Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Science Honours in Operations Research

Qualification code: 90078
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 97971
APS/AS: 60
Rules:
It is strongly recommended that students complete DSC4812, DSC4821 and one optional module before attempting the second optional module and DSC4830.Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying learners with a range of technical, scientific and research skills in Operations Research and to enable them to pursue a career in industry and commerce. Learners will be able to demonstrate the following upon completion of the qualification: Critical and creative thinking and a comprehensive and systematic knowledge basis, having a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, theories and research methods of Operations Research. - Application of appropriate Operations Research skills and techniques to complex and real-world problems and the ability to operate effectively in complicated but sometimes ill-defined contexts. - Planning and conducting of research in the field of Operations Research, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken. - Thinking and reflecting contextually on learning from individual experience and academic disciplines in relation to scientific, technological and economic realities, locally and globally. - Demonstrating efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills and the ability to present and communicate academic work effectively. - Manage learning tasks in an autonomous, professional and ethical manner displaying a high level of intellectual independence.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
DSC4812 - Forecasting
DSC4821 - Stochastic Modelling
DSC4830 - Research Project
Group B. Choose 2 from the following
DSC4823 - Discrete Optimisation
DSC4824 - Introduction to Heuristics
DSC4828 - Applied Data Science