The BIS program is designed to equip students with an understanding of computer applications and software concerns. The students will end up with the knowledge of business procedures and practice with the technical know-how to enable them analyse, develop, maintain and operate an e-business establishment with sound e-commerce procedures. The program would also equip the students with the necessary skill to develop and maintain software systems which include office, accounts, databases, and Internet and network applications.

Courses

• Programming (C++,  Web Programming)
• Algorithms and their Design
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Networking
• Basic Hardware
• Geographic Information Systems
• Computer Graphics
• Mathematics: Trigonometry and Calculus, Numerical Analysis and Applied Statistics
• Courses only for BIS
• Macro and micro Economics
• Financial Accounting
• Managerial Accounting
• Information Systems Audit

4th Year Dissertation

The students are required to undertake a research project in their final year. This project is submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree the students will obtain. This project provides the students with the opportunity to demonstrate independence and originality in planning and organizing a larger project over a long period and to put into practice some of the techniques they have been taught throughout the program. Some students undertake research into the use of specific information systems and technologies in organisations and society. Some build systems or IT tools.

Examples of projects:

General MIS:

• The Development of a Secondary School Student Management Information System
• The Polytechnic Library Periodicals Management System

Health Information Systems

• The Development of a "Follow-up Clinic Management System
• Development of a Web-Based Malaria Prevalence Monitoring System (MPMS)

GIS

• Automating Habitat-built Houses Visualisation and Spartial Analysis for Blantyre Villages
• Assessing Ability of Managers to Use Geographic Information Systems in Decision Making and Water Management, “Case of Blantyre Water Board”

Smart Systems

• Smart Waste Bin Management System
• Obstacle Detection System for Blind people

Research

• The Impact Assessment of IT Governance Implementation on Busisness/IT Alignment in Malawian Organisations: Case study of Malawian Financial Sector
• Assesing the Benefits of Macra's Television White Space (TVWS) Project on Secondary School Students’ Performance and Teaching Methods in Malawi: A Case Study of Mulanje Secondary School

Enrollment and Mature Entry

The NCHE is handling the process of University admission in Malawi. The procedure is that NCHE advertises in newspapers and other media the dates and other admission information. They publish application forms on their website. Prospective students are advise to check regularly the NHCE website.

The requirements for mature entry are usually as follows: MSCE  4 credits including mathematics and advanced diploma (this is usually City and Guilds).