Computer Programming & Analysis (CPA)

About the Program

This three-year advanced diploma program provides you with the skills and knowledge to begin your career as a software developer. You will learn programming languages, program design and system analysis. Web concepts are integrated into all courses to develop active database web programs on a variety of operating systems. Advanced techniques are taught through professional option courses.

You will demonstrate skills through a capstone project for an industry partner in your final year to demonstrate your skills and preparedness for a career in the industry. Graduates of this program will enter the industry with highly employable programming, database, software development and communications skills.

Open Sources and Seneca

Seneca has connections with top tier open-source companies such as Mozilla, creators of the Firefox web browser, and Red Hat, maker of the most successful commercial Linux operating system. In a variety of courses, you will have the opportunity to work with top tier developers on such projects.

Part-time option is available >

Credential Awarded

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

Duration

6 Semesters (3 Years)

Starts

January, May, September

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

Programming languages
System methodologies
Client and server side development
Design and maintenance of database systems
Data communication

Optional Co-op

This program offers the option to complete a co-op work term, providing valuable hands-on experience in your field of study.

Students who select the co-op stream will have the opportunity to participate in a co-op term(s) if eligibility requirements are maintained. Students will have the flexibility to transfer to the non co-op stream at any time. The co-op term(s) is typically a full-time paid position completed between two academic semesters. The co-op search is student-driven and participation in the co-op stream does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. However, students will receive guidance and support through in-class career workshops and one-on-one coaching to help prepare for the co-op term.

Review eligibility requirements for work-integrated learning

Students interested in completing a co-op work term should apply to the Computer Programming & Analysis (Co-op) (CPAC) program.

Your Career

Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:

Software developer
System analyst
Information systems specialist
Database administrator
Web application developer
Client/server applications developer
Systems programmer
UNIX/Linux system administrator
Net developer
Android java programmer
Application developer
Application support analyst

International Partnership: Continental Institute for International Studies

Seneca Polytechnic and Continental Institute for International Studies (CIIS) India have partnered to offer students in India the opportunity to enrol at CIIS for one year in Chandigarh, India and transfer in year two to Seneca’s Computer Programming & Analysis advanced diploma program in Toronto, Canada. Upon completion, students receive an advanced diploma from Seneca and a Certificate of Completion from CIIS.

Learn more about the Seneca Polytechnic and CIIS partnership

Program of Study

Course List
Course Code	Course Name	Weekly Hours
Semester 1
APS145	Applied Problem Solving	3
CEP146	Essential Tooling for Programmers	3
COM101	Communicating Across Contexts	3
or COM111	Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched)
IPC144	Introduction to Programming Using C	6
MTH140	Mathematics for Programmers	4
OPS102	Operating Systems for Programmers	4
Semester 2
DBS211	Introduction to Database Systems	4
OOP244	Introduction to Object Oriented Programming	4
SFT221	Software Testing	3
WEB222	Web Programming Principles	4
plus: General Education Course (2)		6
Semester 3
DBS311	Advanced Database Services	4
EAC594	Business Communication for the Digital Workplace	3
OOP345	Object-Oriented Software Development Using C++	4
PMC444	IT Project Management Fundamentals Tools and Techniques	4
SYD366	Software Analysis and Design - I	4
WEB322	Web Programming Tools and Frameworks	4
WTP100	Work Term Preparation ^*	1
Work-Integrated Learning Term 1
CPA331	Computer Programming and Analysis, Co-op ^*	30
Semester 4
AIP444	AI for Programmers	4
DSA456	Data Structures and Algorithms	4
STP444	Statistics for Programmers	4
SYD466	Software Analysis and Design - II	4
WEB422	Web Programming for Apps and Services	4
Work-Integrated Learning Term 2
CPA332	Computer Programming and Analysis, Co-op II ^*	30
Semester 5
AIP555	Advanced AI for Programmers	4
APD545	Application Development	4
PRJ566	Project Planning and Management	4
plus: Professional Options (2)		6-8
plus: General Education Course (1)		3
Semester 6
PRJ666	Project Implementation	3
plus: Professional Options (4)		12-16

Professional Options

Course List
Course Code	Course Name	Weekly Hours
CCP555	Cloud Computing for Programmers	4
CEP146	Essential Tooling for Programmers	3
CVI620	Computer Vision	4
DBA625	Database Administration	3
DBS501	Stored Procedures Using Oracles PL/SQL	4
DBT544	DB2	3
DEN502	Digital Entrepreneurship for Programmers	4
DSA566	Data Structures and Algorithms II	4
ELA521	Ethics, Law and Application Development	4
GAM531	Game Engine Foundations	4
GAM536	Game Content Creation	4
GAM537	Game Development Fundamentals	4
GPU621	Parallel Algorithms and Programming Techniques	4
MAP523	Mobile App Development - iOS	4
MAP524	Mobile App Development - Android	4
MAP526	Mobile App Development - Cross Platform	4
MST300	Introduction to Microsoft Cloud Technologies	4
OSD600	Open Source Development	4
OSD700	Open Source Development Project	4
SDR520	Software Design for Robotics Applications	4
SPO600	Software Portability and Optimization	4
UIX544	Introduction to UI/UX Design	4
UNX511	UNIX Systems Programming	4
WEB524	Web Programming Using ASP.NET	4
WEB530	Cross-platform App Development	3

Program Learning Outcomes

This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:

identify, analyze, design, develop, implement, verify and document the requirements for a computing environment.
diagnose, troubleshoot, document and monitor technical problems using appropriate methodologies and tools.
analyze, design, implement and maintain secure computing environments.
analyze, develop and maintain robust computing system solutions through validation testing and industry best practices.
communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.
select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
apply project management principles and tools when responding to requirements and monitoring projects within a computing environment.
adhere to ethical, social media, legal, regulatory and economic requirements and/or principles in the development and management of the computing solutions and systems.
investigate emerging trends to respond to technical challenges.
gather, analyze and define software system specifications based on functional and non-functional requirements.
design, develop, document, implement, maintain and test software systems by using industry standard software development methodologies based on defined specifications and existing technologies/frameworks.
select and apply object-oriented and other design concepts and principles, as well as business requirements, to the software development process.
gather requirements and model, design, implement, optimize, and maintain data storage solutions.
integrate network communications into software solutions by adhering to protocol standards.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant
English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course
Mathematics: Grade 12 C or U, or Grade 11 U or M, or equivalent course

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may satisfy the English and/or mathematics requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.

International Student Information

International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).