Certificate in Software Development

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Certificate in Software Development

Are you looking for a Career in Information Technology?

Virtually every type of business today relies on information technology. More and more, businesses rely on programmers and system analysts to provide them with the data that will help them make important business decisions and increasingly the IT department is the hub in many organizations. Information Management has become sophisticated. Programmers, systems analysts and IT professionals must constantly keep up with new challenges using limited resources.

Whether you are working in accounting, banking, health care, real estate, marketing or any other industry, information technology is an ever growing field and the career possibilities are endless. Typical career opportunities include:

Software Engineer/Developer QA Analyst/Test Engineer Web Designer/Web Developer Software Support Analyst

Systems Administrator/Web Master Computer Operations Support IT Business Analyst

Network Administrator

Technical Consultant/Support Database Administrator Database Analyst

Customer Service Representative Helpdesk Technician

Systems Engineer/Analyst IT Support Analyst

Interface Development Engineer

How Can a McGill Program help prepare you for a career in Information

Technology?

The Certificate in Systems Analysis and Design will provide you with a sound foundation in the concepts and techniques required for effective planning and design of software

applications and systems.

The Certificate in Software Development will provide you with a solid foundation in software application development. You will gain applied computer knowledge in the fundamentals of computer programming, networking and internet technologies.

The Diploma in Internet Business Technology, the Diploma in Management (Internet Business concentration) and the Graduate Certificate in Internet Business are graduate-level programs for those who are interested in a career in internet business. These programs are structured to develop the knowledge and skills required as a business and web analyst to design, understand and analyse the internet data to be used in making insightful decisions about significant changes in their business and markets.

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The Program

The Certificate in Software Development is a 30-credit program which consists of 1 co-requisite course, 8 required courses and 2 complementary courses.

Classes are offered once a week for 13 weeks and are generally from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Courses can be taken in the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer sessions. Classes in the Spring and Summer sessions may be given in less than 13 weeks. Not all courses are offered every semester.

The certificate‟s program requirements are:

Co-requisite1 to the Program:

CMSC 101 College Algebra and Functions (or the Exemption by Examination Test2)

8 Required courses:

CCCS 300 Programming Techniques 1 CCCS 301 Programming Techniques 2 CCCS 310 Web Development

CCCS 315 Data Structures & Algorithms CCCS 321 Operating Systems Administration

CCCS 330 Database Systems & Internet Applications CCCS 431 Networking Fundamentals

MGCR 311 Information Systems

2 Complementary courses from:

CCCS 320 User Interface Design

CCS2 325 Mobile Application Development CCCS 425 Web Services

CGMG 210 Fundamentals of Project Management CMIS 422 Information Systems Security

CMIS 431 Systems Implementation

INSY 331 Managing Information Technology INSY 333 Systems Analysis and Modeling INSY 432 Information Technology in Business

1_{Co-requisite: This refers to academic course requirements that must be completed in the first semester.} 2_{For more information on how to obtain course exemption by the means of a challenge exam, please consult the}

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Course Sequence

MGCR 331 Information Systems CCCS 300 Programming Techniques 1 CCCS 321 Operating Systems Administration CCCS 315 Data Structures & Algorithms CCCS 301 ProgrammingTechniques 2 CCCS 310 Web Development CCCS 320 User Interface Design

CCCS 431 Networking Fundamentals

CCCS 330 Database Systems& Internet Applications CCCS 425 Web Services Certificate in Software Development

Note:

Pre-requisite for courses

Co-requisite for courses

Required Course Complementary Course CMSC 101 College Algebra and Functions CCCS 325 Mobile Application Development CMIS 422 Information System Security INSY 331 Managing Information Technology INSY 333

Systems Analysis and Modeling

CMIS 431

Systems Implementation

To obtain information on course offerings, please refer to the interactive timetable at http://cce.mcgill.ca/timetable/c_cswt_swd.htm INSY 432 Information Technology in Business CGMG 210 Fundamentals of Project Management

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Course Descriptions

CCCS 300 Programming Techniques 1 (3 credits)

Pre-requisite:

CMSC 101 College Algebra & Functions Co-requisite:

Fundamental programming techniques, concepts, and data structures, including modularization and maintainability. Emphasis on facilitating communication and understanding between systems analysts and programmers to support decision-making.

CCCS 301 Programming Techniques 2 (3 credits)

Pre-requisite:

CCCS 300 Programming Techniques 1

Object oriented design, modeling (UML) and programming techniques, including the creation of classes, the use of objects, inheritance and other object oriented principles. Strong focus on problem solving techniques and ways in which programmers can support decision-making within an

organization.

CCCS 310 Web Development (3 credits)

Pre-requisite:

Development of web sites and web-based applications using page markup, style sheets, and client-side scripting. Emphasis will be placed on developing pages that support current standards and accessibility requirements, as well as multimedia, cross-platform development, and site deployment.

CCCS 315 Data Structures and Algorithms (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

Programming techniques used to implement algorithms on computers with an object oriented programming language through the careful design of data structures which support the efficient manipulation of data.

CCCS 320 User Interface Design (3 credits)

Pre-requisite: CCCS 300 Programming Techniques 1

Principles and techniques of user interface design and prototyping.

CCCS 321 Operating Systems Administration (3 credits) Co-requisite:

Operating systems such as Windows and LINUX/UNIX environments, administration of computer servers, usage of script languages and in various operating systems, back up procedures and remote access, communication protocol used among different systems, managing information, and system security.

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CCCS 325 Mobile Application Development (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

Examines the limitations and technical challenges of current mobile devices and wireless communications by using up-to-date software development tools and application programming interfaces. Develop small realistic applications for mobile devices by using a standard software development environment.

CCCS 330 Database Systems and Internet Applications (3 credits) Pre-requisites:

CCCS 310 Web Development and CCCS 315 Data Structures and Algorithms

Concepts behind the commonly used database management systems, database application development with a focus on Internet applications, discussion of data mining, decision support, Internet security, object-oriented databases manipulation of information through simple and complex Structured Query Language (SQL) queries, access to data through internet-mediated technologies.

CCCS 425 Web Services (3 credits)

Pre-requisites:

CCCS 301 Programming Techniques 2 and CCCS 310 Web Development

Design, implementation and deployment of web services-based solutions to solve common problems in the distributed application domain.

CCCS 431 Networking Fundamentals (3 credit)

Pre-requisite: CCCS 321 Operating Systems Administration

Fundamental concepts and practices of network principles, technical and managerial aspects of data communications, overview of local area and wide-area networks, network topology, network protocols, Internet/intranet, client/server communication and file sharing.

CCCS 441 Network Security and Implementation (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

CCCS 431 Networking Fundamentals

Overall security processes of multi-vendor networks with hands on skills in areas including security technologies, products and solutions, anti-virus, firewall design and configuration.

CGMG 210 Fundamentals of Project Management (3 credits)

Pre-requisites: None

Fundamental principles and best practices of project management essential to the successful

development of projects or other complex undertakings within an organization; includes methods for defining, planning, and scheduling activities and resources.

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CMIS 422 Information Systems Security (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

Fundamental concepts relating to the design of secure information systems. Identification and

assessment of security risks and the application, network, and physical levels. Use of cryptography and other techniques to provide necessary level of security.

CMIS 431 Systems Implementation (3 credits) Co-requisite:

CCCS 330 Database Systems & Internet Applications or INSY 437 Managing Data and Databases

Implementation phase of the software development life cycle. Software tools and practical techniques used to design and implement the results of systems analysis.

CMSC 000 Foundations for Mathematics (no credits; 12 CE Units) Pre-requisites:

None

Operations with real numbers, polynomials, first-degree equations and applied word problems. Factoring, fractions, exponents, roots and radicals. Systems of linear equations and linear inequalities. Absolute values, equations and inequalities. Quadratic equations, applied problems.

CMSC 101 College Algebra and Functions (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

CMSC 000 Foundations of Mathematics or the Exemption by Examination Test

Linear and quadratic functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, applications. Sequences and series, mathematics of finance. Permutations and combinations. Introduction to probability. Matrices and systems of linear equations.

INSY 331 Managing Information Technology (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

Tools and concepts necessary to manage information systems in an organization:

hardware/software/telecom administration, knowledge discovery/ management, web-technologies, and computer security. Focuses on both mechanical aspects of IT and conceptual understanding with regard to impact on business organizations

INSY 333 Systems Analysis and Modeling (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

First two phases of the software Development Life Cycles. Techniques used to conduct system requirement analysis, practical application of the analyst role in identifying operational problems, defining information systems requirements, working with technical and non-technical staff, and making recommendations for system improvement.

INSY 432 Information Technology in Business (3 credits) Pre-requisite:

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Discusses the role of the information systems department within an organization, information systems resource management, staff organization and leadership, strategic systems, planning, and end-user computing. Focuses on key IT trends in industries such as banking, insurance, manufacturing, retailing & distribution, and health.

MGCR 331 Information Systems (3 credits)

Pre-requisites: CMSC 101 College Algebra and Functions or Exemption by Examination Test

Introduction to principles and concepts of information systems in organizations. Topics include information technology, transaction processing systems, decision support systems, database and systems development. Students are required to have background preparation on basic micro computer skills including spreadsheet and word-processing.

Admission Requirements

1) Students must hold a CEGEP diploma (DCS or equivalent) or

2) Students 21 years of age and over who do not have the normal academic background for admission may be admitted as mature students.

Students between 18 and 21 who do not have a CEGEP diploma but have at least a high school leaving certificate may be accepted into a qualifying program to be determined by the Department. Formal admission to the certificate program will normally follow upon satisfactory completion of the qualifying program.

Students below 18 years of age without a CEGEP diploma (DEC) will not be admitted to a certificate program nor will they be permitted to take courses!

Language Requirements

The language of instruction for most courses and programs at McGill is English; however, students may submit any written work that is to be graded in English or French, except in cases where knowledge of the language is one of the objectives of the course. Applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of

proficiency in English prior to admission, regardless of citizenship status or country of origin. McGill University has this language requirement in place to ensure that all students are provided with the opportunity to succeed in their chosen program. In all cases, the University reserves the right to require proof of English proficiency if it is deemed necessary. Below you will find information on when proof of proficiency is required.

If you answer “yes” to any of the following seven statements, you do NOT necessarily need to provide proof of English proficiency, but must provide documentation to support your answer.

Have you lived and attended school, for at least four years, in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language?

Have you completed both Secondary V and a DEC at a French CEGEP in Quebec? Have you completed a DEC at an English CEGEP in Quebec, during or later than 2003? Have you or will you complete a French Baccalaureate – Option Internationale (British or

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Have you or will you complete International Baccalaureate English A with a final result of 5 or better?

Have you or will you complete the British Curriculum A-Level English with a final grade of „C‟ or better?

Have you completed the British Curriculum GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-Level English, English Language, English First Language, or English as a Second Language with a final grade of „B‟ or better?

If you answered “no” to all of the above, but answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation to this effect and may still be asked to provide proof of English language proficiency.

Do you consider English to be your mother tongue?

Have you been attending school, for at least four consecutive years, at an accredited educational institution (in a non-English speaking country) where English is the language of instruction? Have you obtained an undergraduate degree from an accredited educational institution where the

language of instruction in your program of study was English (minimum three years)? Have you obtained a graduate degree from an accredited educational institution where the

language of instruction in your program of study was English (minimum two years)?

Applicants to the Department of Career and Professional Development who do not meet any of the above-listed conditions must demonstrate proficiency in English using one of the following options:

1) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum acceptable scores are

iBT (internet based test) PBT (paper based test) CBT (computer based test)*

90 overall (a minimum individual component score of 21 in each of the four components i.e. reading, writing, listening and speaking)

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*The CBT is no longer being offered. CBT results will be accepted as long as considered valid by ETS.

N.B. an institutional version of the TOEFL is not acceptable.

2) IELTS (International English Language Testing System): a band score of 6.5 or better. 3) MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): a minimum mark of 85%. 4) APIEL (Advanced Placement International English Language): a minimum score of 4. 5) McGill SCS TELP (McGill SCS Test of English Language Proficiency): a Category A result. 6) McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English or McGill Certificate of Proficiency – English for

Professional Communication: Certificate of Proficiency awarded.

7) University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): a grade of “B” (Good) or higher.

8) University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of “C” (Pass) or higher.

9) Edexcel London Test of English – Level 4 – with an overall grade of at least “Merit Pass”. 10) Edexcel London Test of English – Level 5 – with an overall grade of at least “Pass”.

NOTE: Your test results must be reported directly to the University by the test centre; consequently, candidates‟ copies of results will not be accepted as proof of English language proficiency. It is your

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responsibility to ensure that the official test results in an official format are forwarded directly by the testing service to Client Services (Admissions) of the School of Continuing Studies, 688 Sherbrooke St. West, 11th Floor, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 3R1. For TOEFL and APIEL, the institutional code at McGill University is 0935-00.