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Software Systems Bachelor of Science

Overview

Software Systems (SoSy) is an applied area of computer science that focuses on teaching the skills to develop high-quality software.

Developing software is the foundation of many careers in industry. Software is integrated into every area of our daily lives from web browsers to computer games. It runs in our cell phones, our cars and our transportation systems. 

SoSy is a practical, hands-on program delivered through lectures, team projects and a capstone project. Graduates have a solid understanding of the software development lifecycle from specification through development and verification and on into maintenance. They have experience writing larger scale software with a commitment to professional quality code construction.

Students can apply for direct admission into SoSy when applying to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, or students can transfer into the program from other departments. Computing science majors who wish to transfer to SoSy can easily do so after completing their 1st or 2nd year requirements. By completing the program, students earn the degree of B.Sc. Software Systems.

school  School of Computing Science

description  Major

calendar_month 4 years

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Program at-a-glance

The Software Systems program provides skills, knowledge and thought processes necessary for professional software production, while also providing a broad background of various computing systems that graduates will encounter in their careers.

Years 1 & 2 - Learn the fundamentals of computing systems, design, analysis, and theory. By the end of year two, students will know one or more programming languages and will understand object-oriented programming.

Years 3 & 4 - Learn more complex components of software architecture, project management, computer systems, as well as design.

What You’ll Learn

This four-year Bachelor of Science Software Systems (B.Sc.) program is taught at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV’s Surrey campuses. The Software Systems curriculum is divided into three areas: Fundamentals, Systems and Software Engineering.

Fundamentals

The study of mathematics, writing, and theoretical computing. These are the foundations for any field of technical studies.

Systems

The study of computer systems and the way they are organized, including software protocols. Knowing the capabilities of and restrictions on computer systems is a prerequisite for designing effective software.

Software Engineering

The study of how to effectively program as part of a team under realistic time and resource constraints. This includes high-level issues such as software architecture and project management, as well as low-level issues such as version control and best practices for coding.

Capstone Project

SoSy also includes a two-semester long capstone project where a student's team implements a significant software system in close collaboration with a faculty member. These projects are competitive to get into and showcase one's mastery over one (or many!) areas of software development and computer science. The capstone project is something the student can be proud of at the end of their degree!

How Does It Work?

Each Capstone will be based around an approved capstone proposal submitted by a faculty member who will act as a mentor for the project. Students may work with faculty in order to construct/modify a proposal that finds agreement between the abilities and interests of both the students and faculty involved. When an agreement is reached, the mentor will inform the SoSy Capstone Committee and have the students enrolled in the Capstone courses* (CMPT 494 and subsequently CMPT 495).

During the course of the two fourth-year courses (CMPT 494 and CMPT 495), small groups of students (typically 2-4) will work with their faculty mentor on various parts of the project on a regular basis. This includes, and not limited to, proposing, conceptualizing, designing, developing, and demonstrating the project.

Upon completion of a Capstone, students are required to complete a final project report providing the context for the problem they worked on, the challenges they faced, and how they students overcame these challenges. Appropriate knowledge of existing work must be demonstrated. This project report may serve as a white paper or conference paper depending on the nature of the Capstone project.

All Capstone students will also be required to create a poster and a live demonstration (as appropriate) of their work in a Capstone Showcase or the Computing Science Undergraduate Research Symposium.

*The proposal approval process is a prerequisite for CMPT 494, while successful completion of CMPT 494 is a prerequisite for CMPT 495. For details, see the Capstone Project Requirement section of this page: /students/calendar/2025/spring/programs/software-systems/major/bachelor-of-science.html

FULL Timeline DETAILS

Important Dates For Sosy Capstone Projects

 

Spring 2025 - Summer 2025 Cycle

Summer 2024 -Fall 2024 Cycle

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Cycle

Match - Making Starts

Now - 12 Jan 2025

From now until 12 May 2024

From now until 10 Sept, 2024

First, self-enroll into Canvas course

Fill out Project Application 

by 17 Dec 2024

by 24 Apr 2024

by 16 Aug 2024

Meet with Mentor(s)^

by 12 Jan 2025

by 12 May 2024

by 6 Sept 2024

Fill out Commitment Form

by 5 Jan 2024

by 12 May 2024

by 6 Sept 2024

Auto-Enrollment by School  

by 12 Jan 2025

by 12 May 2024

by 17 Sept 2024

CMPT 494 Starts

on 6 Jan 2025

on 6 May, 2024

on 4 Sept, 2024

^Once the students have met with the mentor(s) and an agreement is reached, they can fill out the Commitment Form directly. There is no need to wait. 

^^Tentative schedule. It is subject to change.

 

Meet Our Students

I applied to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV's Software Systems program because of its focus on the practical side of computer science. With a robust curriculum and strong co-op program, I knew it would allow me to gain the skills and experience I would need to be industry ready once I graduated. Now partway through my degree, I can confirm that Software Systems fulfills all the promises above while also having wonderful professors and strong sense of community that has made for a fulfilling university experience.

Career opportunities

The world is changing rapidly and so is the full range of career opportunities that await. Armed with the necessary knowledge and skills, graduates pursue careers in jobs such as:

  • Chief Information Officer
  • Chief Information Security Officer
  • Chief Operations Officer
  • Chief Technical Officer
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager
  • Game Developer
  • Interactive Media Developer
  • IT Project Manager 
  • Senior Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst
  • Software Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Systems Architect 
  • Web Designer
  • Web Developer

Further Program Information

Discover more details about this program on our 'current students' pages:

How to Apply

Learn more about admission requirements, entry pathways, and how to apply!

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