ARDHI | Department of Computer Systems and Mathematics

Department of Computer Systems and Mathematics

Introduction

The Department of Computer Systems and Mathematics (CSM) at Ardhi University is among the four departments of the School of Earth Sciences, Real Estate, Business and Informatics (SERBI). The department was established in 2015 following the restructuring and reorganization of ARU’s Schools and Departments. As a result of the reorganization, the former School of Geo-spatial Sciences and Technology (SGST) with its entire academic programme was merged with the School of Real Estate Studies (SRES) to form the current School of Earth Sciences, Real Estate, Business and Informatics (SERBI). The former school of SGST had two departments which where Geo-informatics (GI) and Geomatics (GM). The department of Geomatics offered two undergraduate degree programmes which were BSc. Geomatics (BSc. GM) and BSc. Information Systems Management (BSc. ISM). Following the re-organization, the two departments i.e. department of Geomatics and department of Geo-informatics were merged to form one department which was known as department of Geomatics and the new department of Computer Systems and Mathematics was formed with one undergraduate programme known as BSc. Information Systems Management (BSc. ISM). In 2020, one more programmewhich was accredited by TCU was introduced in the department. Hence at the moment the department has two undergraduate degree programmes; BSc. in Information Systems Management (BSc. ISM) and BSc in Computer Systems and Networks (BSc. CSN).

Vision

To be Nation's and Regional premier in research, teaching and community outreach in computing and mathematical sciences.

Mission

To create, share, and apply knowledge in computing and mathematics, including in interdisciplinary areas that extend beyond academic to benefit humanity; to educate students to be successful, ethical, and effective problem-solvers and lifelong learners who will contribute positively to the economic well-being of our country, region and beyond and who are prepared to tackle complex challenges facing the society.

Programmes Offered

Department of Computer Systems and Mathematics offers two programs Bachelor of Computer Systems and Networks (BSc. CSN) and Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management (Bsc. ISM)

Bachelor of Computer Systems and Networks (BSc. CSN)

i) Direct Entry (Form VI) Qualifications
Two principal level passes in any of the following subjects: Advanced Mathematics or Basic Applied Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Economics or Computer Science. And A candidate MUST have a principal pass in Advanced Mathematics or Basic Applied Mathematics in A.C.S.E.E

ii) Equivalent Qualifications
An appropriate equivalent Diploma in Computer Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Networks, Computing and Information Communication, Land Surveying or Geomatics such as NACTE Ordinary Diploma (NTA level 6) with at least a GPA of 3.0, OR FTC with average of B OR any other relevant diploma of not less than Upper second class/B+ OR a distinction for unclassified diplomas from recognized institutions and approved by the University Senate.

Duration: Three years (6 semesters)

Programme objectives and philosophy
The objectives of the BSc. CSN programme are to (1) Develop skills to specify, design and implement an ICT system, integrating hardware, software and business processes in compliance with appropriate standards; (2) Provide a worthwhile learning knowledge which combines study of computer systems, communications networks, smart system technologies and programming for networks and business solutions integration; and (3)Provide an apprehension of commercial, social and business components which influence development of technical solutions to solve ICT problems;

The programme employs learning through problem solving philosophy with best practice, good practice, emergent or complex and novel or chaotic scenarios in mind. The aim of the project works is to enable students to learn through problem solving that culminates into an examinable presentation and a written report at the end of the year in which a project is held. Based on this, the courses are structured so that the theoretical work supports the implementation of the project work. The courses offered in the programme are thus organized and tuned to focus onto particular themes in each year. In this regard students acquire knowledge and specific skills at the end of the year; the whole approach being problem solving oriented to enable students solve problems at any level namely simple, complex, chaotic, novel or disorder.

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management (BSc. ISM)

i) Direct Entry (Form VI) Qualifications
Two principal level passes in any of the following subjects: Advanced Mathematics or Basic Applied Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Economics or Computer Science. And A candidate MUST have a principal pass in Advanced Mathematics or Basic Applied Mathematics in A.C.S.E.E.

Duration: Three years (6 semesters)

Programme objective and philosophy
Information Systems Management is a professionally oriented field; delivery of education in this area embraces both theoretical and practical training components. To do so the programme includes theoretical and practical teaching. The practical teaching is divided into practical training cum assignments and project work.

The aim of the project work is to enable students to learn through problem solving that culminates into an examinable presentation and a written report at the end of the semester in which a project is held. Based on this, the courses are structured so that the theoretical work supports the implementation of the project work. The courses offered in the programme are thus organized and tuned to focus onto particular themes in each semester. In this regard students acquire knowledge and specific skills at the end of the semester; the whole approach being problem solving.

Programmes Under Development - Upcoming
The CSM envision an expanded Postgraduate degree programme base. As such the following postgraduate degree Programmes are under various levels of development, soon to be offered;

Master of Data Science (MSc. DS)
Master of Cyber Security (MSc. CS)

Research Activities

Existing Links and Partnerships

The department has one established link with East African and European Partners geared towards capacity in building in industrial technology. The link involves collaboration among universities in East Africa and Europe and is under the umbrella of Applied Curricula in Technology for East Africa (ACTEA) project. The ACTEA project aims to fulfill the specific needs in engineering, by providing better skills matching in industrial automations. There two main specializations in industrial automation: Computer Aided Manufacturing Technology and Electrical Engineering & Automation. In order to support capacity building for people from manufacturing sector the project has three main objectives: establish state of the art virtual and physical laboratories for teaching with partners universities in East Africa, develop curricula for industrial automation, and give academic staff from East African universities with additional training on industrial technology.

Names of Collaborating Institutions

Website address of research project: www.actea.net

Publications

S/No	Authour/s	Publication
1.	Ibrahim A. Mwammenywa1, Michael H. Nkotagu and Shubi F. Kaijage (2020).	Integrated Mobile and Web-based Application for Enhancing Delivery of HIV/AIDS Healthcare Information in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 38(2), pp. 152-170
2.	Job A. Chaula. (2019).	Opportunities and Challenges for Integrating Statistical and Spatial Data in East African Countries, American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS), 59 (1), 42 - 48, https://www.asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/view/5004
3.	Job A. Chaula. (2019).	Land Change Modeler for Characterizing the Spatial Trend of Land Use Land Cover Change: Case study Kilombero District-Tanzania, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research. 10(7) 1581-1594
4.	Job A. Chaula. (2019).	Landsat Data for Quantifying Impacts of Land and Land Cover Changes on Water resources of Rufiji Delta,Quest Journals of Research in Environmental and Earth Science. 5 (1), 71 -80
5.	Job A. Chaula (2019).	Ca-Markov Model for Simulating Land use Land Cover Dynamics in Rufiji Delta of Tanzania, International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology 4 (4) 802-814
6.	Gosbert Msogoya& Job Asheri Chaula (2019).	GIS-based Landsat Image Classification for Change Detection and Prediction LULC Dynamics: Case Study Kilombero District-Tanzania, IJASR 2 (4) 33-52
7.	Sangana, P., Deus D. &Chaula J. (2019).	Delineation of groundwater potential zones using GIS based multi-criteria data analysis: A case study of Dodoma City, Tanzania, IEEE-SEM, 7 (7), 184-202, ISSN 2320-9151
8.	Job A. Chaula, (2019).	Discovering the Deforestation Hotspots with Landsat and GIS: Case study Kilombero district Tanzania, IEEE-SEM Journal 7 (7) 53 -74
9.	IR Mremi, M Mbise, JA Chaula. (2018).	Distribution of primary health care facilities in Mtwara District, Tanzania: availability and accessibility of services, Tanzania Journal of Health Research 20 (20) 1 - 8
10.	Eunice David Likotiko. (2017).	Multi-Agent Based IoT Smart Waste Monitoring and Collection Architecture, Journal of Computer Science, Engineering and Information Technology (IJCSEIT) Vol.7, No.5; http://airccse.org/journal/ijcseit/current.html
11.	Eunice David Likotiko, (2017).	International Science and Technology Conference, July 17-19, 2017 Berlin, Germany & August 16-18, 2017 Cambridge, USA Proceedings Book ISSN: 2146-7382. http://www.iste-c.net/publication_folder/itec/istec2017.pdf
12.	Ntwa Katule, Melissa Densmore, and Urlike Rivett. (2016).	Leveraging intermediated interactions to support utilization of persuasive personal health informatics. In Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development (pp. 1-11).
13.	Ntwa Katule, Urlike Rivett, and Melissa Densmore (2016).	A family health app: Engaging children to manage wellness of adults. In Proceedings of the 7th Annual Symposium on Computing for Development (pp. 1-10).
14.	Ahmada Omar Ali, Oluwole Daniel Makinde, Yaw Nkansah-Gyekye. (2016).	Numerical study of unsteady MHD Couette flow and heat transfer of nanofluids in a rotating system with convective cooling", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 26 ISSN 5 pp. 1567 -1579
15.	Job A. Chaula. (2016).	Automation of Risk Management in The Social Security Sector in Tanzania. Accepted for publication in the American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) ISSN (Print) 2313 -4910, ISSN (Online) 2313 -44 http://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/view/1475/719
16.	Msogoya Gosbet, Chaula Job. (2016).	Change Detection, Monitoring and Mapping the Conditions of Rufiji Delta Using Remote Sensed Data. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS) ISSN (Print) 2313 -4410, ISSN (Online) 2313 -44, http://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/view/951/671
17.	Chaula, J. and Luwemba, G. (2020).	Security Control Assessment of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition for Power Utilities in Tanzania. European Journal of Engineering Research and Science(5, 7 (Jul. 2020), 785-789. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24018/ejers.2020.5.7.1429

Facilities for Teaching and Learning

The department uses the available lecture and seminar rooms at the Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam. Lecture and seminar rooms are centrally allocated by the University depending on the number of students registered for a particular course. The largest lecture room can accommodate 300 students at a time while the smallest accommodates 60 students. Other facilities if required are also expected to be procured centrally. In addition, the department has two laboratories, one serving as a computer laboratory, and another one is expected to serve as an industrial automation laboratory that will cater for embedded systems.

Student Enrolment

The enrollment has been steady for the past years, however of recent the demand for ICT practitioners has increased hence the enrollment has gone up. Within the next three years enrollment for each degree programme at the department is expected to be 180. That will be the highest number for the department to accommodate. In the next five years the department anticipates to enroll at least 500 students per annum. The department also plans to establish Master Degree programmes in Information Systems Management, Data Science and Cyber Security.