Students of the Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Computing Science program working on laptops
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Computer Science (BA)

  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Minor
  • Fully Available at 
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at 
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

The Computer Science (BA) Program

Computer Science is a rapidly-growing field, generating a great number of employment opportunities. Government agencies are predicting shortages of qualified computing people that will number in the tens of thousands in Canada alone.

The Bachelor of Arts with a minor in Computer Science is composed of courses drawn from the systems and business application domains. It is designed to train students in applied computer science and educate them in the social, ethical and legal implications of computing.

Graduates of the program may work in fields where a well grounded knowledge in computing is necessary or advantageous. Examples include opportunities is many aspects of business, mathematics and statistics, graphic arts, music production, the video gaming industry, teaching and education, et cetera. People with interests in any of these areas would benefit from the understanding of computer systems and software gained from earning a B.A. Minor in Computer Science.

VIU also offers a Bachelor of Science, Major and Minor in Computer Science.

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2

Credits

Minimum "C-" average in the following courses:

CSCI 159 - (Computer Science I)

4

CSCI 161 - (Computer Science II)

4

CSCI 162 - (Topics in Computer Science)

4

CSCI 260 - (Data Structures)

3

CSCI 265 - (Software Engineering)

3

MATH 121 - (Calculus I)

3

MATH 123 - (Logic and Foundations)

3

Total Credits

24

Years 3 and 4

Credits

CSCI 370 - (Database Systems)

3

Five additional CSCI courses numbered 300 or above*

15

Total Credits

18

*Students should check upper-level course prerequisites to guide second year course selection. Certain course selections will require completion of a greater number of second-year courses than is required by the Minor. 

Domestic Fees | International Fees

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.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit)

4,992.00

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

199.68

Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit)

220.50

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month)

220.80

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

7,397.98
Notes

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.  

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.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester)

23,993.10

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester)

926.80

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month)

220.80

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

26,905.70
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

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.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee
45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

Comments

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee
45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

Comments

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Accepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Phone: 250.740.6400
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.