COMMERCE, LAW & MANAGEMENT

Transcription

1 22 COMMERCE, LAW & MANAGEMENT COMMERCE INSURANCE Human resources MANAGEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE investment marketing MANAGEMENT ECONOMICS ENTERPRISE TRENDS ALGEBRA AUDITING BUSINESS SCIENCE entrepreneurial business finance Computer Science SAICA statistics actuarial science calculus ACCOUNTING TAXATION information systems commercial law financial accounting diplomatic corps CIVIL labour CONSTITUTIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PROPERTY INTERNATIONAL LAW SA LAW JOURNAL GOVERNMENT INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMINAL ADVOCACY GLOBAL NSC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS REFER TO PAGE 12 FOR FACULTY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS COMMERCE, LAW & MANAGEMENT MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS PROGRAMME APS SUBJECTS & ACHIEVED SCALE SELECTION PROCEDURES Bachelor of Commerce - BCom (3 years) 39 and above. English HL or 1st Add Lang 5 Mathematics 5 Applicants between points with English and Maths at level 5, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available. Bachelor of Commerce with Law - BCom (Law) (3 years) 43 and above. English HL or 1st Add Lang 5 Mathematics 5 Applicants between points with English and Maths at level 5, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available. Bachelor of Economic Science - BEconSc (3 years) 42 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang 5 Mathematics 6 Programmes requiring Maths: Maths Major 6 Maths Stats, Act Sci 7 Applicants between points with English at level 5 and Maths at level 7, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available. Bachelor of Accounting Science - BAccSc (3 years) 42 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang 5 Mathematics 5 Applicants between points with English and Maths at level 5, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available. Applicants with 3 points below the minimum APS will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available. NB: Meeting the requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

2 23 The Study of Commerce Wits Commerce graduates are found in top positions in Africa and around the world. If you would like to join this group of distinctive public and private sector leaders, then start with an internationally recognised degree in commerce at Wits. Areas of specialisation include information systems, accounting, marketing, human resources, insurance, management, computer science, business finance, psychology and law. The study of commerce provides a firm foundation in the content and technique of accounting, business science, law, economics and mathematics, essential to the proper practice of commercial and accounting skills. Wits is also at the forefront of business information systems and its graduates are equipped to compete easily in the global market. Wits Commerce lecturers maintain close ties with the business world resulting in a direct benefit for our students. Focused lectures, small tutorial groups, guided reading, exposure to the latest in international business trends, as well as individual attention from top lecturers, nurtures conceptual skills in students and brings a clear understanding of how businesses and enterprise in the economy really work. Our accountancy students consistently achieve excellent pass rates in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants qualifying exam over the last decade Wits has on average dominated the top ten positions in the qualifying exam. Wits Commerce graduates are men and women with entrepreneurial spirit who are able to think analytically, make decisions and solve problems. There are many career opportunities in government, commerce, industry and education for people with recognised commerce qualifications and sound analytical skills, logical thought processes and a good understanding of business concepts. The Study of Law The Oliver Schreiner School of Law is one of Africa s oldest law schools and one of the most influential legal institutions in South Africa. It comprises: The School of Law, its central teaching core; The first and largest Law Clinic in South Africa, which not only provides legal assistance to indigent clients but also provides law students with practical experience; The Centre for Applied Legal Studies, which spearheads legal research and advocacy in human rights; The Mandela Institute, which runs lectures and advances policy in the field of global economic law. The School s teaching staff include some of South Africa s prominent legal academics who have produced or contributed to the standard legal texts in a variety of subjects, including Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Human Rights Law, International Law, Labour Law, Property Law and Environmental Law. Members of staff have also acted as advisors and consultants to government departments, international organisations and business within the private sector. Students in the School have the opportunitiy to participate in the efforts of the Law Clinic where they gain hands-on experience of legal practice. The School runs an annual moot court competition. A moot is a structured legal debate. The Law School is particularly proud of its mootists, who have, over the years, gone on to win positions in local and international mooting competitions. South Africa s leading law journals, the South African Journal on Human Rights and the South African Law Journal, are edited from Wits. Wits Law students learn communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to analyse and solve problems logically, to argue from a position of weakness or strength and to work under pressure. A law degree equips you for many exciting careers in the legal profession, in industry and commerce, or in government and the diplomatic corps. All Wits degrees, including the degrees in the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, are recognised and accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority, the Council for Higher Education and the Department of Education. In addition from time to time, the University seeks to establish a cooperative relationship with professional bodies; for example, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) at Wits University together with its coalition partners in Africa and Asia, has been selected to develop a template for the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

3 24 PROGRAMMES OFFERED Commerce Three undergraduate programmes in Commerce are offered: 1. Bachelor of Commerce 3 years full time. 2. Bachelor of Accounting Science (BAccSc) 3 years full time, followed by one year of full time postgraduate study. 3. Bachelor of Economic Science (BEconSc) 3 years full time. Law NB: The four year LLB is in abeyance as from There are two curricula options available to students who wish to read for the LLB: 1. The 3 year programme for students who completed a first degree, usually a BA or BCom, where no Law courses have been completed. 2. The 2 year programme for students who completed a first degree at Wits University, usually a BA or BCom, where Law has been taken as a major course. Curriculum information Bachelor of Commerce The BCom is made up of a number of compulsory courses taken in the first year of study which form the foundation of the programme, e.g. Accounting / Business Accounting, Economics IA and Economics IB, Computational Mathematics, Business Statistics, Information Systems and Commercial Law. Students will apply for a BCom general degree and at registration will choose which plan (major area of study) they wish to register for. A student must choose at least two plans. A variety of plans are offered for the BCom degree, e.g. Accounting, Information Systems, Law, Politics / Philosophy and Economics, etc. Students can change their plans during the course of their studies. Students may also choose one major course offered by the Faculty of Humanities or the Faculty of Science. The staff at the Faculty Office or the Student Enrolment Centre are available to give you advice throughout the year. Note: Please note that most of the programmes in Management are offered at postgraduate level and are therefore not listed in this guide.

4 25 PLANS (major areas of study) offered in the Commerce programmes (BCom, BAccSc and BEconSc) PLANS DESCRIPTION (Please note that some courses require prerequisite courses to be completed.) Accounting Accounting is the preparation and analysis of financial reports based on concepts and principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. A student registering on the Accounting Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Accounting I, Accounting II and Accounting III. Actuarial Science (BEconSc) Applied Economics Corporate Finance is the introduction to finance, capital budgeting and corporate financing decision, leading on to investment which includes the bond market, equity and derivatives. Students then go on to study portfolio theory, international finance and financial regulation. A student registering on the Business Finance Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Corporate Finance II, Investment II and Corporate Finance III. This course provides candidates an opportunity to apply their knowledge of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics to a range of economic issues: development economics, economics history, environmental economics, financial economics, history of economic thought, international trade, labour, law and economics, the public sector, trade policy and regulation and economic issues in the SA economy. A student registering on the Applied Economics Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Economics IA and IB, Economics IIA and IIB and Applied Economics III. Computational and Applied Mathematics (BEconSc) A student registering on the Computational and Applied Mathematics Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Computational and Applied Mathematics I, Computational and Applied Mathematics II and Computational and Applied Mathematics III. Computer Science (BEconSc) A student registering on the Computer Science Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Computer Science I (comprises of different modules), Computer Science II (comprises of different modules) and Computer Science III (comprises of different modules). Economic Science Subjects covered include advanced game theory, econometrics, mathematical, welfare and labour economics; public finance; international monetary problems. A student registering on the Economic Science Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Economics IA and IB, Economics IIA and IIB and Economic Science III. Economics Theory Students can choose the branch of economics they want to pursue. The main subjects covered include micro - and macroeconomics; mathematics and statistics for economists and econometrics. A student registering on the Economics Theory Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Economics IA and IB, Economics IIA and IIB and Economic Theory III. Financial Accounting (BCom, BAccSc) Financial Accounting II and III are compulsory subjects for the BAccSc degree. A student registering on the Financial Accounting Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Accounting I, Financial Accounting II and Financial Accounting III. Human Resource Management The importance of industrial relations; managing the relationships between management and employees at work; labour law and the Industrial Court; trade unions, negotiations and collective bargaining. A student registering on the Human Resource Management Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Human Resources IIA and IIB and Human Resource Management III. Investment and Corporate Finance III Information Systems Corporate Finance is the introduction to finance, capital budgeting and corporate financing decisions, leading on to investment which includes the bond market, equity and derivatives. Students then go on to study portfolio theory, international finance and financial regulation. A student registering on the Business Finance Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Corporate Finance II, Investment II and Investment and Corporate Finance III. Aims to help a student understand the value of thinking in terms of systems, the value of information in an organisation and how computers can be used to provide for an organisation s needs. This knowledge is applied in the business environment by using established methods of analysis, design and programming. A student registering on the Information Systems Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Information Systems IA and IB, Information Systems IIA and IIB and Information Systems III.

5 26 Insurance and Risk Management Aspects of short-term insurance, business, marine, fire, accident, motor, engineering, aviation as well as long-term business and risk management. A student registering on the Insurance and Risk Management Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Insurance and Risk Management IIA and IIB and Insurance and Risk Management III. Law A student registering on the Law Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Introduction to Law, Law of Persons, Family Law, Constitutional Law, Constitutional Law: Bill of Rights, Criminal Law and Contract. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce with a Law Plan a student may apply to register for the two-year LLB programme. Management Accounting and Finance (BCom, BAccSc) These courses are intended mainly for students doing the BAccSc or majoring in Accounting. The 2 nd year level course comprises basic principles of information systems and management; use of computers; cost management. The 3 rd year course covers capital budgeting techniques, risk, planning and decision-making; cost of capital and capital structures; performance measurement and control, etc. A student registering on the Management Accounting and Finance Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Management Accounting and Finance II and Management Accounting and Finance III. Management and Application of Management Systems Aims to help a student understand the value of thinking in terms of systems. This knowledge is applied in a management environment by using established methods of analysis, design and programming. A student registering on the Management and Application of Management Systems Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Information Systems IIA and IIB or Systems Analysis for Applied Computing and Information Systems IIB and Management and Application of Information Systems III. Marketing Strategies, plans for pricing, promoting and providing goods and services. An introduction to marketing management and the importance of behavioural and structural market analysis. A student registering on the Marketing Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Marketing IIA and IIB and Marketing III. Mathematics The real numbers, proof by mathematical induction, inverse trigonometric functions, polar coordinates and polar graphs, the nominal theorem, conics, functions, limits, continuity and differentiability. A student registering on the Mathematics Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Algebra and Calculus, Mathematics II (comprises of different modules) and Mathematics III (comprises of different modules). Mathematical Statistics Introduction to inference; confidence, intervals and hypothesis testing on means and proportions. A student registering on the Mathematical Statistics Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Mathematical Statistics I, Mathematical Statistics II and Mathematical Statistics III. Mathematics Techniques A student registering on the Mathematics Techniques Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Mathematical Statistics I, Mathematical Statistics II, Mathematics II and Mathematics Techniques III. Philosophy Political Studies Psychology Philosophy is the search for rationally justified answers to fundamental questions about human beings and the world in which they live. A student registering on the Philosophy Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Philosophy I (comprises of different modules), Philosophy II (comprises of different modules) and Philosophy III (comprises of different modules). Political Studies is concerned with the relations of power in society, with the institutions through which these relations are maintained, and with the processes by which they change. A student registering on the Political Studies Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Political Studies I (comprises of different modules), Political Studies II (comprises of different modules) and Political Studies III (comprises of different modules). Psychology is generally regarded as the study of human experience and behaviour, and the ways in which individuals relate to each other and their environment. A student registering on the Psychology Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Psychology I, Psychology II and Psychology III (third year level any four modules can be chosen), and Research Design and Analysis (RDA IIA). Taxation (BCom, BAccSc) Taxation is a major course intended primarily for students pursuing a BAccSc or BCom degree. After completion of the degree students could also pursue a BCom Honours degree with specialisation in either Accountancy or Taxation. A student registering on the Taxation Plan will have to complete amongst others the following courses: Taxation II and Taxation III.

6 CAREER CHOICES There are many career opportunties in government, commerce, industry and education for people with recognised qualifications and sound analytical skills, logical thought processes and a good understanding of business concepts. 27 Bachelor of Economic Science The Bachelor of Economic Science (BEconSc) extends over three academic years of full-time study. TEN courses must be taken from a limited choice of quantitatively orientated subjects. Algebra and Calculus are compulsory. Double course sets (majors) must be taken. Normally one of the course sets is Economic Science III. The other may be chosen from Actuarial Science III, Computer Science III, Mathematical Statistics III, Mathematics III, Computational and Applied Mathematics III or Mathematical Techniques III. The Dean may permit a student to take Actuarial Science III and Mathematical Statistics III as course sets, in which event the student takes Economic Science IIA and IIB only. Bachelor of Accounting Science The Bachelor of Accounting Science is a three year programme combined with a fourth postgraduate year of study, either the Higher Diploma in Accountancy (HDipAcc) or Honours (BAccSc(Hons)). The programme includes courses in the four core areas of accountancy study, namely Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Finance, Auditing and Taxation as well as courses in related fields such as Economics, Commercial Law, Mathematics and Statistics and Information Systems. The curriculum is fully compliant with international accounting education requirements. Both the HDipAcc and the BAccSc(Hons) comprise four courses: Financial Accounting IV; Management Accounting and Finance IV; Auditing IV; Taxation IV. Students eligible for the BAccSc(Hons) will complete additional Honours courses and a research component. Both postgraduate routes will offer entrance into the final SAICA qualifying exam. Note: The BAccSc provides an appropriate undergraduate qualification that meets the educational requirements of the following boards: South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors examination (IRBA) International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). Upon the successful completion of this programme, students will be allowed to proceed to a fourth year of study and graduate either with the HDipAcc or BAccSc(Hons). The Chartered Accountancy programme at Wits is flexible enough to allow the candidate to select additional elective courses or transfer to other degrees. PLANNING YOUR LECTURE TIMETABLE All courses are allocated to classes A, B, C, D or E. You will be issued with a timetable listing at enrolment which will indicate the times allocated for each course You will need to ensure that no times overlap when selecting a particular combination of courses. Be prepared to amend your choice, either because of timetable clashes and / or because some courses are restricted. Once you are registered on the University computer system you will be provided with an e - mail address and you will be e - mailed a personalised timetable. Session 1 2 Break 3 4 Break 5 Lunch Time 08:00 08:45 09:00 09:45 09:45 10:15 10:15 11:00 11:15 12:00 12:00 12:30 12:30 13:15 13:15 14:15 14:15 15:00 15:15 16: :00 Monday A A E E D C C C Tuesday B B A A E D D D Wednesday C C B B A E E E Thursday D D C C B A A A Friday E E D D C B B B 89% On average over the last nine years, 89% of Wits School of Accountancy graduates have passed the QE Part 1 exam on the first attempt, compared to the national average across all universities of 71%.

7 28 TWO YEAR LLB PROGRAMME Students who wish to complete a first degree in the Humanities or in Commerce, but who also wish to complete their studies over five years, may follow this curriculum. During the course of their initial BA or BCom, students need to complete the following law courses: Contract Criminal Law Introduction to Law Law of Persons Family Law Constitutional Law Constitutional Law : The Bill of Rights 1 ST YEAR 2 ND YEAR Delict Public International Law Property Business Entities Civil Procedure Jurisprudence Criminal Procedure Certificate in computer usage Evidence Administrative Law Practical Legal Studies Independent Research Essay 5 Electives THREE YEAR LLB PROGRAMME The three year LLB programme is aimed at students who already have an undergraduate degree but do not have any law credits. It is therefore best suited to students who make a later decision to pursue a career in law, following the completion of their first undergraduate degree. The three year LLB programme is also sometimes chosen by students who wish to specialise in a particular area of law. For example, they may wish to become a specialist in patent law or forensic medical law, and might have attained a degree in engineering/science or medicine first. 1 ST YEAR 2 ND YEAR 3 RD YEAR Introduction to Law Law of Persons Family Law Contract Delict Jurisprudence Criminal Law Constitutional Law Constitutional Law: The Bill of Rights Public International Law Property Business Entities Civil Procedure Criminal Law Evidence Practical Legal Studies Administrative Law Independent Research Essay 5 Electives 12 The Wits Actuarial Science Programme provides exemption from 12 of the examinations required for qualification as a professional actuary with the Edinburgh Faculty of Actuaries or the London Institute of Actuaries.