highly qualified academics whose interests range from theoretical applications of Mathematics and Statistics, to the more practical applications of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Operations Research. In 2009, STOR established a research partnership with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on Energy Demand Forecasting. The Project is funded and supported by ESKOM. Through the university Work Study Programme, the SMCS employs over 50 Students Assistants chosen from amongst the best students in third-year level and all postgraduate levels. Because today’s job markets target multi-skilled graduates, thereby employing as few people as possible, the SMCS, in line with its mission, strives to ensure that when our students are released into the corporate world they are adequately prepared for the challenges of this new environment.
In responding to the challenges posed by the merger between the then University of the North and Medunsa, all our undergraduate and postgraduate courses were harmonised during 2007 and 2008, respectively, and have been implemented since 2008 and 2009, respectively. So as far as it is academically possible, modules offered on both campuses are similar, both in design and content.
Every student shall register and follow an approved curriculum for the duration prescribed for the degree.
Ø In addition to the general Faculty admission requirements
§ a student who passed Grade 12 in or before 2007 shall be admitted to a degree programme in the School only if s/he has a rating of 30 or more on the Selection Scale which is based on the results of the Matriculation* (Grade 12) examination based on the best six subjects and if, in addition, s/he obtained at least a D (E) symbol* in the Standard (Higher) Grade* in Matriculation (Grade 12) Mathematics calculated as follows:
Selection Scale
|
Symbol
Grade
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
|
Standard
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
Higher
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
*or their equivalents
§ a student who passed Grade 12 in 2008 shall be admitted to a degree programme in the School only if s/he has a rating of at least 27 APS calculated as follows:
|
Subject
|
Minimum Matric Score
|
|
|
|
Mathematics
|
4
|
|
Physical Science or Information Technology
|
4
|
|
Life Orientation
|
3
|
|
English
|
4
|
|
Other 1
|
4
|
|
Other 2
|
2
|
|
0ther 3
|
2
|
|
|
|
LEAST APS SCORE
|
23
|
Undergraduate Study Programmes
Computer Science Prerequisites and Co-requisites
| Module |
Prerequisite(s) |
Co-requisite(s) |
| COSC 101 |
D (E) in Grade 12 SG (HG) Mathematics |
MATH 101 |
| COSC 102 |
D (E) in Grade 12 SG (HG) Mathematics, Attendance of COSC 101 |
M1TH 102 |
| COSC 201 |
COSC 101/2, MATH 101/2 |
|
| COSC 202 |
COSC 101/2, MATH 101/2 |
|
| COSC 351 |
COSC 201/2 |
|
| COSC 361 |
COSC 201/2 |
|
| COSC 372 |
COSC 201/2 |
|
| COSC 382 |
COSC 201/1 |
|
| INFO 101/112 |
None |
|
| INFO 102 |
Attendance of INFO 101/112 |
|
| CWSS 172 |
None |
|
Computer Science
The curriculum shall extend over three year levels and be composed of a combination of modules that include at least two majors selected as explained under Rule FSA 3 and Rules SCMS 6.1 and SCMS 6.2:
- Computer Science with at least one of the following as joint major(s): Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research. A major from another School in the Faculty may be selected, but then with the provision of Rule FSA 3.3 applies.
- For a degree majoring in Computer Science, credits of the following six (6) modules on offer by the Department must be successfully accumulated: COSC 101, COSC 102, COSC 201, COSC 202, COSC 351, COSC 361, COSC 372 and COSC 382.
The Final Mark (FM): The formative assessment carries a weight of 2, the practical mark carries a weight of 1 and the summative assessment carries a weight of 2.
Syllabus contents
First year Computer Science
COSC 101 (Fundamentals of Computing and Algorithm Development) (15 credits):
FUNDEMENTALS OF COMPUTING: Fundamental concepts of computing; Introduction to Operating Systems and Networks; Data storage and binary number systems; Introduction to switching theory; ntroduction to object-orientation paradigm
ALGORITHMIC DEVELOPMENT: Fundamentals to algorithm development and software engineering; Introduction to language implementation and compiler theory; Introduction to object-orientation paradigm
COSC 102 (Data Organization and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence) (15 credits):
DATA ORGANIZATION: Fundamentals of files and data structures; Introduction to database concepts; Advanced algorithmic development; Object-oriented programming in a specific language
INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Fundamentals of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and Expert systems; Introduction to theory of computations; Object-oriented programming in a specific language; Introduction to Web development
Second year Computer Science
COSC 201 (Data Structures and Compilers) (20 credits): Arrays, Queues, Stacks, Linked lists, Trees, Files, Introduction to Compiler Design Theory
COSC 202 (Computer Architecture I & II) (20 credits): Basic Concepts; IA-32 Processor Architecture; Assembly Language Fundamentals; Data Transfers, Addressing, and Arithmetic; Procedures; Conditional Processing; Integer Arithmetic; Advanced Procedures: Strings and Arrays; Structures and Macros; 32-Bit Windows Programming; High-Level Language Interface; 16-Bit MS-DOS Programming; Disk Fundamentals; BIOS-Level Programming; Expert MS-DOS Programming
Third-year Computer Science
COSC 351 (Databases) (15 credits): Fundamental Database Concepts; Entity-Relationship data modelling; Relational model concepts; Functional dependencies and normalization; Introduction to SQL and MS Access
COSC 361 (Operating Systems) (15 credits): Fundamental Operating Systems (OS) Concepts; Memory and process management; Process scheduling; Input/Output and File manipulation; Distributed Processing and Security
COSC 372 (Artificial Intelligence) (15 credits): Roots and Scope of AI; AI as Representation and Search; Knowledge Representation and Reasoning; Machine learning; Automated Reasoning; Natural language processing
COSC 382 (Computer Networking) (15 credits): Networking Fundamentals; Physical Layer Technologies; Local Area Networks; TCP/IP Internet Working; Wide Area Networks
Services Modules (Information Systems)
Except for CWSS 172 which carries 7.5 credits, each of the other modules carries 15 credits.
INFO 101 (repeated as 112 during semester 2) (Introduction to computers): Introduction to computer concepts – both hardware and software; End-user oriented Practicals on MS Office, Internet & e-mail system.
INFO 102 (Introduction to database and information systems): Introduction to Data communication; Computer ethics; Introduction to database and information systems; End-user oriented practical lessons on database and accounting packages
CWSS 172 (Computer Literacy): Windows, Word processor, Spreadsheet, database, Internet and e-mail