SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Explain computer architecture concepts 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14917  Explain computer architecture concepts 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Information Systems and Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Reregistered  2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended:
  • to provide a fundamental knowledge of the areas covered
  • for those working in, or entering the workplace in the area of Information Systems & Technology Management.
  • as additional knowledge for those wanting to understand the areas covered

    People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain computer architecture elements
  • Explain the organisation of a computer
  • Describe the design constraints in the design of instruction sets for computers
    The performance of all elements is to a standard that allows for further learning in this area. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit value of this unit is based on a person having prior knowledge and skills to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental mathematics (at least NQF level 3)
  • Demonstrate PC competency skills (End-User Computing unit Standards, at least up to NQF level 3.)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of types of computer systems. (SGB-ID= IST004). 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain computer architecture elements. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Virtual machine, Hardware, Software, Firmware, Functional levels within a computer (at least 3). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The explanation identifies the functions of elements which make up computer architecture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The explanation outlines the functions of elements which make up computer architecture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The explanation distinguishes categories of each element and outlines their features. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The explanation identifies examples of the application of architecture elements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the organisation of a computer. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Motherboard, Power supply, Storage devices, CPU, Memory, PC Cards, BIOS, Battery, Cables and leads (at least 3). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The explanation identifies the purpose of computer components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The explanation outlines how components achieve their outcomes in terms of their relationships, and the structure of the computer. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the design constraints in the design of instruction sets for computers. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes, but is not limited to: Instruction length, Memory transfer, Word length, Instruction format, Instruction fetch, Operand specification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description identifies the constraints, and outlines the issues involved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description outlines how the constraints have been accommodated, by using examples. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The relevant Education and Training Quality Authority (ETQA) must accredit providers before they can offer programs of education and training assessed against unit standards.

    Moderation Process:
    Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, documentation, security, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour.
    2. Performance of all elements complies with the laws of South Africa, especially with regard to copyright, privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.
    3. All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/or regulatory requirements.
    4. Performance of all elements is to be completed within the normal range of time and cost that would be expected in a professional environment (e.g. In a commercial or government organisation). 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify, solve problems and make decisions in relation to the current systems development environments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when engaging with systems development. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to his/her full personal development and the social and economic development of the society at large by being aware of the importance of: reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively, exploring education and career opportunities and developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Sub-Sub-Field (Domain):
    Computer Operations 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78965   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Core  24294   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-01-23  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  78964   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Core  24293   National Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-01-23  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  20184   National Certificate: Banking  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Reregistered  2023-06-30  BANKSETA 
    Elective  61591   National Certificate: Information Technology: End User Computing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2021-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  20185   Further Education and Training Certificate: Banking  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  BANKSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Absa Learning & Development 
    2. Academy of Training and Development 
    3. AccTech Systems (PTY)LTD 
    4. Acol Computer Training PTY LTD 
    5. Act of Grace 97 
    6. Added Advantage Academy (Durban) 
    7. Afedile M Learning Centre (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Affirmations Training 
    9. All Connections cc 
    10. Amitek Business College 
    11. Anderson College (Pty) Ltd 
    12. Ankalite (Pty) Limited 
    13. Arise Business Centre 
    14. Artshub Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    15. Aspirations Communication Training CC 
    16. ATTI Nelspruit Pty Ltd 
    17. AUM IT Solutions 
    18. Bantsho Marketing & Management Strategies 
    19. Beth Horner & Associates 
    20. Bidvest Bank 
    21. Birnam Business College (Pty) Limited 
    22. Bophelo Tota ICT Driving Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    23. Broadband College of Technology 
    24. BTC Campus (Pty) Ltd 
    25. Bytes People Solutions A Division of Altron TMT (Pty) Ltd 
    26. Calandra Trading 523(PTY) 
    27. Cape Town Society for the Blind 
    28. Certified Workforce Trainers cc. 
    29. Chartall Business College 
    30. Claas Illustration 
    31. College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd 
    32. Columbus Consulting Pty Ltd 
    33. CompEd IT Training 
    34. Competence computer and business management 
    35. Compuscan Academy 
    36. Cornerstone Performance Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    37. CTU Training Solutions 
    38. CYBER MINDS (PTY) LIMITED 
    39. Daily Training Cc 
    40. DC Dynamic College of Commerce & Further Training (Pty) Ltd 
    41. Ditlotlo Trading Enterprise Cc 
    42. DVG Property (Pty)Ltd 
    43. Eagle Computer Training 
    44. Eastern Cape Academy of Technology 
    45. Ekasi IT Solutions CC 
    46. Ekurhuleni Computer College 
    47. Elangeni Training Institute 
    48. Fakazani Management Services 
    49. Falcon Business Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    50. Far-Ahead Computer Training Centre Cc 
    51. Felix Risk Training Consultants 
    52. Forek Institute of Technology (Pty) Ltd 
    53. Fort Hare Solutions (PTY) LTD 
    54. Gabasega Consulting and Training Centre 
    55. Gauteng College of Engineering and Technology (PTY) LTD 
    56. GDE Science Education Centre 
    57. Gegana Computer Academy and Business Solutions cc 
    58. Golden Step Campus (Pty) Ltd. 
    59. Goldfields TVET College 
    60. Goodwill Institute Of Technology 
    61. Gurandbuilt Management Development 
    62. Hazyview Computer College 
    63. Hectic Productions cc 
    64. iLearn Corporate Services PTY LTD 
    65. Indonsa Consulting and Training cc 
    66. Information Technology Resource Centre 
    67. Institute of Training and Education for Capacity Building 
    68. ISAMON VOCATIONAL COLLEGE OF EXCELLENCE 
    69. iSolve Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    70. Jeppe College of Commerce and Computer Studies 
    71. John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust 
    72. Keybase Training Solutions Cc 
    73. Kezla Investments 
    74. King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College 
    75. Kumani Computer College 
    76. Lephalale Core Skills Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    77. Leseding Computer Systems (Pty) Ltd 
    78. LGIT Smart Solutions 
    79. Limco Consulting and management (Pty) Ltd 
    80. Loja Trading cc 
    81. Mackeys Computing (Pty) Ltd 
    82. Malope IT Solutions 
    83. Masana Brainstorm Conferencing cc 
    84. Mash Computer Training 
    85. Mass Computer Training And Printers 
    86. MasterGrade IT 
    87. Mokk Consultants Cc 
    88. Mosadikago Trading Cc 
    89. Mourema Computer Training Centre 
    90. Mpisholo Training Solutions 
    91. Mthonyama Technologies cc 
    92. National Computer College Carletonville 
    93. National Computer College Cc 
    94. NCM Computer and Business Academy 
    95. Ndabezitha Life Skills Training Institute 
    96. Nedbank Ltd 
    97. NetCampus (Pty) Ltd. 
    98. New Era Computer Training Centre (Hidobyte CC) 
    99. Ngubeni Corporation 
    100. Ntamunde Investment 
    101. Ocule IT cc 
    102. On the Ball College Pty ltd 
    103. Overcomers Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    104. Pillays Computer and Careers 
    105. Prophesy Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    106. PROSERV SA (PTY) LTD 
    107. Protech Business and Computer College Pty Ltd. 
    108. Qhakaza Management Services 
    109. Rand Training College 
    110. Reaithuta Computer Academy 
    111. Regent-Comp 
    112. Rorisang Computer (Pty) Ltd 
    113. Sankin Computer Training Pty Ltd 
    114. Sebata Municipal Solutions (Pty) Limited 
    115. SEDIBENG 
    116. Setlagole Telecentre 
    117. Sivile Housing Association RSA 
    118. Siyabonga Multi - Purpose Centre 
    119. Siyafunda Community Technology Centre 
    120. South Africa Advanced Skills Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    121. Southern Africa Youth Project NPC 
    122. Sovereign Skills Development Institute (Pty) 
    123. Springfield Training (Pty) Ltd 
    124. Standard Bank Personal and Business Banking 
    125. Star Light Consulting 
    126. Success Christian Training Centre 
    127. Taal-Net Training Institute 
    128. Terry Computer Services cc 
    129. The Facilitation Workshop 
    130. The Graduate Institute of South Africa 
    131. Tira Telecoms 
    132. Titan Trade Technologies (Pty) Ltd 
    133. Tshwane College of Commerce and Computer 
    134. Tumelo Education and Training 
    135. Turnstone Trading 183 (Pty) Ltd 
    136. Umbuso Training Services (Pty) Ltd. 
    137. Vukani Solutions 
    138. Vuthlari Marketing Consulting (PTY)LTD 
    139. Waterberg TVET College 
    140. Whitestone College 
    141. Y2K COLLEGE 
    142. Zealot Business College cc 
    143. ZJ Africa Learn (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.