BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE


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


Rationale of the Programme
The School of Computing & Informatics, through this curriculum seeks to train computer
scientists who can use the gained knowledge and practical skills to innovate computer based
solutions to the emerging global challenges and opportunities.
Granted that our graduates are, and continue to be players in the global technology and sector
specific industries, this curriculum intends to bridge knowledge and skills gap that will
enhance employability and entrepreneurship, and is therefore informed by stakeholders
feedback analysis, academic benchmarking against IEEE/ACM guidelines for Computer
Science Curriculum development and Commission for University Education (CUE)
guidelines and standards.

Objectives

Facilitate acquisition, adoption and adaptation of Computer Science knowledge, techniques and tools. Develop graduates with the ability to apply Computer Science knowledge, skills, techniques and tools to create best-possible solutions to practical problems of varying complexity, in a wide range of contexts. Develop graduates who are innovative and creative, who possess good problem-solving skills and are capable of life-long learning. Develop all-rounded graduates with demonstrable ethical and professional behavior, and who possess effective communication, management, entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills.

Contacts of support persons

Schedule of intakes

The intake is in September

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.

The course will extend over a minimum period of 8 semesters and a maximum period of 16 semesters. Each academic year will have at least two semesters. The Second Year Projects shall be equivalent to two course units. The Industrial Attachment shall be equivalent to two course units.

The Fourth Year Project shall be equivalent to four course units. The course is organized into Knowledge Areas.

Industrial Attachment
The Student will undertake Industrial Attachment for a period of 8 weeks between semester 2 of year three and semester 1 of year four, in accordance to the School’s guidelines on Industrial Attachment.

Course Structure and Codes

BSc CS

Year of Study I (Compulsory Units)

SCS3101 Introduction to Computer Systems

SCS3103 Introduction to Programming

SCS3105 Discrete Maths

SCS3107 Programming Lab

SPH3105 Physics for Computing Systems

Year 1 Semester 2

SCS3102 Database Systems

SCS3104 Data Communication

SCS3106 Object-Oriented Programming

SCS3108 Data Structures and Algorithms

SCS3109 Digital Electronics

Year 2 Semester 1

SMA3114 Differential and Integral Calculus

SCS3201 Systems Analysis and Design

SCS3203 Computer Architecture

SCS3205 Knowledge-based Systems & Programming

SCS3207 Operating Systems

SCS3209 Software Engineering

SCS3211 Computer Networks

Year 2 Semester 2

SMA3124 Probability and Statistics

SCS3202 Assembly Language Programming

SCS3204 Automata Theory

SCS3206 Programming Project

SCS3208 Web and Services Programming

SCS3212 Machine Learning Algorithms & Programming

SCS3214 Foundations of Human-Computer Interaction

Year 3 Semester 1

SCS3213 Analysis and Design of Algorithms

SCS3301 Computer Graphics

SCS3303 Distributed Systems

SCS3305 Introduction to Organizations and Management

SCS3307 Artificial Intelligence Applications

SCS3309 Network Design Implementation and Management

SCS3311 Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Year 3 Semester 2

SCS3302 ICT Project Management

SCS3304 Network and Distributed Programming

SCS3305 Compiler Construction

SCS3308 Embedded Systems & Mobile Programming

SCS3312 Business Intelligence & Analytics

SCS3314 Computer Network Security

Year 3 Semester 3

SCS3322 Industrial Attachment

Year 4 Semester 1

SCS3401 ICTs and Society

SCS3403 Computer Systems Project

SCS3405 Information Systems and Organizations

SCS3407 Emerging Technologies Bootcamps

SCS3409 Distributed Databases

SCS3411 Computer games programming

Year 4 Semester 2

SCS3402 Cloud Computing and Services

SCS 3404 Information Systems Control and Audit

SCS3406 Informatics for Emerging Online

Admission Requirements

Candidates must satisfy the University's general admission criteria
Eligibility for consideration for admission into the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in the School of Computing and Informatics is governed by the following minimum admission requirements or an equivalent qualification recognized by Senate:
KCSE Candidates
Candidates must have obtained a minimum grade of C+ in the following cluster subjects:
Cluster 1: Mathematics
Cluster 2: Physics
Cluster 3: Second Group II or Any Group III
Cluster 4: Any Group II/Group III/Group IV/Group V
A-Level Candidates
Candidates with 2 principal passes, one of which must be in Mathematics or Physics, and a subsidiary pass with a Credit pass in Physics at 'O' level.

Diploma in Computer Studies: A holder of an ordinary diploma in computer studies or equivalent with, a minimum pass at credit level, from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate. In addition, the candidate must have obtained a mean grade of C Plain at KCSE level with a C Plain in Mathematics and a C Plain in Physics.

Higher Diploma in Computer Studies: A holder of a Higher Diploma in Computer Studies or equivalent, from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate. In addition, the applicant must have obtained a minimum of C plain in Mathematics and Physics in KCSE.

Bachelor’s Degree: A holder of a Bachelor’s degree in a related academic discipline from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi senate.

Attachment Opportunities

Career Prospects/Opportunities.

From games developer to manager of IT and communications services, you'll have a range of opportunities open to you as a computer science graduate

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

Fees and Funding
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE COMPUTER SCIENCE - P15
YEAR 1 -15UNITS
Semester 1 Semester 2 TOTALS
TUITION 180,000 180,000 360,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) 7,000 0 7,000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) 8,000 7,000 15,000
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
LIBRARY (PER YEAR) 4,000 0 4,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR) 1,000 0 1,000
CAUTION - (ONCE) 5,000 0 5,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) 1,000 1,000
0 0 0
Total for year 1 216,750 189,250 406,000
YEAR 2 - 14UNITS
Semester 1 Semester 2 TOTALS
TUITION 180,000 180,000 360,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) 7,000 0 7,000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) 7,000 7,000 14,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) 2,250 2,250 4,500
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) 6,500 0 6,500
LIBRARY (PER YEAR) 4,000 0 4,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) 2,000 0 2,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR) 1,000 0 1,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) 1,000 1,000
Total for year 2 210,750 189,250 400,000
YEAR 3 -14UNITS
Semester 1 Semester 2 TOTALS
TUITION 180,000 180,000 360,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) 7,000 0 7,000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) 8,000 6,000 14,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) 2,250 2,250 4,500
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) 6,500 0 6,500
LIBRARY (PER YEAR) 4,000 0 4,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) 2,000 0 2,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR) 1,000 0 1,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) 1,000 0 1,000
Total for Year 3 211,750 188,250 400,000
YEAR 4 -12UNITS
Semester 1 Semester 2 TOTALS
TUITION 180,000 180,000 360,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) 7,000 0 7,000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) 6,000 6,000 12,000
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
LIBRARY (PER YEAR) 4,000 0 4,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) 1,000 1,000
Total for Year 4 209,750 188,250 398,000
Grand Total B.Sc. Computer Science 1,604,000
Exam Regulations Exam Regulations

Written Examinations

  1. All course units taken in a given semester shall be examined at the end of that semester, except where a course is not examinable.
  2. A candidate for the degree shall satisfactorily complete such coursework and practical assignments as may be required for the scheme of study. Satisfactory completion of any such requirements shall be a condition of admission to the examination at the end of that semester of study.
  3. A written examination for a course unit shall have a minimum duration of two hours.
  4. Each course unit or its equivalent shall be graded independently out of a maximum of 100 marks and the pass mark shall be 40 subject to the candidate acquiring 40% in both the course work and written examination.
  5. The complete assessment of a taught unit shall consist of course work (i.e. assignments, laboratories and continuous assessment tests) and a compulsory written examination. The contribution towards the unit aggregate shall be 50% for course work and 50% for written examination.
  6. A candidate who fails to take any prescribed examination without good cause will be considered to have scored 0 (zero) marks in that examination.
  7. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in not more than one third of the units prescribed for a year of study, shall on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to take supplementary examinations in the failed units before the start of the next academic year.
  8. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in more than one third of the units prescribed for a year of study, shall on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, not proceed to the next year of study but be allowed to retake the failed units when those units are next offered.
  9. A candidate who fails to satisfy the Board of Examiners after any supplementary examination, shall on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to retake the failed units when those units are next offered.
  10. A candidate who fails to take any prescribed examination with good cause may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to take a special examination for the unit before the start of the following academic year. Examinations taken under this clause shall be treated in accordance with Clause 5.1.7.
  11. Regulations 7, 8, 9 and 10 not withstanding, a candidate who

i)has failed any course unit or its equivalent after four attempts or

ii)has failed the Second Year Project after four attempts or

iii)fails to successfully complete Industrial attachment after two attempts or

iv)has failed the Fourth Year Project after four attempts or

v)fails to complete the course within sixteen semesters

12. shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval of Senate, be discontinued from the programme.

13. A pass obtained in any supplementary Examination shall be recorded as 40% in the candidate’s academic record.

14. In the event that this syllabus is revised, a candidate who is required to take any examination shall be required to take the examination in the equivalent course unit(s) in the revised syllabus.

15. The final award of the degree shall be based on the assessment of the candidate’s performance in the third and fourth years of study, including the industrial attachment and Fourth year project, based on the average mark scored over all course units.

16. For a candidate to qualify for the award the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, he/she must pass the ALL the course units in the first, second and third years of study, Industrial attachment undertaken between the third and fourth years of study, four (4) compulsory course units in the fourth year of study, four (4) elective units in the fourth year of study and a project in the fourth year of study.

17. A candidate who passes the equivalent of one third or more course units through supplementary examinations or retake in the third and fourth year of study shall not be eligible for an Honours degree.

18. A candidate who successfully completes the first and second year of study shall be awarded a Diploma in Computer Science according to stipulated regulations for the diploma.

19. In the final year of study, a mark between 35% and 39% inclusive will qualify for application of the rule of compensation (see 5.1.19 below).

20. Compensation may be allowed in a maximum of the equivalent of two course units only and shall be made by taking two marks in one passed unit for each unit with a mark above 40% to make up for every failed mark.

Year II Project

  1. A project in this context shall mean computer systems development work undertaken by a candidate or a group of candidates, in accordance to the School’s guidelines on Undergraduate Projects.
  2. The project shall be equivalent to one (1) course unit.
  3. The project shall be graded independently out of a maximum of 100 marks and the pass mark shall be 40%.
  4. A pass obtained in any resubmitted project will be recorded as 40%.
  5. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the project may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to resubmit the project within a period of 3 months.
  6. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the first re-submission of the project may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to redo the same or do another project during a subsequent academic year.
  7. A candidate who fails on the fourth attempt shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued from the programme.

Year IV Project

  1. A project in this context shall mean computer systems development work undertaken by a candidate or a group of candidates, in accordance to the School’s guidelines on Undergraduate Projects.
  2. The project shall be equivalent to four (4) course units.
  3. The project shall be graded independently out of a maximum of 100 marks and the pass mark shall be 40%.
  4. A pass obtained in any resubmitted project will be recorded as 40%.
  5. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the project may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to resubmit the project within a period of 3 months.
  6. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the first re-submission of the project may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to redo the same or do another project during a subsequent academic year.
  7. A candidate who fails on the fourth attempt shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued from the programme.

Industrial Attachment

  1. The Student will undertake Industrial Attachment for a period of 8 weeks between semester 2 of year three and semester 1 of year four, in accordance to the School’s guidelines on Industrial Attachment.
  2. The Industrial Attachment shall be equivalent to 2 course units.
  3. The Industrial Attachment report shall be graded independently out of a maximum of 100 marks and the pass mark shall be 40%.
  4. A pass obtained in any resubmitted Industrial Attachment report will be recorded as 40%.
  5. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the Industrial Attachment may, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to repeat the Industrial Attachment not more than once .
  6. A candidate who fails in a repeated Industrial Attachment shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued from the programme.