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:

  1. Apply management and leadership skills in the IS/IT function in organizations;
  2. Implement Information systems and technology solutions in organizations;
  3. Evaluate the impact if IS/IT on organizational performance;
  4. Assess knowledge gaps in the use of IS/IT in organizations
  5. 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

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

 

Contacts of support persons

dept-computing@uonbi.ac.ke

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

  1. 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.
  2. The Master of Science in Information Systems shall be offered by coursework, examination and a research project.
  3. The programme shall consist of eight compulsory taught course units and the research project.
  4. A course unit shall be defined as 80 contact hours comprising lectures, seminars, self-study, tutorials and practical sessions.
  5. A candidate shall take eight compulsory course units and carry out a compulsory research project.
  6. The research project shall be equivalent to three-course units.
  7. A candidate will be required to take a minimum of two-course units and a maximum of four in any given semester.
  8. 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

Code

Title

Hrs

Year 1: Semester 1

CCC 502

ICT Project Management

80

CIT 520

Information System Theories and Methods

80

CCA 504

Innovation Management in organizations

80

Year 1: Semester 2

IT Management Specialization

ICT4D Specialization

Code

Title

Hrs

Code

Title

Hrs

CIT 514

Inter-Organizational Information Systems

80

CIT 522

Perspectives of Development

80

CIT 504

ICT Procurement Practice

80

CCA 501

ICT for Development

 

80

CIT 516

Information Systems Strategic Management and Governance

80

CIT 524

ICT Policy Formulation and Analysis

80

Year 2: Semester 1

CIT 517

Information Systems and Organizational Performance 

80

CIT 525

ICT-enabled Social innovation for community empowerment

 

 

 

80

CIT 507

Information Systems Security and Audit

80

 

 

 

CIT 526

 

CIT 527

Elective Seminars in ICT4D: Select 1 elective seminars

 

Health Informatics

 

ICT for Climate change and adaptation

80

 

80

 

 

80

CCC 501

Research Methodology

80

CCC 501

Research Methodology

80

CIT 599

Project

80

CCA 599

Project

80

Year 2: Semester 2

CIT 599

Project (ctd)

160

CCA 599

Project (ctd)

160

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

Minimum Admission Requirements

  1. The common regulations for Masters degrees in the University of Nairobi shall apply.
  2. The following shall be eligible for admission into the Master of Science in Information Systems:
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

      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
  1. EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

Written Examinations

  1. All taught course units shall be examined at the end of the respective semesters.
  2. Candidates shall take either the sit-in or online exams in accordance with the applicable University examinations policy and guidelines.
  3. 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.
  4. A written examination for a course unit shall have a duration of two hours.
  5. Each course unit or its equivalent shall be marked independently out of a maximum of 100 marks and the pass mark shall be 50%.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. A pass obtained in any supplementary examination will be recorded as 50% in the candidate's academic record.
  9. A candidate shall be required to pass in all the taught course units before being allowed to undertake the research project.
  10. 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

  1. A written proposal document and proposal defense.
  2. A written progress report containing preliminary findings and a defense of the same to a panel of examiners.
  3. A final project report and a defense of the same to a panel of examiners.
  4. 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

  1. Internal examiners shall perform the following roles in the examination process
  2. Set examinations as per the syllabus and courses taught in a particular semester and submit the set exams to the Chairperson of the Department.
  3. Proofread the typed examinations.
  4. Administer the examinations as per the Examination Timetables.
  5. 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:

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