Frequently asked questions

Students will receive their textbook and an information package through the mail for most courses. (more and more of our courses are starting to use an online textbook, so one will not be mailed in that case.) The remainder of the SCIS course materials, including study guides, assignments, quizzes, and other course-related materials are accessed through the online Learning Management System (Moodle). The study guides can be viewed online, and are also formatted in PDF or as standard HTML pages and can be downloaded to student's home or office computers. An internet connection is required to access SCIS course materials.

Anyone 16 years of age or older is eligible for admission to Athabasca University, regardless of previous educational experience, with or without a high school diploma.

Students may not enrol in an Athabasca University undergraduate or graduate program while they are enrolled in a program at another post-secondary institution. Those students may take courses as unclassified students until they have either completed or withdrawn from the other program.

No, we have monthly enrolment in our BSc CIS and UCCIS programs.

Our programs are "open-ended," meaning there is no time limit for the completion of the undergraduate degree or certificate.

The number of credits that the student needs to successfully complete the degree is equivalent to 4 years in a traditional University for the BSc CIS and the BSc CIS PD programs.

• 40 courses = 120 credits for the BSc. CIS
• 11 courses = 33 credits for the UCCIS

Yes, all courses taken in the UCCIS certificate can be then transferred to the BSc CIS degree.

Our UCCIS program is specially designed for students who want to quickly get a credential in Information Technology in order to find a job in the IT industry, or just to have a taste of the computing and information systems discipline before embarking on their study for a full university degree. So, if you think you are in either of the cases mentioned above, UCCIS may be the program for you; otherwise, you may want to choose the BSc-CIS program.

The Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems (Post Diploma) program (BSc CIS (PD)) is designed especially for students holding a computing-related diploma who wish to pursue a university degree to further their career and/or academic studies.

The Certificate provides you with many of the necessary skills for helpdesk, user support, documentation, and some entry level programming/analysis or user support positions. The Degree would do more to assist in obtaining a position as a Computer and Network Operator, Computer Programmer, Customer Support Analyst, Data Administrator, Systems Quality Assurance Analyst, Information Systems Consultant, Software Support Specialist, Systems Auditor, Systems Security Analyst, Web Technician, Web Designer and a Webmaster in large or small centres all over the world. In Alberta, two-thirds of entry level positions are filled with 2 year college diplomas. For programming, analysis and design you are better off pursuing the 4 year BSc CIS, since our program in many ways caps a diploma, our graduates should compete successfully.

Students should have access to a computer, printer, and a connection to the Internet. All SCIS courses are delivered through a web-based Learning Management System (LMS) called Moodle (training site). As such the major piece of software used to access SCIS course materials is the web browser you are using now. It is important to ensure that your web browser is kept up to date.

Athabasca University’s standard computing platform is a computer running Microsoft Windows with Microsoft Office. PCs are the primary equipment supported by AU’s IT Help Desk and as such limited assistance for other hardware and software platforms is offered.

SCIS is also a member on the DreamSpark Premium Program which provides students registered in SCIS courses access to free-of-charge Microsoft software.

Some of the SCIS courses may have other software or hardware requirements which should be noted in the syllabi for undergraduate or graduate program.

Please note that the majority of SCIS courses should be able to be completed on a Windows PC, Linux workstation, or Mac computer. If you have any questions regarding whether your existing computer equipment is sufficient please submit a request via the Student Success Centre. (information regarding using the Student Success Centre)

Since the total cost can vary depending on where you are located, if you purchased extensions, supplemental exams we tell students the cost per course.

Use the fee calculator to determine the cost per course.

Undergraduate course fees are a combination of tuition fees, learning resources fees (course material fee), and mandatory Students' Association and Alumni Relations fees. Payment of learning resource fees entitles students to receive most course materials and support services required to complete the course during the period of active registration.

Transcripts from other institutions must be submitted for evaluation to determine if the coursework is acceptable for credit transfer. Your transcripts will be officially evaluated once you are enrolled in the program. However, to find out how your course credits might transfer to the degree, use AU's online transfer credit assessment tool.

We recommend that students start with COMP 200 then COMP 268 then COMP 272. As well, we encourage students to register in ENGL 255 and ADMN 233 early in their program. If you have any questions, contact the SCIS advisor.

Undergraduate

Athabasca University's individualized study courses begin the first day of the month, and are offered year-round. You must register before the tenth day of the month in order to start your course the following month. The Office of the Registrar will process completed registration forms that are received by 4:30 p.m. MT on the tenth day of the month. Remember to consider postal, courier, and processing times when a particular start date is desired.

Overseas Students

Overseas students are usually assigned course start dates one month later than students living in Canada or the US. This policy has been set up so that AU can ensure that the course package arrives before the course contract start date.

Graduate

Online grouped study courses in the MSc IS program will be offered during three sessions each year. Refer to important dates for each session start date.

Undergraduate

Please read the general information regarding challenging a course.

Graduate

MScIS courses are currently not challengeable.

Sorry, not at this time.

Undergraduate

For undergraduate courses, students have 6 months to complete a course. If more time is required a student may apply for a 2 month extension up to three times. The length of time required to complete a course varies significantly and depends on many factors such as amount of time devoted to studying, the complexity of a course, previous knowledge, etc. Generally, most students do not have a problem completing a course within the original six month time period.

Graduate

MScIS graduate courses are online grouped study courses and are offered during three sessions each year for a thirteen week timetable. Refer to important dates for each session start date. All course work should be completed during the semester periods. Extensions are permitted in courses that have the extension option.

Online grouped study delivery has the following characteristics:

• Students work with fellow students and instructors on a 13-week timetable.
• Sessions start three times each year: September, January, or April/May.
• Exams, where applicable, are written in the last scheduled week of classes.

Yes you can. Please contact the course coordinator (via the Student Success Centre) explaining why you wish to take the course, why the prerequisite should be waived, and that you will take responsibility for any problems that arise from not having the formal prerequisite. Please be prepared to discuss your prior education and experience. On the subject line of the e-mail include the course id, your student id, and "approval required". The course coordinator will make the final decision and email registry with approval if it is granted.

As well please use the Are You Ready? questions.

SCIS is an acronym for Athabasca University's School of Computing and Information Systems. The school offers relevant and up-to-date computing and information systems education at the time and place convenient for every student. SCIS faculty integrate research in distance education technology with course development and delivery.

AU's Master of Science (specialization in Information Systems) program is based on the MSIS 2006 Model Curriculum, with the additional rigour of a technology specialization within a broader context of changing IT industry needs and leverage the rich and diverse resources within the School of Computing and Information Systems at Athabasca University. In particular, our curriculum emphasizes the tie between Information Systems and other disciplines such as Computer Science and Software Engineering.

MScIS program makes extensive use of Java programming. Therefore, students entering in the program are expected to have basic Java programming ability and skills. An expertise in Java programming is not required to start the program, but students should have the ability to use Java to develop object-oriented applications by using simple and basic GUI components. They are expected to (1) have ability to create custom classes and class members (member variables and member functions); (2) reuse pre-built classes; (3) do exception control; (4) use basic Java GUI components; and, (5) develop program with threads.

Those students who do not have abovementioned abilities and skills are strongly recommended to take some basic Java course prior to entering in the program. At Athabasca University, COMP 268 course would provide such abilities and skills.

Depending on the incoming student's credentials, the MScIS program may be completed in as few as thirty credits (ten courses), or may require a maximum of thirty-nine credits (thirteen courses). As part of the admissions process, the program admissions committee reviews each applicant's credentials to determine whether the student should be exempted from any or all of the following IS foundation courses: COMP 501, 503, 504, 505, 506. Exemptions from IS Foundation courses are based on appropriate undergraduate or graduate academic credentials supported by relevant professional-level work experience. Student should review the course syllabi and advanced standing to determine if they may qualify.

MScIS does not currently had a minimum GPA requirement. Please review the admission requirements.

MScIS program students intend on completing the entire degree and graduating with a Masters in Science (Information Systems). Program students will have priority with respect to course registrations. Non-program and visiting student intend on taking courses. MScIS non-program students may be permitted to register in up to three MScIS courses for which they have the appropriate prerequisites, space permitting and upon meeting minimum program entrance standards. Courses taken as a non-program student may be applied toward the degree requirements, if and when the student becomes a program student. If you are interested in registering as a non-program student, you will need to complete the Non-program Application submit transcripts (copies will suffice) indicating your undergraduate degree has been conferred and a up-to-date resume. Visiting students are advised to obtain a Letter of Permission from their home institution indicating that the course they intend to take will accept the Athabasca University course in the students' program. The Letter of Permission is for your own protection and is not a required by AU.

Students may not enrol in an MScIS while they are enrolled in another program at at AU or another post-secondary institution. Individuals interested in registering as a MScIS program student will be required to submit all documentation as outlined in the program application procedures. There are two student intakes per year (Fall and Winter). The application deadline for Fall is March 1st for admission into the Program commencing in September, October 1st for admission to the program for Winter, commencing in January.

Please check the MScIS admission site for degree requirements and the application procedure for admissions to the MScIS program.

Unless you are enrolled in an Athabasca University program as part of a collaboration agreement with another educational institution or are in a program that requires you to attend (in person) classes longer than six month in duration, we cannot provide the letter you require for your study permit.

Individuals who are seeking entry to Canada for the purposes of study, need to apply to a traditional school that has on-campus classes. This is because Citizenship and Immigration Canada does not consider Athabasca University as an eligible school for study permits. This is because students can remain in their home country and study while enrolled in Athabasca University programs and courses. If you are seeking entry to Canada for the purposes of study, we strongly recommend you apply to one of the many traditional schools in Canada. Here is a URL to a listing of Canadian universities so that you can do some research on the schools in Canada and the programs they have available: https://www.univcan.ca/.

Graduate students are expected to register online during the course registration period per session. Please see important dates and deadlines.

Students with limited access to traditional universities can pursue graduate studies at their own pace, and in their own home with support from some of Canada's most experienced distance educators.

MSc IS courses will be delivered via online grouped study using distance education instructional design principles and enabling Web based technologies. Students follow a week-by-week reading schedule and are expected to contribute to web-based discussion boards on a weekly basis.

Academic work at the graduate level is much more complex and demanding than at the undergraduate level and, in turn, so is the grading and feedback process. We ask that you do not get confused by the undergraduate service standard model.

You will receive your textbook and some information through the mail for almost all courses. (A few courses have an online textbook or do not use a textbook, so one will not be mailed in that case.) Refer to the course syllabi) The remainder of the MDc IS course materials, including study guides, assignments, forums, quizzes, and other course-related materials are accessed through the online Learning Management System (Moodle). The study guides can be viewed online, and are also formatted in PDF or as standard HTML pages and are downloadable to student's home or office computers. An internet connection is required to access MSc IS course materials.

Online grouped study delivery has the following characteristics:

• Students work with fellow students and instructors on a 13-week timetable.
• Sessions start three times each year: September, January, or April/May.
• Exams, where applicable, are written in the last scheduled week of classes.
• Students will be able to access their online courses materials about two weeks prior to the course opening.

To participate in the program, each student must own or have access to a minimum computer hardware and software configuration.

It is also highly desirable for students to own, or have access to, a printer and word-processing software that can read and write Microsoft Word documents.

Students are responsible for all computer communication charges in the form of long distance telephone charges, subscription to an Internet node, or any other communications service requirement.

Applications for program admissions will be considered only if the applicant has full and unrestricted access to the World Wide Web.

The most current and updated browser versions are the recommended (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari). There may be occasions when a particular browser if required for access to content.

AU supplies no hardware, but provides conferencing, email, chat and web services. You must provide your own connection to the Internet.

See the MScIS contact us page.

Athabasca University has offered selected computer science courses since the 1970s.

In 1988, the Faculty of Arts and Science started offering a B.A. in Information Systems, which included about 12 computer science courses.

In 1994, the Faculty of Science began offering the Certificate in Information Systems.

In 1994, the Faculty of Science began offering the BSc. in Computing and Information Systems.

In 1995, CCIS (Centre for Computing and Information Systems) was formed.

In 2001, the Centre for Computing and Information Systems began offering the MSc in Information Systems.

At the end of 2004, the name was changed to SCIS (School of Computing and Information Systems).

Athabasca University (AU) is a publicly funded institution of the Province of Alberta and reports to the government through the Minister of Advanced Education. Through the Post-secondary Learning Act, the government authorizes Athabasca University Governing Council to grant degrees and govern our own affairs. Members of Athabasca University Governing Council are appointed under orders in council of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

Please see AU's accreditation page for more information on Athabasca University's accreditation.

Check the course list for graduate (MScIS) computer science courses.

The preferred method of course access is through the central AU web portal known as myAU. The course link in myAU leads to the online course materials in the SCIS Moodle Learning Management System.

Read the Moodle Training Site information for a more detailed description of this process.

If you are unable to successfully access the course materials, send a request for assistance through the the Student Success Centre. (information about using the FST Student Success Centre).

As soon as possible after accessing the course materials, you should also read the using Moodle documentation. From there, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with study outline for the course and the linked study guide. If you need more help in getting started, post a message to your fellow students in the course general forum.

All SCIS course materials are accessed online. Generally speaking, you will read through the textbook as directed by the Study Guide, completing the various assignments, quizzes, and projects as you come to them. You will need to be online to complete these, as well as to participate in the forums. If you are working offline, you should refer to the study schedule suggested in the Topics format of the SCIS Moodle Learning Management System.

Depending on the nature of your problem or question, these are the resources you might access:

• For SCIS student technical assistance, go to the SCIS technical request form for students.
• For problems with the course files (downloading, installing or using), or will any problems you suspect are related to the AU network or servers, you can contact the Student Success Centre if you require assistance. (Information about using the FST Student Success Centre)
• If you suspect the problem has to do with your own Internet Service Provider or with the set up of your basic Internet Software (Firefox etc.) you should contact the service representatives at your ISP.

The Virtual Helpdesk is a listing of online resources that will assist you in technical requests related to the online student project server.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process designed to award you credit towards your degree or certificate at Athabasca University and to open other doors to advancement.

PLAR is based on a tested process and set of mechanisms for the recognition of learning that you have acquired from life experience, job training, workshops, seminars or other experience.

More information regarding PLAR.

Undergraduate

If you have completed work at an accredited post secondary institution, have your official transcripts sent directly to the AU Registrar's Office for evaluation for possible transfer credit. PLAR is a separate process from the transfer credit process.

Transcripts from other institutions must be submitted for evaluation to determine if the coursework is acceptable for credit transfer. Your transcripts cannot be officially evaluated unless you are enrolled in a program at Athabasca University. However, to find out how your course credits might transfer to an AU degree, use our online transfer credit assessment tool.

You can request an evaluation of your previous coursework by completing the Undergraduate General Application, or Change of Program if you are already an existing AU student.

More information on Evaluations and Transfer Credit can be found in the Calendar.

Graduate

MSc IS students may also be awarded credit for application to Career Track requirements on the basis of appropriate graduate level coursework completed at other post-secondary institutions.

• The structure of the Career Track component of the program imposes practical limits on the number of credits that may be awarded through this process.
• In no case will the number of credits awarded exceed three credits (one course).

Academic

Students receive academic guidance from tutor and course professors. Reference librarians are available, if needed.

Technical

Each student receives free support from Athabasca University Help Desk Analysts who are available week days, evenings, and Sundays to assist with any technical problems related to the program.

You can contact the helpdesk at: helpdesk@athabascau.ca.

Administrative

Upon admission to one of our Undergraduate programs, students are assigned to the School of Computing and Information Systems – Undergraduate Student Advisor who handles administrative matters involved in supporting completion of the program. The advisor can assist you in choosing your next course(s) for your program of studies, learning about university regulations, and more.

Individualized study (formerly "home-study") provides the greatest flexibility to set your own study schedule within a six-month time frame. Your classroom is where you want it to be –at home, at work, while traveling. You have up to six months to complete a 3-credit course. Within this time, you are free to set your own study schedule. Extensions are available upon payment of an extension fee.

All SCIS course materials are accessed online.

If you wish to obtain credit for a course taken at Athabasca University to fulfill program requirements at your home college or university, you should request a letter of permission from your home institution to ensure that the AU course credits will be transferable. This is for your own protection and is not a requirement of AU.

The letter of permission can be included with your course request or sent directly to AU's Office of the Registrar.

Prerequisites ensure you have the required background to successfully complete a given course. You must successfully meet all course prerequisites before registering. Check the course syllabus for information on prerequisites and other requirements.

If you feel that you have completed the prerequisite at another institution, use the Prerequisite Waiver Declaration Form found on the back of the print version of the Undergraduate Course Registration Form or at the bottom of Athabasca University's online undergraduate course registration page. Fill out and submit the form along with your registration.

Some courses require professor approval and other course-related prerequisites. Failure to obtain professor approval will result in the delay or refusal of your registration.

Yes, you are welcome to enroll in any SCIS course:

• for interest
• to learn a new skill
• to bank credit towards a program at Athabasca University or another university
• to simply discover if university is right for you.

If you are not in the program then you are considered an "unclassified student".