MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Overview

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Master of Science in Information Systems is to impart and foster students with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes for professional excellence and competences in Information Systems theories and practice areas through quality teaching, research and innovation. The dynamic and emerging trends in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) developments and the appropriation of the same ICTs, provides the context that continues to inform our teaching and learning.

The philosophy of the programme is aligned with the University’s philosophy which states that:

‘The University of Nairobi Philosophy is guided by the need to connect and inspire the Kenyan community, to provide leadership and stewardship and to give hope and faith to the Kenyan society that it can excel in whatever it chooses to do with passion, moral responsibility and a strong sense of patriotism’.

Rationale

The need for the review of the MSc Information Systems programme was necessitated by many factors that include experiences learnt in offering the course for over 20 years; feedback from key stakeholders, including students in the programme and employers; the Department’s research strategy; fast-changing ICTs; International trends; national and industry needs; national policies such as Vision 2030 and the Digital Economy Blueprint; and requirements of performance contracting and quality management system.

Goal of the Programme

The goal of this program is to prepare students for senior-level information systems and technology leadership positions in a wide range of corporate, societal, government, education, and nonprofit settings, at the national and international level. Specifically, this programme prepares future Chief Information Officers and ICT4D policy developers.

Program Expected Learning Outcomes

The Master of Science in Information Systems will have two specializations:

Information Technology Management (ITM)
ICT for Development (ICT4D)

Each of the specializations will have specific programme learning outcomes.

Information Technology Management (ITM)

At the end of the programme, the learner will be able to:

Apply management and leadership skills in the IS/IT function in organizations;
Implement Information systems and technology solutions in organizations;
Evaluate the impact if IS/IT on organizational performance;
Assess knowledge gaps in the use of IS/IT in organizations
Recommend IT/IS solutions and strategies through Research

ICT for Development (ICT4D)

At the end of the programme, the learner will be able to:

Identify community and societal development needs

Discuss the role of innovation in organizations
Appraise the design, acquisition, implementation and consequences of ICTs in selected societal sectors
Apply ICT policy analysis techniques
Undertake ICT4D research.

Contacts of support persons

dept-computing@uonbi.ac.ke

Structure

MODE OF DELIVERY

Face-to-Face Mode
The programme shall adopt blended learning through the use of face-to-face and Open,
Distance and Electronic Learning modes of delivery. For face-to-face learning, learning will
take place within classroom and laboratory settings.

ODeL Mode
For open and distance learning, learning shall take place using online tools and other
electronic modes of delivery.

Intake -September

Duration and Structure of Courses

The programme shall take a minimum of four semesters (two academic years) and a maximum of twelve semesters (four academic years), each semester being fifteen weeks long.
The Master of Science in Information Systems shall be offered by coursework, examination and a research project.
The programme shall consist of eight compulsory taught course units and the research project.
A course unit shall be defined as 80 contact hours comprising lectures, seminars, self-study, tutorials and practical sessions.
A candidate shall take eight compulsory course units and carry out a compulsory research project.
The research project shall be equivalent to three-course units.
A candidate will be required to take a minimum of two-course units and a maximum of four in any given semester.
A candidate who fails to successfully complete the programme within the maximum allowable duration of twelve semesters shall, at the recommendation of the board of examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued from the program.

COURSES OFFERED FOR THE PROGRAMME

MSc IS

ITM

Year 1 Semester 1

SCI6101 ICT Project Management

SCI6103 Information System Theories and Methods

SCS6146 Innovation Management in organizations

Year 1 Semester 2

SCI6102 Inter-Organizational Information Systems

SCI6104 Organizational Management of the IS Function

SCI6106 Information Systems Strategic Management and Governance

Year 2 Semester 1

SCI6201 Information Systems and Organizational Performance

SCI6203 Information Systems Security and Audit

SCI6205 Research Methodology

SCI6299 Project

Year 2 Semester 2

SCI6299 Project (ctd)

Admission Requirements

1. The common regulations for Masters degrees in the University of Nairobi shall apply.

Minimum Admission Requirements

The common regulations for Masters degrees in the University of Nairobi shall apply.
The following shall be eligible for admission into the Master of Science in Information Systems:
Holders of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Systems or Information Technology or a related discipline, with at least Upper Second Class Honours, of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualification from another institution recognized by the Senate.
Holders of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Systems or Information Technology or a related discipline, of Lower Second Class Honours, of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualification from another institution recognized by Senate. In addition, they must have relevant training or evidence of research or work experience in Information Systems or Technology.
Holders of a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science or Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems of the University of Nairobi, of at least Credit or equivalent qualification from another institution recognized by the Senate. Also, they must have demonstrable relevant Information Systems or Information Technology training, research or work experience of at least two years.
Applicants shall also be required to pass a Department-based entrance examination.Proficiency in the use of the English language will be required for students whose mode of instruction in previous levels of study was not in English. This will be evaluated during the Department based entrance exams

Credit Transfer

No credit transfer and exemptions will be allowed for this programme.

Careers

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

Fees and Funding

			TOTALS
MASTER OF SCIENCE INFORMATION SYSTEMS -P61	SEMESTER 1	SEMESTER 2
YEAR 1 -6UNITS
TUITION	216,000	216,000	432,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	0	7,000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	3,000	3,000	6,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	0	6,500
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	0	2,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	0	1,000
CAUTION - (ONCE)	5,000		5,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	5,000	0	5,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	0	1,000
TOTALS	248,750	221,250	470,000
			TOTALS
	SEMESTER 1	SEMESTER 2
YEAR 2 - 13UNITS
TUITION	216,000	216,000	432,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	0	7,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	6,000	7,000	13,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	0	6,500
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	0	2,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	0	1,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	5,000	0	5,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	0	1,000
THESIS EXAMINATION		30,000	30,000
TOTALS	246,750	255,250	502,000

GRAND TOTALS			972,000

Exam Regulations

EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

Written Examinations

All taught course units shall be examined at the end of the respective semesters.
Candidates shall take either the sit-in or online exams in accordance with the applicable University examinations policy and guidelines.
Satisfactory completion of all requisite coursework (assignments, laboratories, practicals and continuous assessment tests) shall be a condition of admission to the examination at the end of the respective semester.
A written examination for a course unit shall have a duration of two hours.
Each course unit or its equivalent shall be marked independently out of a maximum of 100 marks and the pass mark shall be 50%.
The complete assessment of a taught unit shall consist of coursework and a compulsory written examination. The contribution towards the unit aggregate shall be 50% for course work and 50% for the written examination.
A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in up to three units, may on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate, be allowed to take up to two supplementary examinations in the failed unit(s) when scheduled.
A pass obtained in any supplementary examination will be recorded as 50% in the candidate's academic record.
A candidate shall be required to pass in all the taught course units before being allowed to undertake the research project.
A candidate who:

has failed any course unit or its equivalent after three attempts or
has failed to take any prescribed examination without good cause or
fails to complete the programme within the maximum period shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate, be discontinued from the programme.

Examination irregularities and malpractices shall be handled according to the University of Nairobi’s Procedure for Examination Disciplinary (UON/OP/14).

Project Assessment

The MSc Project will be assessed through

A written proposal document and proposal defense.
A written progress report containing preliminary findings and a defense of the same to a panel of examiners.
A final project report and a defense of the same to a panel of examiners.
At each level of assessment, a student shall be deemed to have passed if they score at least 50% percent of the maximum marks allocated at that level.

Moderation of Examinations

Internal examiners shall perform the following roles in the examination process
Set examinations as per the syllabus and courses taught in a particular semester and submit the set exams to the Chairperson of the Department.
Proofread the typed examinations.
Administer the examinations as per the Examination Timetables.
Mark and submit the Examination Results to the Chairperson of the Department as stipulated within the University of Nairobi Procedure for Management of Examinations.

The external examiner shall perform the following roles in the examination process:

Moderate the set examinations forwarded by the Chairperson of the Department within the stipulated timelines.
Moderate examinations results submitted by the Chairperson of the Department within the stipulated timelines.