Program Highlights
Concentrate on areas of computing such as software design and development, database systems and general studies, while developing a broad knowledge of computing so you can function in a variety of roles in the field of Information Technology.
Tuition and Fees
2022-23: $5,376.95
- Fees listed are for first year (two semesters) for a typical, full-time student taking five courses per semester. Depending on the campus and the courses selected fees may vary.
- Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
- All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
- International students will pay International tuition fees
Program Details
The Bachelor of Computer Information Systems degree is a four-year program which includes a broad selection of computing, mathematics, business, and communications courses so graduates can function successfully in a variety of roles in the Information Technology field.
The courses are grouped into required courses (which all students take), courses from one or more options (an option is a collection of courses dealing with a specific area of computing), and elective courses. This structure allows students to concentrate on areas of computing (Software Design and Development, Database Systems and General Studies) which interest them, while ensuring all graduates have a broad knowledge of computing. With further independent study, graduates may earn industrial certification from companies such as Oracle, IBM, Cisco or Microsoft.
The BCIS degree is available as a co-op program. Taking co-op work terms may lengthen the program by one year or more.
Students who have completed Okanagan College's Computer Information Systems diploma or the Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology diploma, or a similar program of studies may enter at year three. Other students enter at year one.
- Software Developer
- Systems Analyst
- Database Administrator
- Quality Assurance Analyst
- Data Scientist
- IT Consultant
Admission Requirements
B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
English Requirements: English 12 with 60% or alternatives.
Math Requirements:
A minimum of 60% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 12
- Principles of Mathematics 12
- Adult Basic Education MATH 012
- Okanagan College MATH 120
Or a minimum of 67% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 11
- Foundations of Mathematics Grade 12
- Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11
- Principles of Mathematics 11
- Applications of Mathematics 11
- Applications of Mathematics 12
- Adult Basic Education MATH 011
- Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085
- Adult Basic Education IALG 011
or a minimum of 70% in any of:
- An Okanagan College Mathematics 11 Proficiency Test
- An Okanagan College Mathematics 12 Proficiency Test
Other Requirements: Attendance at a mandatory orientation. Applicants will be notified of dates.
Applicants to third year: Students who have completed Okanagan College's Computer Information Systems diploma, Infrastructure and Computing Technology diploma, or a similar program of studies from another institution may enter at year three.
Keyboarding Skills: Keyboarding skills of at least 20 wpm are strongly recommended.
Access to a Personal Computer: Students entering this program are strongly advised to have access to a personal computer at home with Internet access, both with adequate resources for this level of study. Students may consult the Computer Science Department for hardware and software recommendations.
Personal Suitability: Prospective applicants should consider assessing their suitability for the program by researching Computer Information Systems.
Program Outline
Courses required by all students - 78 credits
BUAD elective
(Consider choosing from BUAD 111, 113, 116, 123, 128, 176, or 209. Other BUAD courses may be acceptable with the permission of the Computer Science department chair. BUAD 107 is not acceptable.)
First Year
COSC 109 Technical Aspects of Operating Systems
COSC 111 Computer Programming I
COSC 121 Computer Programming II
COSC 126 Systems Analysis and Design
COSC 131 Visual Programming
One of:
COSC 118 Networks and Telecommunications I
or NTEN 117 Networks and Telecommunications I
BCIS students: Please register in COSC 118 (not NTEN 117).
One of these combinations (two courses.) CMNS 113 and CMNS 123 courses are preferred.
Either both of the following two courses
CMNS 113 Technical Communication for Information Technology
CMNS 123 Analysis and Reporting for Information Technology
Or both of the following two courses:
CMNS 112 Professional Writing I
CMNS 122 Professional Writing II
Two of:
One of these combinations
MATH 139 Mathematics for Information Technology
and one of:
COSC 221 Introduction to Discrete Structures
or MATH 251 Introduction to Discrete Structures
or MATH 231 Introduction to Cryptography
Or
MATH 112 Calculus I
and one of:
MATH 122 Calculus II
or MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra
Second Year
COSC 205 Project Management
COSC 211 Machine Architecture
COSC 213 Web development with LAMP
COSC 219 Client-side Web Systems
COSC 222 Computer Data Structures
COSC 224 Projects in Computer Science
COSC 236 Object-Oriented Systems Analysis and Design
COSC 304 Introduction to Database Management Systems
COSC 315 Introduction to Operating Systems
One other three-credit COSC or NTEN course
Third- and Fourth-Year courses for the Software Design and Development Option
BUAD 123 Management Principles
COSC 470 Software Engineering
COSC 471 Software Engineering Project
PHIL 331 Ethics of Computer Usage
At least one of:
COSC 316 iOS Application Development
COSC 326 Android Application Development
At least one of:
COSC 318 Network Programming
COSC 328 Linux Networking
At least one of:
COSC 331 Microservices and Software Architecture
COSC 360 Server Platform as a Service
At least two of:
COSC 404 Advanced Database Management Systems
COSC 416 Topics in Database
COSC 434 Database Administration
COSC 436 Data Warehousing
COSC 437 Data Mining
Plus a minimum of 9 upper-level COSC credits (not already chosen).
Upper-level (courses numbered 300 or higher): at least 42 credits (of which a minimum 36 credits must be upper-level computer science).
After completing the first two years, you must complete a total of 60 additional credits for the BCIS degree. These credits will include: PHIL 331 (required), at least six additional Arts credits, BUAD 123 (required) and at least three additional BUAD credits.
Third- and Fourth-Year courses for the Database Systems Option
BUAD 123 Management Principles
COSC 404 Advanced Database Management Systems
COSC 434 Database Administration
COSC 470 Software Engineering
COSC 471 Software Engineering Project
PHIL 331 Ethics of Computer Usage
At least two of:
COSC 416 Topics in Database
COSC 436 Data Warehousing
COSC 437 Data Mining
At least one of:
BUAD 335 Electronic Commerce
COSC 341 User Experience
COSC 331 Microservices and Software Architecture
COSC 360 Server Platform as a Service
At least one of:
COSC 318 Network Programming
COSC 328 Linux Networking
Plus a minimum of 6 upper-level COSC credits (not already chosen).
Upper-level (courses numbered 300 or higher): at least 42 credits (of which a minimum 36 credits must be upper-level computer science).
After completing the first two years, you must complete a total of 60 additional credits for the BCIS degree. These credits will include: PHIL 331 (required), at least six additional Arts credits, BUAD 123 (required) and at least three additional BUAD credits.
Electives for all students - 24 credits
Electives must be chosen to ensure the following credit requirements are met. See group definitions below.
Total credits: at least 120
Group 1: at least 78 credits
Group 2: at least 15 credits
Group 3: at least 6 credits
Upper-level (courses numbered 300 or higher): at least 42 credits
Upper-level group 1: at least 36 credits
Group 1: courses in Computer Science and other subjects which lead to an Associate of Science Degree, except MATH 120, plus Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology, and Electronic Engineering Technology.
Group 2: refers to all courses in Communications and courses in other subjects which lead to an Associate of Arts Degree. This group does not include science courses.
Group 3: Business Administration courses.
Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits of required and elective courses as listed with a minimum graduating average of 60%.
Additional Information
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