The BSc(Software Development) degree is an innovative programme designed to prepare future software developers and engineers for careers in this rapidly developing and vitally important industry.

The new four-year degree is a joint venture of the Departments of Computer Science and Information Systems at Rhodes University, and builds on many years of successful collaboration in the BSc(Information Systems) degree. 
The graduates of the BSc(Information Systems) programme are always in high demand by employers, due to their complementary technical and business-oriented skills.  The BSc(Software Development) degree takes this a step further, providing students with an additional year of highly-focused study and practical work, and equipping them for life-long careers in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry.

The first three years of the BSc(Software Development) degree combine a solid foundation of Computer Science and Information Systems courses, together with a carefully tailored package of supporting subjects, such as Accounting, Management, Statistics and Electronics.  In the fourth year, Software Development students are exposed to advanced material in Information Systems Management, Web Services, Corporate Communications, Java for Enterprise Systems Development, Requirements Elicitation, Computer Security, Distributed and Parallel Processing, Analysis Patterns and Human-Computer Interaction.  Specialist training is also provided in advanced aspects of software engineering, such as testing and quality control, formal methods, ethics, and legal and professional issues.

Throughout the course extensive practical work is done to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary technical skills in addition to the theoretical foundation for software engineering.  This is capped off in the final year with a large-scale software development project.  Each student is part of a team developing a system for an external client, under the mentorship of an experienced staff member.

About the Departments

Computer Science was first established as a subject at Rhodes University in the Department of Applied Mathematics in 1970.  By 1980 the subject had developed to the stage where a separate Department of Computer Science was created.  The Department has continued to grow and flourish along with the development of the ICT industry.  In the early 1990’s members of the Department were instrumental in the introduction of the Internet to South Africa.  The staff of the Department is an excellent team of dedicated teachers and highly productive researchers.  Several staff members consult widely for leading ICT companies nationally and internationally.  Today, the Department is one of the leading Computer Science departments in South Africa.

The Department of Information Systems has its origins as a sub-department within Management Department.  In 1992 it was established as a full department and has grown to be one of the top Information Systems departments in the country.

In 2001 a purpose-built, state of the art building - the Hamilton Building - was completed to house the two Departments together, further enhancing the already strong collaboration between them.  The Hamilton Building has an excellent ICT infrastructure including high-speed network facilities, modern servers and excellent office accommodation for staff and postgraduate students.  The University also has unique financial planning systems in place to ensure that the computers used by staff and students are regularly updated ensuring that all members of the two Departments have access to the latest computer technology.

For more information please contact:
(046) 622-8291
compsci@ru.ac.za
is@ict.ru.ac.za

Computer Science Department web page
Information Systems Department web page