Academic Programmes

BSc in Computer Science (BSc CS)

Objectives and contents

This is a full time 3-year undergraduate programme leading to the award of BSc in Computer Science. Each academic year has 2 semesters, and each semester has 15 instruction weeks followed by 2 examinations weeks.

The overall objective of this programme is to produce quality Computer Science graduates of high intellectual standard and calibre capable of designing and developing computer application systems, and to meet current and future needs in the field of computing, both in Tanzania and beyond.

Mainly, the programme is constituted of courses from mainstream Computer Science and the related Mathematics courses. These include courses in computer programming and software engineering, data and information management, computer networks, computer systems and architecture, and discrete mathematical structures and formal program semantics. Additionally, in the interest of imparting soft skills to students, the programme also includes courses on business and innovations, professionalism and ethics, development studies and problem-solving.

Students in this programme will attend an 8-week practical training session after the 2nd semester for each academic year, except for the 3rd year of study. Also, will have a final year project to enable students to showcase the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of the programme. The final year project aims to develop independent skills and experience in the practical pursuit of a non-trivial project.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, BSc in CS graduates will be able to:

1. Design, develop, test, configure and maintain software systems by the application of an appropriate software development process.
2. Design, implement, configure and maintain computer communication networks.
3. Specify computer hardware, software and interface requirements for business information systems.
4. Evaluate, refine and solve computing problems requiring the exercise of sound technical judgment and knowledge of computer science principles.
5. Make an audio/visual/written presentation to convey a body of technical information in a coordinated, comprehensive manner.
6. Demonstrate qualities of a professional team member specifically in the areas of interpersonal skills, scheduling, working within deadlines and budget restrictions

Career prospects

The programme opens up opportunities in several areas of computer science such as the development and implementation of software, designing of new ways to use computers and effective ways to solve computing problems. A graduate of this programme can assume different roles in the Computing and ICT fields such as:

1. Systems Analyst
2. Systems Administrator
3. Network Engineer/Administrator/Consultant
4. User Interface Designer
5. Web developer and Webmaster
6. Information Systems Specialist
7. Internet Application Programmer
8. Information Officer
9. Software developer
10. Business process Engineer
11. ICT projects manager
12. ICT Trainer

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall be deemed eligible for consideration for admission to this programme if has one of the following qualifications:

1. Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (C.S.E.E.) or equivalent, with passes in FIVE approved subjects THREE of which must be at Credit level obtained prior to sitting for the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (A.C.S.E.E.) or equivalent;
   
   And
   
   
2. Two principal level passes in appropriate subjects in the A.C.S.E.E. or equivalent with total points from three subjects not below 2 based on the following grade to point conversion scale: A = 5; B = 4; C = 3; D = 2; E = 1; S = 0.5 and F = 0 point. Note: Principal level passes in religious subjects are not counted.
   
   Alternatively, an appropriate equivalent Diploma of not less than Second class/Credit level or B grade obtained from a college that is fully registered by NACTE and approved by the UDSM Senate. For Diplomas that are further classified into Upper and Lower classes, the requirement shall be an Upper Second class or B+ average.

Note: Applicants from countries that follow an 8-4-4 education system need to complete at least one year of study at a university in their own countries before they can be considered for admission into the University of Dar es Salaam.

Also, a consideration is made for a minimum score of 100 obtained from the Mature Age Entry Examination (MAEE) consisting of a score of at least 50 in Paper I and 50 in Paper-II.  To qualify for MAEE one must be 25 years of age or older on 1st August of the year in which admission is sought must have obtained at least 3 credits in approved subjects at the CSSE or completed Form VI at least five years before 1st September of the year in which admission is sought.

Admission Procedures
Detailed information about the admission process is available on the main UDSM website under the Directorate of Undergraduate Studies (click HERE). The Admission Guidebook for the academic year 2021/2022 is available HERE. The entry requirements for admission to this programme are provided on page 13 of the admission guidebook.

Fee Structure

The school fee for this programme is TZS 1,500,000 for Tanzanian Nationals per year and USD 3,500 for Non-Tanzanian Nationals. The fee can be paid per academic year or by instalments per semester.

The University may change schools fees in each new academic year. Therefore, for accurate/ updated information about fees and other related direct costs paid to the University please visit the University Webpage on the fees structure for undergraduates programmes under CoICT. See the Registration Process page HERE. Tuition fees for undergraduate programmes offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering are listed in the Admission Guidebook on page 25.

 

For more information about this programme please contact the Department of Computer Science and Engineering by email through cse@udsm.ac.tz or Telephone +255(0) 222700225. Otherwise, you are welcome to visit us to learn more about this programme at CoICT Kijitonyama Campus along Alli Hassan Mwinyi Road, Block A Room 002. We are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm, except weekends and public holidays.