School of Innovative Technologies and

Engineering
Department of Industrial Systems Engineering

Postgraduate Diploma in Information

Technology
(With Specialisation in Networking)

PROGRAMME DOCUMENT

PDITN v1.0
May 2018

University of Technology, Mauritius

La Tour Koenig, Pointe aux Sables, 11134, Mauritius
Tel: (230) 207.52.50 Fax: (230) 234 1747 Email: site@umail.utm.ac.mu
Website: www.utm.ac.mu

PDITN v1.0 / May 2018 Page 1 of 9

 Postgraduate Diploma in IT (With Specialisation in Networking)

A. Programme Information

The postgraduate conversion programme in Information Technology with specialisation in

Networking aims to provide a foundation upon which a student can build a successful career. In
line with Government vision, the conversion programme is a possible solution to reduce
unemployment rate as it offers an ideal means to gain a foothold in a fast expanding ICT
industry.

This programme has been developed in consultation with the Orange Business Services
(OBS), one of the leading ICT organisations in Mauritius. The course content is tailored to the
current needs of the ICT industry. The Postgraduate Diploma programme bridges the gap
between the academic knowledge and professional industry focussed requirements, thereby
increasing the employability of fresh graduates and accelerating their professional performance
by building their knowhow and delivery within the industry. This programme is geared mainly
towards specific industry-used products and other technologies that represents an extended
way to deepen the students technical expertise.

Students will also have the opportunity to complete a mandatory two months work placement to
gain hands-on work experience. Students who fail to satisfactorily complete the professional
placement will not be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in IT with
specialisation in Networking.

B. Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are :

(i) to bridge the gap between available skill in current labour market and industry
requirements through an industry-led training programme in Networks
(ii) to reduce unemployment rate among non-ICT graduates
(iii) to provide candidates with the opportunity to upgrade their skills and knowledge in
specific industry focussed technologies.

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C. Programme Objectives

After successful completion of the Programme, the graduates should:

§ achieve a broad understanding and working knowledge of the network technologies

§ intervene professionally at all levels of the hardware development life cycle
§ develop and write proper documentation for network related projects
§ acquire appropriate communication skills to handle various client facing situations
§ be equipped with work ready skills through professional placement at industry
partner.

PDITN v1.0 / May 2018 Page 3 of 9

 PART I – Regulations

D. General Entry Requirements

As per UTM’s Admission Regulations.

E. Programme Entry Requirements

(i) Any non-IT degree

(ii) Candidates shall undergo an aptitude test followed by an interview.

F. PROGRAMME MODE AND DURATION

Full Time: 10 months (inclusive of 2 months compulsory work placement)

G. TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES

Student would be expected to perform a substantial amount of self learning both for the
theoretical and practical part of the modules.

• Lectures & Tutorials

• Practical Laboratory Sessions and Self-Development Activities
• Class Tests and Assignments
• Workshops / Seminar modules
• Structured Discussions
• Professional placement.

H. STUDENT SUPPORT & GUIDANCE

• Tutoring
• Access to resource center
• Lab access.

I. CREDIT SYSTEM
1 module = 4 credits

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J. STUDENT PROGRESS AND ASSESSMENT
All modules must be passed overall with passes in the examinations, coursework and other
forms of assessment. To clear a module, students must secure an overall mark of at least 40%.

The credit structure is defined as follows:

Four-credit modules (2+4) consist of 60 contact hours and 30 additional hours of self-
development activities.

All taught modules will carry 100 marks and will be assessed as follows (unless otherwise
specified):

• 100% coursework through continuous assessment, assignments and/or class tests (for
modules Java Programming, Linux OS Basics, Server Management and Professional
Communication Skills)
• 50% coursework and 50% exam.

Module grading structure:

Grade Marks x (%)

A 70 ≤ x
B 60 ≤ x < 70
C 50 ≤ x < 60
D 40 ≤ x < 50
F x < 40

A-D Pass
F Fail

K. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE

The percentage mark contributes a 100 percent weighting towards the degree classification

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L. AWARD CLASSIFICATION

Overall weighted mark y (%) Classification

70 ≤ y Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction

60 ≤ y < 70 Postgraduate Diploma with Merit
40 ≤ y < 60 Postgraduate Diploma
y < 40 No Award

N. Programme Organisation & Management

Programme Design Committee: Dr. Vinaye Armoogum (UTM), Mr. Rishi Heerasing (UTM), Mr.
Dudley Tse (UTM), Dr (Mrs) Sandhya Armoogum (UTM), Mr J. Narsoo (UTM), Ms Jenny Kevan (OBS), Mr
Umesh Gour (OBS), Ms Deeya Nursimloo (OBS), Mr Roy Teeluck (OBS).

Programme Directors: Dr V. Armoogum & Mr R. Heerasing

Contact Details:

• Telephone Number: 207 52 50

• Email: varmoogum@umail.utm.ac.mu, rheerasing@umail.utm.ac.mu

UTM-OBS Liaison Officer : Mr Dudley Tse (dtse@umail.utm.ac.mu)

PDITN v1.0 / May 2018 Page 6 of 9

 PART II

O. Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology (with specialisation in Networking) –

Full Time

 
No Code Modules L + T/P/SD Credit Assessment Method
1 PDITN4101 Java Programming 2+4 4 100% C
2 PDITN4102 Data Communications and 2+4 4 50% C + 50% E
Networking
3 PDITN4103 Linux OS Basics 2+4 4 100% C
4 PDITN4104 LAN Switching and 2+4 4 50% C + 50% E
Wireless LAN
5 PDITN4105 WAN Technologies 2+4 4 50% C + 50% E
6 PDITN4106 Server Management 2+4 4 100% C
7 PDITN4107 Routing Techniques 2+4 4 50% C + 50% E
8 PDITN4108 Professional 2+4 4 100% C
Communication Skills
9 PDITN4109 Security Networking 2+4 4 50% C + 50% E
540 hrs 36 Credits
(contact
hours)
10 PDITN4110 Professional Placement 2 months 0 Portfolio Submission
and Presentation -
PSP (mandatory)

Assessment Method:

C= Continuous Assessment and/or class tests

E= Exams
PSP= Assessement by Placement supervisor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Page 7 of 9

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 Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology with Specialisation in Networks v1.0

Part III

P. MODULE OUTLINE

PDITN4101: Java Programming

This module introduces the basic programming concepts using a problem solving approach. Writing Algorithms.
Definition of Source Code & Compiler. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). Data types & Variables.
Conditional Statements. Arrays. Loops. Basic Input and Output System. Functions/Methods: definition, passing
parameters/arguments, return types. Calling Methods. Overview of packages & libraries, objects & classes,
encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstract classes & methods, interface, socket programming basics.

PDITN4102: Data Communications and Networking

Fundamentals of data communication. Concepts and applications of communications technologies and networks
in the context of the OSI and TCP/IP reference models. TCP/IP layers. Understand the requirements for effective
and reliable data transmission. Media used for communication (wires, cables, microwave, mobile, infrared,
others). Errors, detections and corrections. Layered structure of networks and protocols. Techniques and
algorithms for effective communication across networks. IP Addressing, classes and IPv4. Introducing IPv6.
Network security services and mechanisms. Manage and design network. Simulation software (Opnet or Packet
Tracer) and network device configuration.

PDITN4103: Linux OS Basics

Basic operating system features such as support for processors, protocols, automatic hardware detection and
support multi-processing of applications. Security features such as authentication, authorization, logon
restrictions and access control. Name and directory services. File, print, web services, back-up and replication
services. Basic concepts of LINUX and UNIX operating systems. Linux editor, Linux Command, directories, Disks
and File systems, Users and Groups, File Permissions, Processes, file compression, basic network use, manage
files, create and modify files, and Shell script.

PDITN4104: LAN Switching & Wireless LAN

Introduction to Ethernet/802.3 and Token Ring/802.5 LANs. Role of switches and switching in modern computer
networks. Network Switch management, configuration and security. Fundamental concepts and techniques of
layer 2 switching, including Spanning Tree Protocols and Virtual LANs. Output of various commands to verify the
operational status of a switched network. Identification and correcting common network problems at various OSI
layers using a layered model approach. Configuration, verification and troubleshooting of VLANs, trunking on
relevant switches, interVLAN routing, VTP, and RSTP. Introduction to 802.11x WLAN. Wireless LAN security.
Configuring wireless LAN access. Troubleshooting simple WLAN problems. Introduction to VoIP and
components.

PDITN4105: WAN Technologies

Compare the features and operations of dynamic routing protocols to statics routing protocols. Distinguish
fundamental WANs concepts and terminology. Configure and verify static and default routing on relevant devices.
DHCP configuration on routers. IPv4 addressing scheme using VLSM and summarization. Describe the operation
of ACLs and their applications in the network. Distinguish the basic operation of NAT and Port Address
Translation (PAT). Configure and verify NAT, PAT and inter-VLAN routing on relevant devices. Describe IPv6
main features, addresses, and basic configuration. Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv6 static routing on
Cisco devices. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Version 3. Cloud computing concepts. Describe
WAN connections to the public cloud. Explain SDN concepts.

PDITN4106: Server Management

Installation and configuration of Windows Server and Services, Configuration of file and storage services,
Installation and configuration of Hyper-V, Managing and Maintaining of Windows Server, using Performance
monitor and event logs, Creating and managing failover cluster, Deployment and configuration of DNS,
Configuration and managing of DHCP for more efficient and reliable configurations deployments, Installation and
configuration Active Directory Domain Services, Administering Active Directory services, Configuration and
managing of Group Policies.

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 Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology with Specialisation in Networks v1.0

PDITN4107: Routing Techniques

Routing devices and applications. Configuration and verifification of EIGRP in IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
Categorizing and configuring multi-area OSPF dynamic routing protocol in IPv4 and IPv6 networks. Use of MPLS
on private WANs. Troubleshootting WAN connectivity issues. Configuring and verifying Ipv4 and IPv6 ACLs.
WAN technologies. Configuring and verifying eBGP and PPP.

PDITN4108: Professional Communication Skills

Commands of English and French. Technical terminologies in French applied in ICT and telecommunication
sectors. Electronic Communication. Teamwork & conflict management. Stakeholder management. Reports
writing and Minutes in English and French. Effective Presentations in English and French. Customer Service
Essentials. Negotiation Skills. Leadership skills and assertiveness. Code of ethics for IT and telecommunication
Professionals. Legal issues - Intellectual Property. Data Protection.

PDITN4109: Security Networking

Cryptography: Symmetric, Public Key, Hash Algorithms, MAC Algorithms and Digital Signatures. Network
Security: Firewalls & IDS, IPSec/VPN. Different types of Security Attacks (DoS/DDoS, Identity theft, Phishing,
DNS Poisoning, social engineering, web defacement), threats, risk. Application Security: SSL, HTTPS. Cloud and
virtualization & cloud security basics. Attacks & techniques and tools to discover security threats and
vulnerabilities, Environmental and physical security and controls, Layer 7 filtering – implicit and explicit proxy,
Cloud security basics (e.g zscaler), Disaster Recovery Planning. Business continuity. Basic forensic and incident
response procedures. Secure network administration principles. Authentication, Authorization & Access Control
and the implications. Mitigation technique. Risk management best practices.

PDITN4110: Professional Placement

Students will be placed at Orange Business Services (OBS) for a period of two months. They will have the
opportunity to apply knowledge in networking areas to solve real world problems so as to meet the objectives of
OBS. Students will complete a certain number of tasks (decided by OBS) out of a list of areas in
telecommunication & networking. Students will be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in IT
with specialisation in Networking only after successful completion of this module.

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