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2023/24
Academic Calendar 2023/24
Computer Information Systems
ufv.ca/computingBachelor of Computer Information Systems
This program is designed to provide a mixture of theory and hands-on applied knowledge in modern well-equipped labs. The Computer Information Systems program offered at UFV provides depth in both software development and systems and networking areas.
Graduates from the certificate are knowledgeable and experienced with smaller single-user systems, and graduates from the diploma 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 final years of the degree program build 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.
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.
Employment 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 programs relevant to current and future organizational needs. UFV's diverse committee is peopled by members of industry and the public sector whose knowledge and experience is pertinent, timely, and crucial to 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
Entrance requirements
- One of the following:
- B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent
- Mature student 19 years or older (see Note)
- Completion of a minimum of nine university-level credits, with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 based on all credits attempted
Note: Non-graduates who may require academic preparation are encouraged to contact the Upgrading and University Preparation department (UUP) for assessment and advice before applying to post-secondary programs.
- One of the following:
- Principles of Mathematics 12 with a C+ or better
- Foundations of Mathematics 12 with a B or better
- Pre-calculus 12 with a C or better
- MATH 092 and MATH 093 with a C or better in both
- MATH 094 and MATH 095 with a C or better in both (discontinued)
- MATH 096 with a C or better
- MATH 110 with a C or better
- Prerequisites for CMNS 125, CMNS 175, or ENGL 105.
Note 1: All students entering the CIS program 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 School of Computing for specific prerequisite skills needed for beginning courses.
Note 2: Requests for transfer of computing-intensive courses will be checked for currency relative to the current CIS program.
Note 3: Attendance at a CIS information session or personal interview with an Advisor is recommended.
Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.
Admission to courses
Admittance to the program does not guarantee admittance to any particular course section in any particular semester.
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.
When to apply
Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.
How to apply
- Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.
Additional documents required for a complete application:
- Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or permission from the program head.
- Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details. Unofficial copies may accompany the application form if official transcripts have been ordered.
- Upon admission to the program applicants will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.
- 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.
Basis for admission decision
Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.
Fees and additional costs
See the Fees and Other Costs section. Books and additional supplies normally cost approximately $75–150 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 $500–1,000 for such costs over the four years of a degree program. Credits and fees also apply to the Co-op work terms.
Program duration
The full degree program can be completed in four years (eight semesters) of full-time study.
The diploma 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 requires two full semesters and can be completed in one year or less.
Location
All courses are offered in Abbotsford and some first-year Computer Information Systems courses are offered in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and online. Some courses may be offered in the evening for people working full-time who wish to take courses on a part-time basis.
Program outline
The following is an example of a typical schedule.
First year
Semester I
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CIS 145 | Web Publishing | 3 |
| or CIS 146 | Web Publishing — Intermediate (discontinued) (see Note 1) | |
| CIS 190 | Systems Hardware Concepts | 3 |
| COMP 125 | Principles of Computing | 3 |
| Plus: | Approved Arts course or other approved elective (see Note 2) | 3–4 |
Semester II
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CIS 192 | Introduction to Networking | 4 |
| COMP 150 | Introduction to Programming | 4 |
| MATH 125 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| One of: | 3 | |
| CMNS 125 | Communicating Professionally to Academic and Workplace Audiences | |
| CMNS 175 | Writing for the Internet | |
| ENGL 105 | Academic Writing | |
Second year
Semester III
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CIS 291 | Networking Theory and Applications | 4 |
| COMP 155 | Object-oriented Programming | 4 |
| CIS 221 | Principles of Information Systems Security | 4 |
| CMNS 251 | Professional Report Writing | 3 |
| Plus: | CIS 200-level elective (see Note 3) | 3–4 |
Semester IV
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CIS 285 | End User Training and Support | 3 |
| CIS 270 | Analysis and Design | 3 |
| COMP 230 | Databases and Database Management Systems (formerly CIS 230) | 3 |
| COMP 251 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 4 |
| Plus: | BUS or CMNS elective (see Note 4) | 3 |
Third year
Semester V
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CIS 385 | Project Management | 3 |
| COMP 340 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| STAT 106 | Statistics I | 4 |
| or MATH 270/STAT 270 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | |
| Plus: | An approved Arts elective (see Note 2) | 3 |
| Plus: | A lower-level elective in another discipline | 3 |
Semester VI
| Course | Title | Credits |
| COMP 390 | Data Communications (formerly CIS 390) | 3 |
| Plus: | An additional CIS or COMP course numbered 200 or higher (see Note 3) | 3 |
| Plus: | An additional CIS or COMP course numbered 300 or higher | 3 |
| Plus: | BUS or CMNS elective (see Note 4) | 3 |
| Plus: | A lower-level elective in another discipline | 3 |
Fourth year
Semester VII
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CIS 485 | Ethics and Other Management Issues | 3 |
| Plus: | Three upper-level CIS or COMP courses | 9 |
| Plus: | An upper-level elective in another discipline | 3 |
Semester VIII
| Course | Title | Credits |
| Three upper-level CIS or COMP courses | 9 | |
| Plus: | An upper-level elective in another discipline | 3 |
| Plus: | An additional CIS or COMP course numbered 200 or higher | 3–4 |
Note 1: CIS students cannot obtain credit for both CIS 145 and CIS 146 towards their program.
Note 2: The current approved Arts elective options are available online here.
Note 3: CIS/COMP elective chosen from the following: CIS 224, CIS 245, CIS 262 (discontinued), CIS 292, or COMP 256. Those students who plan to complete the Systems and Networking concentration as part of BCIS degree requirements must take CIS 292.
Note 4: Business or Communications electives options: BUS 100, BUS 120, BUS 143, BUS 144, BUS 145, BUS 160/CIS 110, BUS 201, BUS 203, BUS 223 (discontinued), CMNS 212/MACS 212, CMNS 235, or CMNS 375.
General and upper-level electives
Students are encouraged to choose electives that will complement their career choice, and should plan their lower-level electives carefully so that prerequisites are met for upper-level electives.
The general electives can include math or science courses focusing on problem solving, or business administration courses focusing on management. Suggested courses include those with writing, applied communications, or media components; analytical skills components; or presentation and teamwork-building components.
Co-operative Education option
The Co-operative Education option offers students in the Computer Information Systems program the opportunity to obtain paid, career-related work experience in their field of study during their education at UFV. Both the diploma and degree are available with a Co-op option. After completing their first year of study, Co-op students alternate between semesters of full-time study and full-time paid employment. See the Co-operative Education section for more details.
Concentrations
The following concentrations are available in the BCIS:
- Software Development
- Systems and Networking
- Security
See this section for concentration requirements.
Declaration of minors and extended minors
Students who have been admitted to the Computer Information Systems program may formally declare minors or extended minors only after they have completed at least 30 credits in the program with a minimum of 2.00 CGPA on all credits attempted, provided they have also met the declaration requirements of the subject discipline. Formal declaration is completed by appointment with an Advisor in the Advising Centre. In order to have access to the discipline reserved seating, where applicable, students must be admitted to the BCIS degree program.
Students must complete all the requirements of the BCIS and all the discipline requirements of the minor or extended minor. Some lower- and upper-level requirements for the minor or extended minor can be used in place of the non-CIS electives in the BCIS degree program, which can be used to meet the overall requirement of the lower-level minor or extended minor courses. If students are interested in pursuing this option, they may contact an Advisor in the Advising Centre to discuss their program plan.
Program requirements
In order to complete the BCIS degree, students are required to complete 38 courses with a cumulative value of approximately 122 credits.
Upper-level CIS and COMP courses used to satisfy degree requirements must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Transfer credit
Students who have completed university-level courses at other post-secondary institutions can apply for transfer credit (see below). However, not all courses may be applicable to CIS programs.
Recognition of previously completed CIS and COMP courses
Returning UFV Computer Information Systems (CIS) students who have courses from 10 or more years ago, and students seeking to transfer to the BCIS with credits completed 10 or more years ago, should contact the CIS department to determine which courses may be recognized for their current program.
CIS or COMP courses completed more than 10 years ago will be evaluated to determine whether any courses/credits can be recognized for or transferred into the CIS program.
Applicability of UFV courses and transfer credit is determined on an individual student basis.
Undergraduate continuance
Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).
Course repetition
Students with more than five course duplications in CIS or COMP courses at the 200/300/400 level will not be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Computer Information Systems degree. Multiple repeats of the same course count as a single duplication. Where a course has been repeated, only the higher grade is counted in the GPA calculation.
Course challenge
Course challenge is intended to grant credit for knowledge gained outside of UFV that is not transferable under existing arrangements. A list of undergraduate courses approved for course challenge is available at the Office of the Registrar. Course challenge should be applied for at the time of entry to the CIS program.
To apply, students must formally submit a typed letter to the CIS department head for all course challenges, preferably at the time they enter the CIS program. Students are expected to explain which course(s) they wish to challenge, and be able to support their request by describing their prior knowledge and experience in the course material, including documentation such as certification, résumés, 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 students are unsuccessful in the course challenge, they will have to re-enrol for the regular course at their own expense. Please see the CIS department for more detailed information.
Course withdrawal deadlines
Course withdrawal deadlines follow UFV’s Course Withdrawal policy (81). Refer to this section for details.
Readmission
Students in the CIS degree program who fall into any of the following categories must apply for readmission.
- Absence from the 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.
- Withdrawal from the first semester of attendance before completing any course work, or failure to register.
- Official completion of a CIS program or a change to another program.
Residency
Students must complete at least 25% of the course work, including at least 30 upper-level credits, at UFV.
Graduation requirements
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. Students in CIS programs must maintain semester and cumulative grade point averages of at least 2.00 (C average) in order to be awarded a certificate, diploma, or degree.
Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.
Course listings
For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.