Computer Programming and Information Technology Certificate Program

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The Computer Programming and Information Technology Certificate program is for full-time students or part-time study and allows you to learn various computer skills and programming needed in IT, video games, and website design. Start working in the Computer Science field or build your skill to further your education. The program is offered entirely online.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.

International programs

Funding Your Education

Program Information Request Form

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Career Potential

Graduates of our Computer Science Program are able to continue their studies in a degree programming such as a Bachelor of Science or work in IT-related fields.

English Language Arts 30-1 or 60% in English Language Arts 30-2

Math 30-1 or 60% in Math 30-2

Transfers:

Transferable to other Alberta post-secondary institutions such as Athabasca University, Bow Valley College, the University of Alberta, and Concordia University. Please refer to TransferAlberta for more detailed information based on the courses selected.

Certification

Certificate in Computer Programming and Information Technology

Program Start/End Dates
August 29, 2024, to June 20, 2025

Application Deadline
August 15, 2024

Locations
Online

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Tuition Deposit $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2023

Tuition	$2,594.46
Student Association	$116.70
Technology Fee	$82.71
Recreation Fee	$54.57
Total	$2,848.44

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2023

Tuition	$2,594.46
Student Association	$116.70
Technology Fee	$82.71
Recreation Fee	$54.57
Total	$2,848.44

Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit.” One credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170.

Spring Term
Fee payment deadline: April 21, 2024

Spring tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit.” One credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170.

Other mandatory Part-time Spring fees

Student Association	$68.95
Technology Fee	$82.71
Recreation Fee	$23.54
Total	$175.20

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

Course Listing

COMPUTER NETWORKS

Course ID: COMP247

Name: COMPUTER NETWORKS

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

COMP 247 is a university course designed to teach the essential principles and technologies of computer networking. To accommodate the needs of students who do not have enough programming background or are not interested in programming, requirements for coding have been removed from the course.

Pre/Corequisite COMP214
COMPUTER SCIENCE CODING AND ROBOTICS

Course ID: CSCR101

Name: COMPUTER SCIENCE CODING AND ROBOTICS

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

Welcome to this project-based course that will have you exploring the areas of computer science, coding, and robotics. This class will challenge your problem-solving abilities, and equip you with an understanding of how some of the computer programs you use on a regular basis were made. In addition to building fundamental programming skills, you’ll be developing projects that have both digital and physical aspects, driven by a Micro:bit single-board computer, and a set of basic robotics electronics components.

Prerequisite: None
INTRO TO COMP PROGRAMMING (JAVA)

Course ID: COMP168

Name: INTRO TO COMP PROGRAMMING (JAVA)

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

COMP 168 is designed to introduce you to programming in the Java computer language. The course progresses from first principles to advanced topics in object-oriented programming using Java. The course builds on the basic elements of Java programming and culminates in a final project that incorporates the skills acquired in the course. Students are also required to reflect on their progress and learning throughout the course, and to engage in online discussions with their peers, in an effort to increase problem-solving and critical analysis skills.

Pre/Corequisite: COMP 105
INTRO TO COMPUTING AND INFO SYSTEMS

Course ID: COMP105

Name: INTRO TO COMPUTING AND INFO SYSTEMS

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

COMP 105 is a three-credit course that covers the fundamentals of information systems. The course covers basic hardware concepts; the structure (or architecture) of computers; the software hierarchy, from systems software to application programs; as well as concepts and development of the field. The course is the pre-requisite for higher-level computer science courses.

Students in this course will be expected to use a combination of locally installed and external electronic materials to develop the skills needed for further study in the field. These skills include downloading, installing, and using specialized software tools, and setting the paths to allowing programs to access their components and files. Because COMP 105 is a preparatory course for further study in computer science, the level and difficulty of technical content are fairly high.

Prerequisite 60% in Math 30-1 or 30-2
INTRO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

Course ID: COMP106

Name: INTRO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

COMP 106 is designed to introduce you to programming in the C++ computer programming language. The course progresses from first principles to advanced topics in object-oriented programming using C++.

Pre/Corequisite COMP105
INTRO TO GAME DESIGN

Course ID: COMP218

Name: INTRO TO GAME DESIGN

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

This is an introductory course in game design and development. This course covers many of the concepts involved in game design, beginning with the history of gaming and an examination of the software engineering aspects of game design. Other topics include the programming environment, game hardware, mathematical concepts, physical concepts, and graphics. This course will prepare students for advanced courses in game design.

Pre/Corequisite COMP 105
INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Course ID: COMA145

Name: INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Hours: 22

Credits: 1

This course will introduce students to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment and allow them to fully understand system software as it relates to program software and hardware. The system software examined within this course will be Windows 10. Prerequisites: None
OPERATING SYSTEMS

Course ID: COMP214

Name: OPERATING SYSTEMS

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

COMP 214 introduces the fundamental concepts, principles, and structures of operating systems. An operating system is software on a computer that orchestrates the hardware components of the computer. The operating system provides the user/programmer with efficient and convenient service and a high degree of machine independence in writing programs, executing programs, and managing system resources. It is assumed that students taking this course are familiar with the basic structure and the main hardware components of a computer.

Pre-Requisite: COMP 106 or COMP 168, or an equivalent university-level programming course
TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR TEACHING & LEARNING

Course ID: COMA200

Name: TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR TEACHING & LEARNING

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

Technology Tools for Teaching and Learning will help prepare students to develop and integrate project-based learning skills into the classroom. Students will examine the Information and Communication Technology Outcomes Program of Studies as published by Alberta Learning, and are expected to develop modules that integrate the ICT Outcomes using the Internet, Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, and Multimedia application software. PREREQUISITE: 60% in ELA 30-1
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Course ID: COMP261

Name: SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

Hours: 45

Credits: 3

System analysis and design deal with planning the development of information systems through understanding and specifying in detail what a system should do and how the components of the system should be implemented and work together. System analysts solve business problems through analyzing the requirements of information systems and designing such systems by applying analysis and design techniques. This course deals with the concepts, skills, methodologies, techniques, tools, and perspectives essential for systems analysts. The practical component of COMP 261 is object-oriented and use-case-driven, requiring students to go through the steps of system analysis and design to solve a real-life business problem.

Pre-Requisite COMP 105, or instructor’s permission which is based on the student’s basic knowledge of programming, object orientation, and databases.

We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.