Complete the first two years of undergraduate science in computer science in a supportive, engaging environment at VCC. Earn an Associate Degree or credits that transfer to post-secondary institutions across British Columbia.
Associate of Science (Computer Science) Degree
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What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Analyze and interpret data collected through research or laboratory experiences
- Apply the core concepts of introductory sciences to real world problems
- Apply competent and relevant technology skills in solving problems
- Work well independently and in a team environment
- Use their scientific educational experiences as a solid foundation for academic readiness to higher level study at the third and fourth year level courses
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The expected length of the program is two years. There is also the option of part-time studies, which would result in a longer time frame for completion of the credential. The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is five years.
The courses are presented using a variety of instructional strategies, resources and activities including lectures, laboratories, online and blending learning, field trips, demonstrations, guest speakers, case studies, and applied practical experiences.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- English 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
- Pre-Calculus 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
- One of the following:
- Biology 11 or 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or
- Chemistry 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or
- Physics 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or
- Equivalent
Notes:
- Students are required to have successfully completed prerequisite courses leading to courses in the Associate degree (for example: prerequisite course Chemistry 12 or equivalent needs to be successfully completed in order to take CHEM 1121 Chemistry 1; a minimum of a 'B' grade in English 12 or equivalent is required to take ENGL 1100 English 1). See the requirements for each course.
- Specific post-secondary level courses may be used to substitute for secondary school courses at the discretion of the appropriate departments.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
The Associate of Science degree requires the successful completion of a minimum 60 credits that have assigned or unassigned credit at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, or the University of Northern British Columbia.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 university-transferable credits at the 1st and 2nd-year level. These must include a minimum of 18 credits in Science at the second-year level taken in two or more subject areas (See Specific Requirements C2).
No course can be used to meet more than one of the specific requirements (for example, MATH 1120 as both a Math requirement and a First Year Science requirement).
Students can accumulate credits at more than one institution and have them count as transfer credits towards the Associate of Science degree at VCC as long as they meet the general and specific requirements of the credential.
Registration in courses is open to any student who meets the requirements for the course, regardless of program. Students in Open Studies or another program can later apply to the Associate Degree program, using any previously completed eligible courses toward associate degree requirements. However, students will need to meet the admission requirements to the program in order to complete the Associate of Science degree.
For further details about how a course is defined (e.g. arts/science/other, first-year/second-year, lab science/non-lab science etc.) please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/associate-degrees/
Students must complete:
A. 6 credits in first-year English
B. 6 credits in Mathematics which shall include at least 3 credits in Calculus (6 credits in Calculus is recommended)
C. 36 credits in Science which shall include:
C1. A minimum of 3 credits in a laboratory Science
C2. A minimum of 18 credits in second-year Science taken in at least two different subject areas (including additional Mathematics credits)
D. 6 credits in Arts other than English (excluding Mathematics and Laboratory-based Science courses)
E. 6 credits of first or second-year transferable courses in Arts, Science or other areas.
Total Program Credits: 60.0 credits (minimum)
Computer Science Pathway
In order to be eligible for transfer into third year computer science at UBC, SFU, and other institutions, it is recommended that students complete the following courses as part of their Associate of Science degree.
| Course code | Course name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English (6 credits) | 6 | |
| Academic Writing | ||
|
or ENGL 1101 English and ENGL 1001 Integrated Language Support 1
|
||
| English 2 | ||
|
or ENGL 1102 English and ENGL 1002 Integrated Language Support 2
|
||
| Calculus (6 credits) | 6 | |
| Calculus 1 | ||
| Calculus 2 | ||
| Lab science (3 credits) | 3 | |
| Physics 1 | ||
|
or PHYS 1110 Introduction to Astronomy
|
||
|
or CHEM 1121 Chemistry 1
|
||
|
or BIOL 1100 Biology 1
|
||
|
or BIOL 1120 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1
|
||
| First-year science (12 credits) | 12 | |
| Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | ||
| Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | ||
| Discrete Mathematics 1 | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
| Second-year science (minimum 18 credits from at least 2 subject areas) | 18 | |
| Data Structures and Programming | ||
| Introduction to Software Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Computer Architecture | ||
| Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering | ||
| Calculus 3 | ||
| Discrete Mathematics 2 | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Electives (15 credits) | 15 | |
|
Arts other than English (6 credits)
|
||
|
Science (3 credits)
|
||
|
Arts or science (6 credits)
|
||
| Total Credits | 60 | |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | $11,379 | |
| Student union | $354 | |
| College initiative | $177 | |
| Campus resource | $296 | |
| Medical and Dental | $570 | |
| U-PASS | $939 | |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $13,796 |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
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Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 28 - May 2.