Bachelor of Computer Information Systems Degree

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.

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Program details
Admission requirements
Program outline
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Campus

  • Kelowna
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Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Degree

Delivery options

Full-Time

  • International students eligible

Tuition and fees

2023-24: $5,588.69 per year

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
Campus Start date Schedule
Kelowna Sep. 2024

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 Requirement: English 12 with 60% or alternatives.
  • Math Requirement:
    • 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

Required Academic Courses

Courses required by all students - 78 credits

Year 1

Complete all of the following:
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
CMNS 113 - Technical Communication for Information Technology
CMNS 123 - Analysis and Reporting for Information Technology
And complete either of the following courses:
COSC 118 - Networks and Telecommunications I
ICT 117 - Networks and Telecommunications I
BCIS students: Please register in COSC 118 (not ICT 117).
Or
Alternative Communications and English courses from other programs and accredited post-secondary institutions for transfer students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
MATH 139 - Mathematics for Information Technology
And one of the following three courses:
COSC 221 - Introduction to Discrete Structures
MATH 251 - Introduction to Discrete Structures
MATH 231 - Introduction to Cryptography
Or
MATH 112 - Calculus I
And either of these two courses:
MATH 122 - Calculus II
MATH 221 - Linear Algebra I

Year 2

Complete all of the following courses:
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
And one other three-credit COSC or NTEN course

Year 3 and 4 - Software Design and Development Option

BUAD 123 - Management Principles
COSC 470 - Software Engineering
COSC 471 - Software Engineering Project
PHIL 331 - Ethics of Computer Usage
And at least one of these two courses:
COSC 316 - iOS Application Development
COSC 326 - Android Application Development
And at least one of these two courses:
COSC 318 - Network Programming
COSC 328 - Linux Networking
And at least one of these two courses:
COSC 331 - Microservices and Software Architecture
COSC 360 - Server Platform as a Service
And at least two of these courses:
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.

Year 3 and 4 - Database and Big Data Management 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 one of:
BUAD 335 - Electronic Commerce
COSC 341 - User Experience
COSC 331 - Microservices and Software Architecture
COSC 360 - Server Platform as a Service
And at least one of:
COSC 318 - Network Programming
COSC 328 - Linux Networking
And at least two of:
COSC 416 - Topics in Database
COSC 436 - Data Warehousing
COSC 437 - Data Mining
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.

Year 3 and 4 - General Studies Option

BUAD 123 - Management Principles
PHIL 331 - Ethics of Computer Usage
30 credits of upper-level COSC or NTEN courses not already chosen
Eight other three-credit courses

Notes

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.
Consider choosing from the following list for BUAD electives:
BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I
BUAD 113 - Canadian Business
BUAD 116 - Marketing
BUAD 123 - Management Principles
BUAD 128 - Computer Applications I
BUAD 176 - Professional Sales
BUAD 209 - Business Law
Other BUAD courses may be acceptable with the permission of the Computer Science department chair.
BUAD 107 is not acceptable.

Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits of required and elective courses as listed with a minimum graduating average of 60%.b

Additional information

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Science and Technology
Address

C245 (Science Building)
1000 KLO Road
Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Canada

Phone
236-420-6715
Email
SciTech@okanagan.bc.ca
Office Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday - Friday: 8:30-4:30
Saturday: Closed