Program Length
- 2 Years
Credential
- Diploma
Innovate your way around the world
Are you a creative problem-solver looking for a career that will take you anywhere in the world? As a web and mobile developer your skills will be in demand all around the globe.
In this program, you get your own dedicated classroom and a workstation to yourself. Your instructors come to your classroom, rather than you moving to different classes. Your classes are fun, project-based and interactive. And you do practical work with the same cohort of students. It’s like the best kind of Internet Technology (IT) workplace.
IT experience that makes a difference
Every day you are at the keyboard working on projects you can put on your resume. The program includes a 4- to 6-week practicum with a local employer.
Your instructors work in the industry. They keep up with changes in technology, and they make sure you get up-to-the-minute training. They also make sure you have communication skills that help you bridge the gap between technology and business success. This gives you a competitive advantage in the workplace.
Web and mobile development career options
Web and mobile are everywhere, which means your options are nearly limitless. This program focuses on back-end development rather than design, an in-demand skill set. You’ll be ready to pursue a career as a full-stack web developer or a mobile app developer, and you’ll have the technical know-how for many other careers including programming and cyber security. You’d be well-prepared to move into AI app development. Or you could be an entrepreneur.
Information Technology and Applied Systems – Web and Mobile Development Diploma Program
The digital world continues to evolve at an accelerated rate, the result of this is a strong demand for highly skilled web and mobile developers who help design, build and secure applications for a multitude of industries.
The ITAS Web and Mobile Development Diploma program prepares students for careers in the design, coding and implementation of secure web and mobile software applications. The program teaches students to systematically analyze business, organization or societal needs, and then design, implement and test software and relevant information technologies to address these needs. Additionally, the program equips the students with the skills and knowledge to design and implement secure applications, emphasizing best practices in cybersecurity software development. The program includes an entrepreneurial component, to enable students to develop customized software solutions that are tailored to a specific domain problem.
The program combines rigorous theoretical and technical education with hands-on, project-based learning. Using the most up-to-date curriculum, the program develops students’ programming skills, as well as teamwork, communication, and project management skills to satisfy industry demands for well-rounded, highly employable technology graduates.
The program consists of two 4-month terms per year, plus a 4-week practicum work experience session at the end of the first academic year.
The first year of the program provides students with a solid foundation in general programming skills and introduces them to the basics of web and mobile application design. Students are introduced to Project Management and Agile development methodologies, various client and server operating systems and fundamentals of relational database design and implementation. Cybersecurity is integrated into every course during the first year, ensuring students build a strong foundation in securing systems, data, and applications from the outset of their IT education.
In the second year of the program, students hone their programming skills by developing full-stack database-driven web applications using such technologies as HTML/CSS, JavaScript/JSON, Node.js, PHP as well as NoSQL databases. Students learn about cross-platform mobile development, user interface design (UI/UX), platforms and technologies to deploy, host and secure applications (DevSecOps) and the use of cloud computing technologies. Cybersecurity is further emphasized and deepened in the second year, where students dive into advanced topics like threat analysis, ethical hacking, and secure infrastructure.
Second year graduates receive a diploma in Information Technology and Applied Systems - Web and Mobile Development.
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ITAS 164 - (Information Technology Project Management) | 4 |
| ITAS 167 - (Applied Operating Systems) | 4 |
| ITAS 181 - (Linux Server Management I) | 4 |
| ITAS 185 - (Introduction to Programming) | 4 |
| ITAS 186 - (Introduction to Server-Side Programming) | 4 |
| ITAS 188 - (Mobile Development I) | 4 |
| ITAS 191 - (Introduction to Web Design) | 4 |
| ITAS 192 - (Introduction to Client-Side Programming) | 4 |
| ITAS 195T* - (Practicum) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
*Intersession course.
Note: Students will complete a minimum of four weeks of work placement applying their web and mobile development skills for the ITAS 195T practicum course after completing their first year courses.
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ITAS 255 - (Web Development I) | 4 |
| ITAS 256 - (Web Development II) | 4 |
| ITAS 264 - (Business Analysis and Systems Design) | 4 |
| ITAS 268 - (IT Application Security) | 4 |
| ITAS 274 - (Mobile Development II) | 4 |
| ITAS 276 - (DevSecOps) | 4 |
| ITAS 282 - (Final Project) | 4 |
| ITAS 288 - (Database Administration and Design) | 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.
- 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 $169.73 per credit) | 6,110.28 |
| Lab fee | 121.90 |
| Student Activity fee (9 months x $20.37 per month) | 183.33 |
| Student Services fee (9 months x $22.49 per month) | 202.41 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (9 months x $28.87 per month) | 259.83 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 7,862.75 |
| Year 2 - 32 credits | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (32 credits x $169.73 per credit) | 5,431.36 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) | 162.96 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) | 179.92 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) | 230.96 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 6,990.20 |
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 $815.77 per credit) | 29,367.72 |
| Lab fee | 121.90 |
| Student Activity fee (9 months x $20.37 per month) | 183.33 |
| Student Services fee (9 months x $22.49 per month) | 202.41 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (9 months x $28.87 per month) | 259.83 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 31,120.19 |
| Year 2 - 32 credits | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (32 credits x $815.77 per credit) | 26,104.64 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) | 162.96 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) | 179.92 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) | 230.96 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 700.00 |
| Total | 27,663.48 |
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.
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Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.