Course Overview
This hands-on C++ application development course requires significant prior experience with procedural programming in C, plus object-oriented programming in Java or C#. COMP 3603 begins with a quick review of language features shared by C, Java, C# and C++, then moves into the C++ features students need to design, build and test practical applications. Students work with C++ classes, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction and modularization while strengthening their object-oriented design skills. Labs and exercises give students practice with coding style, naming conventions and development habits used to create commercial-quality C++ applications. Topics include C++ stream input/output, operator overloading, function and class templates, exception handling, an introduction to the Standard Template Library and multiple inheritance for modelling more complex algorithms. COMP 3603 is the prerequisite for COMP 4603 – Advanced C++ Application Development. Both courses are electives in the Applied Software Development Associate Certificate and required courses in the CST FLEX Diploma. Together, COMP 3603 and COMP 4603 are equivalent to COMP 3522 Object-Oriented Programming 2 in the full-time CST Diploma. These courses cover Parts 1 and 2 of the C++ material, and cannot be completed concurrently. Upon completion, successful students will be able to build and deploy well-designed entry-level C++ applications and prepared for the next level, COMP 4603- Advanced C++ Application Development. This course will be offered in the Winter (January) and Fall (September) terms.
Prerequisite(s)
Credits
4.0
Domestic fees
$623.82
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain and practice C++ classes, and related class features specific to the C++ language, including inheritance, and polymorphism.
- Practice abstraction and modularization in the terms of C++ programming.
- Describe the C++ Stream Input/Output.
- Demonstrate Operator Overloading.
- Describe the Standard C++ Template Library.
- Create Templates functions and classes.
- Demonstrate Exception Handling with C++.
- Practice the multiple inheritance to model complex algorithms.
- Explain miscellaneous advanced C++ topics.
- Describe miscellaneous features added to the C++ language from C++ v11, through to the C++ v20 standards.
- Design, implement, debug and test intermediate to complex object-oriented programs in C++.
- Create intermediate C++ software applications.
- Move on to the next level, COMP 4603 - Advanced C++ Application Development.
Effective as of Winter 2022
Related Programs
Application Development with C++ (COMP 3603) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Computing and Academic Studies
- Applied Software Development (ASD)
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Computer Systems
Diploma Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of COMP 3603 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 49031
Dates
Sep 17 - Dec 10 Loading
- CRN 49031
- $623.82 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Bob Langelaan
Course outline
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- Please email cstflex@bcit.ca for Departmental approval. Include your Student number (A0#) and COMP__ and preferred CRN __ and Program Declaration____. This course is delivered online with exams on-campus. The course is 48 hours - 36 hours synchronous online classes and 12 hours asynchronous activities/labs. The class meets once per week for 3 hours online and requires an additional 1 hour per week asynchronously. FINAL EXAM: December 10, 1800-2100, at the Burnaby campus SE12 322. Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are mandatory. You should prepare to spend 2-3 hours on homework for every 1 hour of class time. This course may require an average total time commitment of 13-16+ hours per week. 3 hours of synchronous class, 1-hour asynchronous class time and 9-12+ hours per week for homework. Late registration is not permitted. BCIT Computing is primarily a Microsoft Windows environment. Students must provide their own current model Windows-compatible PC. i5 or higher equivalent processor, with 8 GB of RAM minimum, and 256 GB minimum storage. Highspeed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. Mac users must have the ability to manage and support their iOS computer. They may need to create a virtual Windows environment using Parallels or VMWare Fusion. COMP instructors may not be able to assist Mac users with software compatibility issues. BCIT does not provide access to Parallels or support for students to use a Mac to run Windows. Due to the substantial time required on labs and assignments, students are advised not to take any other programming language courses simultaneously. No class October 15.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Winter 2027
Below is one offering of COMP 3603 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 89535
Dates
Jan 12 - Mar 30 Loading
- CRN 89535
- $623.82 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Bob Langelaan
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Important information
- This course is delivered online with exams on-campus. Course is 48 hours - 36 hours synchronous online classes and 12 hours asynchronous activities/labs. The class meets once per week for 3 hours online and requires an additional 1 hour per week asynchronously. FINAL EXAM: March 30, 1830 - 2130, at the Burnaby campus in SE12 Room 322. Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are required. There is an average total time commitment of 12-16 total hours each week; 3 hours of synchronous class time, a 1-hour asynchronous online component and 8-12+ hours of homework each week, depending on the student. Late registration is not permitted. BCIT Computing is primarily a Microsoft Windows environment. Students must provide their own current model Windows-compatible PC. i5 or higher equivalent processor, with 8 GB of RAM minimum, and 256 GB minimum storage. Highspeed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. Mac users must have the ability to manage and support their iOS computer. They may need to create a virtual Windows environment using Parallels or VMWare Fusion. COMP instructors may not be able to assist Mac users with software compatibility issues. BCIT does not provide access to Parallels or support for students to use a Mac to run Windows.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.