CIS Diploma

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) diploma program, four semesters with five courses in each semester, gives you an introduction to the various areas of computing, specifically within an organization or business. Graduates of the CIS diploma may begin careers in Information Technology, or may continue with further studies. These further studies may involve Okanagan College's Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) degree, vendor certification, and/or studies at other post-secondary institutions.

Calendar information

The Okanagan College calendar gives the admission requirements, program outline and graduation requirements for the CIS program on this page .

Further information from the department

Note that some of these courses are taken with students in the Network and Telecommunications Technology program. The goal is that there will be cross-program project courses possible as a result of this mingling. Of course, this also allows students who have decided they are in the wrong program to switch more easily.

First year is common to all CIS students.

Fall Semester, Year 1	Winter Semester, Year 1
CMNS 113	CMNS 123
COSC 109	COSC 126
COSC 111 or NTEN 112 or NTEN 224	COSC 121
COSC 118 or COSC 218 or NTEN 117	COSC 150 or NTEN 126 or PHYS 219
MATH 139	COSC 221

Note that when several courses are listed above as alternatives, only one of the courses is generally offered each semester; the others are equivalent courses which may or may not be offered in any particular year. Thus, when you are registering for courses, here are the courses for which you would normally register.

Fall Semester, Year 1	Winter Semester, Year 1
CMNS 113	CMNS 123
COSC 109, including lab	COSC 126, including lab
COSC 111, including lab	COSC 121, including lab
NTEN 117, including lab	NTEN 126, including lab
MATH 139	COSC 221

In addition to the required and recommended courses for an Option, each student must complete three credits (one course) of a freely-chosen elective. Several departments provide courses which Computer Science recommends you consider.

From the Business Administration department consider the following possibilities:

BUAD 111 (Financial Accounting I)
BUAD 113 (Canadian Business)
BUAD 116 (Marketing)
BUAD 176 (Personal Selling), which has BUAD 116 as prerequisite
BUAD 195 (Financial Management), which has BUAD 111 as prerequisite
BUAD 201 (Conflict Resolution and Negotiation), which would be very useful for people working in a helpdesk environment
BUAD 209 (Business Law)
BUAD 251 (Personal Financial Planning)
BUAD 262 (Organizational Behaviour), which has BUAD 123 as prerequisite
BUAD 264 (Management Accounting, which has BUAD 111 as prerequisite)
BUAD 269 (Human Resource Management), which has BUAD 123 as prerequisite.
BUAD 335 (Electronic Commerce)

From the Communications department, consider CMNS 270 (Introduction to Information Technology: The New Media).

From the Geography department, consider GEOG 374 (Fundamentals of GIS), particularly as part of the BCIS.

If you are particularly interested in the writing side of computing, consider ENGL 207 (Web Development for Publishing).

The Network and Telecommunications department offers a broad range of courses you may wish to take.

This list is not exhaustive - students with particular interests may want to pursue other courses that have particular interest to them. In that case, you should check with the Chair of the Computer Science department for approval.

Last updated: 2010 06 24