Graduate Profile
Graduates from this program will:
1. Understand the essential facts, concepts, principles, and structures relating to computer science and software applications.
2. Use this understanding to design computer-based systems and make effective trade-offs among design choices.
3. Identify and analyse requirements for computational problems and design-effective specifications. 4. Implement (program) computer-based systems. 5. Test and evaluate the extent to which a system fulfils its
requirements.
6. Use appropriate assumption, practice, and tools for system specification, design, implementation, and evaluation.
7. Understand the social, professional, and ethical issues involved in the use of computer technology.
8. Apply the principles of effective information
management and retrieval to text, image, sound, and video information.
9. Apply the principles of human-computer interaction to the design (HDI) of user interfaces, Web pages, Mobile apps and multimedia systems.
10. Identify risks or safety aspects that may be involved in the operation of computing equipment within a given context.
11. Operate computing equipment and software systems effectively.
12. Make effective verbal and written presentations to a range of audiences.
13. Be able to work effectively as a member of a team. 14. Understand and explain the quantitative dimensions of a
problem.
15. Manage one’s own time and develop effective organizational skills (PM).
16. Keep abreast of current developments and continue with long-term professional growth.
Comprehensive Assessment
Graduates are required to complete a Comprehensive Assessment prior to graduation. Students must have successfully completed three courses prior to producing the portfolio that will reflect the professional and personal skills they have developed during the three-year program. These courses are integrative activities involving all of the Computer Science program-specific competencies as either prerequisites or within the following courses:
• 420-523 Final Project 1 – Legacy to Mobile • 420-622 Final Project 2 – Legacy to Mobile • 420-621 Stage: Externship – Legacy to Mobile
The “Final Project” and “Final Project 2” are an integrative activity generally undertaken in pairs, and involve students working on all phases of a live project (where possible) - analysis, design, development and implementation. The students will perform a feasibility study, analyze the current situation, design alternative solutions, and present these to “management” for a consensus on a plan of action. They then perform a detailed analysis and design of the proposed solution and develop it using a variety of software and programming languages which are generally previously unknown to the students. All projects involve programming, database, graphical user interfaces and web programming. The “Stage” externship is an integrative activity that
provides students with an opportunity to use the knowledge and skills learned in a real-life industry setting and to do this
autonomously in an unfamiliar computer environment. Students will be required to give an oral presentation to their colleagues and faculty and to submit a written report outlining the projects completed on stage, their work environment and a self-evaluation of their experience. The major part of the mark for the externship component is an outside assessment by the company supervisor. The portfolio will be assessed by the team of “externship” teachers on the competencies and abilities outlined in the Graduate Profile. Students must meet all objectives to pass the comprehensive assessment. Those students not succeeding on their first try will be given an opportunity to resubmit the portfolio one week later for reassessment. The portfolio consists of three parts as outlined below:
Part 1: The overview includes:
- an overview of the program completed
- a self-assessment of the computer technology skills attained
- a self-assessment of the communication skills attained
- a self-assessment of the career/business skills attained
- a self-assessment of the personal characteristics attained
Computer Science – Legacy to Mobile (420.A2) – Computer Science Program (420.A0)
Part 2: The externship project includes: updated résumé/portfolio
mid-point and final evaluations from company supervisors
copy of official transcript
hard-copy / link of the stage oral presentation a self-evaluation of the work-study experience Part 3: College projects include:
- highlights from the systems analysis course - process and data models
- highlights of the final project - executive summary, user guide extracts, etc.
- reflection on the teamwork experiences in final project and other third year courses
- reflection of experience with the other courses in the program
General Program Goal
In accordance with the general goals of the technical training, the Computer Science program-specific component of the Mainframe to Mobile option aims to:
- enable students to acquire competence in the exercise of the occupation; to carry out the functions, tasks and activities of the occupation at the level required for entry into the job market; - help students integrate into professional life by
giving them a general knowledge of the job market; as well as an understanding of the specific context of the selected occupation;
- foster the students’ personal growth and encourage continuing professional development; - provide for the future job mobility of students by helping them to acquire career-management skills. Mainframe to Mobile is a three-year option offering theoretical and practical work in computer subjects. The option is designed for students entering the job market after graduation but students may also continue their education at the university level.
Students who intend to pursue university should consult an Academic Advisor. In certain instances advanced standing may be obtained at university for courses completed at the college level.