INFORMATION ON THE HONOURS DEGREE AND POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMAS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Transcription

1 INFORMATION ON THE HONOURS DEGREE AND POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMAS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 1

2 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA INFORMATION ON THE HONOURS DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMAS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 3 2 OBJECTIVE OF THE HONOURS DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 3 3 ADMISSION TO THE STUDY OF THE HONOURS BCom DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 6 4 PAPERS FOR THE HONOURS DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 9 5 TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 12 6 FURTHER INFORMATION 12 More information regarding the general rules for admission to postgraduate studies, and the application and registration processes can be obtained from In particular, the following links are useful: For information on qualifications: For general rules: 2

3 IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2012 REGISTRATIONS : If you do not yet have a UNISA student number, you need to apply first. Web applications will be accepted between 16 January and 10 February Last date for registration for semester modules for B Com Hons Business (HMEMS80 and HPBUS81) - 23 January 2012 (it implies that you should have completed your application by this date) Last date for registration for PGDs 19 March INTRODUCTION From 2012 the departments in Sciences (Business, Human Resource, Marketing and Retail, and Finance, Risk and Banking) are offering one Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business. From 2012, no more specialisations in the Honours Bachelor of Commerce will be offered, and the Honours Bachelor of Administration in Business with all its specialisations will also no longer be offered. Pending SAQA accreditation, the Department of Business will offer the Postgraduate Diploma of Business from A number of Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDs) will be offered by the Departments in Sciences from The Honours and PGDs offered by the departments in Sciences are summarised in Table 1 below. For ease of reference, the corresponding pages in Unisa brochures have been provided. 2 OBJECTIVE OF THE HONOURS DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT The objective of the Honours degree in Business is to address the need for trained managers by exposing students to advanced management concepts. It also aims to prepare Honours students for further study in Business. The purpose of the PGDs in Business is to provide career-oriented education in Business at an advanced level. 3

4 TABLE 1: HONOURS AND PGDs IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATION DEPARTMENT OFFERING ADMISSION CRITERIA PAGE IN MYREGISTRATION 2012 Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business (B Com Hons Business ) Qualification Code: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Business ( to be offered from 2013) Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Human Resource Development Qualification Code: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Human Resource Qualification Code: Department of Business on behalf of the departments in Sciences Department of Business Department of Human Resource Department of Human Resource An appropriate Bachelor's Degree with an average of 60% or more. Students need to have passed Strategic at the exit level of the access qualification. In instances where a student does not qualify in terms of the additional requirements they may be admitted to the degree based on a written motivation or be required to register for an SLP in Advanced Strategic. Not applicable An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma with an average of 60% or more. In instances where a student does not have an average of 60% or more a submission may be made to the relevant College to allow such a student admission. An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma with an average of 60% or more. In instances where a student does not have an average of 60% or more a submission may be made to the relevant College to allow such a student admission. 102 Not applicable

5 QUALIFICATION DEPARTMENT OFFERING ADMISSION CRITERIA PAGE IN MYREGISTRATION 2012 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Labour Relations Qualification Code: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Marketing Qualification Code: Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Risk Qualification Code: Department of Human Resource Department of Marketing and Retail Department of Finance, Risk and Banking An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma with an average of 60% or more. In instances where a student does not have an average of 60% or more a submission may be made to the relevant College to allow such a student admission. An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma with an average of 60% or more. In instances where a student does not have an average of 60% or more a submission may be made to the relevant College to allow such a student admission. An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or an appropriate Advanced Diploma with an average of 60% or more. In instances where a student does not have an average of 60% or more a submission may be made to the relevant College to allow such a student admission

6 3 ADMISSION TO THE STUDY OF THE B COM HONOURS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND PGDs IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT In order to gain admission to these qualifications the applicant must satisfy the following conditions: The student must be in possession of an appropriate degree or advanced diploma, completed in the last 10 years The student must have passed the subject in which he/she wishes to specialise in at level III with an average of 60% or higher (for example, for the B Com Hons in Business, applicants will require Business III or equivalent with an average of 60%) For the B Com Hons in Business, students will require Strategic at the undergraduate level It is important to note that students should not attempt to attempt to complete the B Com Hons Business in one year without the approval of the Chair of Department of Business. A proposed study plan for the two years of study in the B Com Honours Business is provided below (Figure 1). Figure 1: Proposed study plan for the B Com Honours Business YEAR 1 YEAR 2 Semester 1: Semester 2: Research Report (HRBUS82) Research Methodology (HMEMS80) Research Proposal (HPBUS81) Module 1 (module required for research proposal Module 3 and report) Module 2 Should students not meet the admission criteria, they can submit a written motivation to the relevant Chair of Department for consideration (bmpostgrad@unisa.ac.za or fax number ). Students following this alternative pathway should submit a portfolio consisting of the following: a motivation of no more than two pages, giving reasons for wishing to be admitted to the qualification a CV highlighting experience relevant to the field of interest evidence of engagement with the field of study which could include (but is not limited to) the following: o a full academic record o relevant courses completed o publications or presentations by the applicant, such as papers presented at specialist conferences o engagement with industry or disciplinary bodies Unisa s Directorate of Student Admissions and registrations will refer applications and supporting documents to the relevant academic department for consideration (when applicable). The department will assess application and portfolios and provide a substantiated recommendation to DSAR within 15 working days. 6

7 Note that a student who is registered for an honours bachelor s degree may, only with the special permission of the Executive Dean of the respective college also register in the same academic year for not more than two undergraduate modules for non-degree purposes (NDP). 3.1 The admission and registration process Yes, I meet the criteria 100% Review the admission criteria and determine if you meet them Apply as per instructions on No, I do not have an appropriate degree or 60% average in Business III No, I do not have all the modules I need No, my qualification is more than 10 years old Submit an alternative pathway application as per section 3 Submit a request to DSAR for a recommendation Submit a motivation to the department or re-do Business III Register as per instructions provided by DSAR or on Register as per departmental recommendations It is important to note that academics should not be approached directly for a ruling channel your request through DSAR, who will forward it to the relevant lecturer. 7

8 3.2 Examples of qualifications and access routes QUALIFICATION ROUTE TO ACCESS B Com or B Admin in: Direct access if student completed Strategic or a or Business strategic component (e.g. Strategic Marketing) and obtained 60% or equivalent in Business III or equivalent. If the student does not Financial offer Strategic III. MNG301A will be required as Human Resource bridging; this can be done concurrently with the Honours. Marketing Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) B Com or B Admin in other fields (e.g. Financial Accounting, Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Informatics) B Tech in or Business Administration, with a first qualification in commerce B Tech in Business with a prior qualification not in commerce Other degrees or national diplomas Direct access if student completed Strategic or a strategic component (e.g. Strategic Marketing) and obtained 60% in Business III or equivalent. If the student does not offer Strategic III. MNG301A will be required as bridging; this can be done concurrently with the Honours. Student has to complete Business I, II and III. Credit will be granted for Business modules completed, and students can apply for exemption where they have completed similar subjects and achieved a significant proportion of the learning outcomes. Direct access if student completed Strategic or a strategic component (e.g. Strategic Marketing) and obtained 60% in Business III or equivalent. If the student does not offer Strategic III, MNG301A will be required as bridging; this can be done concurrently with the Honours. Remember that B Tech students may apply for admission to M Com Business studies. Student has to complete Accounting I, Economics I and Business I, II and III. Credit will be granted for Business modules completed, and students can apply for exemption where they have completed similar subjects and achieved a significant proportion of the learning outcomes. Student has to complete Accounting I, Economics I and Business I, II and III. Credit will be granted for Business modules completed, and students can apply for exemption where they have completed similar subjects and achieved a significant proportion of the learning outcomes. 8

9 4 THE PAPERS FOR THE B COM HONOURS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND PGDs IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT A brief summary of each of the papers available for the B Com Honours in Business and PGDs in Business is provided below. It is important to ensure that you have adequate background knowledge of the papers you wish to enrol for. For example, papers in Financial require a solid understanding of Financial at undergraduate level. Contact the relevant departmental representative if you would like to ascertain whether you have sufficient background knowledge of your proposed papers, or what you could do to obtain such knowledge. ADPRODE Advanced operations management The objective of this module is to provide learners with traditional and advanced concepts on operations management using an integrated focus on goods and services from a value chain perspective, based on the need for South African organisations to improve efficiencies and international competitiveness. HMEMS80 Research methodology (Compulsory in the B Com Honours in Business ) The purpose of learning in this module is to expose students to the research process and all its facets in order to equip them to participate in and contribute to research projects in their work environment. HPBUS81 Research proposal (Compulsory in the B Com Honours in Business ) The purpose of this module is to equip students with the competencies required to plan a business research project and write up an acceptable research proposal. HPBUS82 Research report (Compulsory in the B Com Honours in Business ) The purpose of this module is to enable students to execute a business research project and write up an acceptable research report. INTBUSL International business The purpose of this paper is to introduce students to Global Business management and its dynamics as a strategic approach for businesses that operates across international borders. This paper provides insight into the complexity of business operations across international borders and the essence of international business environments in the international business context. This module covers the processes involved in identifying international business opportunities, and how to exploit same in a strategic manner. It is a module that prepares potential global managers for the challenges of operating internationally. It exposes students to various fields of business management such as Human resources, marketing, strategic management, finance, and accounting. It also touches on some aspects of sociology, IT and a host of others issues that influence the conduct of business globally. ORGREN5 The management of organisational change and renewal The purpose of the unit standard is to provide students with the necessary competencies (knowledge, values and skills) to be informed and engaged participants in organisational transformation. Organisational change is examined through three lenses strategic design, political and cultural. Students will discover a range of appropriate managerial responses to the 9

10 major challenges faced by contemporary organisations resulting from major, ongoing environmental change. PROJEKH Project management The purpose of this paper is to give the student in-depth understanding of the project management philosophy and profession and to equip the student to be a project manager. The paper is also designed to direct the student s study of the specific project management knowledge areas (based on the PMBOK) and the various project management processes and, with the help of practical examples and assignments, to enable the student to apply the skills the student needs in order to perform more effectively in project environments. SCHAINY Supply chain management People credited with this module are able to demonstrate the knowledge of the field of supply chain management and will have insight as to how supply chain management is applied theoretically and in practical situations. STRBESC Strategic (Compulsory in the B Com Honours in Business ) The purpose of this Unit Standard is to introduce learners to strategic management and its development as a management approach. This Unit Standard provides insight into the building blocks of strategic management and the interrelatedness of these building blocks. It covers the formulation, implementation and control of strategic plans and also affords learners with the opportunity to evaluate and develop a strategic plan. Marketing and retail management modules MNM4801 Contemporary issues in marketing The purpose of the learning is to provide the student with relevant competencies (knowledge, skills, norms and values) in order to understand, analyse and interpret the impact of contemporary marketing issues on the marketing activities of the firm and to prepare a considered strategic marketing response to these issues that can be documented and be used to guide the firm s future marketing effort. The application of the skills and knowledge will provide the student with the ability to take proactively respond to the changing advantage of the many opportunities in this rapidly developing sector. MNM4803 Marketing metrics The purpose of the learning is to provide the student with relevant competencies (knowledge, skills, norms and values) in order to select, calculate and explain key marketing and business metrics. The student will understand how the metric is constructed and how it is used in decisionmaking, as well as how to manage the implications of the metric for the business. MNM4804 Applied strategic marketing The purpose is to enable students to gain insight into the nature of strategic retail marketing, market strategies, global retail marketing. 10

11 Finance and risk management and banking modules BELBESE Investments: portfolio management This module will be useful to students who work in the Government departments, NGO s e.g. corporate, financial and non-financial institutions and have an interest in investment management. This module is also intended for students who will be pursuing the CFA program once they have completed their undergraduate studies. Students accredited with this module will be able to evaluate and formulate Investment Policy Statements, evaluate and analyse asset allocation; fixedincome, equities and alternative investments portfolio management, and able to carry out performance management and attribution on investment portfolios. FINRIS5 Investments: derivatives This module will be useful to people who are in investment management, in particular derivatives, equity, fixed income and portfolio management. This module is intended mainly for students who will be pursuing the CFA programme once they have completed their undergraduate studies. People credited with this module are able to analyse, construct, price and apply derivative instruments, construct applicable hedging strategies and calculate market risk exposure by using historical simulations and other methods. FINVRAJ Advanced financial management This module will be useful to students who want to attain a deeper understanding of the core issues in financial management. It is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge of the fundamental principles of financial management, in theory and practice. IFIMANB International financial management The objective of this module is to explore the various aspects of multinational financial management with a view of gaining an understanding of how multinational corporations make financial decisions. It is intended to provide theoretical and analytical tools needed to make sound business decisions in an international setting. ORM4801 Operational risk management This module will be useful to students who are following or planning to follow a career in risk management. Students credited with this module will be able to identify various risk types, recognise the underlying factors of operational risk, apply the principles of operational risk management, develop an operational risk management framework and use operational risk as a platform for an enterprise risk management approach. Human resource management modules HRM Advanced Human Resources This module will be useful to students who need to develop a comprehensive knowledge base about advanced human resource management in South African organisations as well as elsewhere in Africa and beyond. People credited with this module are able to demonstrate a fundamental and systematic knowledge of advanced human resource management with a view to determine, design and implement appropriate HR systems and practices to ensure proper management of employees in an organisation. 11

12 HRD4801 Strategic Human Resource Development This module enables students to establish, manage and maintain a strategic HRD portfolio and strategy for an organisation, and ensure compliance with the legislative prescripts related to HRD. The curriculum includes strategic HRD (concept and application); strategic management of the HRD function; outsourcing; HRD stakeholder engagement; formulation of HRD policies, processes and procedures; development, implementation and evaluation of an HRD strategy; Human Performance Technology; quality management in HRD; learning organisation; ROI; and HRD governance. IOP4862 Managerial and Organisational psychology This module is intended for all people who are pursuing a post graduate degree in the field of Industrial and Organisational Psychology. The module outcomes describe the competencies, which will be needed by practitioners in the field to enable them to understand and reason about individual, group and organisational phenomena from literature and how to apply these in practice. The purpose of the acquired competencies is to enable students and practitioners to apply such knowledge, insight and reasoning in assisting individuals and organisations to critically evaluate and engage in organisational behaviour related activities that contribute to individual, team and organisational performance. The ultimate aim is the enhancement of quality of work life in the work environment. LRM4801 Advanced Labour Relations This module will be useful to students who wish to manage labour relations on strategic level in such a way that it contributes towards the achievement of the objectives of the organisation. 5 TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Students who registered under the old syllabus (2011 or before) must complete their qualifications by Students that wish to transfer to the new syllabus (also in the interim) may do so provided that they meet the admission criteria. Please note that students registering under the old syllabus and switching to the new syllabus may not get credits for all the modules they completed. 6 CONTACT INFORMATION Students who require further information or advice on their registration for the Honours B Com degree in Business may contact one of the following persons at the address shown below: GENERAL ENQUIRIES Please use this address for all initial enquiries to the Directorate of Student Admissions and Registrations: econ@unisa.ac.za DEPARTMENTAL ENQUIRIES Please use this contact address for all initial enquiries with the academic departments: bmpostgrad@unisa.ac.za 12