Curriculum Insights for Students
Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Digital Technologies
Overview
The BASc in Digital Technologies is a unique program designed to equip you with the skills required for a successful career in the digital technologies sector. It aims to address the skill gap across the digital industries through a combination of degree level education and workplace learning. The first of its kind in Canada, this fully work-integrated learning program enables you to earn a salary as a full-time employee with one of our employer partners while dedicating approximately 20% of your work time to study for Bachelor of Applied Science degree through a combination of online and on-campus sessions. The program has been designed in collaboration with companies like Ceridian, CGI, Cinchy Inc., Cisco Canada, Connected (Connected.io, Now part of Thoughtworks), EY Canada, General Motors of Canada Company, IBM Canada, mimik Technology Inc., RBC, Saa Dene Group, Shopify Inc., TELUS Health, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and TribalScale Inc.
Is this program right for you?
Whether you are a high school graduate, a professional looking to shift your career to the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) field or an existing employee in the technology sector looking to climb up the corporate ladder, this innovative program has you covered. The holistic design of the program allows you to strengthen the fundamentals in the first two years and then excel in one of the following specializations:
- Software Developer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Data Scientist
Delivery model
The program delivery is designed with flexible learning activities integrating theory, practice and reflection over the year at a pace that best suits you and your work environment. You will attend a 3-week induction in the beginning, after which the delivery becomes blended. You will get a weekly half-day release from work to allow for self-study (webinar, lecture, tutorials) interspersed with regular (e.g., every 6-7 weeks) 5-day blocks to attend campus. At the same time, you will continue skill development by fulfilling your work tasks and duties. You will also need to devote some additional time for independent study, assignments, reflection and preparation.
To ensure you can balance degree-level studies with full-time work over four years, the program is designed to deliver:
- Academic-only courses: where learning objectives are met through a blend of classroom, synchronous and asynchronous learning activities.
- Academic & workplace courses: where learning objectives are met through a blend of classroom, synchronous and asynchronous learning, and workplace experience.
You will receive continuous support & guidance through a robust student support system including a Course Director, Professional Skills Coach and others.
Courses
First Year
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 1161 | 2.00 | Teamwork and Communication in Software Development |
| LE/DIGT 1101 | 4.00 | Introduction to Computational Problem Solving |
| SC/MATH 1516 | 3.00 | General Mathematics for Software Development |
| AP/ADMS 1000 | 3.00 | Introduction to Business |
| LE/DIGT 1271 | 1.00 | Technology Leadership and Professional Reflection 1 |
| LE/DIGT 1201 | 8.00 | Object-Oriented Problem Solving |
| LE/DIGT 1302 | 3.00 | Web development basics |
| SC/NATS 1505 | 3.00 | Understanding Cyberspace |
| LE/TECL 1000 | 3.00 | Disruptive Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
By the end of Year One, the learner has developed foundational technical skills, encountered the tools of the trade (computer languages and systems, and common development platforms and tools) as well as development methodologies including teamwork and communication. Learners have built some simple software artifacts with an awareness of correctness, testing, and security. These technical skills and knowledge have been acquired through both academic and workplace learning.
In addition, the learner understands common business organisation and structure, basic management strategies, and basic competitive and productivity drivers. They have recognised the potential contribution of technology solutions to such business processes. This contextual knowledge has led the learner to an awareness that effective communication of technical solutions at all levels of the organisation is a crucial ability they will need to develop. Thus, they have a nascent awareness of the scope of their future learning objectives. Learners will be able to participate in code reviews, user and acceptance testing, contribute to product documentation and automate simple tasks through scripting. Year One sets the stage for future technical learning and to operate better as a unit within the context of their workplace.
In addition, the learner understands common business organisation and structure, basic management strategies, and basic competitive and productivity drivers. They have recognised the potential contribution of technology solutions to such business processes. This contextual knowledge has led the learner to an awareness that effective communication of technical solutions at all levels of the organisation is a crucial ability they will need to develop. Thus, they have a nascent awareness of the scope of their future learning objectives. Learners will be able to participate in code reviews, user and acceptance testing, contribute to product documentation and automate simple tasks through scripting. Year One sets the stage for future technical learning and to operate better as a unit within the context of their workplace.
Second Year
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 2271 | 1.00 | Technology Leadership and Professional Reflection 2 |
| LE/DIGT 2103 | 4.00 | Introduction to Computer Organization & Systems |
| LE/DIGT 2102 | 8.00 | Data Structures, Algorithms and Analysis |
| LE/DIGT 2107 | 3.00 | Practice of Software Development |
| LE/DIGT 2307 | 3.00 | Principles of Operating Systems |
| LE/DIGT 2206 | 3.00 | Computer Networks |
| LE/DIGT 2302 | 3.00 | Security Fundamentals |
| LE/DIGT 2201 | 3.00 | Introduction to Data Science |
In Year Two, the learner continues to grow their skills in software development, with a stronger understanding of computer systems, networks, and data organization, as well as experience in team-based development methodologies by explicitly incorporating at the same time security awareness. These technical skills include developing competency in applying testing strategies for supporting the correctness of software products.
Learners will have contributed to the design and implementation of a system for which they can articulate the business case, thereby demonstrating their growing awareness of the business context for digital technology solutions. Articulating the business case has likely included professional presentations to both a technical and non-technical audience. Teamwork skills include the ability not only to effectively contribute technically but also to support others in the team as appropriate. Equity and inclusion, particularly with respect to diversity, are key values that the learner will demonstrate. By the end of Year 2, the learner will be able to participate in technical design meetings and engage in the implementation of small yet key software modules in the workplace.
Learners will have contributed to the design and implementation of a system for which they can articulate the business case, thereby demonstrating their growing awareness of the business context for digital technology solutions. Articulating the business case has likely included professional presentations to both a technical and non-technical audience. Teamwork skills include the ability not only to effectively contribute technically but also to support others in the team as appropriate. Equity and inclusion, particularly with respect to diversity, are key values that the learner will demonstrate. By the end of Year 2, the learner will be able to participate in technical design meetings and engage in the implementation of small yet key software modules in the workplace.
Third Year
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3171 | 9.00 | Digital Technologies project |
| LE/DIGT 3271 | 1.00 | Technology Leadership and Professional Reflection 3 |
| LE/DIGT 3101 | 3.00 | Software Development Lifecycle |
| LE/DIGT 3206 | 3.00 | Security and Privacy: Awareness and Governance |
| LE/DIGT 3107 | 3.00 | Data Management Systems |
| LE/DIGT 3203 | 3.00 | Distributed Systems |
| LE/DIGT 3261 | 3.00 | Introduction to Project Management |
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3141 | 3.00 | Software I: Software Design and Architecture |
| LE/DIGT 3241 | 3.00 | Software II: Software Testing and Quality Assessment |
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3121 | 3.00 | Network Security |
| LE/DIGT 3221 | 3.00 | Security By Design |
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3131 | 3.00 | Theoretical Foundations of Data Science |
| LE/DIGT 3231 | 3.00 | Data Science and Applications |
Year Three allows the learner to gain a well-developed understanding and practice in software development as the foundation for their specialisation, either software development itself, security or data science. They are capable of planning and managing the execution of projects with awareness of broader implications such as ethics, privacy, and legal issues. Depending on their chosen path the learner has begun to develop deeper specialised knowledge and skills in one of the areas of software development, security or data science. They have developed a significant system, or a component of a system, in one of these areas, utilising their domain-specific skills and their nascent project management knowledge. The project has also honed their communication skills through presentations designed to garner support by demonstrating the business significance and persuading stakeholders of its feasibility. These experiences have allowed the learner to demonstrate initiative and the ability to acquire new knowledge and skills specific to the project.
By the end of Year Three, students have selected their path of study and have deeper technical knowledge in their field. In the workplace, students will be able to guide and support junior members of the team.
By the end of Year Three, students have selected their path of study and have deeper technical knowledge in their field. In the workplace, students will be able to guide and support junior members of the team.
Common 3000-level courses
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3171 | 9.00 | Digital Technologies project |
| LE/DIGT 3271 | 1.00 | Technology Leadership and Professional Reflection 3 |
| LE/DIGT 3101 | 3.00 | Software Development Lifecycle |
| LE/DIGT 3206 | 3.00 | Security and Privacy: Awareness and Governance |
| LE/DIGT 3107 | 3.00 | Data Management Systems |
| LE/DIGT 3203 | 3.00 | Distributed Systems |
| LE/DIGT 3261 | 3.00 | Introduction to Project Management |
Software Development Stream
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3141 | 3.00 | Software I: Software Design and Architecture |
| LE/DIGT 3241 | 3.00 | Software II: Software Testing and Quality Assessment |
Cybersecurity Stream
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3121 | 3.00 | Network Security |
| LE/DIGT 3221 | 3.00 | Security By Design |
Data Science Stream
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 3131 | 3.00 | Theoretical Foundations of Data Science |
| LE/DIGT 3231 | 3.00 | Data Science and Applications |
Fourth Year Courses
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4271 | 1.00 | Technology Leadership and Professional Reflection 4 |
| LE/DIGT 4101 | 3.00 | Artificial Intelligence |
| LE/DIGT 4102 | 3.00 | Auditing and Governance of Information Systems |
| LE/DIGT 4201 | 3.00 | Cloud computing: infrastructure and software |
| LE/DIGT 4103 | 3.00 | User Interface development |
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4142 | 3.00 | Software Development I: Software Requirements |
| LE/DIGT 4143 | 3.00 | Software Development II: Model-Driven Engineering and Model Verification |
| LE/DIGT 4241 | 3.00 | Software development III: DevOps and Software Reliability Engineering |
| LE/DIGT 4141 | 9.00 | Software Development Synoptic Project |
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4122 | 3.00 | Threat Management and Protection of Systems |
| LE/DIGT 4221 | 3.00 | Digital Forensics |
| LE/DIGT 4123 | 3.00 | Security Development and Operations |
| LE/DIGT 4121 | 9.00 | Security Synoptic Project |
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4132 | 3.00 | Machine Learning and Applications |
| LE/DIGT 4231 | 3.00 | Advanced Machine Learning |
| LE/DIGT 4133 | 3.00 | Big Data and Data Mining Applications |
| LE/DIGT 4131 | 9.00 | Data Science Synoptic Project (Capstone Project) |
By the end of Year Four, the learner, irrespective of their specialisation, has a clear understanding of software development practices, data modelling and analysis, as well as machine learning techniques, including theory, limitations, and social implications. Two other key areas of importance to business and digital technology development, namely cloud computing and user driven development round out their core competencies.
The software development specialist can carry out a project using rigorous requirements, development, and testing methodologies, including explicit business case analysis and alignment with business priorities.
Similarly, the security specialist has a deep understanding of security strategies, from technical architecture to organisational posture, and of explicit technologies to control access, detect and respond to issues, and recover from actual events. This has been demonstrated through a significant workplace project that has developed some aspect of the existing organisational security posture.
The data science specialist can develop technical architectures for large scale data storage, as well as retrieve meaningful information of relevance to business priorities for analysis and presentation.
All specialisations encompass a workplace project that allows students to demonstrate their personal initiative, leadership, advanced communication skills, well-developed interpersonal skills, as well as their understanding of business priorities and their role in achieving those priorities. Graduates are able to convey to others the relevance and viability of a project in relation to the business context.
The software development specialist can carry out a project using rigorous requirements, development, and testing methodologies, including explicit business case analysis and alignment with business priorities.
Similarly, the security specialist has a deep understanding of security strategies, from technical architecture to organisational posture, and of explicit technologies to control access, detect and respond to issues, and recover from actual events. This has been demonstrated through a significant workplace project that has developed some aspect of the existing organisational security posture.
The data science specialist can develop technical architectures for large scale data storage, as well as retrieve meaningful information of relevance to business priorities for analysis and presentation.
All specialisations encompass a workplace project that allows students to demonstrate their personal initiative, leadership, advanced communication skills, well-developed interpersonal skills, as well as their understanding of business priorities and their role in achieving those priorities. Graduates are able to convey to others the relevance and viability of a project in relation to the business context.
Common 4000-level courses
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4271 | 1.00 | Technology Leadership and Professional Reflection 4 |
| LE/DIGT 4101 | 3.00 | Artificial Intelligence |
| LE/DIGT 4102 | 3.00 | Auditing and Governance of Information Systems |
| LE/DIGT 4201 | 3.00 | Cloud computing: infrastructure and software |
| LE/DIGT 4103 | 3.00 | User Interface development |
Software Development Stream
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4142 | 3.00 | Software Development I: Software Requirements |
| LE/DIGT 4143 | 3.00 | Software Development II: Model-Driven Engineering and Model Verification |
| LE/DIGT 4241 | 3.00 | Software Development III: DevOps and Software Reliability Engineering |
| LE/DIGT 4141 | 9.00 | Software Development Synoptic Project |
Cybersecurity Stream
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4122 | 3.00 | Threat Management and Protection of Systems |
| LE/DIGT 4221 | 3.00 | Digital Forensics |
| LE/DIGT 4123 | 3.00 | Security Development and Operations |
| LE/DIGT 4121 | 9.00 | Security Synoptic Project |
Data Science Stream
| Course Code | Credits | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| LE/DIGT 4132 | 3.00 | Machine Learning and Applications |
| LE/DIGT 4231 | 3.00 | Advanced Machine Learning |
| LE/DIGT 4133 | 3.00 | Big Data and Data Mining Applications |
| LE/DIGT 4131 | 9.00 | Data Science Synoptic Project (Capstone Project) |
Assessment
The strategy for assessment in this program is driven by industry norms. There will be a wide variety of formative assessment tasks including class discussions, peer feedback on in-class presentations, workshop activities with feedback, online quizzes and tutor feedback on project work. You will also be completing a mandatory portfolio over the four years, which will document your progress towards personal, professional and program learning objectives.
What will you gain?
As a learner in this innovative program, you will:
- enjoy the benefits of being a full-time employee.
- get paid time off to study and attend classes.
- develop an appreciation of the social, ethical, environmental and professional aspects of development and usage of digital technologies.
- acquire the technical skills required for a future technical leader, including the creation of software solutions, development of digital technology infrastructure, security and data privacy methodologies, data and information management & analytics.
- hone various soft skills needed for a future business leader including critical analysis, stakeholder management, agility, business communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership and project management.
- gain a competitive edge at program completion with four years of work experience at one of our partner organizations.
- receive a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Digital Technologies upon graduation.