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Computer Information Systems
Website: www.ucfv.ca/cis Information technology continues to change at a rapid pace, and the impact of both the technology and the rate of change on the business world is significant. Businesses and organizations require educated personnel not only to use, but also to design, implement, maintain, support, and manage their systems and people.
Computer Information Systems differs
from Computing Science in that there tends to be an increased
focus on using technology effectively to support and add value
to organizations. This requires breadth and business knowledge
as well as both theory and hands-on practice.
Our programs are designed to provide a
mixture of theory and hands-on applied knowledge in our modern
well-equipped labs. The Computer Information Systems programs
offered at UCFV provide depth in both software development and
systems and networking areas.
Graduates from certificate programs
are knowledgeable and experienced with smaller single-user
systems, and graduates from diploma programs are capable of
working with both single and networked systems. Diploma
graduates are also capable of supporting and maintaining
systems through the regular and changing requirements placed by
ongoing business demands.
The degree program builds on this base
to provide graduates with additional technical knowledge and
skills as well as more educational breadth and a better
business background. This will also prepare graduates to move
into managerial positions in information technology.
Effective information systems must be
supportive of the strategy, goals, and objectives of the
organization they serve, and therefore it is critical that IT
professionals not only have the technical skills to handle
these systems, but that they also have the organizational and
managerial backgrounds necessary to understand the business
functions and role of their systems. In addition to a sound
computing background and ability to speak the language of
business, graduates need to possess good communications,
personal management, and teamwork skills.
UCFV offers the following programs to
prepare students for careers in a business computing
environment:
A four-year program. A Co-operative
Education option is available that ladders on the diploma co-op
option.
The diploma program may be completed
in two years without the co-op designation and work terms.
A Co-operative Education option is available that can ladder on to the degree.
A one-year certificate program. A
customizable one-year certificate program, combining a mixture
of CIS, Business, and other courses, that may ladder into the
diploma. Students expecting to complete the diploma should
apply to the diploma program rather than the certificate
program.
A minor in computer information
systems is a valuable addition to a degree in any other area,
and greatly increases career opportunities in most areas.
Interested students should consult with their program advisor
and the CIS department.
An extended minor in computer
information systems provides more breadth and can be used as a
larger minor with a major, or in combination with a second
extended minor in an Arts degree. The extended minor is also
recommended for students interested in obtaining a computer
information systems minor for teaching purposes. Interested
students should consult with their program advisor and the CIS
department
The minor in computing science
is designed for science students and others desiring a minor
more focused on the theoretical and mathematical aspects of
computing. Interested students should consult with their
program advisor and the CIS department.
• Continuing Studies in
Computing
Non-credit continuing studies
courses in a wide range of computing areas are offered over the
year. Current and planned offerings are described at
www.ucfv.ca/cs/courses/computer.htm.
Customized workshops, employee
in-service training and upgrading can be provided at a
reasonable cost. For further information, call 604-854-4589
(Abbotsford and Mission) or 604-792-0025 local 4589
(Chilliwack).
Graduate Studies
Students completing the BCIS degree
program who wish to pursue graduate studies would normally
choose a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems
or an MBA program. Students wishing to enter an MBA program
should consider taking the BCIS with a minor in Business
Administration.
Students wishing to enter a graduate
studies program in Computing Science should consider taking the
BCIS with a minor in Mathematics.
Career opportunities
Rapid change and the increased use of
outsourcing have made the IT workplace a very volatile one over
the last few years. The CIS department meets twice a year with
an external advisory committee to track and predict change, and
to keep our programs relevant to current and future
organizational needs. Our diverse committee is peopled by
members of industry and the public sector whose knowledge and
experience is pertinent, timely and crucial to our
decision-making processes.
Careers for information technology
professionals fall into several categories, including but not
limited to:
• Software development
• Systems analysis and design
• User interface design and
human factors
• Web and database design and
programming
• Project management
• Computer security
• Network design and
administration
• System and database
administration
• End user support
• Management of technology
Our programs and courses provide the
choices for students to design their degree for entry into any
of these areas.
Computer Information Systems,
Co-operative Education option
The Co-operative Education option
offers students in the Computer Information Systems diploma and
degree programs the opportunity to obtain paid, career-related
work experience in their field of study during their education
at UCFV. After completing their first year of study, Co-op
students alternate between semesters of full-time study and
full-time paid employment.
A typical study and work schedule
is:
* These study and work term sequences
will vary for students entering into a UCFV Co-op option at the
third-year level. See the
Co-operative Education section of the
calendar for further details.
Students wishing to enter the Co-op
diploma program should apply through the Career Centre in
the fall by September 30. Students are expected to follow the
schedule of work/study as established for the program, be
taking all of the semester courses as described in the
calendar, and have credit for all previous courses in the
program maintaining a grade point average of at least 2.33
(C+). Refer to
the
Co-operative Education section of the
calendar. Students in certificate programs who wish
to consider the co-op diploma option should contact the CIS
program head prior to registering for their second academic
term.
Students who do not meet program
entrance requirements or who lack recent B.C. secondary school
graduation or equivalent, are encouraged to consult with the
department head at 604-854-4556 or the departmental assistant
at 604-854-4589 to discuss their likelihood of success.
A. Certificate and diploma
requirements
1. B.C.
secondary school graduation or equivalent. In addition, those
19 years or older and lacking graduation may be considered if
their work experience indicates a reasonable chance of success.
2.
The math requirement for the CIS certificate, diploma, and
degree is:
• A grade of C+ in B.C.
Principles of Math 12, including the Provincial Exam component
(see note 1), or
• MATH 094 and 095 with an
average grade of C+ or better, or
• MATH 110, or the equivalent,
with a C+ or better.
Note 1: B.C. Principles of Math 12 completed
without the Provincial exam before
September 1, 2001, will be accepted with a grade of C+.
Students who are graduating from Grade 12 but
have not completed B.C. Principles of
Math 12 with a C+ will be permitted to apply early for the CIS certificate or diploma programs, and may be accepted upon successful completion of the math requirement. Proof of successful completion must be received by the CIS department by August 1.
3.
All students entering the CIS programs are expected to be
computer literate. This includes knowing how to run programs
and manage files in a Windows environment and having basic
Internet, word processing, and spreadsheet skills. Students
should consult the CIS website for specific prerequisite skills
needed for beginning courses.
4. Completion
of the prerequisite for entry into CMNS 125. This course is
normally taken in the first semester of study in the CIS
diploma program. Basic English skills are a requirement for
all CIS programs. See
CMNS 125 prerequisites for
details.
Students should note that the Composition Placement Test (CPT) should be written well ahead of time, as CPT results may not be returned for six weeks or more. Students will need their CPT score (or equivalent) before being permitted to register in CMNS 125, and will not be granted admission to the CIS program until proof of these requirements is received by the CIS department. In some cases, arrangements may be made to write the CPT at other institutions.
5.
Students wishing to ladder into the Bachelor of Computer
Information Systems degree should consult the degree program
requirements before registering for diploma courses.
Prerequisites for electives and required courses in departments
other than CIS may be higher than those necessary for diploma
completion.
B. Degree entrance requirements
1. UCFV
Computer Information Systems diploma or other similar two-year
Computer Information Systems diploma.
2.
CGPA of at least 2.67 (B-) is required for all courses listed
above.
3.
The math requirement for the CIS degree is:
• A grade of C+ in B.C.
Principles of Math 12, including the Provincial Exam component
(see Note 1), or
• MATH 094 and 095 with an
average grade of C+ or better, or
• MATH 110, or the equivalent,
with a C+ or better, or
• MATH 125 (UCFV) with a C+ or
better.
Note 1: B.C. Principles of Math 12 with a
grade of C+, taken without the provincial
exam before Sept. 1, 2001, will be accepted.
4.
Graduates of similar CIS diploma programs throughout the
province may require some additional coursework prior to
admittance.
5.
Requests for transfer of computing-intensive courses will be
checked for currency relative to the current CIS program.
C. Qualifying and Conditional
Admission
Students with minor deficiencies may,
at the discretion of the Computing Information Systems
department, be considered for conditional or qualifying
admission.
D. Admission to courses
Admittance to the program does not
guarantee admittance to any particular course section in any
particular semester.
E. Technology requirements
Students entering any Computer
Information Systems program are strongly advised to ensure that
they have home access to a personal computer and an internet
connection, both with adequate resources for their level of
study. Students may consult the CIS department or the Computer
Information Systems Student Association for hardware and
software recommendations.
How to apply
1. Submit
the application fee along with your UCFV application for
admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office.
Application forms are available from any A&R or Student
Services office. You can also print an application form from
our website at www.ucfv.ca/ar, or you can apply directly
through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca. See
the
Program Charts
for a complete list of application dates and general
information.
Additional documents required for a
complete application to certificate/diploma:
• proof of B.C. secondary school
graduation or equivalent, or permission from the program head
• transcript (or interim
transcript) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance
requirements.
Additional documents required for a
complete application to degree:
• an official transcript (original
sealed envelope) from every post-secondary institution you have
attended. Unofficial copies may accompany the application form
if official transcripts have been ordered.
2.
You will be informed of the orientation meeting date. This
meeting is usually held on a weekday evening in April or May.
You must attend or make special arrangements with the
department.
3. Upon
admission to the program you will be provided with registration
information. A deposit is required when you register (see the
Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be
applied to the tuition fees and is not refundable. Final
payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of
classes.
If the program is full, or you are
waiting to find out about admission to the program, you will be
given an opportunity to register as a general student. It is
not necessary to submit a separate application form. If you
meet the entrance requirements and a space becomes available
later, you will be contacted.
4.
In some cases where interim transcripts are submitted, an
admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of
academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance
requirements is due by the end of the first week in August.
Fees and additional costs
Fees stated are in effect for 2005/06
and are subject to change for 2006/07.
The fees for a full-time certificate,
diploma, or degree student (five courses or
15–20 credits) would be approximately $2,000–$2,600 per semester. Books and additional supplies would normally cost $75 to $150 per course. There may be some additional recommended and mandatory costs in Computer Information Systems program courses, above tuition and textbook costs. These may include training manuals, software, and hardware costs. These expenses will vary from year to year. Students should budget between $500–$1,000 for such costs over the four years of a degree program. See the Fees and Other Costs section for other student costs. Credits and fees also apply to the co-op work terms.
Location
All courses are offered in Abbotsford
and many first-year Business Administration and Computer
Information Systems courses are offered in Abbotsford,
Chilliwack, and Mission. Some courses will be offered in the
evening for people working full-time who wish to take courses
on a part-time basis.
Length of programs
The full degree program can be
completed in four years of full-time study; however, formal
entry to the degree is at the third-year level after students
have completed two years through the diploma program. Due to
the demand for courses, students cannot be guaranteed entry to
any CIS course. The fact that they may have to be wait-listed
for some courses may add to the length of time it takes to
complete a program.
The full diploma program takes two
years (four semesters) of full-time study. This is the minimum
length of time required for students who enter the program with
no previous computing experience and who expect to have a solid
grounding in the subject. The co-op diploma is 28 months and
includes four academic semesters and three work terms.
The certificate program requires two
full semesters and can be completed in one year or less.
Need to apply for re-admission
Students in any CIS program
(certificate, diploma, or degree) who fall into any of the
following categories must apply for re-admission.
1.
Absence from a CIS program for more than three consecutive
semesters (including fall, winter, and summer). A student who
withdraws from all courses in a semester will be considered not
to have registered in that semester.
2.
Withdrawal from the first semester of attendance before
completing any course work, or failure to register.
3.
Official completion of a CIS program or a change to another
program.
CIS course challenge policy
Course challenge is intended to grant
credit for knowledge gained outside of UCFV that is not
transferable under existing arrangements. A list of
undergraduate courses approved for course challenge is
available at the Admissions and Records office. Course
challenge should be applied for at the time of entry to the CIS
program.
To apply you must formally submit a
typed letter to the CIS department head for all course
challenges, preferably at the time you enter the CIS program.
You are expected to explain which course(s) you wish to
challenge, and be able to support your request by describing
your prior knowledge and experience in the course material,
including documentation such as certification, resumes, etc.
Applications for course challenge will
then be considered by the CIS department, and if approved, the
course challenge will be arranged in the beginning of the next
semester in which the challenged course is offered. If you are
unsuccessful in the course challenge, you will have to
re-enroll for the regular course at your own expense. Please
see the CIS department for more detailed information.
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