Program

Computing Science (Diploma)

DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS

Fall 2023: Applications Closed

Fall 2024: Applications open October 03rd, 2023

Admission Type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

Want to join the expanding IT industry? Or launch a career in game development? Take your pick with Douglas College’s Computing Science Diploma.

In the first year of this two-year program, you’ll learn the basics of computer programming and gain experience using industry-standard programming languages. Exit after year one with a Computing Science Certificate or an Academic Foundations Certificate depending on the electives you choose. You can also complete your diploma at Douglas College in one of two streams: game development, or the general information technology stream.

Game Development stream

Create the video games you love to play. With the Game Development stream, you’ll learn to write code for computer games using industry-standard game development tools. You’ll also develop entire games from initial design to implementation for both computers and virtual reality (VR) devices. The gaming industry employed 7,300* people in British Columbia in 2019 compared to 5,900 people in 2018 – which means in one year alone, 1,400 new video game jobs were created in B.C. Vancouver is also home to big name video game companies such as Capcom, EA, Next Level Games and Microsoft’s Black Tusk Studios. Plus, the average salary of game developers in Canada is around $120,200* per year, making it a lucrative career.

*Source: Entertainment Software Association of Canada

General Stream

With the General Stream, you’ll get the skills and knowledge in software development, programming and information analysis you need to launch your career as a software engineer, information security analyst, IT manager, database administrator and more. Close to 13,400 programmer jobs are expected for the next ten years in B.C., with workers earning an average salary of $90,000 per year.

Earn while you learn

The Computing Science Diploma is eligible for co-op, so you can get paid to work for real companies and organizations before you graduate. This experience will give you a leg-up over the competition once you begin applying for jobs.

Further your education

All first-year credits of the Computing Science Diploma are transferable to B.C. research universities such as SFU, UVic and UBC.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the Computing Science Diploma Program must meet the following criteria in order to receive admission to the program and priority registration:

 

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of a minimum of 60 credits
  • 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of a minimum of 60 credits
  • 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years

 

Course Requirements:

Required Courses for the General Stream or the Game Development Stream
Course Number Course Title Credits Comments

CMPT 1105
or
CMPT 1109

Introduction to Computing Science and Programming
or
Computer Programming I
 

 3.00
  • Select one course from these two CMPT options
  • CMPT 1109 is preferred
CMPT 1209 Computer Programming II 3.00  
CMPT 2395 Intro to Computer Architecture 3.00  
CMPT 2300 Data Structures & Algorithms 3.00  
CMPT 2276 Introduction to Software Engineering 3.00  
CMPT 2363 User Interface Design 3.00  
MATH 1120 Calculus I 3.00  
MATH 1130 Discrete Mathematics I 3.00  
MATH 1220 Calculus II 3.00  
MATH 2232 Linear Algebra 3.00  

ENGL 1102
or
ENGL 1106
or
ENGL 1109
or
ENGL 1114
or
ENGL 1115
or
ENGL 1130

Reading Literature and Culture
or
Reading Fiction
or
Studies in Fiction, Poetry and Drama
or
Reading Poetry
or
Reading Plays
or
Academic Writing

 3.00
  • Select one course from these six ENGL options
UT Lab Science   3.00
Elective Courses for the General Stream*
Course Number Course Title Credits Comments
UT Electives   24.00
  • A university transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the 5 Research Universities - SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC or UVIC – according to the BC Transfer Guide.
  • Recommended focus areas of electives should be within: BUSN; CMNS; CMPT; CRIM; CSIS; ECON; ENGL; ENGR; MARK; MATH; PHIL; PHYS; PSYC
Additional Required Courses for the Game Development Stream
Course Number Course Title Credits Comments
BUSN 1210 Management Essentials 3.00  
BUSN 3253 Entrepreneurship and New Venture Development 3.00  
CMPT 1267 Computer Game Development I 3.00  
CMPT 2167 Computer Game Development II 3.00  
CMPT 2367 Applied Project in Computing Science 3.00  
CMPT 2361 Computer Graphics 3.00  
Elective Courses for the Game Development Stream*
Course Number Course Title Credits Comments
UT Electives   6.00
  • A university transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the 5 Research Universities - SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC or UVIC – according to the BC Transfer Guide.
  • Recommended focus areas of electives should be within: BUSN; CMNS; CMPT; CRIM; CSIS; ECON; ENGL; ENGR; MARK; MATH; PHIL; PHYS; PSYC

Total Credits

60.00

* Please contact the Computing Science Coordinator for information on choosing electives.

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Computer Support specialist
  • Computer Game programmer
  • C++ developer
  • Python developer
  • Software designer/developer
  • Virtual reality developer