Overview
The Computer Systems Certificate (CSC) in Part-time Studies provides foundational skills in software development, mathematics, computer systems, and computer science.
CSC is part of a series of laddered credentials leading to the Computer Systems Technology (CST/PTS) Diploma, and Bachelor of Technology (CST BTech).
Participants are introduced to solving problems by starting with Python, moving to Java, and C programming, along with other entry-level computing and IT skills.
Students work in teams to integrate databases, and gain hands-on experience with software application development, plus build websites with HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.
There is a foundation in mathematics and computer architecture, as well as business analysis and systems design, along with soft skills for the workplace, including business and technical reports, interpersonal communication, group work and presentations.
Required courses include: Computer File Management, Database and SQL, Computer Architecture, Business Analysis and Systems Design, UX/UI Fundamentals and Agile.
The purpose of CSC is to provide a solid foundation of programming languages, web, and systems development for entry-level careers in Computing and IT.
CSC graduates may move on to CST/PTS Diploma completion.
The CSC provides the foundations for the CST Diploma and CST BTech Degree.
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Entrance Requirements
Important Notice for International students and students on limited timelines
Prior to submitting a program declaration, international students and those on limited timelines (e.g. with student loans or limited sponsorship) must first contact the department directly at cstpts@bcit.ca to receive a signed Course Planning Document, which they will be required to attach to their online declaration.
Prerequisites:
All CSC students must have English and Math skills at a BC high school Grade 12 level or equivalent.
Please review these alternatives to Grade 12 English equivalents.
One of the goals of this program is to help students acquire interpersonal skills. CSC students require strong communication skills by completing the 2 COMM courses at the start of this program. In the higher-level COMP courses students must engage in significant group work, write technical reports in teams, and make team presentations.
Please also consider upgrading with MATH 0001 prior to starting the program if you do not have recent higher math skills; Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry.
Domestic students
Students taking 1-2 courses per term must first complete “Applied Software Development (ASD)” and “Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS)” Associate Certificates prior to starting the CSC. ASD and ACIS may be completed simultaneously with 1 course from each per term, only choosing the electives which apply to CSC.
Please Note: CSC requires a minimum of 2 years of study, with a maximum of 5 years to complete.
Please read the Computing PTS Student Guide prior to declaring the CSC and before registering for any COMP courses. If you have any questions, email the department directly: cstpts@bcit.ca
Application processing
Ongoing throughout the year.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who currently have a valid status in Canada. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Program declaration
Declaring your Part-time Studies program ensures that BCIT is aware of your intent to complete a program as it is currently outlined and provides you the opportunity to apply for transfer credit.
To submit your declaration:
- Answer all questions completely.
- If required, convert transcripts and documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Declare Now
Upon approval, a program plan letter will be sent to you confirming your program of study. Please allow approximately eight weeks for processing.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Part-time Studies intakes: January, April, and September.
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Costs & Supplies
Students must have their own personal computer with internet access capable of running MS Windows 10.
There are typically 17 courses required to complete the CSC.
Students should budget $11,000 for tuition and books.
The average cost for each PTS course for Canadian citizens and permanent residents is around $500-$600 per course plus books.
Some students may complete the CSC over 3 years with 2 courses per term, this would equate to an average workload of 25+ hours per week.
Students wanting to fast-track may complete CSC over 2 years (6x PTS terms) with 3 specific courses per term which equate to an average workload of 40+ hours per week between class time, reading and homework.
Attendance and participation are mandatory, students who skip classes or who do not participate may be dropped from a COMP course.
Please contact the department for course planning: cstpts@bcit.ca
Tuition fees
Part-time Studies tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Part-time Studies Tuition & Fees pages for more information:
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
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Courses
Some CSC-required courses are only offered once per year.
COMP 2825 “Computer Architecture” is In January and May.
Please Note:
Students are not permitted to register for multiple COMP 2000 series programming language courses simultaneously.
Most students should complete Java prior to C Programming.
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
1. Required Courses (59.0 credits): | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
Communications courses: Students are expected to complete the communications courses in the first two terms. |
|||
COMM 1103 | Introduction to Business and Technical Communication | 3.0 | |
or | |||
COMM 1106 | Introduction to Business and Technical Communication (With Language Development Component)* | 3.0 | |
*COMM 1106 is the best option for ESL students. | |||
and | |||
COMM 2216 | Business Communications 2** | 4.0 | |
**Students who achieve less than 70% in COMM 1103/1106 should contact the department for alternatives to COMM 2216. Computing courses: It is recommended that you complete the remaining required courses in the following order. Complete these five foundation courses first: |
|||
COMP 1002 | Applied Computer Concepts | 3.0 | |
COMP 1114 | Mathematics for Computing* | 4.0 | |
COMP 1516 | Programming Fundamentals Part 1 (Python) | 4.0 | |
COMP 1630 | Relational Database Design and SQL | 5.0 | |
COMP 1850 | Introduction to Web Development | 3.0 | |
Complete these five intermediate level math and programming courses next: |
|||
COMP 2121 | Discrete Mathematics | 4.0 | |
COMP 2132 | Web Development with JavaScript | 3.0 | |
COMP 2501 | Programming Fundamentals Part 2 (Java) | 3.0 | |
COMP 2511 | Procedural Programming with C | 5.0 | |
COMP 2601 | Programming Fundamentals Part 3 (Object Design) | 3.0 | |
Complete these four Computer Systems courses after the second level courses: |
|||
COMP 1011 | UX/UI Development | 3.0 | |
COMP 2825 | Computer Architecture and Organization | 4.0 | |
COMP 2831 | Business Analysis and Systems Design | 4.0 | |
COMP 2833 | Agile Methods, the Scrum Framework and PSM | 4.0 | |
Check Computing PTS Course and Program Changes for prior course equivalents. |
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2. Complete 1.0 elective credits from the Computer Systems Part-time Diploma (CST/PTS) electives for a total of 60.0 credits. | |||
Some students working on the previous matrix may require further electives from the Part-time Studies Computer Systems Diploma (CST/PTS) in order to have a minimum of 60 credits. |
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Total Credits: | 60.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
The Computer Systems Certificate (CSC) in Part-time Studies requires a minimum of 60 credits. CSC is the first half of the Computer Systems Technology (CST/PTS) Diploma, which requires 60 additional credits on top of CSC, for a grand total of 120 unique credits.
Please note: CSC is delivered via a series of laddered credentials, which must be completed in sequence.
25% of CSC includes soft skills and starts with two required communications courses which should be completed in the first two terms. CSC students develop strong English communication and interpersonal skills for significant group work, research, writing and presentations.
CSC also requires two math courses which must be completed near the beginning of the program.
40% of CSC is focused on software development, starting with Programming Fundamentals with Python, moving on to Java before C Programming and JavaScript. The remainder of CSC covers Computer Science topics.
CSC students typically complete 2 courses per term over a period of 3 years. Some students who are not working full-time may consider 3 PTS courses per term and potentially complete the CSC over 2 years. Students completing 1-2 courses per term should finish ASD and ACIS prior to CSC.
IMPORTANT: Students working on both the ASD and ACIS Associate Certificates should only choose those electives that correspond to CSC required courses.
Due to prerequisites and scheduling it is not possible to complete the CSC any less than 2 years.
Computing Part-time Studies is a course by course registration and was not designed for students on limited timelines. International students and those on funding timelines should instead apply to Full-time programs.
Please read the CSC “Program Entry” section and the Computing PTS Student Guide before registering for any COMP courses.
Note: Full-time CST Students, CSC parallels the first year of the Full-time CST Diploma, Level 1 and Level 2. Students who drop full-time CST may have credit toward CSC if they want to complete the CST program via PTS.
For course and program planning prior to declaring CST/PTS Diploma, please contact the department via email: cstpts@bcit.ca
Computer hardware and Internet requirements
Students must provide a current model PC desktop or laptop with a webcam, microphone and have high-speed internet access. COMP courses may use two-way audio and video as well as group work outside of class.
The curriculum may be modified in accordance with industry trends. Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
Program delivery
The delivery mode for this program varies.
Your education is our priority. No matter which program you choose, we will deliver the applied instruction, collaborative experience, and industry connections that you expect from BCIT.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Many courses are also offered through distance and online learning.
Continue your education
BCIT offers part-time students the opportunity to complete a series of programs, ultimately leading to a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems. These first three credentials ladder towards the Diploma in Computer Systems Technology, and the first two associate certificates, Applied Software Development and Applied Computer Information Systems, may be taken simultaneously. If you apply and qualify, you can earn the following credentials:
Program abandonment
Students approved for a part-time studies program are expected to register and complete courses on a continuous basis.
A student that has not completed a course from their approved program of study over a period of three consecutive academic terms will be considered to have abandoned the program.
Throughout the duration of the program, a student is permitted a maximum of five academic terms where they are not required to register and complete a course from their approved program of study. Students who exceed the five term maximum will be considered to have abandoned the program.
Students who have abandoned their approved program of study and wish to be reinstated will be required to apply for program approval for a current credential. BCIT cannot guarantee that courses taken prior to this reapplication will be credited towards the current credential.
BCIT Policy 5103 - Student Evaluation [PDF] permits a maximum of three attempts to successfully complete each course within a credential.
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Graduating & Jobs
100% of CSC students who completed the graduation surveys report that they are working full-time.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2019-2021 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2018-2020 graduates and for Degree 2016-2018 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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Faculty, Advisors & Staff
The Computer Systems Certificate, CSC parallels the first year of the Full-time Computer Systems Technology Diploma.
CSC was developed and is maintained by Kevin Cudihee, Program Head for BCIT Computing Part-time Studies and Industry Training.
BCIT Computing Part-time Studies “COMP” courses are delivered by subject matter experts who work in the field.
Several of our COMP instructors are graduates of our Computer Systems Technology, CST Diploma and Degree.
Advisory committee
This credential was approved by the Computer Systems Technology, CST Curriculum Committee and School of Computing an Academic Studies Quality Committee, SQC.
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- Next up Students on Limited Timelines
Students on Limited Timelines
Students who require a minimum course load for financial aid or international student status
Please understand there are no guarantees that all or any Part-time Studies (PTS) courses will be available in any given term.
There is also no guarantee that the minimum course credits you require can be sustained from term to term in PTS.
Most PTS courses fill quickly, so space is not guaranteed. Courses may be cancelled before term start if there is insufficient interest.
This may impact both the number of courses a student is able to take in any term and the time it takes to complete a PTS credential.
As a result, students may not be able to obtain the minimum credits they need or want in each term to continue in the program.
Computing Part-time Studies was not designed for those attempting to complete a program in a full-time delivery model.
Most Computing Part-time Studies credentials cannot be fast-tracked in less than 2 years due to prerequisites and scheduling.
Please make allowances for this 2-year minimum time requirement in your funding or student visa applications for CSC.
Important Notice for International applicants:
The Computer Systems Certificate, CSC program program is available to international applicants who currently have a valid status in Canada. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program. Limited seats per term are available, for details, please contact the department.
Prior to submitting a program declaration, international students and those on limited timelines (e.g. with student loans) must first contact the department directly at cstpts@bcit.ca to receive a signed Course Planning Document, which they will be required to attach to their online declaration.
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