Computer Information Systems Diploma

Turn your problem-solving skills into a career in tech.

Learn to develop software for computers, websites and mobile applications while building skills in databases, programming and systems analysis. Gain practical experience solving technology problems and prepare for entry-level roles in the information technology industry.

Computer Information Systems student studies on his break in a campus lounge area

Program at a glance

Credential

Diploma

Delivery mode

On-campus

Time commitment

Full-time

Duration

2 years

Program codes

  • Code: CIS

Cost

Domestic students $5,957 estimated first-year cost International students $26,532 estimated first-year cost * varies by campus

Location

  • Kelowna or Vernon

Available for

  • Domestic students
  • International students

Program features

TBD

Program overview

About the program

Technology organizations need people who can develop software, manage information and solve complex problems. The Computer Information Systems Diploma gives you a practical foundation in software development, database systems and systems analysis.

Over two years, you will learn programming, web development, operating systems, data structures and database management. You will also explore how to analyze business requirements, design technical solutions and work with others to build software that meets real needs.

Through hands-on assignments and team projects, you will apply your knowledge to practical computing challenges and prepare for entry-level roles in the technology industry. The diploma can also provide a pathway into the third year of Okanagan College's Bachelor of Computer Information Systems degree.

What you'll learn

  • Develop software using programming languages
  • Build websites and web applications
  • Design and manage databases
  • Analyze systems and define technical requirements
  • Apply object-oriented programming principles
  • Use data structures to solve computing problems
  • Work with operating systems and computer networks
  • Test, debug and improve software
  • Apply project management principles
  • Communicate technical information clearly
  • Collaborate on software development projects
Skills you'll learn
  • Programming
  • Software development
  • Web development
  • Database design and management
  • Systems analysis
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Data structures
  • Software testing and debugging
  • Technical problem-solving
  • Project management
  • Technical communication
  • Team collaboration
Tools you'll learn
  • Programming languages and development environments
  • HTML, CSS and JavaScript
  • Server-side web development tools
  • Relational database systems and SQL
  • Operating systems
  • Version control tools
  • Software testing and debugging tools
  • Web browsers and developer tools
  • Project planning and collaboration platforms

Work-integrated learning

Apply your skills to practical computing projects

Build and test software through hands-on assignments and team-based projects. Apply programming, database and systems analysis concepts to technical challenges while developing your problem-solving and collaboration skills.

Co-operative education may also be available, giving eligible students the opportunity to gain paid workplace experience related to their studies.

Diplomas from Okanagan College in Vernon allow students to be exempt from the work experience requirement for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) for the North Okanagan-Shuswap region!

RCIP is a special program available in only 14 communities across Canada. It helps international students who graduate from certain programs at Okanagan College (Vernon or Salmon Arm campus) stay in Canada long-term to support local job needs.

Completing this program in the Okanagan College (Vernon campus) allows students to be exempted from the work experience requirement for the RCIP in the North Okanagan–Shuswap region.

For more information, visit the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) website, the RCIP section on the Immigration and Citizenship website, or contact the International team at askoc@okanagan.bc.ca.

The Computer Information Systems diploma is a two-year program that includes a broad selection of computing, mathematics, business, and communications courses so graduates can function successfully in various 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.

Tuition and fees

Domestic students

$5,957

estimated first-year cost

* varies by campus

International students

$26,532

estimated first-year cost

* varies by campus

Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm

Fee Semester I Semester II
Tuition $2,345 $2,460
College anciliary fees $362 $362
Student association fees $89 $89
Health & dental $250 $0
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $3,046 $2,911
Fee Semester III Semester IV
Tuition $2,575 $2,575
College anciliary fees $362 $362
Student association fees $89 $89
Health & dental $250 $0
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $3,276 $3,026
Total estimated program cost: $12,259

Vernon

Fee Semester I Semester II
Tuition $2,345 $2,460
College anciliary fees $290 $290
Student association fees $103 $103
Health & dental $264 $0
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $3,002 $2,853
Fee Semester III Semester IV
Tuition $2,575 $2,575
College anciliary fees $290 $290
Student association fees $103 $103
Health & dental $264 $0
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $3,232 $2,968
Total estimated program cost: $12,055

Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm

Fee Semester I Semester II
Tuition $12,440 $12,440
College anciliary fees $362 $362
Student association fees $89 $89
Health & dental $500 $250
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $13,391 $13,141
Fee Semester III Semester IV
Tuition $12,440 $12,440
College anciliary fees $362 $362
Student association fees $89 $89
Health & dental $500 $250
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $13,391 $13,141
Total estimated program cost: $53,064

Vernon

Fee Semester I Semester II
Tuition $12,440 $12,440
College anciliary fees $290 $290
Student association fees $103 $103
Health & dental $514 $250
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $13,347 $13,083
Fee Semester III Semester IV
Tuition $12,440 $12,440
College anciliary fees $290 $290
Student association fees $103 $103
Health & dental $514 $250
Materials/other $0 $0
Estimated term cost $13,347 $13,083
Total estimated program cost: $52,860
  • Domestic students
    Estimated first-year cost
    Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $5,957
    Vernon: $5,855
    Estimated total program cost
    Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $12,259
    Vernon: $12,055
  • International students
    Estimated first-year cost
    Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $26,532
    Vernon: $26,430
    Estimated total program cost
    Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $53,064
    Vernon: $52,860

  • Fees listed are for first year (two semesters) for a typical, full-time student taking five courses per semester. Depending on the campus and the courses selected fees may vary.

  • Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.

  • Detailed International tuition fees information.

  • Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards

  • All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.

  • Detailed domestic tuition and fees information

Admission and program requirements

  • B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
  • English Requirement:
  • Math Requirement:
    • A minimum of 60% in any of:
      • Pre-calculus Grade 12
      • Principles of Mathematics 12
      • Adult Basic Education MATH 012
      • Okanagan College MATH 120
    • Or a minimum of 67% in any of:
      • Pre-calculus Grade 11
      • Foundations of Mathematics Grade 12
      • Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11
      • Principles of Mathematics 11
      • Applications of Mathematics 11
      • Applications of Mathematics 12
      • Adult Basic Education MATH 011
      • Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085
      • Adult Basic Education IALG 011
    • Or a minimum of 70% in any of:
      • An Okanagan College Mathematics 11 Proficiency Test
      • An Okanagan College Mathematics 12 Proficiency Test
  • Other Requirements: Attendance at a mandatory orientation. Applicants will be notified of dates.
  • Keyboarding Skills: Keyboarding skills of at least 20 wpm are strongly recommended.
  • Access to a Personal Computer: Students entering this program are strongly advised to have access to a personal computer at home with Internet access, both with adequate resources for this level of study. Students may consult the Computer Science Department for hardware and software recommendations.Personal Suitability: Prospective applicants should consider assessing their suitability for the program by researching Computer Information Systems.

A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC including completion of a minimum of 18 credits of 200-level courses or higher.

Schedule and campus options

Students at the Vernon campus must take this full time. Part time study is not an option.

Students will not be able to transfer or take courses at another campus without explicit approval from the dean’s office. The student will have to apply to the Kelowna campus in their second year if they wish to transfer or opt into BCIS Year 3 and 4.

Start date:
Sep. 2027
Location:
Vernon
Delivery mode:
On-campus
Application status:
Open
Details pending
Start date:
Sep. 2027
Location:
Kelowna
Delivery mode:
On-campus
Application status:
Open
Details pending
Start date:
Jan. 2028
Location:
Vernon
Delivery mode:
On-campus
Application status:
Upcoming
Details pending
Start date
Location
Delivery mode
Application status
Sep. 2027
Vernon
On-campus
Open
Details pending
Sep. 2027
Kelowna
On-campus
Open
Details pending
Jan. 2028
Vernon
On-campus
Upcoming
Details pending

Program details

Year 1

Semester 1

CMNS 113 - Technical Communication I for Information Technology
COSC 109 - Technical Aspects of Operating Systems
COSC 111 - Computer Programming I
MATH 139 - Mathematics for Information Technology
COSC 117 - Computer Science Fundamentals

Semester 2

CMNS 123 - Technical Communication II for Computer Science
COSC 121 - Computer Programming II
COSC 126 - Systems Analysis and Design
COSC 118 - Networks and Telecommunications I
And one of:
COSC 221 - Introduction to Discrete Structures
MATH 251 - Introduction to Discrete Structures

Co-op Term

May to August
COSC 101 (Co-op Work Term I): 4 months

Year 2

Semester 3

COSC 213 - Web development with LAMP
COSC 222 - Computer Data Structures
COSC 236 - Object-Oriented Systems Analysis and Design
COSC 304 - Introduction to Database Management Systems
COSC 219 - Client-side Web Systems

Co-op Term

January to December
COSC 102 (Co-op Work Term II): 4 months January - April
COSC 103 (Co-op Work Term III): 4 months May - August
COSC 104 (Co-op Work Term IV): 4 months September - December

Semester 4

COSC 205 - Project Management
COSC 224 - Projects in Computer Science
COSC 315 - Introduction to Operating Systems
COSC 215 - Graphical User Interface Programming
One elective

Notes:

Students must choose electives from COSC or ICT (formerly NTEN) courses. COSC 115, COSC 122, and COSC 180 may not be used as electives.
Other electives may be available; contact the Computer Science department chair.

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Arts and Science

contact information
Address

C245 (Science Building)
1000 KLO Road
Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Canada

Phone
250-762-5445
1-877-755-2266 (toll-free)
Email
ArtsandSciences@okanagan.bc.ca
Office Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday - Friday: 8:30-4:30
Saturday: Closed