Computer Systems: Operations & Management

A Co-operative Education Program

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION INFORMATION
Program Description
Thompson Rivers University offers a two year Computer
Systems: Operations & Management (CSOM) diploma. The
CSOM program is designed to produce graduates who will
immediately become productive employees and who will have
the breadth of background necessary for advancement as their
career progresses. Career opportunities may include computer
programming, E-commerce programming, website developer,
network administrator, software development, computer
operations, systems design or systems management. Students
completing this program may be hired as the only computer
person in a small business or they may begin their career in a
junior position with a large computing organization.
Entrance to this program is ideally suited to the secondary
school graduate or the more mature student seeking a career
change or the opportunity to enhance their job skills.
All graduates will have considerable experience with
programming languages, data structures, databases & files,
hardware components & specifications, networking, systems
analysis & design and project management. The main
emphasis of the program is to highlight the importance of
sound problem solving methodology, supported by hands on
instruction in the most popular and most utilized computing
software and hardware. This approach, together with courses
in English, business and mathematics will ideally prepare them
for work, further training and advancement. A commitment to
professionalism is an essential characteristic of the program.
CSOM is accredited by the Canadian Information Processing
Society (CIPS).

Intake Dates
Fall (September) semester only

Program Contacts

Admission Requirements
Educational Requirements

BC Grade 12 or equivalent with a C+ average

BC English 12 with a minimum 73% on combined English
12 and Government exam within the last 5 years; or LPI test
with Level 4 or higher within the last 2 years; or completion
of TRUs English 0600; or completion of TRUs ESAL 0570
or ESAL 0580 with a minimum grade of C+; or TOEFL test
results with a minimum 88 (IBT) with no section below 20,
minimum 570 (paper based) with TWE 4.5+ or minimum
230 (computer based) with Essay 4.5+; or IELTS minimum
score of 6.5 (no band below 6.0); or CAEL minimum score
of 70 (no subtest below 60)

BC Math 12 (Principles or Applications) with a

minimum C+ grade or TRU MATH 0600 with a
minimum B grade or TRU MATH 0610 or equivalent
A previous programming course such as IT 11/12 or
TRU COMP 0600 is recommended

General Requirements

Submit a completed CSOM Questionnaire

Successful interview with the CSOM Coordinator

Application for Admission

Applications are submitted to the universitys International
Admissions office. Consideration will be given to all
applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements.
Admission to the CSOM program is determined by a
limited admission process.
The minimum documentation required for an
application to be processed is:
A completed international application form
$100 CDN application fee (if you have never attended
or applied to TRU before)
Official transcripts are required for admittance,
however may follow the application as long as the
educational section of the application is completed

Bob Barlow
Computing Science Co-Chair and CSOM Coordinator
Location: HL 422
Telephone: 250-371-5957
Email: bbarlow@tru.ca

Re-Application

TRU International Admissions

900 McGill Road
Kamloops BC V2C 0C8
Telephone: 250-828-5252
Email: welcome@tru.ca

If you have previously applied to CSOM and were not

accepted OR applied but did not attend last year, you must
submit a NEW application and contact the International
Admission office to ensure that all required documentation
is still on file and complete.

Program Structure

Co-operative Education (Co-op)

Note: All second year computer courses require either

successful completion of first year as a prerequisite or the
program coordinators permission. To qualify as a
prerequisite within the program, a mark of C- or better
must be achieved.

CSOM is designed as a co-op program. Co-op education

is the integration of theory and practical experience.
Students have specific periods of paid employment (work
terms) alternating with specific periods of study (academic
semesters). You must apply to the Co-op department. The
number of co-op students is limited and CSOM students
are not guaranteed job placement. For complete
information contact:
Co-operative & Career Education Department
Location: OM1712
Telephone: 250-371-5627
Email: careereducation@tru.ca
www.tru.ca/careereducation

First Year
1st semester (Fall / September - December)
COMP 1140 ..........Visual Basic Computer Programming I
COMP 1570 ..........Data Processing Tools & Techniques I
CMNS 1810 ..........Business, Professional and Academic
Composition
COMP 2530 ..........Small Computer Systems: Organization and
Architecture
MATH 1380 ..........Discrete Structures 1

2nd semester (Winter / January April)

COMP 1240 ..........Visual Basic Computer Programming II
COMP 1670 ..........Data Processing Tools & Techniques II
CMNS 1930 ..........Report Writing and Business Presentations
COMP 2630 ..........Small Computer Systems: Communication
and Networks
MATH 1390 ..........Discrete Structures 2
Co-op Work Term (May August)
Co-op Work Term (September December)

Second Year
3rd semester (Winter / January April)
COMP 2520 ..........Programming in C++
COMP 2560 ..........Database Programming
COMP 2570 ..........Systems Analysis and Design I
COMP 2680 ..........Web Site Design and Development
COMP 2730 ..........Introduction to Computer Security
Co-op Work Term (May August)

4th semester (Fall / September December)

COMP 2540 ..........Information Resource Management and
Issues
COMP 2620 ..........E-Commerce Systems Development
COMP 2640 ..........Languages: Advanced Programming
COMP 2660 ..........Advanced Object Oriented Programming
COMP 2670 ..........Systems Analysis and Design 2

NOTE: CSOM is offered both as a Co-op program and as

an optional regular program. For students not wanting the
co-op component or who are not eligible to enroll into the
co-op component will have a break from classes from May
until the start of the 3rd academic semester (Year 2) in
January.

Course Descriptions
See the Course Descriptions section of the online Calendar
at www.tru.ca.

LPI (Language Proficiency Index)

The purpose of the LPI is to provide information about an
individual's competency in English. For scheduled testing
sessions and detailed information review the online
information at www.lpitest.ca or pick up an information
pamphlet at TRUs Assessment Centre in OM1762. The
current fee is $109.00 + tax (subject to change without
notice) Note: Test scores are valid for admission only if it
has been written within the last 2 years.

CSOM Questionnaire
Compete the CSOM questionnaire and submit it with your
application.

CSOM Interview
Once you have met all the educational requirements and
submitted your questionnaire, you will be notified in
writing by the Admissions office to contact the CSOM
program coordinator for an interview.

Transfer Students
Students may be considered to enter into the 2nd year of
the CSOM program at the discretion of the program
coordinator. An application must still be submitted to the
Admissions office, including official post-secondary
transcript(s).

Program Costs
Students offered a seat in the program are required to pay
their full tuition to secure their seat. The estimated costs
for books & supplies are approx. $1400 annually.

Complete information of the CSOM

program is available online at:
www.tru.ca/science/cist
(complete program description, graduate skills,
employment outcomes, department contacts, etc.)

Computer Systems: Operations and Management

Questionnaire
1.

PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

2.

COMPLETE THIS FORM IN YOUR OWN HANDWRITING AND SUBMIT IT WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

3.

AFTER YOU SUBMIT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE ADMISSIONS
OFFICE WHEN/HOW TO CONTACT THE CSOM PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR AN INTERVIEW.

Students Name: ___________________________________ TRU Student #: _________________________________

Telephone #: _______________________________________ Email: _________________________________________

1.

Do you have any physical or other handicaps which you feel may affect your performance as a student or your ability to work in
the Computer Systems / Information Technology industry?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

2.

What courses did you like the best in your previous education? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

3.

What courses did you like least in your previous education? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

4.

Do you feel that you have done the best academic work that you are capable of? Why do you feel this way?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

5.

List any awards, scholarships or bursaries which you may have received.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

6.

Did you participate in a high school work experience program?

YES

NO If yes, please give details.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

7.

Please give details of any computer related knowledge and experience you have, including courses previously taken, work
experience, and self taught skills.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

8.

Describe any other work experience you have, including volunteer activity.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

9.

Are you presently employed? YES NO

If yes, what type of work, how many hours, and do you plan to continue during your studies?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

10.

Do you understand what CSOM Co-operative Education is? YES NO

Are you interested in participating in the CSOM Co-operative Education work terms? YES
If yes, what do you think are the benefits of co-op?

NO

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

11.

What are your extracurricular interests? How much time do you devote to them? Are they worth the time that you devote to
them?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

12.

Would you have access to a computer off-campus for use in your studies? If so, please describe it, including the operating
system and software you have available.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

13.

Why did you choose a career in Computer Systems / Information Technology?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

14.

What are your plans when you complete the Computer Systems: Operations and Management program?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

15.

What salary do you expect to receive (dollars/month), after you complete this program?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

16.

How did you become aware of this program at Thompson Rivers University?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

17.

Why did you choose Thompson Rivers University?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

18.

Have you applied elsewhere? If so, where else have you applied?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________