Software Developer

Post-Graduate Certificate
Software Developer

Program Overview

The Software Developer post-graduate certificate will prepare you for the challenges of developing software products and web applications for clients. Software Developer is designed to expand your current knowledge and skills into the fields of technology, computer applications, data communications, data design, and software analysis and design.

You will gain programming experience through hands-on learning, and develop the skills necessary to analyze and design information technology based solutions.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Through your studies, you will develop knowledge and skills in:

  • computer programming
  • web development and app development and deployment
  • approaches to planning and executing IT projects
  • role of IT in supporting business decision making

Potential Careers

Sample Job TitleNOC Classification1Earning Potential2
Software EngineerSoftware Engineers and Designers (2173)$60,100 - $180,100
Mobile DeveloperComputer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (2174)$47,900 - $111,200
Web DeveloperWeb Designers and Developers (2175)$24,600 - $76,400

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s):

September


Length:

39 weeks


Locations

  • Saskatoon

Admissions

Admission Requirements

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 approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

 

2022/23 Academic Year

$12,886

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

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Semester 1

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
COSC 600
Introduction to Programming 1
3
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You will learn concepts used in programming. You will create programs that use variables, allow for user input and output, and provide opportunities for simple decision strategies. You will also learn how to work with different variable types and how to debug programs. In addition, you will create and use strategies that involve repetition (looping) in your programs. You will create methods and work with elementary data. The content in COSC 600 will prepare you for COSC 601 - Introduction to Programming II.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
COSC 601
Introduction to Programming 2
3
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You will develop problem-solving skills through the use of detailed algorithms and be introduced to structured and object oriented design techniques. The course content includes continuing the evolution of methods, encapsulation, instantiating and using objects. You will study the following topics: overriding and abstract methods, interfaces, inheritance, dynamic binding and polymorphism.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): COSC 600(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
CWEB 600
Website Development
3
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You will learn how to use Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to develop Web pages for delivery over the World Wide Web. You will also learn how to plan and develop HTML documents to build a Web site based on W3 standards and enhance HTML documents using current techniques such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
CWEB 601
Internet Programming and Web Apps 1
3
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You will receive instruction and practice in the development of client-side Web applications. You will use javascript to improve Web page design, validate forms, detect browsers, create cookies, and detect and respond to user actions.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): CWEB 600(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
CWEB 603
Software Development Fundamentals
3
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You will study the concepts of User Experience (UX) which encompass a wide range of activities including User Interface (UI) design, Information Architecture (IA) and field research. You will learn about usability design and testing, tight integration and collaboration with software development processes which are elements of User Experience (UX). You will develop a better understanding of the role of User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) as you follow an iterative and agile approach which focuses on User-Centered Design (UCD) as the motivator for product direction. You will learn how software is developed following an agile process methodology as well as how to manage program code using a version control system.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Prior Learning
Total semester credits: 15

Semester 2

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
CDBM 601
Database Management Systems
3
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You will explore the design and development of a relational database to store data for an application. You will learn modeling techniques to convert the data storage requirements of the client into specifications for a relational database. You will become familiar with normalization, a technique that helps ensure that database entity and referential integrity are maintained during creation, update and deletion of data. You will employ Structured Query Language (SQL) to access and manipulate data within the database. You will employ views to simplify query development. Finally, you will be presented with descriptions and concepts of non-relational databases.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
COSC 602
Intermediate Programming 1
3
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You will receive instruction in working with common array algorithms and creating recursive methods. You will learn to use exception-based programming techniques to handle runtime errors. You will become familiar with and be able to manipulate such advanced data structures as stacks and queues. You will learn functional programming and build interactive Graphical User Interface (GUI) based applications.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): COSC 601
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
COSC 603
Intermediate Programming 2
3
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You will receive instruction in working with data structures. You will study introductory concepts related to test driven development (TDD), thread-based programming, network programming and database programming. You will use standard file input/output techniques.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): COSC 602(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
COSC 604
Advanced Programming
3
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You will become familiar with the concept of an abstract data type. You will use the abstract data type to define various data structures that have useful characteristics which can be exploited to solve problems efficiently. You will study the use of predefined abstract data types and user defined abstract data types to improve program modularity and efficiency. Your studies will include the design and implementation of abstract data types using objected oriented techniques. Topics will include alternative implementations of data structures and sorting techniques using interfaces, collections and iterators. You will use graph data structure and associated algorithms to solve problems efficiently.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): COSC 603(concurrent), COSC 602(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
CWEB 602
Internet Programming and Web Apps 2
3
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You will receive instruction and practice in the development of server-side Web applications. You will learn how to write scripts that allow remote users to interface with databases existing on a World Wide Web server. You will become familiar with server-side programming to display website content dynamically as required.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): CWEB 601, CDBM 600(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
Total semester credits: 15

Semester 3

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
INDG 600
Indigenous Studies
1
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You will complete the Blanket Exercise to honour the Indigenous peoples in Canada. You will study the history of the relationships between European settlers and the Indigenous peoples from initial contact to present day. You will analyze the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance Canadian reconciliation.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
PROJ 602
Capstone Project
3
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You will learn how to work in a group to plan and execute a major IT project. You will manage and monitor the project and produce documentation to communicate effectively with your stakeholders.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Prerequisites(s): COSC 604, CDBM 601, CWEB 603(concurrent)
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online
TCOM 601
Technical Communications
3
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You will conduct effective meetings and produce supporting documents including emails. You will discuss technical report purposes and formats, write short technical reports and present technical information. You will also practice job search skills.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 45.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online
Total semester credits: 7

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

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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.

Student Awards

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Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

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