Computer Sciences

The Computer Programming and Information Technology Certificate program is for full-time students or part-time study and allows you to learn various computer skills and programming needed in IT, video games, and website design.  Start working in the Computer Science field or build your skill to further your education. The program is offered entirely online.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.

Career Potential

Graduates of our Computer Science Program are able to continue their studies in a degree programming such as a Bachelor of  Science or work in IT-related fields. 

English Language Arts 30-1 or 60% in English Language Arts 30-2

Math 30-1 or 60% in Math 30-2

Transfers:

Transferable to other Alberta post-secondary institutions such as Athabasca University, Bow Valley College, the University of Alberta, and Concordia University. Please refer to TransferAlberta for more detailed information based on the courses selected.

Certification

Certificate in Computer Programming and Information Technology

 

Program Start/End Dates
August 28, 2025 to June 19, 2026

Application Deadline
August 15, 2025

Locations
Online

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Tuition Deposit $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2024

Tuition $2,594.46
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $158.50
Health Insurance Fee $158.50
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $3,165.44

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2024

Tuition $2,594.46
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $2,848.44

Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit.” One credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170.

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.

Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.

Fee Explanations

Technology Fee This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

Athletics & Recreation fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Students’ Association Fees These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

Course Listing

  • COMPUTER NETWORKS

    Course ID: COMP247

    Name: COMPUTER NETWORKS

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    COMP 247 is a university course designed to teach the essential principles and technologies of computer networking. To accommodate the needs of students who do not have enough programming background or are not interested in programming, requirements for coding have been removed from the course.

    Pre/Corequisite COMP214

  • COMPUTER SCIENCE CODING AND ROBOTICS

    Course ID: CSCR101

    Name: COMPUTER SCIENCE CODING AND ROBOTICS

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    Welcome to this project-based course that will have you exploring the areas of computer science, coding, and robotics. This class will challenge your problem-solving abilities, and equip you with an understanding of how some of the computer programs you use on a regular basis were made. In addition to building fundamental programming skills, you’ll be developing projects that have both digital and physical aspects, driven by a Micro:bit single-board computer, and a set of basic robotics electronics components.

    Prerequisite: None

  • INTRO TO COMP PROGRAMMING (JAVA)

    Course ID: COMP168

    Name: INTRO TO COMP PROGRAMMING (JAVA)

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    COMP 168 is designed to introduce you to programming in the Java computer language. The course progresses from first principles to advanced topics in object-oriented programming using Java. The course builds on the basic elements of Java programming and culminates in a final project that incorporates the skills acquired in the course. Students are also required to reflect on their progress and learning throughout the course, and to engage in online discussions with their peers, in an effort to increase problem-solving and critical analysis skills.
     
    Pre/Corequisite: COMP 105 

  • INTRO TO COMPUTING AND INFO SYSTEMS

    Course ID: COMP105

    Name: INTRO TO COMPUTING AND INFO SYSTEMS

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    COMP 105 is a three-credit course that covers the fundamentals of information systems. The course covers basic hardware concepts; the structure (or architecture) of computers; the software hierarchy, from systems software to application programs; as well as concepts and development of the field. The course is the pre-requisite for higher-level computer science courses.
     
    Students in this course will be expected to use a combination of locally installed and external electronic materials to develop the skills needed for further study in the field. These skills include downloading, installing, and using specialized software tools, and setting the paths to allowing programs to access their components and files. Because COMP 105 is a preparatory course for further study in computer science, the level and difficulty of technical content are fairly high.
    Prerequisite 60% in Math 30-1 or 30-2
     
  • INTRO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

    Course ID: COMP106

    Name: INTRO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    COMP 106 is designed to introduce you to programming in the C++ computer programming language. The course progresses from first principles to advanced topics in object-oriented programming using C++.

    Pre/Corequisite COMP105

  • INTRO TO GAME DESIGN

    Course ID: COMP218

    Name: INTRO TO GAME DESIGN

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    This is an introductory course in game design and development. This course covers many of the concepts involved in game design, beginning with the history of gaming and an examination of the software engineering aspects of game design. Other topics include the programming environment, game hardware, mathematical concepts, physical concepts, and graphics. This course will prepare students for advanced courses in game design.

    Pre/Corequisite COMP 105

  • INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE

    Course ID: COMA145

    Name: INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE

    Hours: 22

    Credits: 1

    This course will introduce students to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment and allow them to fully understand system software as it relates to program software and hardware. The system software examined within this course will be Windows 10. Prerequisites: None

  • OPERATING SYSTEMS

    Course ID: COMP214

    Name: OPERATING SYSTEMS

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    COMP 214 introduces the fundamental concepts, principles, and structures of operating systems. An operating system is software on a computer that orchestrates the hardware components of the computer. The operating system provides the user/programmer with efficient and convenient service and a high degree of machine independence in writing programs, executing programs, and managing system resources. It is assumed that students taking this course are familiar with the basic structure and the main hardware components of a computer.

    Pre-Requisite: COMP 106 or COMP 168, or an equivalent university-level programming course

  • TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR TEACHING & LEARNING

    Course ID: COMA200

    Name: TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR TEACHING & LEARNING

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    Technology Tools for Teaching and Learning will help prepare students to develop and integrate project-based learning skills into the classroom. Students will examine the Information and Communication Technology Outcomes Program of Studies as published by Alberta Learning, and are expected to develop modules that integrate the ICT Outcomes using the Internet, Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, and Multimedia application software. PREREQUISITE: 60% in ELA 30-1

  • SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

    Course ID: COMP261

    Name: SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

    Hours: 45

    Credits: 3

    System analysis and design deal with planning the development of information systems through understanding and specifying in detail what a system should do and how the components of the system should be implemented and work together. System analysts solve business problems through analyzing the requirements of information systems and designing such systems by applying analysis and design techniques. This course deals with the concepts, skills, methodologies, techniques, tools, and perspectives essential for systems analysts. The practical component of COMP 261 is object-oriented and use-case-driven, requiring students to go through the steps of system analysis and design to solve a real-life business problem.

    Pre-Requisite COMP 105, or instructor’s permission which is based on the student’s basic knowledge of programming, object orientation, and databases.

We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.
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