CIS and BCIS

1. CIS and BCIS Okanagan College Kelowna campus

2. What is CIS? Today companies increasingly rely upon information technology, data networks, computer security and telecommunications. Together these combine into Computer Information Systems.

3. What does CIS at OC include? Computer Information Systems (CIS) provides a comprehensive perspective on the analysis, design, and implementation of database management systems, web-based applications, and telecommunication and data networks.

4. What does CIS at OC include? Students are well-trained in the design of information systems applications and networks, as well as the functional areas of business which include accounting, marketing, management, finance and economics.

5. What does CIS at OC include? The diverse curriculum gives students both management and technical skills which they can apply in a variety of business environments.

6. What is the CIS diploma? • The Computer Information Systems (CIS) diploma is a two-year program which includes a wide variety of courses so graduates can function successfully as full members of a business organization, high-technology industry, or government department • It is offered as a co-operative education program

7. Where can I do the CIS diploma? • CIS is offered in its entirety only in Kelowna. • But you can start in Salmon Arm, Vernon, or Penticton. Starting there makes the diploma longer since you cannot complete a full first year at these campuses.

8. What is the BCIS degree? • The Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) degree is a four-year program which expands the knowledge you gain in the CIS diploma into more advanced areas • It is offered as a co-operativeeducation program

9. Where can I do the BCIS degree? • BCIS is offered in its entirety only in Kelowna • But you can start in Vernon or Penticton and complete a full year of courses there. • You can start in Salmon Arm but you probably cannot complete a full year of courses there.

10. Options in CIS and BCIS • The programs have similar first and second years • Third- and fourth-year options include Software Development and Database Systems

11. But what are CIS and BCIS? The Okanagan College calendar talks about the types of jobs CIS and BCIS graduates hold But what does the calendar really mean? More importantly, are CIS and BCIS programs in which you should enrol?

12. Are CIS and BCIS Right for Me? • You are logical Yes, if:

13. Are CIS and BCIS Right for Me? • You are logical • You enjoy solving problems Yes, if:

14. Are CIS and BCIS Right for Me? • You are logical • You enjoy solving problems • You are inquisitive Yes, if:

15. Are CIS and BCIS Right for Me? • You are logical • You enjoy solving problems • You are inquisitive • You enjoy helping other people Yes, if:

16. Are CIS and BCIS Right for Me? • You are logical • You enjoy solving problems • You are inquisitive • You enjoy helping other people • You are comfortable working with computers Yes, if:

17. Are CIS and BCIS Right for Me? • You are logical • You enjoy solving problems • You are inquisitive • You enjoy helping other people • You are comfortable working with computers • You meet the formal prerequisites Yes, if:

18. The Formal Prerequisites To enrol in the program you must:Have BC secondary school graduation or equivalent or be at least 19 years of age and out of school for a year

19. The Formal Prerequisites Have earned a minimum of 60% in one of: English 12, English 12 First Peoples, or Technical and Professional Communication 12; or an equivalent Communications 12 is not acceptable

20. The Formal Prerequisites Have earned a minimum of 67% in one of: Pre-Calculus Grade 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, or 60% in Pre-Calculus Grade 12, Foundations of Mathematics Grade 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, or Applications of Mathematics 12; or an equivalent course (Adult Basic Education 11 or 12)

21. The Formal Prerequisites • Attendance at a pre-registration orientation meeting (this meeting) • Typing skills of 20 wpm (recommended) • Access to a “good” personal computer (laptop recommended) Let’s see how these prerequisites are reflected in the courses you will take

22. The Courses • CIS has five courses per semester • one Communications, one Mathematics, and three Computer Science in semester one • one Communications and four Computer Science in semester two • A mix of courses, including Computer Science and electives in semesters three and four

23. The Courses • BCIS has five courses per semester • Mathematics, Computer Science, English/Communications, Philosophy and other Arts, Business Administration, electives

24. The Courses • In the first year, your courses are prescribed (we tell you what to take) • In subsequent years, some courses are prescribed, while you have flexibility in choosing the others • This flexibility supports your different interests • Some of your classes will also contain students from other programs at OC

25. The Courses • CIS has four semesters, over two years • September - December (Fall) • January - April (Winter) • BCIS has eight semesters, over four years • The total number of hours in lectures and labs is 20-25 per week, depending on the semester • Let’s look at the first semester in detail

26. The Courses and Time – CIS/BCIS Course Lectures Labs • Technical Communication for IT 3 0 • Computer Programming I 4 2 • Technical Aspects ofOperating Systems 3 2 • Introductory Networking 3 2.5 • Mathematics for CIS 4 0

27. The Courses and Time – CIS/BCIS Thus your total class time is 17 hours of lectures, and 6.5 hours of labs, for a total of 23.5 hours a week Is this your entire time commitment?

28. WhatOther Time Is Required? • For most courses, you will have at least two, and perhaps three, hours of work outside class for every lecture hour • For example, a course like Computer Programming I, with four lectures, should require at least eight hours outside class. Two of these hours are a regularly scheduled lab • So what is the real workload?

29. The Real Workload - CIS • TechnicalCommunication for IT 3 0 6 • Computer Programming I 4 2 6 • Technical Aspects of OS 3 2 4 • Introductory Networking 3 2.5 3.5 • Mathematics for CIS 4 0 8 • Total 176.5 27.5 Course Lecture Lab Homework

30. The Real Workload - CIS • If these estimates are correct, it appears the minimum total workload is 51 hours per week • Many students will tell you this estimate is too low.

31. The Real Workload - CIS • 71% of the graduates found the program difficult • 75% of graduates found a job within a month • 95% are satisfied or very satisfied with their education Graduates say the workload is heavy.

32. Where are the jobs? • Everywhere! • CIS and BCIS are difficult; when you graduate, you may receive more than one job offer • Sun-Rype (Kelowna), QHR Technologies (Kelowna), Disney (Kelowna), Kelowna Flightcraft (Kelowna), USNR (Salmon Arm), and Tolko (Vernon) • Out-of-town employers are spread across Canada and the world

33. Hint from Previous Students • You can take some courses in CIS/BCIS before you start your program: • English or Communications (Distance Education or summer session) • Management Principles (Distance Education or summer session) • But don’t take more than four first-year courses before you start! You would be classified as a part-time student, register late, and might find there are no seats available

34. Progressing through CIS • 40 students enter in September • 30-35 continue in January into second semester • 20-25 continue the following September into second year • 20-25 complete the program in April with graduation in June When youstart in September 2014, you should graduate in 2016 or 2017 Why 2016 or2017?

35. 2016 Graduation from CIS When you start in September 2014, you could: • Attend classes from September 2014 to April 2015 (Two semesters) • Work from May 2015 to August 2015 • Attend classes from September 2015 to April 2016 (Two semesters) • Graduate in June 2016 But you may want to consider Co-op Education

36. Co-op Education • Co-op education is the mixing of academic terms with work-terms of paid employment • You are eligible for co-op work-terms if you pass all courses in the preceding semester with a 65% average • One work-term occurs after the second academic term. Three work-terms occur back-to-back after the third academic term. An optional fifth work-term occurs after the fourth academic term

37. Co-op Education • The Co-operative Education, Graduate and Student Employment Centre finds employers who wish to hire co-op students • The positions are posted • You apply, and are perhaps interviewed • The employer likes you, offers you a position, and you accept it • Co-op education is an option for both CIS and BCIS students

38. 2017 Graduation from CIS When you start in September 2014, you could: • Attend classes from September 2014 to April 2015 (Two semesters) • Work from May 2015 to August 2015 • Attend classes from September 2015 to December 2015 (One semester) • Work from January 2016 to December 2016 • Attend classes from January 2017 to April 2017 • Optionally, work from May 2017 to August 2017

39. Hold on There! • “Start in 2014, finish in 2017? I thought you said CIS is a two-year program.” • Officially it is because you are in school for four semesters • “I have a family and can’t afford the time you mentioned or can’t go out of town.” • You can take CIS or BCIS without the co-op terms but we do not recommend it. The experience you gain is priceless and a co-op placement often translates into your first job after graduation

40. After CIS? Continue your education Complete the BCIS at Okanagan College. The CIS diploma is the first two years of the degree If you don’t want to pursue a degree, you may take selected courses from OC or other post-secondary institutions, or you may earn vendor-issued certificates

41. Progressing through BCIS • The degree’s student numbers are like the diploma’s. Not all students who start, finish • When you start in September 2014, you should finish in or after 2018 • “In or after” is because of co-op

42. After BCIS? Continue your education You may take selected courses from OC or other post-secondary institutions, or you may earn vendor-issued certificates You may end up with an MBA or MTech

43. What Will This Cost? First, there will be family costs. To succeed takes time (remember 50 to 60 hours per week?) and effort. Family life and leisure pursuits may suffer Then there is the question of money Money involves tuition, books, fees, and other expenses

44. What Will This Cost? Tuition fees are just over $400 per course, for domestic students, much more for international students Total tuition is tied to the number of courses you take For five courses in a semester, tuition fordomestic students is just over $2000 per semester, or just over $4000 for a fullyear

45. What Will This Cost? • Books cost approximately $6000 per semester • Student association fees are approximately $60 per semester, plus approximately $250 per semester for medical and dental coverage if you need it • Pay parking is available for $75 per semester

46. The Bottom Line An academic semester in CIS/BCIS will cost you: Tuition $2000 Books 600 Student Association 300 Parking/Bus ???? Miscellaneous ????

47. The Bottom Line The OC calendar suggests a per-semester cost of $4544.47, excluding textbooks A co-op semester will cost a little under $300 per four-month work-term While on a co-op work-term, you are registered in a course, so your student loan (if you have one) will not become payable until you graduate

48. How Do I Pay? Students have several sources of money: • Student loans • Scholarships and bursaries • Work at OC • Part-time work while attending classes • Parents and family • Savings

49. Do I Need a Computer? • Officially, no. However, your chances of success will increase if you have one. Almost all CIS and BCIS students have a computer before they begin. Most have a laptop. • It may be more comfortable and quieter to work at home • You may cut down on travel

50. What Computer Should I Have? • 3 GHz processor (slower for a multi-core processor) with a minimum of 4 GB RAM • 750 GB hard drive • large monitor • broadband access • DVD burner/player • sound card and speakers As a minimum,