Diploma in Computer Information Systems (Optional co-op)

at Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Surrey Campus Canada

The general objective of a B.A. Major in Anthropology is to prepare students for life, the workforce, and advanced study in this or other fields. Anthropology students find employment in such areas as: governmental and non-governmental organizations; archaeology; law enforcement and forensic work; social work; counselling; public administration; education; urban planning; public relations; broadcasting and journalism. In a globalizing and increasingly multi-cultural world, an employee capable of working alongside persons from diverse cultural backgrounds is vital. Anthropology provides students with both the practical experience and the necessary tools to apply cross-cultural and cross-historical understanding to problem-solving strategies within the workplace.

Fine Arts offer a two-year Diploma Program and a one-year Certificate Program, both of which are designed to enable students to acquire a solid foundation in the basic skills of visual arts. Selected courses and groups of courses within the Diploma program may be applied to a 3rd year entry into the KPU Fine Arts BFA, Visual Arts or university transfer credit in Fine Arts and Education.

Upon completion of the two-year diploma program at KPU, graduates will have acquired both intellectual and technical skills to work effectively with a wide range of media. With these skills, students can continue to develop their creative potential individually, through the BFA, Visual Arts program, or at another post-secondary institution. Most Fine Arts credits are university transferable.
The department recommends that students consider a course of study that includes specializing in one or more areas such as ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, print media, sculpture, and digital media.

The KPU Creative Writing Department offers award-winning faculty, small class sizes, and a rigorous approach to the discipline of writing. The department is known for a strong sense of community which supports writers to discover their voice and develop their craft. Creative Writing provides learners with an excellent foundation in written communication skills as well as the development of divergent and creative thinking abilities. Graduates with these skills are highly sought in today's dynamic workplace.
Students who wish to major in Creative Writing are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Creative Writing.

The Associate of Arts Degree (AA) in Asian Studies will introduce you to the discipline and prepare you for further study. By completing the AA Degree you will gain a broader understanding of the world in which you live and will become a more informed and engaged citizen. You can choose to focus on a particular geographic region; however, we recommend that you complete as broad a range of courses as possible.
Asian Studies courses are reading and writing intensive; therefore, it is strongly recommended that you complete your English requirements within your first two semesters.

Advanced Game Development is a full-time, two-year, cohort program comprised of industry-level courses covering game development’s core disciplines: art, design, programming and production. Students will create various assignments, projects and games that will be assembled into a portfolio that is fit for working in the games industry.

In the design courses, students will learn crucial skills for designers, such as critical analysis, creative problem solving, communication and collaboration. While covering in-depth design theory, students also get hands on practical software skills with various industry standard engines and design tools, such as Unreal, Unity and the Adobe Creative Suite.

The art courses focus on environment and character modelling, texturing, animation, technical art and procedural art, while also teaching foundational artistic theory that can be applied to any creative medium. Students will be able to produce their own art assets for their games.

In the programming courses, students will learn the latest industry techniques in the fields of game programing, networking, AI, rendering and more. Students will learn to work with Visual Scripting, but also dive into programming languages such s C# and Python. Students will learn how to build full games from the ground up, to make their creative visions a reality and have the practical production skills necessary for their career in game development.

Once sufficient foundational knowledge has been gained, students will work together in teams under tight time and creative constraints to create games and prototypes. This will teach students the importance of production and project management in an agile framework.

The B.Sc. in Health Science program is designed to prepare students for public and private sector careers in health research, health practice, health product production and distribution, and health management. It also prepares students for entry into schools of health or graduate studies.

The objectives of the degree are as follows:

• To provide students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences together with writing and critical thinking skills.
• To provide students with a broad knowledge of the various health professions involved in the Canadian health system.
• To equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for employment in health service delivery, health research, production and distribution of health products, and other health-related fields.
• To provide students with the educational prerequisites necessary for entry into a) post graduate degrees in the sciences, and b) qualified health professional programs (e.g. medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, medical technical programs, pharmacy).
• To provide students with the opportunity to integrate an understanding of complementary medicine (e.g., naturopathy, traditional Asian medicine) with the basic sciences.

The B.Sc. in Health Science is designed around a core of required basic science and health science courses, complemented by health science and open electives that provide graduates with a solid science foundation but also with critical health research, communication, and management skills for future success.

The Bachelor of Applied Arts degree program is geared towards helping students gain the skills and experience necessary to be job-skills ready. The Bachelor of Applied Arts also emphasizes research skills, and gives students a bit of the grad school experience and skills, without going to graduate school. The program is more rigorous and challenging than the more flexible Bachelor of Arts, but includes courses hand-picked by faculty and employers to target hard and soft job skills. The Bachelor of Applied Arts is ideally suited for students interested in workplace expertise, tests and measurements, and UX design.

Lower-level students establish a foundation of knowledge in psychology, before concentrating on applications of psychology to modern community and workplace settings for their upper-level work. Required courses provide students with general, transferable workplace skills (e.g., Interpersonal Relations), as well as specific knowledge and skills used in a variety of public and private sector jobs such as program evaluation and technical writing. Electives provide further training in additional areas selected by the student.

Students also participate in a workplace practicum coordinated by KPU and co-supervised by faculty and employers in relevant fields of employment. This practicum placement will assist students in gaining workplace experience and in meeting potential future employers.

Those interested in further study and graduate school or who prefer more extensive research experience may augment their knowledge and skills by taking the  research-focused Honours program in Psychology. The Honours program affords students an opportunity to develop and report on a research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member within the Psychology Department.

The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting is designed for a student that has completed a bachelor's degree and has decided to further their education by pursuing the CPA accounting designation. The program will allow students to obtain the required accounting courses to then be accepted into the accounting professional program. The program aims to provide the skill sets identified by CPA Canada as critical to achieve competency as a CPA. The program consists of fourteen courses (48 credits) that will allow students to develop strong technical skills in financial reporting, management accounting, strategy and governance, audit and assurance, finance and taxation. It will also ensure the development of the required enabling competencies of the profession: professionalism, ethical behaviour, written and oral communication, leadership, and problem solving. Note: This is a two-year program, though students can choose to complete the program in an accelerated form.

This 60-credit diploma program provides graduates with diverse computing knowledge to meet the computer and information system needs of organizations of all sizes.   The program is designed to provide graduates with a solid foundation in computer systems and user support, network administration, systems design and foundational programming.

Co-operative Education

The Computer Information Systems diploma is offered with a Co-operative Education option. Co-operative Education gives a student the opportunity to apply the skills gained during academic study in paid, practical work experience semesters. Students can complete two work semesters while completing their diploma. Work terms generally occur full-time in separate 4 month work semesters. Work semesters alternate with academic study.

The Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program prepares graduates for careers in the manufacturing industry. With growing reliance on automated technology in the manufacturing sector, technicians are being challenged to perform higher-level tasks that involve diagnostics, analytics, trouble-shooting and hands-on maintenance and repair. Students will acquire critical theoretical and technical knowledge, and hands-on practical experience in applied trades areas such as machining, welding, metal fabrication and electrical. In addition to these skills, students in this program will acquire the knowledge to enable them to prepare technical reports pertaining to the operation and management of an automated manufacturing facility.

The program supports applied research, product development and commercialization solutions.The program also includes the most current technology in computer numerical control (CNC) programming, renewable energy, and computer controlled autonomous systems; hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic and robotic.

Semesters 1 and 2 are aligned to the internationally recognized Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification (SMSC) program and provide certificate graduates with the opportunity to obtain Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Levels 1 and 2. Certificate graduates from the Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program will be equipped with the knowledge, expertise and skills to operate, maintain, and conduct diagnostics on mechatronic systems at a technician level.

Semesters 3 and 4 incorporate advanced manufacturing principles; sustainability practices, engineering resource planning, lean manufacturing practices, communications and business operations. These principles are augmented by experiential skill development in machining, metal fabrication, welding and electrical which will prepare graduates to meet the demands of the emerging trend known as “Industry 4.0”. Graduates from the Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology program will be well prepared to work in numerous occupations in the engineering technician/technologist fields.