Students of the Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Computing Science program working on laptops

Computer Science (BA)

Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 4 Years

Program credential icon Credential

  • Bachelor Degree

Program option icon Options

  • Minor

Program location icon Fully Available at

  • Nanaimo

Program location icon Partially Available at

  • Cowichan
  • tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

The Computer Science (BA) Program

Computer Science is a rapidly-growing field, generating a great number of employment opportunities. Government agencies are predicting shortages of qualified computing people that will number in the tens of thousands in Canada alone.

The Bachelor of Arts with a minor in Computer Science is composed of courses drawn from the systems and business application domains. It is designed to train students in applied computer science and educate them in the social, ethical and legal implications of computing.

Graduates of the program may work in fields where a well grounded knowledge in computing is necessary or advantageous. Examples include opportunities is many aspects of business, mathematics and statistics, graphic arts, music production, the video gaming industry, teaching and education, et cetera. People with interests in any of these areas would benefit from the understanding of computer systems and software gained from earning a B.A. Minor in Computer Science.

VIU also offers a Bachelor of Science, Major and Minor in Computer Science.

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2Credits
Minimum "C-" average in the following courses: 
CSCI 159 - (Computer Science I)4
CSCI 161 - (Computer Science II)4
CSCI 162 - (Topics in Computer Science)3
CSCI 260 - (Data Structures)4
CSCI 265 - (Software Engineering)3
MATH 121 - (Calculus I)4
MATH 123 - (Logic and Foundations)3
Total Credits25

 

Years 3 and 4Credits
CSCI 370 - (Database Systems)3
Five additional CSCI courses numbered 300 or above*15
Total Credits18

*Students should check upper-level course prerequisites to guide second year course selection. Certain course selections will require completion of a greater number of second-year courses than is required by the Minor. 

 

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) 4,992.00
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $799.77 per credit) 23,993.10
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca
Comments:

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca
Comments:

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: study@viu.ca
Comments:

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca
Comments:

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: study@viu.ca
Comments:

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.