Program Length
- 2 Years
Credential
- Diploma
Business IT skills with AI, cybersecurity and UI/UX
Thinking about a career in IT? VIU’s Information Technology and Applied Systems Business Information Technology Systems (ITAS-BITS) Diploma prepares you for many tech career options. This IT diploma prepares you for work in software development, cybersecurity and business technology. Among the first programs in Canada to integrate agentic AI and large language models (LLMs) into coursework, the program gives you hands-on experience building secure web and mobile applications. You also develop skills in UI/UX design, databases, cloud technologies and project management.
Why choose VIU?
Tech changes rapidly and the program evolves with it, keeping the ITAS-BITS Diploma coursework current and cutting edge. You study with experienced instructors and get support from the professional community. The connections you make in the ITAS BITS program will become community you can count on for support long after graduation.
Gain in-demand IT skills
Employers need people who can do more than code. They need people who can connect the business problem to a technical solution, collaborate and deliver work that’s secure, easy to maintain and ready for real-world use. The VIU BITS program trains you to be that person.
You learn to understand business needs and find or build technology to meet those needs. And you develop communication and project management skills that set you apart in the workplace.
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Hands-on learning
Work experience
Gain work experience in a 120-hour practicum.
Real-world tech build
Build tech to solve a real-world problem in your final project.
Teamwork
Lab days that mirror the real-world IT team environment.
What jobs can I do with a Business Information Technology Systems Diploma?
Today’s business applications are data-driven and AI-enabled. Organizations need people who can build and deliver them. With this program you can get started in a career as a:
- web developer
- software developer (business applications)
- cybersecurity analyst
- application support analyst
- QA / software test analyst
- junior data analyst
- business systems analyst
With this IT diploma you can find work in many industries including:
- healthcare
- government
- education
- technology
About the Business Information Technology Systems Diploma
The ITAS Business Information Technology Systems Diploma program prepares you for careers in the design, coding and implementation of secure data-driven software solutions. You learn how to work with stakeholders and plan solutions in a way that makes sense in real workplaces.
You learn to build the technical solution through hands-on projects:
- design systems and workflows
- work with data
- build and improve applications
- create secure websites and services
AI workflows
You start working with AI early in the program, like modern IT professionals. You learn to use AI tools and agentic workflows to support:
- requirements gathering
- systems design
- coding
- testing with a human-in-the-loop approach.
You are responsible for validating output and making architectural decisions. You’ll also learn how to enhance AI tools by connecting them to external data sources using Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations.
You will graduate knowing how to use AI as part of a professional workflow that includes:
- write strong prompts and iterate on results
- validate outputs, catch errors and improve quality
- understand limitations and risks, including security, privacy, and over-reliance
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is embedded in everything you do in this program. This helps you build the security habits employers expect. You learn to think about security as a normal part of building and supporting technology, so you develop strong habits and carry them through everything you build.
You’ll use secure-by-design thinking that includes:
- protecting data
- managing access
- reducing common application and infrastructure risks
The program consists of two 4-month terms per year. You also do a 120-hour practicum work-experience at the end of the first academic year.
The first year you gain a foundation in programming using Python and JavaScript. You also explore user-focused and business-application design.
You learn:
- systems analysis
- project management and Agile development practices
- programming fundamentals and professional tooling
- Git version control for team collaboration
- user-centred design and UI/UX foundations
- client/server concepts and operating systems
- relational database fundamentals
- fundamentals of relational database design and implementation
In the second year, you build full-stack, database-driven business applications using modern professional workflows.
You deepen your cybersecurity knowledge in second year, exploring:
- threat analysis
- ethical hacking
- secure infrastructure.
Your final project is an individual capstone in which you develop and present a technology solution to a real-world problem.
Full-stack and cross-platform application development
You build database-driven applications and services using:
- HTML/CSS
- JavaScript/JSON
- Node.js
- Python
- relational/NoSQL databases.
Coursework includes:
- UI/UX design
- application security and secure coding
- secure delivery (DevSecOps practices for testing, deployment and maintainability)
- cloud platforms used to host and operate production systems
Applied machine learning and data analytics
You learn to integrate machine learning and data analysis into business applications using industry-standard Python libraries. You also learn to communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders.
Business analysis and systems design
You learn to understand a business by working with experts and stakeholders. You practice defining requirements and designing systems that fit the problem.
You also learn about the platforms and tools used to deploy, host and secure applications, including cloud technologies
Courses and Concentrations
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ITAS 167 - (Applied Hardware and Operating Systems) | 4 |
| ITAS 170 - (IT Tools and Techniques) | 4 |
| ITAS 185 - (Introduction to Modern Programming) | 4 |
| ITAS 191 - (Designing a Secure Web User Experience) | 4 |
| ITAS 164 - (Systems Analysis and Project Management) | 4 |
| ITAS 186 - (Secure Web Server Solutions) | 4 |
| ITAS 190 - (System Architecture Design) | 4 |
| ITAS 192 - (Interactive Web Design) | 4 |
| ITAS 195T* - (Practicum) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
* Students participate in a 4 credit Practicum course in the Intercession semester after Year One
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ITAS 255 - (Secure Web Development) | 4 |
| ITAS 265 - (Business Analysis and Design) | 4 |
| ITAS 268 - (IT Application Security) | 4 |
| ITAS 288 - (Database Design) | 4 |
| ITAS 256 - (Advanced Web Development) | 4 |
| ITAS 270 - (Machine Learning and Data Analytics) | 4 |
| ITAS 276 - (DevSecOps: Secure Application Delivery) | 4 |
| ITAS 282 - (Final Project) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
Completion Requirements
Students must pass all courses and obtain a 2.33 ("C+") overall GPA in order to receive an ITAS credential.
Admission Information
- General admission requirements apply.
- Interview.
Recommendations for Admission
- One of Pre-calculus 12 or Foundations of Mathematics 12.
- Two years' previous experience with computers and using office productivity software.
- Computer Information Systems 11 & 12, Web Development 10.
Notes on Admission
Indigenous students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.
- This program is open to full-time students only.
- Interview will only be granted after all other admission requirements are met.
- Students are not required to bring their own computer systems. High-end workstations are provided in the ITAS labs for student use.
- Letter of application describing reasons for wanting to take the program (500-1,000 words). Details of the application letter will be provided by the Registrar through the application process.
Program Regulations
Students must obtain a 2.33 (C+) GPA in each academic term in order to be eligible to continue in the program. Students who fail any courses may continue in the program upon review by the department chair and consultation with the faculty.
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.
| Year 1 - 36 credits | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (36 credits x $173.12 per credit) | 6,232.32 |
| Lab fee | 124.34 |
| Student Activity fee (9 months x $20.78 per month) | 187.02 |
| Student Services fee (9 months x $22.94 per month) | 206.46 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (9 months x $50.08 per month) | 450.72 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 8,185.86 |
| Year 2 - 32 credits | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (32 credits x $173.12 per credit) | 5,539.84 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.78 per month) | 166.24 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.94 per month) | 183.52 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $50.08 per month) | 400.64 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 7,275.24 |
Some applicants may already hold industry certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, or others.
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.
Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $24.38 per course.
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.
| Year 1 - 36 credits | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (36 credits x $832.09 per credit) | 29,955.24 |
| Lab fee | 124.34 |
| Student Activity fee (9 months x $20.78 per month) | 187.02 |
| Student Services fee (9 months x $22.94 per month) | 206.46 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (9 months x $50.08 per month) | 450.72 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 31,908.78 |
| Year 2 - 32 credits | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (32 credits x $832.09 per credit) | 26,626.88 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.78 per month) | 166.24 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.94 per month) | 183.52 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $50.08 per month) | 400.64 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 28,362.28 |
Some applicants may already hold industry certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, or others.
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.
Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $24.38 per course.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Try a class for yourself
Curious about what it might be like to join us at VIU? Shadow a class and get a taste of the Business Information Technology Systems Diploma program.
Email the ITAS program chair to arrange to shadow a class.