Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems (Games Development Option)

at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby Campus Canada

If you have completed a BCIT Accounting, Finance, or Financial Planning diploma, you can earn your Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc) at BCIT. This degree will provide you with an academic credential leading to a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation, a MPAcc (Master of Professional Accounting), or an MBA program. Students completing this program will acquire the key technical, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills demanded by employers.

The Bachelor of Accounting consists of eight Advanced Technical Specialty courses and 36 credits of General Education. Full-time students also have the option to complete a Workplace Education component.

BCIT’s Computer Systems Technology (CST) two-year diploma program combines computer systems theory with hands-on practical experience in software development. You’ll learn software engineering and programming from industry professionals, and gain experience working on real projects, from concept to deployment. In second year, specialty options add depth and further hone your skills.

In this program, you’ll train thoroughly for the behind-the-scenes jobs available in the growing world of video production. This includes working closely with industry professionals to learn the skills today’s employers are looking for, all to help prepare you for your dream career as an editor, video producer, film maker, and more.

Through BCIT’s Television & Video Production diploma program, you’ll prepare and deliver programming that’s broadcast weekly on Shaw TV, streamed online, and delivered through online video services. As part of earning experience in every facet of production, you’ll rotate through various roles, including writing scripts, shooting and editing, directing, lighting, and audio mixing.

Because BCIT’s first goal is to prepare you for a successful career, we regularly update and adapt our course offerings and hours to meet changing industry conditions and demands. Some classes and practicums may take place outside of normal class hours, including evenings and weekends to offer flexible training opportunities for students.

To give you even more current, relevant experience, you’ll participate in a 4-week practicum with a TV station, film studio, or media production company to learn on the job and develop connections throughout the industry. Students find practicums in communities throughout the province, across the country, and around the world!

The Bachelor of Technology Construction Management (BTech CM) degree program equips students with the skills necessary to effectively manage construction projects of varying complexity and size. The program focuses on developing management, technical and interpersonal skills, while introducing practical tools and current approaches used in the industry to plan, manage and track construction projects from conception to completion.

The BTech CM program is a degree completion program – it provides years 3 and 4 of a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Students can enter the program through a few different pathways; including related or unrelated degree or diploma programs, trade certification and through demonstrated work experience in the construction industry. Students broaden their existing knowledge and skills through BCIT’s unique applied learning environment. Our approach, which includes collaboration with industry, ensures that the program is responsive and can adapt to emerging needs, trends, and industry issues.

The BTech CM program recognizes the wide range of roles available to construction managers in today’s competitive and technologically advancing construction industry. Graduates of the program are able to advance diverse career opportunities, coordinating and managing projects for general contractors, trade contractors, developers, owners, municipalities, public sector institutions and private clients, to name a few.

BCIT's Occupational Health and Safety Diploma program is the most comprehensive training of its kind in Canada. Students learn the skills they need to start a great career in health and safety, in any industry and workplace.
Our grads learn the operations of health and safety and the business side, including human resources, communication, decision-making, and leadership. This is what sets it apart from our Certificate program, which is geared to experienced individuals looking to move into health and safety roles within their existing industry.

Program Highlights 

• On-campus lectures and labs with case studies for practical workplace analysis
• Field work and an industry practicum give you hands-on experience

Our program has courses in every area of workplace safety. We prepare you from day one. Click on Program Details to discover more about the OCHS Diploma program.

Who it's for
This program is for individuals who:

• Enjoy working with people and teams and have an interest in leadership
• Care about creating safe and healthy workplaces for others<
• Are keen to build tactical and innovative thinking skills
• Have a high school diploma or higher level of education

The Computer Information Systems Administration (CISA) program is a full-time program that provides graduates with a comprehensive skill set geared towards administration of computer networks and system. The CISA program emphasizes a hands-on, technical approach to training, where experience gained in labs and classrooms can be applied directly to business and industry.

The program focuses on Information Technology (IT) infrastructure solutions rather than computer engineering or software development. Training comprises both theory and practical experience where the goal is to have the students develop a skill set to be able to install, configure, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot systems and hardware. To support this training, students are exposed to considerable hands-on activities using well equipped labs. Applicants should have a keen interest in computers, exposure to home networking, strong communication and problem solving skills.

The first year consists of training that introduces students to computer hardware, operating systems, network infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Topics include Microsoft Active Directory services and networking, Cisco routing and switching, Linux administration as well as essentials of databases and programming. While much of the training aligns with industry certifications, students are not required to write any industry exams. Included in first year is a Business Skills for IT course that provides insight into the communication and management skills required in the IT sector.

The second year specializes in deploying and supporting the network infrastructure used in today's enterprise systems. Students leverage industry leading products from Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Fortinet, Juniper, Palo-Alto, Red Hat, SUSE, Oracle, VMWare, and others to create a secure, multiservice business solution. Students work with routing, switching, firewall, server, and client technologies to deploy reliable and redundant campus networks that support remote access and wide area interconnectivity. Topics include security, advanced routing and switching, Voice-over-IP (VoIP), and wireless access. Networked applications are explored and deployed including collaboration and messaging services. Students learn to leverage virtualization technologies, providing the responsiveness needed to support business applications. The integration of “cloud” services to an enterprise along with network management solutions provides insight into the complexities of an enterprise system. Students are encouraged to obtain more advanced industry certifications from Aruba, AWS, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, Fortinet, Juniper, Palo-Alto, and VMWare.

The Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems (CST BTech) is an applied career-enhancement degree, designed to increase the breadth and depth of knowledge and practical skills of computer professionals; assisting them in widening their career opportunities and advancing along their career paths. Graduates are awarded a credential that is highly valued by the industry.

The CST BTech full-time program is a two-year degree completion program for students who have graduated from a two-year diploma in computing such as the BCIT Computer Systems Technology (CST) program. Students who have completed other computing diploma or degree programs at an accredited college or university, whether locally or internationally, may be admitted into the program by completing pre-entry assessment and a few bridging courses. 

The Network Security Applications Development Option is designed to prepare graduates to design, develop and deploy advanced network applications using a variety of programming languages such as C, C++, Java, Ruby, and Python, on the Linux and Windows platforms. Graduates will understand the role of security applications, both as exploit and penetration testing tools in networks. Courses are designed to provide in-depth skills using the Berkeley socket API, and the design of implementation of advanced IPv4/IPv6 Client/Server applications. Also covered are advanced topics, such as Wireless Data Communication, and Cryptology.

Issues such as modularity and efficiency in the implementation of protocols are covered. The emphasis will be very much the design and implementation of high-performance, robust, and scalable network applications. Security and private data transmission techniques over public networks are covered. Client-Server applications are designed and implemented using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) API. An in-depth coverage of techniques used to design and develop secure code and robust applications will be provided. Students will also be familiarized with the Bluetooth software development techniques.

Advanced courses' focus will be on the research and advanced implementation of security tools such as Covert Channels, Stealth Backdoors, Trojans, Packet crafting and sniffing, and in security tools proof-of-concept and prototyping. The use of advanced raw socket and kernel-level programming techniques to implement security applications will be covered in a practical, hands-on manner.

The program spans over nine months and is designed for individuals who have already completed a diploma or a degree and are interested in making a career in human resource management. The students learn how to create employee retention programs, deal with workplace conflicts, employee compensation packages, and plan staffing levels, hiring selection criteria and performance management policies.

The students enrolled under this program take a ten-week Business Consulting Project in their final term, where students spend two days a week in developing a solution to real human resource issues companies’ face. They collect and analyze the data, create recommendations and then showcase their results to the senior management. 

International students should be aware that this program has a mandatory integrated work experience and you are responsible for ensuring that you hold a valid co-op work permit, which is required to complete this practicum. The co-op work permit is separate from the study permit for having authorization to work up to 20 hours per week during your studies.

The Geomatics Engineering Technology diploma program is a two year course of study leading to a Diploma in Geomatics that is nationally recognized. Students in this program acquire a solid background in applied math, physics, cartography, photogrammetry, plane surveying, geodetic surveying and computer applications.

Practical skills include field surveying, GPS and total station data collection and analysis together with computer assisted digital mapping using aerial photography and laser scan data. Prospective students should have a genuine interest in mathematics, computers and earth sciences and enjoy working in both field and office environments.

The Electrical Power and Industrial Control option of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) program offers students a foundation in the technology used in utility, industrial, commercial and residential applications. Graduates will have strong theoretical and practical, hands-on knowledge in many areas, including:

• Power generation including renewable and conventional energy resources
• Electric machines (motors and generators) and their controls
• Power distribution design for utilities
• Industrial electrical systems and lighting design according to the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)
• Measurement of power quality issues and how to solve them
• Troubleshooting and operation of electrical power equipment including transformers and switchgear
• Power systems protection including both legacy and modern protection system
• Field measurement and design for grounding and bonding systems
• Industrial data communications including traditional SCADA systems and new smart grid technologies
• Industrial power electronics including variable frequency drives, inverters and rectifiers
• Power conversion systems for renewable energy resources such as wind and solar
• Programmable logic controller (PLC) system design and programming
• Managing and completing student-initiated or industry-sponsored projects in small groups

Co-operative education:
Co-operative education is an optional part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology programs. Students who successfully complete a minimum of two co-op terms receive a co-operative education designation on their diploma.
During a co-op term, you will have a full-time paid position with an employer in the electronics industry for a period of 15 to 20 weeks. You must complete Level 2 of the program before taking a co-op term, and co-op terms may be taken consecutively.
The industrial experience you will gain in the co-op component of the program will give you an added advantage in securing a position after graduation. You are encouraged, but not required, to participate in co-operative education.