Business Information Systems

Program Overview

Information technology, business software, mobile platforms—information systems are reinventing the way we do business. Computer-savvy people with programming and development skills are in demand in the business world. When your skill set includes training in business solution development, you’re a hot commodity.

Business Information Systems (BIS) is a two-year diploma program offered full-time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Moose Jaw Campus. It includes four academic semesters and a six-month paid co-operative education work term.

The Business Information Systems program starts with a solid foundation in business basics with a focus on information technology functions and learning how to use them to develop meaningful business solutions. This includes training in:

Software development languages (Visual Studio.NET, Java, COBOL);
Computer hardware, networking and operating systems (Windows, Unix and Linux);
Data gathering, modeling and database management systems (Oracle, SQL Server 2000);
Retrieval techniques of databases and programming languages (SQL, PLSQL, ADO.NET, JDBC); and
Target platforms, including Windows application development, networked software development, web application development (XHTML, JavaScript, ASP, Java).

You’ll use cutting edge technology in servers, programming and mobile apps. You’ll have opportunities to develop or enhance actual production applications, and build hands-on skills in systems analysis, design methodologies and project management.

Diploma to Degree

Graduates can apply to transfer into degree programs at the University of Regina's Paul Hill School of Business, the University of Regina's Computer Science department, the University of Lethbridge and Athabasca University.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

You’re job-ready at graduation. You could work as a software developer, systems analyst, programmer analyst, web/mobile app developer or help desk support. As you gain experience, explore opportunities in IT management or build specialized skills in database administration, advanced web development, project and network management. You could also build a name for yourself as a private consultant or independent contractor.

Potential Careers

Sample Job Title	NOC Classification¹	Earning Potential²
Business Analyst	Information Systems Analysts and Consultants (2171)	$51,100 - $120,000
Software Developer	Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (2174)	$50,000 - $100,100
Web Developer	Web Designers and Developers (2175)	$35,400 - $98,200

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s): September

Length: 64 weeks:

There is a mandatory six-month paid Co-operative Education work term between Semesters 2 and 3. Semesters and co-op work term time patterns are listed in Courses below.

Locations

Moose Jaw
Regina

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 with any 30-level mathematics course or with ICTC FIT (Information and Communication Technology Council Focus on IT) certificate
English Language Requirement

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER©

250 Arithmetic
254 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics
247 Reading
243 Writing

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as books and supplies. For a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

Year 1 - $7,100
Year 2 - $5,400

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

The program follows this academic and co-operative education schedule. Courses are outlined below by semester.

	Sept - Dec	Jan - Apr	May - Oct
Year 1	Semester 1	Semester 2	Work term
	May - Oct	Nov - Feb	Mar - Jun
Year 2	Work term	Semester 3	Semester 4

Expand All +

Year 1 - Semester 1

Code

Name/Description

Credits

ACCT 122

Introductory Financial Accounting 1

Your studies will focus on an introduction to financial accounting designed to provide you with accounting skills to handle business transactions. The course will include bookkeeping techniques, accounting for a merchandising concern and control over cash and receivables. Accounting for payroll is also introduced in this course. ACCT 122 is a companion to ACCT 125 (Introductory Financial Accounting 2) which continues the study of basic financial accounting.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Equivalent Course(s): ACCT 122CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

BCOM 120

Business Communications 1

You will develop fundamental employability skills by studying the principles of communication. The course content includes developing effective writing skills. You will apply the principles and skills by writing letters and memorandums for routine and negative purposes. You will develop teamwork employability skills and examine ways to apply communication skills to team and cross-cultural situations.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Equivalent Course(s): BCOM 104, TCOM 102, TCOM 180
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN

COMP 122

Introduction to Programming for Information Systems

You will learn introductory programming and design concepts using the Java language. Your studies will develop your logic and problem solving skills using elements of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to develop structured and object oriented Java programs.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Equivalent Course(s): COMP 141, COSC 180
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 123

Introduction to Business Computing

You will learn how to use computers to analyze business data and collaborate on documents and projects. You will gain hands on experience with advanced features of the Windows Operating System and the Microsoft Office suite of tools including file systems and directories, spreadsheets, databases, and SharePoint site management. You will also study best practices for collaborative document production, document management, and source control using Git and GitHub.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Equivalent Course(s): COAP 120
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 255

Visual Application Development

You will study the Windows based application development environment. You will develop applications using graphical user interfaces and incorporate Object-Oriented Event-Driven (OOED) programming. The course content includes standard OOED programming concepts, graphics, database access, inter-application communications and data structures.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

STAT 120

Business Statistics

You will gain knowledge of statistical concepts and techniques applicable to accounting and management. You will study descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability distributions, the Central Limit Theorem, and linear regression. This course is intended to build problem solving and critical thinking skills, and to demonstrate the importance of statistics in professional practices.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Equivalent Course(s): ACP 374, STAT 120CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN, Web Assisted Delivery Group

Year 1 - Semester 2

Code

Name/Description

Credits

ADMN 220

Organizational Behaviour

You will study human behaviour in organizations and develop the skills needed to deal with people at work. Your studies include content on individual behaviour, values, interpersonal relationships and communications, groups and team dynamics, organizational culture, leadership, and change. You will study these aspects of human behavior within the context of diverse formal organizations.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): ADMN 220CE, BUS 182
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 215

Internet Application Development 1

You will learn the fundamentals of Web design and application development. You will learn to create Web content that communicates effectively and is easy to maintain. Your studies will include learning HTML5, JavaScript, JQuery, AJAX and JavaScript sockets.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 122
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 233

Object Oriented Programming Concepts

You will learn advanced topics in Java programming and Object Oriented programming techniques. Your studies will include file manipulation, exception handling, graphical user interfaces, event handling, multi-threaded environments, and network programming. You will continue to study systems development, algorithm design and the Unified Modelling Language (UML). After completing this course, you will have developed a thorough understanding of Java's capabilities and strengths.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 122
Corequisites(s):
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

COMP 234

Database

You will gain experience designing computer systems that involve database processing. You will focus on the hierarchical, relational, and network design. You will also gain experience in database processing using ORACLE and Query Languages (in particular SQL and SQL*PLUS).
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 123
Corequisites(s):
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

COMP 249

Information Security, Privacy and Ethics

You will learn how to plan and manage security and privacy policies. You will study the role of CIPS in providing ethical guidelines for professional conduct, and you will learn about the responsibilities of working with management information systems and their data. You will also discuss the ergonomics and health risks associated with computer based-work. Your studies will include the components of an information system security model and the threat groups that compromise them. In addition, you will be exposed to examples of security technology and how to implement it as part of a security plan.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 48.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 254

Computer Architecture and Data Communications

You will be exposed to a wide variety of topics related to computer systems and networking. As you install and configure these system components, you will learn about computer hardware, workstation and server operating systems, and computer networking and data communications. Your studies will focus on the architecture of the Intel-based computer hardware and the Microsoft workstation and server operating system platforms.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 123
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

JOBR 120

Job Readiness

You will develop essential employability skills which will assist you in labour market research in the information technology sector, employment-related communications, and interviewing techniques. You will prepare documentation required for a successful job application and employment.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 16.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Prior Learning

Co-operative Work Term

Code

Name/Description

Credits

COOP 150

Co-operative Education Work Term

Your co-operative education work term will provide an opportunity for you to integrate the formal knowledge and skills learned in the classroom with experiential learning from the workplace. You will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts to real work situations, work collaboratively in team work situations, experience the complexity of the roles and responsibilities within an organization, and apply personal employment skills.
Credit Units: 0
Course Hours: 960.0
Prerequisites(s): JOBR 230
Potential Learning Method(s): Coop Education Work Term, Prior Learning

Year 2 - Semester 3

Code

Name/Description

Credits

COMP 214

Project Management

You will develop essential project management skills that will place you in a position to make an immediate and valuable contribution to the success of real world projects. You will study industry standards and methodologies to develop an appreciation of the resources available to project managers. You will learn tools and techniques which are useful to the project process groups and knowledge areas. You will study the theory that supports project management and how apply it to real-world examples.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 235

Internet Application Development 2

Your studies will provide hands-on experience developing .NET applications. The course content includes Web application topics such as the .NET AJAX framework, ASP.NET, distributed computing topics such as Windows Communication Foundation and Web Services, and the ADO.NET libraries for data access. You will complete course projects using Visual Studio .NET, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, and C#.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 215, COMP 234
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

COMP 236

Operating Systems and Environment Configuration

You will learn the fundamentals of developing software applications with open source tools and technologies. Your studies will provide you with a broad view of application development and deployment environments, including the hardware, operating systems, and servers required to develop and deploy software applications.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 254
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

COMP 237

Systems Analysis and Requirements Management

You will learn a variety of different methods, tools, and techniques that a systems analyst would use in the development of complex business information systems. You will use CASE tools to develop practical experience in planning analysis and design of business information systems. You will gather requirements, perform the analysis and begin design if a small-automated system belonging to a real world/ business/organization to gain direct experience of systems analysis.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 234
Corequisites(s):
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

COMP 258

Object Oriented Software Development

You will study the fundamentals of object oriented software design, UML and data structures. You will study the creation and selection of common collections and their related algorithms. You will apply these concepts in project development involving multi-user, networked application for data access.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 233
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

COMP 259

Mobile Application Development 1

Using the Android-based application development environment, you will extend web applications to a native mobile platform. You will write mobile applications that incorporate local data storage, implement handset hardware features such as GPS and connect to the network. You will compare native application development to cross platform development for multiple devices.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 233
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

Year 2 - Semester 4

Code

Name/Description

Credits

ACCT 225

Managerial Accounting

Your studies will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of managerial accounting. You will examine cost concepts, manufacturing accounting, cost allocation and budgeting processes, and you will be able to select appropriate managerial accounting techniques for decision making.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 80.0
Prerequisites(s): ACCT 122
Equivalent Course(s): ACCT 225CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

BCOM 121

Business Communications 2

You will continue to develop effective business writing skills and employability skills. The course focuses on writing business reports in both informal and formal styles. In addition, classroom study and experience will help prepare you for a business career by developing your presentation skills.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Prerequisites(s): BCOM 120
Equivalent Course(s): COMM 149
Potential Learning Method(s): Independent Study, Lecture/Theory, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN

COMP 253

Systems Project

You will demonstrate your skill in systems development using real projects or contrived cases that require applying the activities of the system development cycle in an interactive data base environment. The case projects are set in a team environment with the supervising faculty member serving as your consultant and evaluator.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 214, COMP 237
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 262

Mobile Application Development 2

Building on the foundation of COMP 259, you will implement more advanced Android and cross platform development techniques. You will write applications that use dynamic user interface elements, incorporate remote data storage, and communicate with web services. Using cross platform development tools, you will create a mobile application that runs on various devices and will work with a multi-tiered business application.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Prerequisites(s): COMP 259
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online

HR 236

Organizational Change

You will develop strategies and processes related to creating and fostering an evolving workplace culture that supports innovation, change, quality and learning. You will also explore your own attitude toward change as a means of understanding that of employees. The result of this approach to organizational change will be harmony between the organization’s needs and employee’s expectations while remaining consistent with the organization’s business plan in a competitive and changing environment. The course content emphasizes the importance of implementing change in the proper sequence of events and interactions.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Equivalent Course(s): ADMN 236, HR 236CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Transfer credit options vary over time; this information is subject to change. Transfer credit options for this program include:

advanced standing at most Canadian universities and colleges toward courses leading to various degrees, management certificates and/or professional accounting designations
admission to the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science Program in Computer Science, University of Regina
direct entry to the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management program, University of Lethbridge
direct entry to the Bachelor of Commerce Degree Completion program, University Canada West

Athabasca University

Graduates of this program may be eligible for block transfer of 60 credit units towards the Bachelor of Management, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Human Resources & Labour Relations Post Diploma programs.

University of Regina - Paul Hill School of Business

Graduates of the Business Certificate program with an average of 72% or higher may be eligible for transfer credit of 60 hours toward the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Qualifying Program requirements must be completed.

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. You don't have to be a brainiac to receive a student award. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Accreditation

Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS)

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Business Information Systems program has been accredited by the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) since 1992. Accreditation lets you pursue the Information Systems Profession of Canada (ISP) designation.