Complete first-year software systems at VCC and transfer directly into second-year degree programs at Simon Fraser University.
University Transfer – Software Systems (SFU)
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, October 21-25.
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.
ENTRANCE AWARDS
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Incorporate critical thinking into theoretical reasoning and decision making.
- Work collaboratively in computing laboratory activities.
- Utilize information literacy abilities to determine the nature and extent of information required.
- Develop appropriate presentation styles to produce clear and accurate written, verbal, and visual communication for clients and other professionals.
- Utilize accepted research processes and abilities in all professional enquiries, communications, and scholarship.
- Apply scientific and quantitative methodology as well as analytical skills.
- Apply problem-solving in math and computer programming.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The time limit on completion is sixteen months for assured admission to SFU. The time limit on completion is three years for competitive admission to SFU.
The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is three years.
The courses are delivered using a variety of instructional strategies, resources, and activities, including lectures, demonstrations, guest speakers, case studies, and applied computing experiences.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
- Knowledge of English demonstrated by one of the following:
- English 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent ?
or - ?English Language Proficiency at a minimum English 12 ‘C+’ level
- English 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent ?
- Knowledge of mathematics demonstrated by one of the following:
- Precalculus 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
or - Math 0983 and MATH 0993 both with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
or - Math 1020 with a minimum 'C' grade, or equivalent
or - VCC Math Precalculus Assessment Test (MPT) with a minimum 72% grade
- Precalculus 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent
- Knowledge of science demonstrated by one of the following:
- Physics 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or PHYS 0983 and PHYS 0993 both with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
or - Chemistry 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or CHEM 0983 and CHEM 0993 both with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
or - Biology 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or BIOL 0983 and BIOL 0993 both with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
- Physics 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or PHYS 0983 and PHYS 0993 both with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- Motivated and disciplined.
- Possess analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Some word processing experience.
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
For students attempting the assured pathway to Simon Fraser University, PLAR is not allowed, as per the agreement with SFU.Ìý
Assured SFU Software Systems Degree 2nd Year Admission Pathway
Assured admission under this pathway requires completion of this Certificate. The number of students receiving assured admission from VCC to SFU is capped at 10 per year. Students must have an overall average GPA of 3.2 on the courses required for the pathway which are listed below (calculated based on the best attempt for each course) and an overall average of 3.2 (again, calculated based on the best attempt for each course) on all work combined in order to be considered for the 'assured admission' pathway. Students who have been previously required to withdraw from another institution would be considered ineligible for the assured admission pathway as would students who were formerly in a Computing, Engineering or Mechatronics program at SFU. Students must achieve an overall 3.0 CGPA from all post-secondary transfers from the last three years.
The assured admission pathway does not apply to international students. While the certificate is fully transferrable to SFU’s Computing Science and Software Systems Degree, international students’ GPA requirements may vary at the time of transfer.
The following courses must be completed as part of this pathway:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CMPT 1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
CMPT 1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
MATH 1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
MATH 1120 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
MATH 1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
MATH 1221 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
MATH 2700 | Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering | 3 |
SCIE 1100 | Engineering, Technology and Society | 3 |
SCIE 1110 | Professional Communication | 3 |
Select one of the following electives: | 3 | |
SOCI 1100
|
Sociology 1: Introductory Sociology | |
SOCI 1200
|
Sociology 2: Canadian Society | |
ECON 1100
|
Microeconomics | |
ECON 1200
|
Macroeconomics | |
PSYC 1100
|
Psychology 1 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
Of these courses, the following core courses must be taken at VCC:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
SCIE 1110 | Professional Communication | 3 |
SCIE 1100 | Engineering, Technology and Society | 3 |
CMPT 1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
CMPT 1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
Other (non-core) courses in the certificate that are taken at post-secondary institutions other than VCC may be used towards completion of the VCC/SFU Computing pathway, providing that they transfer independently to SFU and receive the same credit at SFU as does the VCC pathway course. All credits must be obtained within sixteen months. In addition, for at least two of the terms at VCC, students would need to meet a minimum course load of 12 credits.
Course Credits (Option A - SFU Transfer)
Successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits of university transfer articulated first year courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
Term One | Credits | |
---|---|---|
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1120 | Discrete Mathematics 1 | 3 |
³§°ä±õ·¡Ìý1110 | Professional Communication | 3 |
°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
³§°ä±õ·¡Ìý1100 | Engineering, Technology and Society | 3 |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Term Two | ||
MATHÌý1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
CMPTÌý1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
MATHÌý1221 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
Select one of the following electives: | 3 | |
SOCIÌý1100 or SOCIÌý1200 or PSYCÌý1100 or ECONÌý1100 or ECONÌý1200 |
Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics |
|
Ìý | Credits | 12 |
Term Three | ||
MATHÌý2700 | Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering | 3 |
Ìý | Credits | 3 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 30 |
Course Credits (Option B - UBC BSc. in Computer Science transfer)
Successful completion of a minimum of 25 credits of university transfer articulated first year courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
Term One | Credits | |
---|---|---|
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1120 | Discrete Mathematics 1 | 3 |
Science Elective | Ìý | |
PHYSÌý1100 or CHEMÌý1121 or BIOLÌý1100 |
Physics 1 or Chemistry 1 or Biology 1 |
4 |
°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
Ìý | Credits | 13 |
Term Two | ||
MATHÌý1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
CMPTÌý1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
MATHÌý1221 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
Elective | 3 or 4 | |
PHYSÌý1200 or CHEMÌý1223 or BIOLÌý1200 or ENGLÌý1100 or SOCIÌý1100 or SOCIÌý1200 or PSYCÌý1100 or PSYCÌý1200 or ECONÌý1100 or ECONÌý1200 |
Physics 2 or Chemistry 2 or Biology 2 or English 1 or Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Psychology 2 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics |
|
Ìý | Credits | 12-13 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 25-26 |
Course Credits (Option C - UBC BA in Computer Science transfer)
Successful completion of a minimum of 27 credits of university transfer articulated first year courses as per the British Columbia Council on Admission and Transfer Guide (BCCAT) is required for completion of the certificate. Credit distribution in the following courses is required:
Term One | Credits | |
---|---|---|
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1120 | Discrete Mathematics 1 | 3 |
°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
Elective | Ìý | |
ENGLÌý1100 or SOCIÌý1100 or SOCIÌý1200 or PSYCÌý1100 or PSYCÌý1200 or ECONÌý1100 or ECONÌý1200 |
English 1 or Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Psychology 2 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics |
3 |
Ìý | Credits | 12 |
Term Two | ||
MATHÌý1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
CMPTÌý1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
MATHÌý1221 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
Select two of the following electives: | 6 | |
ENGLÌý1100 or SOCIÌý1100 or SOCIÌý1200 or PSYCÌý1100 or PSYCÌý1200 or ECONÌý1100 or ECONÌý1200 |
English 1 or Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology or Sociology 2: Canadian Society or Psychology 1 or Psychology 2 or Microeconomics or Macroeconomics |
|
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 27 |
Option A: SFU Software Systems Transfer
Assured SFU Software Systems Degree 2nd Year Admission Pathway
Assured admission under this pathway requires completion of this Certificate.Ìý The number of students receiving assured admission from VCC to SFU is capped at 10 per year.Ìý Students must have an overall average GPA of 3.2 on the courses required for the pathway which are listed below (calculated based on the best attempt for each course) and an overall average of 3.2 (again, calculated based on the best attempt for each course) on all work combined in order to be considered for the 'assured admission' pathway.Ìý Students who have been previously required to withdraw from another institution would be considered ineligible for the assured admission pathway as would students who were formerly in a Computing, Engineering or Mechatronics program at SFU.ÌýÌýStudents must achieve an overall 3.0 CGPA from all post-secondary transfers from the last three years.ÌýÌý
The assured admission pathway does not apply to international students. While the certificate is fully transferrable to SFU’s Computing Science and Software Systems Degree, international students’ GPA requirements may vary at the time of transfer.
The following courses must be completed as part of this pathway:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
CMPTÌý1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1120 | Discrete Mathematics 1 | 3 |
MATHÌý1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
MATHÌý1221 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
MATHÌý2700 | Probability and Statistics for Science and Engineering | 3 |
³§°ä±õ·¡Ìý1100 | Engineering, Technology and Society | 3 |
³§°ä±õ·¡Ìý1110 | Professional Communication | 3 |
Select one of the following electives: | 3 | |
SOCIÌý1100 | Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology | |
SOCIÌý1200 | Sociology 2: Canadian Society | |
ECONÌý1100 | Microeconomics | |
ECONÌý1200 | Macroeconomics | |
PSYCÌý1100 | Psychology 1 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
Of these courses, the following core courses must be taken at VCC:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
³§°ä±õ·¡Ìý1110 | Professional Communication | 3 |
³§°ä±õ·¡Ìý1100 | Engineering, Technology and Society | 3 |
°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
CMPTÌý1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
Other (non-core) courses in the certificate that are taken at post-secondary institutions other than VCC may be used towards completion of the VCC/SFU Computing pathway, providing that they transfer independently to SFU and receive the same credit at SFU as does the VCC pathway course. All credits must be obtained within sixteen months. In addition, for at least two of the terms at VCC, students would need to meet a minimum course load of 12 credits.Ìý
Competitive Software Systems Degree 2nd Year Admission Pathway
For competitive admission into 2nd year of the SFU Software Systems Degree, students must complete a minimum 24 units of transferable course work, including: one mathematics course chosen fromÌý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1120 Discrete Mathematics 1,Ìý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1100 Calculus 1,ÌýMATHÌý1200 Calculus 2,ÌýMATHÌý2700 Probability and Statistics for Science and EngineeringÌýandÌýMATHÌý1221 Applied Linear Algebra;ÌýCMPTÌý1020 Introduction to Computer Programming 2Ìý(for whichÌý°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 Introduction to Computer Programming 1Ìýis a prerequisite); and one additional mathematics course chosen from the above list. Full details can be found on SFU's College/University siteÌýÌýunder the program specific requirements for Software Systems students.
Applicants must meet the general SFU English language and quantitative admission requirements.
Option B: UBC BSc in Computer Science Transfer
No assured admission agreement is in place with UBC. To attempt admission into the 2nd year of the BSc in Computer Science at UBC it is recommended that students complete the following courses:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
CMPTÌý1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1120 | Discrete Mathematics 1 | 3 |
MATHÌý1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
MATHÌý1221 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
In addition, it is recommended that students take:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
One science elective chosen from: | 4 | |
PHYSÌý1100 | Physics 1 | |
BIOLÌý1100 | Biology 1 | |
CHEMÌý1121 | Chemistry 1 | |
One additional elective chosen from: | 3-4 | |
PHYSÌý1100 | Physics 1 | |
PHYSÌý1200 | Physics 2 | |
BIOLÌý1100 | Biology 1 | |
BIOLÌý1200 | Biology 2 | |
CHEMÌý1121 | Chemistry 1 | |
CHEMÌý1223 | Chemistry 2 | |
ENGLÌý1100 | English 1 | |
SOCIÌý1100 | Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology | |
SOCIÌý1200 | Sociology 2: Canadian Society | |
ECONÌý1100 | Microeconomics | |
ECONÌý1200 | Macroeconomics | |
PSYCÌý1100 | Psychology 1 | |
PSYCÌý1200 | Psychology 2 |
Option C: UBC BA in Computer Science Transfer
No assured admission agreement is in place with UBC. To attempt admission into the 2nd year of the BA in Computer Science at UBC it is recommended that students complete the following courses:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
°ä²Ñ±Ê°ÕÌý1010 | Introduction to Computer Programming 1 | 3 |
CMPTÌý1020 | Introduction to Computer Programming 2 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1100 | Calculus 1 | 3 |
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý1120 | Discrete Mathematics 1 | 3 |
MATHÌý1200 | Calculus 2 | 3 |
MATHÌý1221 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
In addition, it is recommended that students take:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Three elective courses chosen from: | 9 | |
ENGLÌý1100 | English 1 | |
SOCIÌý1100 | Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology | |
SOCIÌý1200 | Sociology 2: Canadian Society | |
ECONÌý1100 | Microeconomics | |
ECONÌý1200 | Macroeconomics | |
PSYCÌý1100 | Psychology 1 | |
PSYCÌý1200 | Psychology 2 |
The required GPA for transfer to other post-secondary institutions may vary based on transfer agreements with other institutions.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Apply now
Are you interested in this program?
To apply to this pathway, please submit your application to the University Transfer Computer Science and Software Systems Certificate program.
Don't forget to:
- Submit your official transcripts to the Registrar's Office when you apply
- Check Important Dates for deadlines and registration information
Read the University Transfer Computer Science and Software Systems Certificate Course Selection Guide for more information.
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, October 21-25.
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.
ENTRANCE AWARDS
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.