Computer Science

Good morning.

Do you want to study computing as a subject on its own, or do you want to study it as a tool to use in some other subject? You can do both at Okanagan College! The CIS diploma and BCIS degree give you a strong foundation in computing which you can supplement with study in other areas, or you can study other areas and supplement them with computing. It's up to you. Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?

Here's a great recent article pointing out how computing is used more and more in other areas of study. I love the picture of the nerdy little kid with the Van De Graff generator. It's even better than the picture of the nerdy adult the kid became.

Here's an article that reports that Smokey the Bear is studying computer science . I don't think that's exactly the situation, but it does point out the variety of areas in which computer science is being used.

Here are the hot skills as reported in the 2010 01 26 edition of ComputerWorld Canada. The most frequently requested skill sets (SQL, Oracle, Java, .NET, and UNIX) are all part of our curriculum!

There are very few women taking advantage of the opportunities studying computing provides. Why is that? Here's a study that offers some insights. Basically, women don't like being in an environment that proclaims its geekiness.

If you are planning to enter the CIS diploma program or BCIS degree program in September 2010, orientation sessions have been scheduled! See below.

Do you want a good description of computer science? The U.S, House of Representatives recently passed a bill describing the computing industry as "a transforming industry that drives technology innovation and bolsters economic productivity." This is a subject that is useful for itself and in conjunction with many other fields as well.

Still wondering why you should study computer science (the theory) and computer information systems (the practice)? What careers are available if you do? Most importantly, are there jobs available once you have a diploma or degree?

Yes, there are jobs!

This article speaks of 5.8 million new jobs worldwide by 2013. Where are these new employees? Many of them will be in groups currently under-represented in IT. Georgia Tech is one institution which is trying hard to attract such groups.

Here is an article in Infoworld, dated 2009 08 25 , that reports high-tech and healthcare are the best choices for college students seeking a career. This is based on a survey of human resource managers.

There is an article a week later, 2009 08 31 , in the Chronicle of Higher Education (a subscription-based journal) that states computational science is a major in which demand is increasing. The article defines computational science as the employment of computer modelling and simulation to advance other disciplines. A summary of the article is here .

The Communications of the ACM (May 2009) reports that "Computer science graduates on average earn 13% more than the average college graduate. ... Future job prospects for computer science graduates are higher than for any other science or engineering field."

There are many, many opportunities available for people in information technology. And more and more will become available. Here's a recent article that describes the opportunities available in a time of recession. Surprise! Tech is a safe career choice today .

Not only are there jobs, but people are returning to Computer Science classes. Here is an article that shows US enrolments are up between 6 and 8%. This is reflected too in the increase in applications for the CIS and BCIS programs we offer. If you are thinking of applying, start here (soon).

This article suggests that the current financial difficulties may be good for computer science graduates.

This article reports on a need for those with new skills (Web 2.0 and .Net, for example) and those with older skills (like COBOL.) ITWorld Canada

Here's an article that reports the demand for people in many areas of information technology is expected to be strong for at least the next decade.

And the jobs pay well. Here's an article that reports salaries are up from before the boom and bust in 2000. It's from eweek magazine, dated 2007-10-05. While it focuses on degrees, I'll bet that it also applies to people who graduate with diplomas.

Here is a collection of articles, all relating to careers and the job market, from ITWorldCanada

To find out about these career opportunities, and how our programs prepare you for them, come to one of our orientation sessions and ask questions . The dates (all in 2010) are as follows:

• Tuesday March 9,
• Wednesday April 28, and
• Thursday June 3.

All sessions take place in E103 (in the Centre for Learning, on the KLO Road campus in Kelowna ) from 1800 to 2000. Please confirm your attendance with the department chair here or at 250 762 5445 local 4297. Parents and significant others welcome! To review the presentation we use, either before or after you attend the session, look at the Orientation presentation - PDF .

If you can't attend the orientation sessions, you can always read about the opportunities in computing, or view them. But remember that you need to attend an orientation session, or speak with a department member, before you will be able to attend classes. Contact the chair here or at 250 762 5445 local 4297.

But first, here are some images of our graduates, students who saw the opportunities in computing, signed up for our diploma and degree programs, and graduated at the top of their class.

Amy was the co-winner of the President's Award for the highest graduating average by a full-time student in a diploma program when she graduated in 2007.

Steven won the Governor General's Silver medal for the highest graduating average by a full-time student in a degree program when he graduated in 2007.

Jade was a part-time student at the end of his degree and he won the BCIS Award, for the highest graduating average of any student in the BCIS program when he graduated in 2007.

There are many opportunities for graduates in computing. This article (from ITBusiness.ca) claims there are 8000 graduates a year to fill the 89000 vacancies which will appear over the next three to five years. And this article (from the New York Times) talks about the lack of women to fill those jobs. Computer Science is the only science in which the interest of women is declining!

Here is another article, this time from the Globe and Mail, relating to women in computing, particularly the differences between the ways men and women view technology, IT can only improve when both sexes are involved

“There is a tremendous hiring boom occurring,” said Ken Birman, computer science professor at Cornell. “The problem is that the students haven't understood that yet. The growth and job opportunities are as strong as it was in the dot-com period. The students haven't yet figured out what is going to happen next.”

Look at the careers in demand, as identified by Yahoo .

Here is an article speaking to the decline of the number of women in computing. In many ways, women present different skills than men and the decline in the number of women will make it more difficult to produce the software customers want.

Now that you know there are many reasons to study computing, please use the menu on the left to learn about us and how we can prepare you for your career in computing.

If you can't find what you are seeking, you can always send email to the chair of the department.