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Computer Information Systems
ufv.ca/cis

Bachelor of Computer Information Systems

This program is designed to provide a mixture of theory and hands-on applied knowledge in our 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.

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 thirty credits in the program withy a minimum of 2.0 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 Educational Advisor in the Science Advice Centre. In order to have access to the discipline reserved seating, where applicable, a student 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 you are interested in pursuing this option, contact an Educational Advisor in the Science Advice Centre to discuss your program plan.

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

Entrance requirements for all CIS programs

Option 1: High school (for students with high school graduation only)

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.

2. C or better in one of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or MATH 085; or one of Principles of Mathematics 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-calculus 12, or MATH 094.

3. The prerequisite to CMNS 125 or CMNS 175.

Option 2: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

1. C or better in one of Principles of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or MATH 085; or one of Principles of Mathematics 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-calculus 12, or MATH 094.

2. The prerequisite to CMNS 125 or CMNS 175.

3. One of the following:
• Completion of a minimum of 15 university-level credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all credits attempted.
or
• Completion of a minimum of nine university-level credits with a GPA of 3.0 or better on all credits attempted.
or
• Completion of a minimum of nine CIS/COMP university-level credits (excluding CIS 100 and CIS 110) with a GPA of 2.33 or better on all credits attempted.

Option 3: Mature Students (for students 19 years of age or older)

1. C or better in one of Principles of Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or MATH 085; or one of Principles of Mathematics 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-calculus 12, or MATH 094.

2. The prerequisite to CMNS 125 or CMNS 175.

3. Those students 19 years or older may be considered if they can demonstrate a reasonable chance of success. Applicants will be required to submit a portfolio and be interviewed.

Note 1: 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.

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 a science advisor is recommended.

Note 4: Students who do not meet the entrance requirements might also consider the Computer Information Systems Studies program path.

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

1. Submit the application fee along with your UFV application for admission form to the Office of the Registrar (OReg). You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any OReg or Student Services office.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• 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.
• An official transcript from every post-secondary institution you have attended. 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.

2. 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). The deposit will be applied to the tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of classes.

3. 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 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. Credits and fees also apply to the Co-op work terms.

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.

Length of program

The full degree program may 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.

Need to apply for re-admission

Students in the CIS degree program who fall into any of the following categories must apply for re-admission.

1. 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.

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.

Course challenge policy

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 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-enrol for the regular course at your own expense. Please see the CIS department for more detailed information.

Program requirements

In order to complete the BCIS degree, students are required to complete 38 courses with a cumulative value of approximately 122 credits. There is an average of 10 courses in each of the four years of the degree program.

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.

Academic performance

Students in CIS programs must maintain semester and cumulative grade point averages of at least 2.0 (a C average) in order to be awarded a certificate, diploma, or degree. CIS and COMP courses used to satisfy degree requirements in years three and four must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to be counted for credit towards the degree.

Students who do not maintain the required cumulative grade point average will be placed on Academic Warning for one semester. If they do not attain the required CGPA, they will be required to withdraw from the program. Students who have been required to withdraw are not normally readmitted to the program.

Course repetition

Students may not register for a course more than twice. No more than five course duplications will be permitted in work used towards any CIS program. When a course has been repeated, only the higher grade is counted in the GPA calculation.

Transfer credit

At least 25% of the course work must be completed at UFV, including at least 30 upper-level credits (courses numbered 300 and above).

Course withdrawal deadlines

Course withdrawal deadlines follow UFV’s Course Withdrawal policy (81). Refer to this section for details.

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 of the calendar for further details.

Program outline

Example of a typical schedule

First year

Semester I

Semester II

Second year

Semester III

Semester IV

Third year

Semester V

Semester VI

Fourth year

Semester VII

Semester VIII

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 at ufv.ca/cis/programs/approved-arts-electives.

Note 3: Students who have not completed Principles of Math 12 (or equivalent) must complete MATH 124 (Finite Math with Applications in the Information Sciences) to be used towards the prerequisite for MATH 125 and STAT 106 (formerly MATH 106) as part of the CIS program requirements. MATH 124 may be used as a lower-level elective in another discipline in the BCIS requirement.

Note 4: CIS/COMP elective chosen from the following: CIS 224, 245, 262, 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 5: Business or Communications electives options: BUS 100, 120, 143, 144, 145, 160, 201, 203, 223; CMNS 212, 235, 375.

Note 6: Statistics options: STAT 106 (recommended), or STAT 104 (with a grade of B+ or higher), or PSYC 110 (with a grade of B+ or higher), or CYC 425.

Concentrations

The following concentrations are available in the BCIS:

• Software Development
• Systems and Networking
• Security

See this section for concentration requirements.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.