IT Innovation and Design (Optional Co-op)

Select start date and campus

Close

Applying as a Canadian applicant

Domestic students should apply online or by phone at 1-888-892-2228.

Applying as an International applicant

International students should apply online.
Close

Campus tours

Campus tours are one of the best ways to experience Conestoga. During this time, we are offering online guided tours to show you all Conestoga has to offer.

Book your tour

Virtual tours

If you can't make an on-campus tour or attend one of our events, the virtual tour is a great way to visit us.

View our Virtual tour

Courses - January 2025

Level 1

Course details

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

User Experience
INFO1265

Description: Because of the proliferation of different types of devices, the growing range of digital user interface technologies, and the increasingly competitive nature of the software industry, high-tech companies have come to understand the growing importance of the User Experience, and to value skilled professionals in this area. Thus, students are introduced to best current practices in interactive design, and will solve a series of design problems which draw on different types of devices and varying types of navigation controls, as applied to business and commercial applications. Students will consider competition, target markets, business models and technical challenges in order to gather requirements , storyboard and document the design.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Design Thinking
INFO1670

Description: Developers of digital products require creative and critical thinking skills to foster innovation and take advantage of evolving best practices in a changing workplace. In this course, students will solve design problems and case studies to learn how to make design decisions and evaluate the consequences of those decisions. The course will include brainstorming techniques, research methods, usability analysis and prototyping techniques.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Mathematics for Information Technology I
MATH1910

Description:

The purpose of the course is to provide students with a sound mathematical foundation for logical reasoning and problem solving. The course stresses computer and business applications using equations, logic, sets, vectors, and data structures. The course includes applications such as cost-volume-profit analysis. The course is designed for IT students to help them translate everyday real world scenarios into mathematical concepts they can solve with computer systems and applications.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Programming: Web Foundations
PROG1245

Description: In this course, students develop the skills needed to build static web sites. This includes facility with coding HTML, XHTML, and CSS, as well as the insertion of graphics and video into web sites.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Programming Concepts I
PROG1925

Description: Developing software applications depends on a strong foundation in programming concepts and logic. In order to develop programs that solve business problems, the student will use the programming concepts of data types, looping, decision making, modifying strings and arrays. Particular attention will be paid to problem solving techniques using flowcharting to design the logic of the program. The student will be introduced to techniques of desk checking, testing and debugging.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Technology Infrastructure: Networking
INFO1380

Description: This course will provide the student with the knowledge to conduct meaningful dialogue with the network specialists who design, install and maintain the network within their organization. The student will be introduced to broad networking concepts including protocols, topologies, transmission media and security, using hands-on examples of networking issues.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Mathematics for Information Technology II
MATH1920

Description: The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a mathematical basis for personal and business financial decisions, and mathematics of computer applications. Financial topics include: simple interest, simple discount, compound interest, annuities and their applications including loans and investments. Information technology topics include number systems and sets. A Texas Instrument BAII “Plus” financial calculator is required.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: MATH1910
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Data Modelling
PROG1825

Description: This course introduces the student to the concepts of database management. The student will learn how to design and develop database applications. The course will introduce the following topics: data types, table relationships, data normalization, entity relationship diagrams, table navigation and data entry control.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Programming Dynamic Websites
PROG1935

Description: Many software applications have web functionalities and require data collection. This course introduces the student to web-based applications development using browser based development tools. The students will program both client and server-side scripting inside of HTML forms.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1245 AND PROG1781 OR PROG1925
  • CoRequisites:

Programming Concepts II
PROG1965

Description: This course builds on the fundamental logic skills of Programming Concepts I, and adds conceptual skills in order to develop software applications according to current best industry practices. The student will do assignments making use of Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) to create a higher level of interactivity, and will employ the object concept - classes, objects, data-hiding, inheritance, polymorphism - in order to promote better system modelling, modularity, and reusablity.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1781 OR PROG1925
  • CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 3

Course details

Co-op and Career Preparation
CEPR1020

Description: This series of modules will prepare students for job searching for their co-op work terms with the guidance of a Coop Advisor. Students will familiarize themselves with the co-operative education policies and procedures and will learn the expectations, rules, and regulations that apply in the workplace regarding social, organizational, ethical, and safety issues while developing an awareness of self-reflective practices. Students will reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and examine available opportunities in the workplace. Successful completion of these modules is a requirement for co-op eligibility.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Graphic Techniques for Illustration
GRDN2200

Description: Today, software designers and front-end programmers need graphic design skills in order to understand the aesthetics of software and website design, to make interfaces usable, friendly and commercially viable, as well as to develop graphic components, such as logos, clickable graphic elements, and wallpapers to be incorporated into the interface. To this end, students are given hands-on assignments employing professional graphics tools, to study layout, typography, line, texture, drawing and colour.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Systems Analysis and Design
INFO2320

Description: Upon completion of this course, the student will understand the Systems Development Life Cycle and the Object-Oriented Design methodology using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). An object-oriented approach will be applied to a business system case study utilizing a Computer Assisted Systems Engineering tool to analyze the systems requirements and then to use the tool to design a proposed solution from those requirements. Emphasis will be placed on typical industry practices, documentation and presentation skills in a team environment
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1815 OR PROG1965 AND PROG1825
  • CoRequisites:

Culture, Roles and Structure in Digital Industries
INFO2360

Description: As the digital industry has grown and broadened with new technologies, goals, skills and careers, it is increasingly important for graduates of software development programs to understand the opportunities and challenges of the modern workplace. In this course, students will work through case studies to learn about organizational structure, software development roles, current best practices for inclusivity and professional etiquette as they relate to the digital industry.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Programming: Microsoft Web Technologies
PROG2230

Description: This course teaches students how to develop web applications using ASP.NET. Students learn how to create dynamic web pages using data from a relational database and how to update data on a relational database with information provided by the user through a web form. The students will use application-wide variables, code and style sheets, object-oriented constructs, classes, and session variables.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1245 OR PROG8540 AND PROG1815 OR PROG1965
  • CoRequisites:

Game Programming with Data Structures
PROG2370

Description: This course teaches object oriented C# programming through the creation of computer games. Students learn how to create games using the latest development technology. Standards, testing, documentation and practical object-oriented programming techniques are emphasized.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1781 OR PROG1925 AND PROG1815 OR PROG1965
  • CoRequisites:

Level 4

Course details

Graphic Techniques for Software Design
GRDN2000

Description: Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of layout, text and colour, in order to promote the usability and commercial viability of web sites and software applications. Graphics tools will be used to develop logos and commercial graphics as well as to storyboard software and computer games. Students will receive an overview of the various types of digital media, as well as the principles of integrating these into software applications and web sites.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1781 OR PROG1925
  • CoRequisites:

Database: SQL
PROG2220

Description:

Recommended: COMP1120 Access or equivalent knowledge. This course introduces the student to Structured Query Language using an industry standard database management system. The topics discussed include Data Definition Language, Data Management Language and testing and debugging techniques.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1825
  • CoRequisites:

Programming: JAVA Web Technologies
PROG2240

Description: This course teaches the student to build Web applications using the Java development environment. The student will learn server side development including session management, database access, testing, debugging and exception handling.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1800 OR PROG1935 AND PROG2370
  • CoRequisites:

Software Quality and Usability
PROG2400

Description: Quality is a concept that pervades all levels of any production process, and especially software development. In this course, students do assignments on varying levels in order to learn code and acceptance testing techniques, incorporating quality into the software development process, usability testing and customer service.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: INFO1265
  • CoRequisites:

Programming Mobile Applications I
PROG2435

Description: This course teaches the student to build mobile applications using the current industry practices and tools. The student will learn client-side smart device development including offline data access, testing, debugging, security, deployment and exception handling. Students will be exposed to writing mobile client software that runs on popular mobile devices.
  • Hours: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG1800 OR PROG1935 AND PROG1825
  • CoRequisites:

Psychology for Software Design
PSYC2030

Description: The field of User Experience (UX) Design has come to embrace the need to use psychological skills in order to understand the needs of users, and the sometimes complex way they interact with software, web sites and other systems. Students study topics in cognitive psychology, human research methodologies, research ethics and organizational behavior in order to develop requirements gathering skills, and User Interface (UI) design skills.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: GRDN2200 AND INFO1265
  • CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 5

Course details

Co-op Work Term I (IT Innovation and Design)
COOP2420

Description: This co-op work term will provide students with college-approved work experience in an authentic, professionally relevant work environment. Students will be provided the opportunity to connect theory and practice by leveraging their academic training to develop a broad base of vocational skills. The practical applications of this work term will promote students’ awareness of key concepts and terminology in their field, cultivate their problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, encourage their development of professional autonomy and collaboration, and enhance their capacity to analyze and reflect on their demonstrated abilities in the workplace.
  • Hours: 420
  • Credits: 14
  • Pre-Requisites: CDEV1020 OR CEPR1020
  • CoRequisites:

Level 6

Course details

Co-op Work Term II (IT Innovation and Design)
COOP3200

Description: This co-op work term will provide students with college-approved work experience in an authentic, professionally relevant work environment. Students will be provided the opportunity to connect theory nd practice by leveraging their academic training to develop a broad base of vocational skills. The practical applications of this work term will promote students’ awareness of key concepts and terminology in their field, cultivate their problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, encourage their development of professional autonomy and collaboration, and enhance their capacity to analyze and reflect on their demonstrated abilities in the workplace.
  • Hours: 420
  • Credits: 14
  • Pre-Requisites: CDEV1020 OR CEPR1020
  • CoRequisites:

Level 7

Course details

Co-op Work Term III (IT Innovation & Design)
COOP3340

Description: This co-op work term will provide students with college-approved work experience in an authentic, professionally relevant work environment. Students will be provided the opportunity to connect theory and practice by leveraging their academic training to develop a broad base of vocational skills. The practical applications of this work term will promote students’ awareness of key concepts and terminology in their field, cultivate their problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, encourage their development of professional autonomy and collaboration, and enhance their capacity to analyze and reflect on their demonstrated abilities in the workplace.
  • Hours: 420
  • Credits: 14
  • Pre-Requisites: CDEV1020 OR CEPR1020
  • CoRequisites:

Level 8

Course details

Co-op Work Term IV (IT Innovation & Design)
COOP3350

Description: This co-op work term will provide students with college-approved work experience in an authentic, professionally relevant work environment. Students will be provided the opportunity to connect theory and practice by leveraging their academic training to develop a broad base of vocational skills. The practical applications of this work term will promote students’ awareness of key concepts and terminology in their field, cultivate their problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, encourage their development of professional autonomy and collaboration, and enhance their capacity to analyze and reflect on their demonstrated abilities in the workplace.
  • Hours: 420
  • Credits: 14
  • Pre-Requisites: CDEV1020 OR CEPR1020
  • CoRequisites:

Level 9

Course details

IT Entrepreneurship
BUS3140

Description: Students will investigate venture capital firms, government programs and local agencies oriented toward the startup of new IT companies. The principles of evaluating an IT product, service or technology for production will be discussed. Students will be required to develop and present a business plan for a new commercial initiative
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: MATH1920
  • CoRequisites:

The Emerging Interface
INFO3130

Description: User interfaces for software and web sites often present the point of first contact, or the face, of a business. As a result, new techniques are constantly being developed to improve the look and feel, the usability, and the ease of development of such interfaces. In this course, students study current technologies and best practices of front-end development, as well as research emerging trends in the field.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: GRDN2000
  • CoRequisites:

Digital Motion and Sound
PROG2410

Description: Increasingly, developments in computer technology and digital media are permitting wider use of video, graphics and sound to enhance the user experience of web sites, software and online tutorials. In this course, students receive an introduction to creating these components, they learn what factors will influence their success, and they learn to incorporate them in software and web sites.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites: GRDN2000 AND PROG1800 OR PROG1935
  • CoRequisites:

Programming: Mobile Applications II
PROG3210

Description: This course builds on Programming: Mobile Applications I to teach the student to build mobile applications, including client-side, mobile web and hybrid applications, using advanced programming techniques and current development tools. Students will develop mobile application software that runs on a range of smartphones and tablet devices.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Data Science and Visualization
PROG3250

Description: Leading-edge companies look to data collection to improve research and development opportunities. Data is increasingly wide-spread across the Web, and it also changes extremely rapidly. Students will explore methods for automated data collection and mining, and for presenting it in forms such as dashboards that promote quick and effective decision-making.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: GRDN2000 AND PROG2220 AND PROG2370
  • CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 10

Course details

Architecture for Emerging Technologies
INFO3167

Description: New methodologies and technologies are regularly increasing the power of computers, networks and applications. Students are given analysis, design and programming assignments that explore these various architectures. They will build on this knowledge to explore new technologies, evaluate their potential, and incorporate them into software designs and system specifications.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG2430 OR PROG2435
  • CoRequisites:

Design Project
INFO3190

Description: This capstone course is the culmination of the program. Successful completion of this course will require the application of skills learned in most, or all, of the courses studied in the prior semesters. Groups of students are to work as a team to design, implement and document a software application, web site, or digital product. The design must be supported by documented market research, as well as an analysis of marketing and business factors. A faculty advisor will meet regularly with the group to ensure the process is properly managed.
  • Hours: 112
  • Credits: 8
  • Pre-Requisites: GRDN2000 AND INFO2080 OR INFO2320 AND PROG2220 AND PROG2230 OR PROG8550 OR PROG8551 AND PROG2410 AND PROG8555
  • CoRequisites:

Game and Simulation Design
INFO3210

Description: Games, gamification, simulation and digital twinning are increasingly important components of web sites and applications of many diverse kinds. Their uses range from making web sites more commercially viable, to making tools which access remote or hazardous environments. Students develop games, simulations, user interfaces and software agents by developing narratives, logic, animation and graphics and incorporate these into working applications and digital products.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Marketing for the Information Technology Industry
MKT3135

Description:

This course builds on the Market Research course in order to develop the skills to determine the position, or niche, for an organization to target, and to be perceived as targeting. Course content will address ongoing promotions which can include advertising, public relations, sales and customer service. Various methods of market promotion are explored for the purpose of researching markets, target markets and their needs, competitors, market trends and customer satisfaction with products and services.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: GRDN2000
  • CoRequisites:

Security for Software Design
PROG3265

Description: Increasingly, companies of all kinds are gathering sensitive data on clients and members of the public, and storing it in web-based databases. While there are many benign reasons to do so, and it can lead to a greater level of customer service, this also brings liability. In this course, students will learn to assess, and mitigate, threats at the implementation level, and also learn to incorporate best security practices at the analysis and design level. Students will investigate threats to computer business applications from a variety of sources, as well as strategies for handling those threats. Topics will include encryption, SQL injections, URL backdoors, malware, wireless and cloud computing vulnerabilities, code level security, physical security, disaster recovery and backup, and privacy considerations.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: PROG3210
  • CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

  1. Design, develop, document, implement, maintain and test software systems by using industry standard software development methodologies based on defined specifications and existing technologies/frameworks.
  2. Apply knowledge of the design, modeling, implementation, and maintenance of a database to the development of business solutions and commercial IT products.
  3. Evaluate emerging IT technologies with respect to their impact on existing IT products and their potential for the development of new IT products.
  4. Evaluate the various streams of revenue that apply to IT products, services, websites or technologies such as direct sales, licensing, pay per use, advertising and viral marketing products.
  5. Evaluate the commercial viability of new IT products or technologies through research and the development of a marketing plan.
  6. Investigate government programs, local venture capital and other opportunities available for IT company startups.
  7. Prepare presentations on the viability of new IT products or technologies for corporate audiences.
  8. Develop designs and prototypes for IT solutions, commercial products, software controls and interfaces through the application of relevant methodologies, best practices, policies, regulations and standards.
  9. Test proposed software designs against current standards and best practices for interactive design.
  10. Investigate and develop software applications based on user needs and specifications, through the application of relevant methodologies, best practices, policies, regulations and standards.
  11. Apply knowledge of security issues to the analysis, design, and implementation of integrated solutions.
  12. Contribute to the successful completion of projects by applying the project management principles in current use.
  13. Apply data analysis and visualization principles to develop dashboards that provide insight to business users.