PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This Co-op diploma program focuses on preparing you to work as a programmer requiring the application of current industry policies, practices, procedures and tools. This program will give you the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills in industry standard programming languages, database design and application, fundamentals of object oriented programming, HTML, JavaScript and practical software applications.
The two options are:
- IT diploma, Software Development - General programming
- IT diploma with Co-op, Software Development - General programming
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to apply theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills in industry standard programming languages, database design and application, fundamentals of object oriented programming, HTML, JavaScript and practical software applications.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Grade 12 graduate or mature student status (British Columbia 19 years or older)
- Meet minimum English language proficiency requirements
CAREER OPTIONS
Upon successful completion, graduates will be able to secure employment, for example, as application programmers, programmer analysts and software development programmers.
- General Programming
- Application Programmers / Programmer Analysts
- Software Development Programmers
- Web Developer
- Full-stack Programmer
Co-Op
The co-op will provide students with the opportunity to apply acquired theory and skills in a practical business setting. Students will gain real-world experience working on projects as a member of a team with project deliverables and deadlines.
Program Organization
| Course No. | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ICR100 | Information Technology Essentials | 40 |
| ICR110 | Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking | 40 |
| ICR120 | Markup Essentials | 60 |
| ICR130 | Scripting for web development | 60 |
| ICR140 | Databases Design and Modeling | 40 |
| IGP210 | Rapid application Development | 80 |
| IGP220 | Cross platform programming | 80 |
| IGP230 | Proprietary scripting | 80 |
| IGP300 | System Programming | 60 |
| IGP310 | Object oriented programming | 160 |
| IGP320 | System programing workshop | 20 |
| IGP330 | Open Source scripting | 60 |
| IGP400 | Computer Networks | 60 |
| IGP420 | Portable programming | 120 |
| CAP200 | Co-op Prep. Workshop | 80 |
| Co-op | 960 |
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 Graduate or a mature student
- Meet the Language proficiency requirements as listed below:
Prior to acceptance applicants must meet at least one of the following language proficiency requirements:
- Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: overall score of 5.5 or higher.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: overall score of 46 or higher
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: overall score of 40 or higher
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5
- Duolingo English Test: overall score of 95 or higher
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: overall score of 43 or higher
- Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE): overall score of 160 /"C" or higher
- Cambridge Linguaskill: overall: B2 level or higher
- LANGUAGECERT Academic: B2 level or higher
- The Michigan English Test (MET): B2 level or higher
- iTEP Academic: overall score of 3.5 or higher
- EIKEN: placement of Grade Pre-1 or higher
Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
Mature student applicants:
- Completion of 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12) or 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of 'C' or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages(This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.), or
- Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction (Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation), or
- Evidence that a language standard defined and accepted by a third-party regulator has been met. This may include minimum language standards or testing options set by a third-party regulator (e.g., Health Colleges, Public Registries, Transport Canada, etc.).
- Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access is their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:
- Reading: 235
- Writing: 235
- WritePlacer: 4
Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation. Accuplacer may not be used to demonstrate that a student meets an admission requirement other than language proficiency. For example, Accuplacer may not be used to demonstrate that a student meets a Math 11 admission requirement.
ICR100 Information Technology Essentials
This is an introductory to the basics of computer hardware, especially those components that are used frequently by programmers including RAM and CPU. Students will also be introduced to operating systems.
ICR110 Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking
Understanding the language, grammar and syntax of a programming language is key to the application of that language in solving programming problems. All programming languages have been created around a fundamental set of language theories and conventions. This course introduces the student to theory and practice of programming and programming logic. This course does not introduce the student to a specific programming language but rather to the basic language, grammatical, and syntactical constructs and logic found in all programming languages. Students will solve programming problems using pseudo-code.
ICR120 Markup Essentials
This course will introduce students to web pages and simple website infrastructure. Students will construct simple webpage and websites using authoring tools, HTML 4.0 and JavaScript. The student will learn basic programming principles and best practices. Students will use their programming skills to enhance a web site they have developed by building simple interactive functionality into their webpages.
ICR130 Scripting for Web Development
Students will learn how to create all of the key components required in a 21st-century commercial web site. Students will learn how to apply your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills in a commercial context.
ICR140 Databases Design and Modeling
This is an introductory database course. Students will be introduced to the role and function of databases and to accepted database design and development methodologies. You will also be introduced to database software manipulation systems using Classic ASP and Microsoft Access tools.
IGP210 Rapid Application Development
In this course students learn how to create desktop applications using a rapid development tool – Visual Basic.Net. They will also be introduced to Object Oriented Programming.
IGP220 Cross Platform Programming
In this course students learn how to create desktop applications using C#.Net. Students will learn how to create windows based applications along with database connectivity. They will learn simple concepts of Object Oriented Programming and create multiple projects based on Object Oriented concepts in C#. Students will also learn inheritance and polymorphism along with the concept of static and dynamic binding.
IGP230 Proprietary Scripting
In this course students learn how to create web form pages using ASP.net and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express. A variety of different controls to present and edit dynamic data on ASP.NET pages will be explored. Students will also work with Internet Information Services on Windows client platform and will finally deploy an ASP.NET website on IIS.
IGP300 System Programming
This course introduces students to basic C programming principles and structures. Students will learn to develop console applications in C while they learn the Visual Studio IDE. Pointers will be introduced. Students will learn how to use pointers to self-referential data structures.
IGP310 Object Oriented Programming
In this course students will learn object oriented terminology and concepts using C++. Students will learn to create classes and implement inheritance and polymorphism. Advanced concepts like templates and operator overloading are also discussed in this course.
IGP320 System Programming Workshop
In this course students will apply what they have learned to a programming problem.
IGP330 Open Source Scripting
Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is one of the popular open source programming languages for creating dynamic web sites. PHP is usually created using a MySql database. In this course students will learn how to install PHP and MySql on IIS and how to create dynamic web sites using PHP and MySql.
IGP400 Computer Networks
Computer networks allow for increased productivity and simplified instantaneous information sharing. The Internet, the world wide web and the ‘cloud’ continue build upon basic network theory and practice. This is an introductory course where you will learn to design and implement simple networks based on client needs, using existing network tools, practice and hardware.
IGP420 Portable Programming
In this advanced course students will explore the Java language along with related Java classes from simple applets to advanced servlets. In this course students will also learn object oriented terminology and concepts. Students will learn to create classes and implement inheritance and polymorphism.
CAP200 Career Preparation Workshop
This course is to get students familiar with the work culture, communication, employer - employee relationship and all necessary soft skills that are needed to secure a job. This course is spread over all terms and teaches students different levels of skills needed to obtain and keep a job.
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of all program courses
- Successful completion of program Co-op (If applicable)
Program Duration
| Program | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total instructional hours | 960 (No Co-op) - 040 (With Co-op) |
| Total Co-op hours | 960 (if applicable) |
| Total program hours | 960 (No Co-op) - 2000 (With Co-op) |
| Total program length (weeks) | 48 (No Co-op) - 96 (With Co-op) |
Delivery Method
This program can be delivered in different methods,
-
On Site
The program will be delivered 100% in person*
Courses may be offered in a different order as long as prerequisites are met. Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.
-
Distance
The program will be delivered 100% in an asynchronous** style except for the integrated work experience i.e practicum or co-op
Content of courses may be available at the same time OR in a different order as long as prerequisites are met. Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.
-
Combined (Hybrid)
In this method, 50% of EACH COURSE of the program is delivered in person and the other 35% to 50% percent is delivered in synchronous** style and 0 to 15% in asynchronous*** style.
NOTE:
In this method, EVERY course of the program is delivered both in class and online. Courses may be offered in a different order as long as prerequisites are met.
Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.
Students may ask SEA in writing if they want to take different percentages in class or online. Upon SEA's approval, an amendment to the enrollment agreement must be signed.
*In person - means all classes of all courses are conducted on campus and students and instructors are on the same schedule and in the same physical location.
**Synchronous is when students and instructors are on the same schedule but can log in to a virtual class at the same time, only from different physical locations.
***Asynchronous is when students are on their own schedule and log in to the school management system at their own time, submit assignments on their own schedule and within a specific timeframe and are in touch with instructors via email and not necessarily at the same time and/or time zone.