Course Overview
This hands-on course provides the foundation for all BCIT Computing Flexible Learning progra mming courses. Students with no prior computer programming experience are introduced to writing code with Python to create simple programs. COMP 1516 is not application development course, it is the first step in a series of two (2) applied courses that introduce programming fundamentals, before moving on to application development. Topics include data structures, data modelling, programming constructs, lists, strings, sets, and maps. Labs and exercises focus on writing code for projects, assignments, and activities. Participants will design, implement, test, and debug simple programs that incorporate variables, expressions, assignments, and I/O. They will practice how to use conditional and iterative control constructs, functions, and parameter passing. Exception handling and an introduction to classes and objects are also discussed. COMP 1516 is required for the Applied Software Development (ASD) and the Applied Computer Information (ACIS) Associate Certificates, as well as the Computer Systems Certificate (CSC). It is equivalent to the full-time CST Diploma COMP 1510 – Programming Methods, and the CIT Diploma ACIT 1515 - Scripting for IT. Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and in the BCIT Learning Hub are mandatory. Students may have an average total time commitment of 15+ hours per week; 3 hours of synchronous class time, 1-hour asynchronous online component, and 11+ hours out of class homework each week, depending on the student. Upon completion, successful students will have a basic understanding of computer programming fundamentals and be prepared to move on to the next level COMP 2509 – Object- Oriented Programming with Java, to complete a BCIT applied computing introduction to modern programming.
Domestic fees
$579.81 - $623.82 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
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:
- Install and configure Python, then run a Python program.
- Analyze simple programs and explain how their components affect program behaviour.
- Develop algorithms, functions, and modules that break straightforward problems into manageable programming tasks.
- Write programs using core data types, variables, expressions, command-line input and output, and conditional and iterative control structures.
- Select and use lists, strings, sets, dictionaries, and relevant standard-library modules to solve introductory problems.
- Implement file input and output to store and retrieve data across program executions.
- Use regular expressions to search, match, and validate string patterns in text.
- Test and debug programs using systematic techniques.
- Read automated unit tests and write code to pass those tests, showing that functions work as expected.
- Review code for correctness, readability, organization, and sound introductory programming practices.
- Apply introductory object-oriented analysis and design to model a straightforward problem, then implement and test the model using classes, constructors, attributes, methods, and objects.
- Continue to the next level, COMP 2509 - Object-Oriented Programming with Java.
Effective as of Winter 2027
Related Programs
Applied Programming Fundamentals with Python (COMP 1516) 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 Computer Information Systems (ACIS)
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Applied Software Development (ASD)
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Computer Systems
Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below are five offerings of COMP 1516 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 46990
Dates
Sep 10 - Nov 26 Loading
- CRN 46990
- $608.85 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- The course is 48 hours - 36 hours on campus (in a lab with PCs provided) and 12 hours asynchronous activities/labs. The class meets once per week for 3 hours on campus and requires an additional 1 hour per week asynchronously. 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. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516, COMP 2501, and COMP 2601 simultaneously.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 46992
Dates
Sep 11 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 46992
- $579.81 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
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.
- 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. 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. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516, COMP 2501, and COMP 2601 simultaneously.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 46994
Dates
Sep 12 - Dec 12 Loading
- CRN 46994
- $579.81 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Jason Wilder
Course outline
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.
- 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. 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. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516, COMP 2501, and COMP 2601 simultaneously. No class October 10 (Thanksgiving) and October 31.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 46968
Dates
Sep 15 - Dec 01 Loading
- CRN 46968
- $623.82 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- The course is 48 hours - 36 hours on campus (in a lab with PCs provided) and 12 hours asynchronous activities/labs. The class meets once per week for 3 hours on campus and requires an additional 1 hour per week asynchronously. 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. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516, COMP 2501, and COMP 2601 simultaneously.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 46969
Dates
Sep 17 - Dec 03 Loading
- CRN 46969
- $579.81 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Mathew Linder
Course outline
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.
- 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. 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. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516, COMP 2501, and COMP 2601 simultaneously.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Winter 2027
Below are three offerings of COMP 1516 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 88159
Dates
Jan 08 - Apr 02 Loading
- CRN 88159
- $579.81 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Rana Al-Sammarraie
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
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.
- 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. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516 and COMP 2509 simultaneously. 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. No class March 26 (Good Friday).
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 88162
Dates
Jan 09 - Apr 10 Loading
- CRN 88162
- $579.81 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Jason Wilder
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
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.
- 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. BCIT does not provide technical support for student's hardware or operating systems. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516 and COMP 2509 simultaneously. 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. Class in session February 13 (Family Day). No class March 20 and March 27 (Easter).
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 88164
Dates
Jan 12 - Mar 30 Loading
- CRN 88164
- $623.82 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Mathew Linder
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Course is 48 hours - 36 hours on campus and 12 hours asynchronous activities/labs. The class meets once per week for 3 hours on campus and requires an additional 1 hour per week asynchronously. Students cannot attempt COMP 1516 and 2509 simultaneously. 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.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
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