Bachelor of Science in Development Studies

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This programme guide outlines the contents of the Bachelor of Science in Development Studies (BDS) degree programme and is accordingly structured as follows. The programme rationale, aim, objectives and target group are outlined in Sub-sections 1.1 to 1.4 respectively, while the admission, grading and award criteria are given in Section 2.0. Sections 3.0 – 5.0 describe the course assessment, exemptions policy and course codes respectively. Details of the course outlines are given in Section 6.0.

1.1 RATIONALE

The BDS degree programme will significantly contribute to building the much needed business, social, political and economic leadership to steer Zambia’s Vision 2030 of becoming a Prosperous Middle Income Country by the year 2030. Consequently, contribute to the attainment of Global Development Goals popularly known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly the attainment SDG Number Four –Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is against this background that ZCAS University is responding to this challenge by introducing degree programmes that are responsive to both the market demand and the Seventh National Development Plan under the theme “Accelerating development efforts towards the Vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind”. It is worth noting that ZCAS University, through its degree programme development and provision, is contributing to the development of human capital that is highly needed in the achievement of the 7NDP goal which is to create a diversified and resilient economy for sustained growth and socioeconomic transformation driven, among others, by agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining.

This degree programme is also responsive to the Africa Agenda 2063 which is “A shared strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable Development and a global strategy to optimize the use of Africa’s Resources for the benefit of all Africans”. Therefore, ZCAS University, through its undergraduate programmes such as the BDS seeks to contribute to the development of human capital that will contribute to the attainment of the Africa We Want by 2063 through the realisation and actualisation of the Agenda 2063 vision which vision is “to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven and managed by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena”,

1.2 AIM

The aim of this programme is to equip the students with knowledge and skills in order for them to carry out economic analysis and planning effectively.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

By the end of the programme, students should be able to:
1) demonstrate thorough knowledge in fundamental theories, concepts, principles and practices of development economics;
2) demonstrate the critical abilities of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and judgement as applied to economic analysis and planning; and
3) collect and analyse economic data to help in solving development economic challenges faced by organisations and the community at large.

1.4 TARGET GROUP

The BDS degree programme is designed to meet the growing demand for economists who have academic competences in the key areas of economic analysis and planning. Such professionals are expected to pursue careers in economic analysis, economic planning, management consultancy and investment analysis. They may also be employed in local government institutions as planners, in government departments as economists or planners, in Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) as programme officers or researchers and in research institutions where they can work as researchers. It is therefore intended for the following groups of people:
1) School leavers who wish to pursue a career in economics;
2) Banking and finance professionals who wish to enhance their career prospects ; and
3) Any eligible person who wishes to pursue a career in economics.

2.0 ADMISSION, GRADING AND AWARD CRITERIA

2.1 ADMISSION CRITERIA

To qualify for admission to the BDS degree programme an applicant must have any of the following qualifications:
1) Five credits at ‘O’ Level including English and Mathematics.

2.2 REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS DEGREE

2.2.1 Duration of study

The course of study for the award of the BDS degree shall be completed in a period of:
1) Not less than four and not more than six academic years in the case of full-time students who have satisfied the requirements of the regulations.
2) Not less than five and not more than seven academic years in all other cases (i.e. part-time and distance education) from the date of first registration.

2.2.2 Student progression

A programme of study shall be taken in the sequence approved by the ZCAS University Senate.
Full time students
1) A full-time student shall register for and take four courses in any semester of the academic year; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
2) A full time student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
3) A full time student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
4) A full time student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed course at the first available opportunity.
5) A full time student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
6) A full time student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
7) A full time student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
8) Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any academic year of study including the final year.

Evening students

1) An evening student shall register for and take three courses each semester; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
2) An evening student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level courses.
3) An evening student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to the next level courses; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
4) An evening student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed courses at the first available opportunity.
5) An evening student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
6) An evening student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
7) An evening student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
8) Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any year of study including the final year.
Distance Education students
1) A distance education student shall register for and take a minimum of three courses and a maximum of four courses each semester; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
2) A distance education student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level courses.
3) A distance education student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to next level courses; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
4) A distance education student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed courses at the first available opportunity.
5) A distance education student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
6) A distance education student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
7) A distance education student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
8) Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any year of study including the final year.
Part Time students
1) A part time student shall register for and take not more than three courses in any semester of the academic year.
2) A part time student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level courses.
3) A part time student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to the next level courses; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
4) A part time student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed courses at the first available opportunity.
5) A part time student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
6) A part time student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
7) A part time student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
8) Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in any year of study including the final year.
Deferred Examinations
A student who is unable to attempt a scheduled assessment may be awarded a deferred assessment subject to a successful application based on extenuating circumstances. A deferred assessment shall be graded normally, i.e. the student shall be awarded the actual mark obtained in the assessment or a final grade of between D and A+ in the course.
Supplementary examinations
A student who has failed a course with a D+ grade may be awarded a supplementary examination in the failed course, provided that the student has passed the continuous assessment for that course.
Supplementary examinations may be awarded in up to two courses in any semester of an academic year. A supplementary examination is marked on a pass/fail basis.

3.0 COURSE ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

3.1 COURSE ASSESSMENT

In all the courses listed, except BDS421 and BDS442 the distribution of marks shall be as follows:

Continuous assessment 40%
1 test 30%
1 assignment 10%
Final examination 60%
Total 100%
The test and final examination shall consist of one examination paper in each of the courses listed and shall normally be of two hours and three hours duration respectively.
3.2 GRADING
To be eligible for the award of the BDS degree, a student must have:
1) Passed all the 32 Courses.
2) Adhered to the requisite course combinations in each semester.

In the grading of final examination results, the following scale will apply:
Pass grades
A+ Distinction (86% and above)
A Distinction (76% – 85%)
B+ Meritorious (66% – 75%)
B Very Satisfactory (56% – 65%)
C+ Definite Pass (46% – 55%)
C Bare Pass (40% – 45%)
S Satisfactory, pass in a practical course
Fail grades
D Fail (39% and below)
U Unsatisfactory, fail in a practical course
NE No examination taken
WD Was withdrawn from the course with unsatisfactory academic progress – recorded where a student has not completed the required level of course work after a warning from the Dean of the School.
LT Left the course during the semester without permission
DQ Was disqualified in a course by Senate
DR Was de-registered for failure to pay fees
RS To re-sit the course examination only – recorded where a student is allowed by Senate to re-sit the final semester examination in the course, and to carry over the previous course work assessment.

3.3 CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEGREE

1) In calculating the grade of the degree, the following points shall be applied to the grades obtained.
a. A+ 2.5 points
b. A 2.0 points
c. B+ 1.5 points
d. B 1.0 point
e. C+ 0.5 point
f. C 0 point
2) The grading of the BDS is based on all grades obtained in the last two years (i.e. 16 courses). No points are awarded where a course has been repeated.
3) The points for classification of the degree shall be as follows:
Distinction 28 – 40 points
Merit 20 – 27.5 points
Credit 12 – 19.5 points
Pass 0 – 11.5 points

4.0 EXEMPTIONS (ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING)

1) A student who has, prior to admission to the BDS, attended, whether at ZCAS University or elsewhere, courses of instruction and passed examinations equivalent in standard to courses and examinations which form part of the programme of study may, subject to approval, be exempted from attendance of classes and examinations in those courses.
2) No exemptions are available in respect of third- and fourth-year courses regardless of the candidate’s qualifications.

5.0 COURSE CODES

The letters of the course codes are an abbreviation of the name of the programme while the first digit stands for the year of study. The second digit is the serial number of the course in the semester and the last digit indicates whether it is a first/second semester course. For example, BDS442 means a BDS fourth year course, course number four offered in the second semester.

6.0 COURSE CODES

The letters of the course codes are an abbreviation of the name of the programme while the first digit stands for the year of study. The second digit is the serial number of the course in the semester and the last digit indicates whether it is a first/second semester course. For example, BDS442 means a BDS fourth year course, course number four offered in the second semester.

7.0 COURSE STRUCTURE

Each year of study will be divided into two semesters and full-time students are expected to take four courses in each semester while evening students are expected to take three courses and part-time students up to three courses. Except for BDS421 Research Methods and BDS442 Dissertation courses in the final year, the rest of the courses are structured in such a way that semester one courses are not a pre-requisite of semester two courses in each academic year. The course structure is as shown in Tables 1 to 4 below.