Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (Third Year Entry)

at Okanagan College - Kelowna Campus Canada

The Computer Information Systems diploma is a two-year program which includes a broad selection of computing, mathematics, business, and communications courses so graduates can function successfully in a variety of roles in a business organization, high-technology company, or government department. These roles include entry-level positions as computer programmer, programmer/analyst, business systems designer/developer/analyst, web designer/developer and database architect/administrator.

The courses in the diploma are grouped into required courses and elective courses.The program is available as a co-op program. The department recommends participating in co-op between the third and fourth academic semesters if possible. Taking co-op work terms will lengthen the program to approximately three years.
Graduates of this program may proceed directly to the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems degree or, after completing some extra courses, to a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

This two-year diploma program is designed for students who wish to obtain employment in the automotive industry as an Automotive Service Technician, or seek a management role in service, sales or operations. The program begins by providing the student with the first year of apprenticeship training followed by second-year courses in advanced level automotive service and repair with a focus on industry required skills in technical writing, business practices, office skills and management. This unique program provides training in technical areas that include automotive service and repair, technical writing and communication and business practices. Upon successful completion of the technical training, students will be eligible to write the provincial Industry Training Authority standardized examinations for AST HL1 and receive 450 hours of practical work based hours towards the AST HL1 certification.

The Diploma in Communications, Culture, and Journalism Studies (CCJS) is a two-year interdisciplinary diploma that foregrounds a critical analysis of the mass media as contemporary society's most pervasive agent of political and cultural transformation. Students will explore the social, political, and economic functions of news and communications media, the history of journalism, and cultural policy & theory. Particular attention will be paid to questions of social justice, as well as of identity and constructions of gender, race, class, sexuality, and nationality.                               

Housed in the Department of Communications, CCJS offers students foundational courses in media theory, writing-intensive courses in Communications and English, and a selection of elective breadth courses from a range of departments --including Anthropology, History, Philosophy, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, and Women's Studies.

While students may proceed directly to potential entry-level careers in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, research, writing, publishing, consulting or new media, especially in small markets and independent digital environments, completion of this program is intended primarily to provide students with the liberal arts education necessary for further study.

This two-year diploma program is designed for students who wish to obtain employment in the automotive industry as an Automotive Collision Repair Technician, Refinishing Preparation Technician or Auto Glass Technician. The program begins by providing the student with the first year of apprenticeship training followed by second-year courses that focus on industry required skills in estimating, office skills and entrepreneurship.

This unique program provides training in four technical areas that include automotive refinishing preparation, automotive refinishing, automotive collision repair and auto glass repair and replacement. Each of these areas will be covered providing the graduate with completion of four modules of level one technical training. Upon successful completion of the technical training, students will be eligible to write the provincial Industry Training Authority standardized examinations.

This two-year diploma program focuses upon the courses needed as prerequisites to enter into the CPA Professional Education Program. The program contains the 19 courses required as prerequisites to the CPA Professional Education program and 1 elective.

The Studio Woodworking Certificate Program is a 38-week (1140 hours) full-time study of woodworking from the craftsperson's perspective. With a primary focus on furniture, the program will offer a range of woodworking skill sets that can be adapted to any of the many disciplines within the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade. Inasmuch as this program's focus is 'Art' as well as 'Industry', the range of knowledge covered within this program will enable the successful student to acquire meaningful employment in a range of 'studio' or 'custom' environments with confidence, whether self-employed or working for others. Those successful students who wish to continue in a traditional apprenticeship will be granted level one apprenticeship technical training credit and 450 work-based hours in the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade by the Industry Training Authority in B.C.

The range of topics taught includes a history of the trade, design basics, an understanding of the materials, safe work practices, hand and machine skills, and joinery techniques. They also include more advanced techniques such as design and creating curved parts, veneer, inlay, marquetry and banding. Basic Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining will be explored. Wood finishing from simple hand rubbed to advanced spray booth techniques will be practiced. Students will also be introduced to portfolio and promotion concepts, including photography of product, and how to interact with clients. Students will design and build a final project from concept to promotion. A public exhibit at the conclusion of the program will spotlight the students' achievements and provide a showcase for their work.

The Culinary Management Diploma examines the developing Okanagan region trend toward the combination of wineries and restaurants. Unique features of the program include the analysis of food and wine pairing and the combination of food, wine and business training that reflects regional industry training demands.

The total length of the program is two years, beginning with the Culinary Arts program, which includes a ten week co-op, followed by two semesters of Business Administration and Wine courses. Students graduating with this diploma will receive technical training credits towards their cook apprenticeship, hours credited towards their apprenticeship and academic credit for the Business Administration courses completed.

An apprenticeship technical training credit for Professional Cook Level 1 and Level 2 and 600 work-based hours for Level 1 and 240 work-based hours for Level 2 will be granted by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) upon successful completion of this program. Students will also receive credit for FOODSAFE Level 1 and WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Material Information System). Apprenticeship practical Training credit may also be granted as a result of prior practical experience. The students must provide proof of completion of an additional 400 work-based hours* and successfully complete all program components prior to advancing to the Level 2 components of the program. The ITA required 400 hours may be obtained with the paid work-based Co-op (week 31 start), depending on the successful completion of the PC1 component. Upon successful completion of the Level 1 and Level 2 requirements students are eligible to challenge the respective Provincial Cook Certificate of Qualification examinations. Students wishing to pursue the Professional Cook Red Seal endorsement must provide proof of a total of 5,000 work-based hours and complete Level 3 technical training.

The Audio Engineering and Music Production certificate is a 730-hour program that trains individuals to work in various technical positions such as recording arts, music, theatre, concerts, broadcasting, video and film. The program develops skills required to operate digital and analog audio recording, programming and processing equipment. The course content provides a foundation in the principles of hearing, sound, music, basic electronics, processing, signal flow, microphone techniques, mixing and mastering, live sound engineering, and reviews current industry standards. Students will gain hands-on experience with industry-standard recording and studio systems, and music and audio experience.

Develop a base knowledge of engineering while investigating complex problems and designing solutions in this one-year Applied Science certificate program.

The Common First Year Engineering Certificate program provides the opportunity to study first-year Engineeing (Applied Science) at Okanagan College. All courses must be taken at Okanagan College within a 12-month period. Students completing the Common First Year Engineering Certificate are able to apply to some B.C. university's second year Engineering (Applied Science) Degree programs.

Graduation from the Common First Year Engineering Certificate program requires successful completion of all courses in the program outline with a minimum graduating grade average of 70%. Successful completion of individual courses requires a minimum grade of 50% with some courses requiring a higher minimum grade to be acceptable as prerequisites for subsequent courses at various institutions. Minimum graduating grade average for acceptance at receiving institutions will vary.

Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:

• Develop a knowledge base for engineering
• Analyze and solve problems while applying engineering knowledge
• Conduct investigations into various complex problems
• Design solutions for complex problems
• Create, adapt and apply various engineering tools
• Work effectively in teams and as an individual
• Communicate complex engineering problems and solutions with professionals and the public
• Understand the roles and responsibility of a professional engineer
• Evaluate sustainable/environmental engineering solutions
• Apply professional ethics and accountability
• Understand introductory project management and the economic drivers of construction projects
• Develop a base for computer programming.

The Business Administration Certificate program provides students with the opportunity to study areas of business such as Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resources Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management and Marketing. Students completing the Business Administration Certificate are able to apply their completed course work towards the Business Administration Diploma and/or the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.