My Learning Journey
A comprehensive overview of my academic journey at Sol Plaatje University, including all modules and key learnings from each year.
First Year - Foundation
My first year focused on building fundamental knowledge in ICT, covering essential programming concepts, web development basics, networking foundations, and professional skills.
Programming 1
Introduction to programming fundamentals and problem-solving using programming languages.
- Programming fundamentals and syntax
- Data structures and algorithms basics
- Control structures (loops, conditionals)
- Functions and modular programming
- Debugging and problem-solving techniques
- Introduction to object-oriented programming concepts
Web Development
Building the foundation for creating dynamic and responsive web applications.
- HTML structure and semantics
- CSS styling and layout techniques
- JavaScript fundamentals
- Responsive design principles
- DOM manipulation and event handling
- Introduction to web frameworks
ICT Fundamentals
Core ICT concepts aligned to CompTIA A+ topics and foundational IT support skills.
- Hardware components and troubleshooting
- Operating systems installation and maintenance
- Basic networking and connectivity
- Security fundamentals and best practices
- Technical documentation and professionalism
Application Development Foundations
Building desktop and enterprise applications with modern development practices.
- Application architecture and design patterns
- GUI development and user interface design
- Event-driven programming
- File handling and data persistence
- Error handling and exception management
- Application testing and debugging
Communications Network Foundations
Understanding the basics of computer networks and communication protocols.
- Network topologies and architectures
- OSI and TCP/IP models
- Network protocols (TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS)
- IP addressing and subnetting
- Network devices (routers, switches, hubs)
- Basic network security concepts
Information Systems
Introduction to information systems and their role in organizations.
- Information systems concepts and types
- Database fundamentals
- Data modeling and design
- SQL basics
- System analysis and design principles
- Business process modeling
Business Practice
Understanding business context and professional practices in ICT.
- Business operations and management
- ICT in business environment
- Professional ethics and conduct
- Business communication
- Client relations and service delivery
- Project management basics
Professional Communication
Developing effective communication skills for professional environments.
- Written and verbal communication
- Professional email and report writing
- Presentation skills
- Team communication and collaboration
- Cross-cultural communication
- Documentation and technical writing
Second Year - Advanced Concepts
My second year delved deeper into specialized areas including advanced application development, mobile development, software engineering, cybersecurity foundations, and project management.
Web Development II
Advanced web development techniques, modern layouts, and accessibility.
- Responsive layouts with Grid and Flexbox
- Reusable components and modular CSS
- Advanced JavaScript patterns
- Accessibility and performance basics
- Testing and deployment fundamentals
Mobile App Development
Creating mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms.
- Mobile development frameworks
- Mobile UI/UX design principles
- App lifecycle and state management
- Mobile APIs and services integration
- Offline functionality and data synchronization
- App publishing and deployment
Communications Network Foundation 2
Advanced networking concepts including routing, switching, and network security.
- Advanced routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP)
- VLAN configuration and management
- Network security and firewalls
- Network troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Wireless networking
- Network monitoring and management tools
Software Engineering
Software development lifecycle and engineering methodologies.
- Software development lifecycle (SDLC)
- Agile and Scrum methodologies
- Requirements analysis and specification
- System design and architecture
- Version control systems (Git)
- Quality assurance and testing strategies
Big Data Foundations
Introduction to big data concepts, tools, and processing techniques.
- Big data concepts and characteristics
- Data storage and processing systems
- Hadoop ecosystem
- Data analytics and visualization
- NoSQL databases
- Data mining and machine learning basics
Project Management
Managing ICT projects from initiation to completion.
- Project planning and scheduling
- Resource management
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Stakeholder management
- Project monitoring and control
- Project documentation and reporting