Computer Information Systems

Overview

According to a recent BC Stats Report, average weekly earnings for technology employees are 85% higher than for non-tech workers in British Columbia, making a career in IT and attractive career choice.

To prepare you for job opportunities in the IT sector, the Computer Information Systems program of University of the Fraser Valley includes a mixture of theory and hands-on applied knowledge in UFV's well-equipped labs.

In your first and second year, you complete foundational courses to provide you with a broad base of knowledge and experience supporting and maintaining single and networked systems.

In third and fourth year, you gain additional technical knowledge and skills as well as more educational breadth and a better business background, preparing you to move into managerial positions in information technology. You also have the option to specialize in one of three concentrations to refine your skill set:

• Software Development

• Systems and Networking

• Security

Career Expectations

Rapid change and the increased use of outsourcing have made the IT workplace a very volatile one over the last few years. The CIS department meets twice a year with an external advisory committee to track and predict change, and to keep programs relevant to current and future organizational needs. Our diverse committee is peopled by members of industry and the public sector whose knowledge and experience is pertinent, timely, and crucial to our decision-making processes.

Careers for information technology professionals fall into several categories, including but not limited to:

• Software development

• Systems analysis and design

• User interface design and human factors

• Web and database design and programming

• Project management

• Computer security

• Network design and administration

• System and database administration

• End user support

• Management of technology

The British Columbia 2025 Labour Market Outlook identifies several IT professions as high opportunity occupations with excellent projected employment rate. Included on the list are: computer and information systems managers; information systems analysts and consultants; computer programmers and interactive media developers; web designers and developers; computer network technicians; and computer engineers.

Making an IT career even more attractive is the fact that average weekly earnings for technology employees are 75% higher than for non-tech workers in British Columbia, according to the BC Stats Report.