Step confidently into the future of technology
Earn your degree in just three years with the Bachelor of Applied Computing, where computer science meets real-world application.
During the first two years of the program, you'll build a strong foundation in computer science principles through applied learning. In your third year, you’ll choose one of three specializations that aligns with your interests and career goals: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data analytics. You’ll also propose, design, and execute a capstone project.
A paid internship in the final semester provides on-the-job experience while you form valuable industry connections. You’ll graduate ready to solve complex problems and drive innovation in today’s fast-moving tech industry.
Already have an IT diploma from Cambrian or another institution? Contact us to see if you qualify for advanced standing in this program.
Program highlights
- Unique specialization streams: in third year, choose to focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data analytics
- One semester paid internship
- Entrance scholarships – up to $2,000
- Pathways available to eligible CSTN and CPIN diploma graduates (CSTY graduates may be eligible for advanced standing)
- Hands-on applied learning will make you career-ready
- First and only college in northern Ontario to offer a degree in applied computing
- Ability to pursue a master’s degree upon graduation
Program of study for the 2027-28 Academic Year
Students follow a common curriculum during the first two years of the program (semesters 1-4). In the third year, students will choose one of three streams of focus according to their area of interest: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity or Data Analytics. The program of study for semester 5 on-ward are outlined under Program Streams.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| ANA 3720 | Discrete Math | 3 |
| CMP 1301 | IT Essentials | 3 |
| CMP 1311 | Principles of Programming | 3 |
| CMP 1361 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| COM 1901 | Business Communication | 3 |
| NET 1311 | Fundamentals of Networking | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CMP 2312 | Object Oriented Programming | 3 |
| CMP 2331 | Intro to Software Engineering | 3 |
| CMP 2341 | Database Systems | 3 |
| CMP 4301 | Computer Systems Architecture | 3 |
| MTH 3301 | Statistics | 3 |
| NET 2312 | IoT Fundamentals | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| ANA 3301 | Intro to Data Analysis | 3 |
| CMP 3321 | Web Development I | 3 |
| CMP 3332 | System Analysis and Design | 3 |
| CMP 3351 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| MTH 2302 | Applied Mathematics | 3 |
| NET 3313 | Intro to Cybersecurity | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CMP 2301 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CMP 4322 | Web Development II | 3 |
| AIE 4301 | Intro to AI | 3 |
| CMP 4333 | Modern Software Testing | 3 |
| NET 4314 | Cloud Computing | 3 |
| One Degree Breadth Elective Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
- 1
Students must select a total of two (2) degree breadth electives from at least two (2) different categories as part of the Bachelor Applied Computing program. One (1) breadth elective must be an advanced/upper-level course (represented by course codes beginning in 39xx). These upper-level courses are only available in Year 3 of the program. For more information regarding degree breadth electives, click here.
Program Streams
In the third year of the program, students will choose one of three streams of focus according to their area of interest: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity or Data Analytics. Select from the tabs below to view each stream.
NOTE: The program of study for students granted advanced standing from Cambrian College’s IT Diploma pathways (CPIN, CETN and CSTN) will vary slightly. Overload courses during the study period will come at an additional cost and individual learning plans may vary. Please follow the links below to view the advanced standing pathway programs of study and visit the Specific Program Pathways section for more details.
Artificial Intelligence
Program of study for semesters 5-7
| Third Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
| CMP 5334 | Project Management | 3 |
| CMP 5371 | Project Proposal | 3 |
| AIE 1005 | Full Stack Data Science | 3 |
| AIE 1006 | Deep Learning | 3 |
| AIE 1009 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| One Degree Breadth Elective Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| AIE 1011 | AI Ethics | 3 |
| AIE 1017 | Generative AI and Large Language Models | 3 |
| AIE 1018 | AI Deployment and MLOps | 3 |
| AIE 1030 | Autonomous AI Systems | 3 |
| CMP 6362 | Business Essentials | 3 |
| CMP 6372 | Project Implementation | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CMP 7373 | Applied Computing Internship | 12 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
- 1
-
Students must select a total of two (2) degree breadth electives from at least two (2) different categories as part of the Bachelor Applied Computing program. One (1) breadth elective must be an advanced/upper-level course (represented by course codes beginning in 39xx). These upper-level courses are only available in Year 3 of the program. For more information regarding degree breadth electives, click here.
Cybersecurity
Program of study for semesters 5-7
| Third Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
| CMP 5334 | Project Management | 3 |
| CMP 5371 | Project Proposal | 3 |
| CSC 7303 | Network Defense | 3 |
| CSC 7304 | Business Contingency Planning | 3 |
| CSC 7305 | CSEC Policies and Compliance | 3 |
| One Degree Breadth Elective Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CMP 6362 | Business Essentials | 3 |
| CMP 6372 | Project Implementation | 3 |
| CSC 7310 | IT Security Forensics | 3 |
| CSC 7311 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| CSC 7314 | Sensitive Data Protection | 3 |
| CSC 7315 | Security Operations | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CMP 7373 | Applied Computing Internship | 12 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
- 1
-
Students must select a total of two (2) degree breadth electives from at least two (2) different categories as part of the Bachelor Applied Computing program. One (1) breadth elective must be an advanced/upper-level course (represented by course codes beginning in 39xx). These upper-level courses are only available in Year 3 of the program. For more information regarding degree breadth electives, click here.
Data Analytics
Program of study for semesters 5-7
| Third Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
| CMP 5334 | Project Management | 3 |
| CMP 5371 | Project Proposal | 3 |
| AIE 1009 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| ANA 7303 | Data Collection and Ethics | 3 |
| ANA 7312 | GIS and Data Visualization | 3 |
| One Degree Breadth Elective Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CMP 6362 | Business Essentials | 3 |
| CMP 6372 | Project Implementation | 3 |
| ANA 7304 | Dashboards and Data Modelling | 3 |
| ANA 7311 | Storytelling with Data | 3 |
| MKT 7300 | Data Mining and Mkt Analytics | 3 |
| QMM 7311 | Advanced Stats for Analytics | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CMP 7373 | Applied Computing Internship | 12 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
- 1
Students must select a total of two (2) degree breadth electives from at least two (2) different categories as part of the Bachelor Applied Computing program. One (1) breadth elective must be an advanced/upper-level course (represented by course codes beginning in 39xx). These upper-level courses are only available in Year 3 of the program. For more information regarding degree breadth electives, click here.
Admission requirements
To be eligible to enter the Bachelor of Applied Computing program, applicants must be graduates of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD; 30 credits) (or equivalent), must complete at least six grade 12 U/M courses (or equivalent) with a minimum overall average of 65%, including two (2) required U-level courses and four (4) additional U or M-level courses. Alternatively, applicants must meet mature student status.
The following are the program-specific prerequisite requirements:
- Any grade 12 English (U) (minimum 65%)
- One (1) Grade 12 Mathematics course from the following: Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) OR Advanced Functions (MHF4U) OR Mathematics of Data Management
(MDM4U) (minimum 65%) - Four (4) other Grade 12 U or M courses
Program delivery
2027-2028
Fall term start
Year 1
SEMESTER 1: Fall 2027
SEMESTER 2: Winter 2028
Year 2
SEMESTER 3: Fall 2028
SEMESTER 4: Winter 2029
Year 3
SEMESTER 5: Fall 2029
SEMESTER 6: Winter 2030
SEMESTER 7: Spring 2030
Computer Programming - Internet of Things (CPIN) Pathways Students
Computer Programming - Internet of Things (CPIN) pathways students receiving entry into semester 4 of BAAC in Spring 2027 will progress through the following terms:
SEMESTER 4: Spring 2027
SEMESTER 5: Fall 2027
SEMESTER 6: Winter 2028
SEMESTER 7: Spring 2028
Computer Systems Technician - Networking (CSTN) Pathways Students
Computer Systems Technician - Networking (CSTN) pathways students receiving entry into semester 3 of BAAC in Fall 2027 will progress through the following terms:
Year 2
SEMESTER 3: Fall 2027
SEMESTER 4: Winter 2028
Year 3
SEMESTER 5: Fall 2028
SEMESTER 6: Winter 2029
SEMESTER 7: Spring 2029
Specific program pathways
Cambrian College will grant advanced standing to those that graduated from Cambrian College's Computer Programming – Internet of Things diploma (CPIN) or Computer Systems diploma (CETN, CSTN) within the past five years and achieved a minimum GPA of 2.5.
CPIN pathway applicants:
- must apply to semester 4 of the Bachelor of Applied Computing program for the Spring term by the Spring registration deadline.
- receive advanced standing in semester 4* of the BAAC.
CETN/CSTN pathway applicants:
- must apply to semester 3 of the Bachelor of Applied Computing program for the Fall term by the Fall registration deadline.
- apply to program code BAAP at OCAS.
- receive advanced standing in semester 3* of the BAAC.
Overload courses during the study period will come at an additional cost.
*Individual learning plans may vary.
College/university degree opportunities
Graduates from this program may continue their studies at college/university and may receive credit for their prior College education. Refer to College/University Agreements for further information.
Employment opportunities
Potential employment fields and opportunities include:
Software development
- Software developer or software engineer
- Application developer
- Full-stack developer
Data and artificial intelligence
- Data scientist
- Business analyst
- AI solution architect
- Machine learning engineer
Cybersecurity
- Information security specialist
- Security analyst (SOC analyst)
- Cloud security specialist
IT and cloud
- IT consultant
- IT project coordinator
- Database administrator
- Cloud engineer
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.
