Course Overview
This hands-on course provides the foundation for all BCIT Computing Flexible Learning programming courses. Students with no prior programming experience are introduced to writing code with Python and how to create simple computer 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). Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are mandatory. Students may have an average total time commitment of 14+ hours per week; 3 hours of class time, a 1-hour online component and 10+ hours of 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 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 set-up Python.
- Analyze and explain the behavior of simple programs.
- Create simple algorithms for solving simple problems.
- Choose the appropriate data structure for modeling a given problem.
- Choose appropriate conditional and iteration constructs for a given programming task.
- Apply the techniques of decomposition to break a program into smaller pieces.
- Write programs that use primitive data types, variables, expressions, and command line I/O.
- Write programs that use conditional and iterative control structures, functions, and parameter passing.
- Write programs that use each of the following data structures: lists, strings, sets, and dictionaries.
- Write programs using the standard libraries available with a chosen programming language.
- Write programs that use file I/O to provide persistence across multiple executions.
- Design and implement a class.
- Utilize Regular expressions to build search patterns.
- Apply a variety of strategies to the testing and debugging of simple programs.
- Conduct a personal code review on a program component.
- Practice how to work with a partner as part of a team.
- Create doc tests to ensure functions output as expected.
- Create automated unit tests to ensure functions work as expected.
- Move on to COMP 2509 – Object-Oriented Programming with Java.
Effective as of Fall 2026
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
Rana Al-Sammarraie
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
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.
- 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
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. 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 46969
Dates
Sep 17 - Dec 03 Loading
- CRN 46969
- $579.81 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Mathew Linder
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 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.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.