Computer Information Systems

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The Computer Information Systems (CIS) program prepares students to work in the Information Systems field. Students develop managerial, interpersonal and technical skills that enable them to operate and manage computer-based information systems. Students learn to work in microcomputer, client/ server, internet/intranet and networked computer environments. Students should be aware that during some sections of the program extensive hands-on lab work will be required and a time commitment over and above the regular school day will be necessary.

The Computer Information Systems program curriculum of the Computer Programmer Analyst profile is accredited by the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS).

Courses

Computer Programmer Analyst Courses

  print full list with descriptions

Take the following course(s), minimum grade: Pass

On-The-Job Training (CPA)

On-The-Job Training (CPA)

On-the-job training provides the student with an opportunity to relate what they have learned in the classroom to a relevant work environment. Students will be expected to assume the duties normally expected of an entry-level person in a similar position with appropriate supervision. Using their own observations and initiative, students will be expected to acquire and apply new skills as may be expected of a new employee in their respective workplace setting.

Hours: 360
Course Code: CIS-5500
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-5500 On-The-Job Training (CPA)
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Take the following course(s), minimum grade: 60%

Introduction to Information Technology

Introduction to Information Technology

This course will serve as an introduction to the field of Information Technology by leading learners to develop competencies in the use of typical office computing technology. Using Microsoft Office learners design, create, and modify information using word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software. Learners will be required to use typical network and operating software to manage computing resources including email, scheduling, and file management. In addition, learners will develop introductory skills in the planning and design of web-based information and use simple web authoring tools such as HTML and CSS to create web pages.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1100
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1100 Introduction to Information Technology
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Business Communication

Business Communication

Communication skills have consistently been identified by employers as required skills to work in the IT industry. This course will provide the opportunity for students to become proficient with professional oral and written communications at a variety of levels, including job search skills.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1150
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1150 Business Communication
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Business Fundamentals

Business Fundamentals

This course will explore technologies and business processes in business activities and how to employ them efficiently. Students will gain a solid understanding of each department and function within an organization, such as finance, marketing and human resources and how a business operates, using organizational structures and business ethics.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1170
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1170 Business Fundamentals
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Accounting Fundamentals

Accounting Fundamentals

This course focuses on financial accounting, preparation of financial statements, selected balance sheet items and financial statement analysis, as applied in various business organizations. This course will assist the organization manager with decision making.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1175
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1175 Accounting Fundamentals
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Introduction to Programming

Introduction to Programming

This course provides an introduction to basic computer program design and software coding techniques. Students will learn about top-down, procedure-based problem solving strategies using structured programming design techniques and related tools. Using a high-level programming language, students will convert their program designs into functioning computer programs.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1201
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1201 Introduction to Programming
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Java Programming - Part I

Java Programming - Part I

This course is appropriate for those building on experiences in another programming language. Object-oriented techniques are introduced early, featuring short code examples that are built from the bottom up. Specific topic coverage includes Java development tools; program constructs; object oriented design; and error handling.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1232
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1232 Java Programming Part I
Academic Year: 2011-2012

System Analysis

System Analysis

This course introduces the fundamentals of business systems analysis. Students learn to investigate, analyze, evaluate and document the user requirements of a business information system and develop strong verbal and written communication skills, project management skills and the ability to work effectively in teams. Students apply structured (Data Flow Diagrams) and object (Unified Modeling Language) modeling techniques to document business process and data requirements.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1235
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1235 System Analysis
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Database Management

Database Management

This course provides students with a broad understanding of databases and how to use structured query language (SQL). The primary focus will be the relational model with a brief introduction to object relational model. Topics covered will be database history, relational operations, database design, normalization, and implementation. To meet these objectives, this course will present a blend of traditional and current development technologies.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1246
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1246 Database Management
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Web Application Development

Web Application Development

This course introduces students to Internet programming through the use of a scripting language as well as learning to create, publish, and maintain interactive web pages. Students are introduced to a variety of web design considerations and techniques, while learning fundamental hypertext markup language and cascading style sheet techniques. The primary focus of this course is the scripting language and the algorithm logic required by the web site to meet identified requirements.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1280
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1280 Web Application Development
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Principles of Information Security

Principles of Information Security

This course is an examination of current standards of due care and best business practices in Information Security with a focus on evaluation and selection of optimal security posture. Topics include evaluation of security models, risk assessment, threat analysis, organizational technology evaluation, security implementation, disaster recovery planning and security policy formulation and implementation.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1290
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1290 Principles of Information Security
Academic Year: 2011-2012

A+ Hardware Support

A+ Hardware Support

In this course, students will take an indepth look at advanced computer maintenance concepts and techniques. We will examine theoretical concepts that make the world of technology unique. Also, this course will adopt a hands-on approach when examining PC development techniques, along with examining different troubleshooting strategies. This course will explore the advancement of technological development, as well as, timeless problem solving strategies. The objectives for this course map to the CompTIA A+ certification.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1301
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1301 A+ Hardware Support
Academic Year: 2011-2012

A+ Software Support

A+ Software Support

This course examines common PC operating systems (OSs) in use today. Students will acquire the skills to install, configure, upgrade, and troubleshoot DOS, Window 95x, NT, 2000, and XP desktop operating systems. As well students will be introduced to alternate OSs such as Unix, Linux, OS/2, and Mac OS and will acquire the skills necessary to prepare for the Computing Technology Industry Associations (CompTIA), A+ Operating Systems Technologies certification exam.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1306
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1306 A+ Software Support
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Mechanics of the Web: Technology Behind the Internet

Mechanics of the Web: Technology Behind the Internet

Due to today?s industry demands in online interactions, Web Applications, and e-commerce, IT professionals must have and maintain an understanding of the ?mechanics? of Internet technologies. This course was designed to ?demystify? the operations of the Internet by engaging learners in activities that will help them gain an understanding of how Internet technologies and its components interact. Content will focus on areas such as: Network Infrastructures, Internet communications, Web Server technology, Domain Name Services, and Database servers.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-1360
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-1360 Mechanics of the Web Technology behind the Internet
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Visual Basic .NET, Part I

Visual Basic .NET, Part I

Introduces students to object-oriented concepts and techniques. This modern approach to programming has dramatically increased the quality of software and the speed and ease of development. Using the Visual Basic language, students create object-oriented/event-driven windows based applications. Visual design standards are emphasized when creating the user interface.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-2221
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-2221 Visual Basic NET. Part I
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Visual Basic .Net, Part II

Visual Basic .Net, Part II

Using the Visual Basic .NET language, students create object-oriented/event-driven windows based applications. The focus of this course is on Class concepts, developing applications that incorporate database access, developing applications for the Web and exploring Mobile Device application development.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-2222
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-2222 Visual Basic .NET Part II
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Java Programming - Part II

Java Programming - Part II

This course is intended for students who have had an introductory course in Java programming and wish to learn more advanced topics such as inheritance and Web Applications. Hands-on learning is emphasized, with assignments that include debugging clinics, partially completed programs and full programming exercises. Specific topic coverage includes Inheritance, Advanced Inheritance Concepts, Swing Components, Layout Managers and Events, Exception Handling, File Input/Output and Serialization, Collections, Multithreading, and Building Web Database Applications.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-2232
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-2232 Java Programming - Part II
Academic Year: 2011-2012

System Design

System Design

Pre-requisite: CIS1235 System Analysis A natural progression from the System Analysis course, students begin with an understanding of the business requirements gained from their systems analysis. This is coupled with proven design methodologies and techniques to develop a solid system design model. This model should accurately represent a system that most effectively satisfies the businesses needs. Students learn about Joint Application Design (JAD), how to conduct client interviews, develop UML models, use Computer Assisted Software Engineering (CASE) tools, create documentation and communicate effectively with project clients and IS staff.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-2240
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-2240 System Design
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Application Development Final Project

Application Development Final Project

Students learn about designing applications for a client-server environment, providing applied, hands-on experience of concepts acquired during the previous development courses. Students implement a relational database with an enterprise scale DBMS (database management system) and use one of four environments to design and code an application that meets the identified requirements. Students will also learn how to test a software product and document the result of their testing activities.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-2261
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-2261 Application Development Final Project
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Internet Programming Part I

Internet Programming Part I

This course will introduce students to server side web programming. The students will become familiar with the PHP programming language, and concepts involved in server-side programming. Database connectivity will be introduced.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-2286
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-2286 Internet Programming Part I
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Internet Programming Part II

Internet Programming Part II

In this course students will be exposed to more robust web application practices including security, code management, XML, Web Services, and persistence within dynamic web pages.

Hours: 45
Course Code: CIS-2288
Detailed Course Outline: CIS-2288 Internet Programming Part II
Academic Year: 2011-2012

Schedule of Courses

Distance

This program is also available via distance learning.

On-the-Job Training

On-the-job training is a work term giving students an opportunity to experience real day-to-day operations in their specialty areas, allowing them to implement the skills acquired during the program. There is also valuable interaction and learning with staff of the companies in which students are placed. Students must complete on-the-job training to be eligible for graduation.

Profile Facts
Start Date:September
Length:2 years
Location:Charlottetown
Credential Issued:Computer Programmer/Analyst Diploma

Graduate Opportunities

The CIS curriculum is validated by Information Technology professionals employed in Atlantic Canada and incorporates nationally recognized standards. The industry specified and nationally recognized curriculum enables graduates to pursue employment opportunities throughout Canada, the United States and many international locations.

Graduates find employment as:

  • Programmers/Analysts
  • Internet/Intranet Software Developers

Graduates of the CIS program have gained employment on Prince Edward Island with various departments of the Provincial Government, Veterans Affairs Canada, Aliant, Summerside Tax Center, DeltaWare and Maritime Electric. Graduates are also employed off Island with IS consulting firms such as CGI, EDS, Xwave, DMR, various provincial and federal government organizations and many different private sector companies.

Admission Requirements

  • Academic grade 12 or equivalent through a recognized adult education activity
  • Applicants with general grade 12 who pass required college aptitude testing will be considered
  • Training or experience in the use of computers such as keyboarding, desktop application software and operating system(s) is strongly recommended
  • Resumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition
Year 1 $3,250
Year 2 $3,250
View a full breakdown of costs and booklist for this program.

Articulation Agreements

We have 6 agreements for this Holland College program. For a complete listing, see our Degree Pathways page.

Contact

If you have any questions concerning the Computer Information Systems program, contact: