Software Systems Design Program Offers Bachelor Credentials

“Centennial College’s bachelor’s degree in Software Systems Design ... will go a long way in contributing to meet this need for skilled people who can design, build, install, service and create future information technology applications, ” says the Information Technology Association of Canada. Meanwhile the Software Human Resource Council says, “The unique curriculum proposed by Centennial will produce highly trained IT professionals with sound technical skills, a strong understanding of business, project management and excellent communication skills.”

These two testimonials prove that Centennial College’s four-year program offers valuable knowledge and credentials to those who wish to enter the software systems development field. The only of its kind in the province of Ontario, Centennial College’s Software Systems Design program provides its students with a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Information Sciences. The offering has a unique focus on system design, a blend of technology and business subjects as well as an industry placement. It also provides specialization in mobile application development or service-oriented architecture and cloud computing. The program places emphasis on advanced software standards and management.

Specific courses offered in this software systems development undertaking include: Computer Architecture (the course is concerned with the operational methods of the hardware, with the services provided by operating system software; with the acquisition, processing, storage, and output of data; and with the interaction between computers); Operating Systems Fundamentals (concepts covered in this course are based on those found in existing commercial operating systems in particular Unix/ Linux, Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft XP); Object Oriented Analysis and Design (explains the environment in which analysis and design is carried out, how to establish requirements and model them using Unified Modeling Language (UML) tools such as use cases, use case descriptions, domain class diagrams, system sequence diagrams, and statechart diagrams, and more).

To supplement theoretical training, Software Systems Design includes three software development projects. These real-world business applications require students to utilize all the technical, systems and business skills acquired during their studies to build higher quality software. More hands-on training is offered through a 15-week paid co-op placement. This placement places students into companies that hire Software Design System professionals, so that they can apply theory and practice to real-life situations. In order to be eligible for co-op, students are required to obtain a minimum C grade in ENG-110, minimum 2.0 GPA and minimum 80 per cent of year 1 and 2 courses.

To apply for this Software Systems Design program, students must present an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of six 12U, 12M, OAC credits or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Other requirements include English 12U and one of the following: Math 12U Advanced Functions, Math 12U Calculus and Vectors, Math 12U Mathematics of Data Management or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to program.

Upon graduation, students obtain positions as software developers, software engineers, systems analysts, business analysts, web application developers, IT project managers and computer programmers/ analysts. These professionals serve a very important purpose in the technology world as they solve and plan a large variety of software solutions.