Program Overview

Knowledge of software and hardware is important in today’s fast-paced IT world and making sure everything is running smoothly is essential to running an effective operation. You’ll emerge from the Software and Information Systems Testing one-year post-grad program with a better understanding of the testing paradigms and methods associated with IT and software development. You’ll understand software and hardware, how to ensure quality control and how to use project management approaches and business analysis techniques.

Program Details

Program Code
SST3
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
30 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2024 May
London
Open
2024 September
London
Open
2025 January
London
Open
2025 May
London
Open
2023 September
London
Closed
2024 January
London
Closed

Part Time Offerings

2024 May
Fully Online
Open
2024 September
Fully Online
Open
2025 January
Fully Online
Open
2025 May
Fully Online
Open
2023 September
Fully Online
Closed
2024 January
Fully Online
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2024 September
London
Open
2025 January
London
Open
2025 May
London
Open
2023 September
London
Closed
2024 January
London
Closed
2024 May
London
Closed

Your Learning Experience

This one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program will prepare you for the in-demand field of quality assurance and quality control in information technology with specialized skills for careers including Business Systems Testing Analyst, Systems Design Verification Technologist and Application Integration Specialist.

  • Gain a broad, in-demand skill set that can be paired with any of the other IT programs offered by Fanshawe
  • Learn how to write external test scripts and the different methods used to figure out the end-user, from bug testing to reporting
  • Gain practical experience in project management, leadership and security testing both in class and through a co-op work term with a local industry partner
  • Discover hardware and software testing methods to ensure the end product meets customer expectations
     

A part-time, online version of this program is available

 

Co-op Opportunities & Career Information ​​​​​​

Co-op Opportunities

The Software and Information Systems Testing program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students with the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand experience in their chosen field. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of some Software and Information Systems Testing (Co-op) students before even graduating! 

  • Junior Developer - identify issues, prioritize fixes and resolve identified issues. Suggest ways to improve the look and functionality of the web application to improve user experience.
  • Information Technologist - re-image and deploy computers, respond to access requests and prepare media for staff.
  • Quality Software Intern - work closely with developers, project managers, analysts and other qualified specialists to plan, document and execute testing across many different products and projects.

For more information regarding co-op, please check out our co-op page or contact the Co-op Office at coop@fanshawec.ca to connect with a consultant.

Career Information

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Software and Information Systems Testing program will have the skills to work in numerous sectors within the information technology industry, including software design, game design, help desk, business analysis, management consulting and customer help. They will also be able to assume quality assurance testing roles, and ultimately management positions, in the technology industry.

 

Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduate employment rates among large colleges in Ontario? 

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Software and Information Systems Testing (Co-op) program:

Business Systems Testing Analyst

Evaluates the ongoing effectiveness of systems in meeting their intended objectives, recommending improvements in both systems and methods.

Systems Design Verification Technologist

Responsible for validating industry-leading broadcast and audiovisual solutions at a system level.

Application Integration Specialist

Collaborates with staff to develop, test, document, implement, upgrade, install, maintain and support web-enabled, database and corporate applications and services.

Program Progression

Fall Intake 

Fall Winter Summer
Academic Level 1 Academic Level 2 Co-op

Winter Intake

Winter Summer Fall
Academic Level 1 Academic Level 2 Co-op

Summer Intake

Summer Fall Winter
Academic Level 1 Academic Level 2 Co-op

 

Image
Software and Information Systems student on their computer in class
Learning Outcomes
  1. Design and prioritize test protocols by using established techniques and application of core software testing principles to analyze both functional and non-functional specification requirements at all test levels for systems with a low to medium level of complexity.
  2. Develop test cases to verify system functionality and individual components of the system architecture taking into consideration the various test levels such as component, integration, system, acceptance, and among the various test types such as functional, usability, and regression.
  3. Test, verify, and evaluate procedures to assess software quality and improve software performance taking into consideration of all the conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding and affecting the testing of software.
  4. Interpret, create, and present work-related documents, incident reports, test plans and related information effectively and accurately in order to document possible defects observed during testing.
  5. Collect, analyze and supplement data with metrics, graphs and charts and other pictorial representations which help the developers and users interpret that data.
  6. Manage software quality assurance and software testing projects according to current project management principles and practices.
  7. Devise testing protocols for specialized technologies such as web application testing, mobile application testing, cloud base applications, testing within an Agile framework and DevOps application testing.

 

Program Coordinator:

Susmita Haldar

Open House Graphic

Specially-trained Fanshawe staff and students will tour you around the campus viewing key student spaces to provide you with a better understanding of the full student experience.

Register for Open House

Admission Requirements

A Two- or Three-Year College Diploma, or a Degree in Business or Information Technology
OR
Acceptable combination of related work experience and post-secondary education as judged by the College to be equivalent to the above
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

Test Score
TOEFL iBT 88
IELTS Academic Overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands
CAEL Overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands
PTE Academic 59
Cambridge English Overall score of 176 with no language skill less than 169
ESL4/GAP5 Minimum grade of 80% in Level 9, 75% in Level 10
Duolingo Overall score of 120, with no score lower than 105

 

Learn More about English Language Requirements

Recommended Academic Preparation

Recommended Academic Preparation

  • Previous Business or Information Technology post-secondary education and/or training and/or work experience.
Applicant Selection Criteria

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
  1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
  2. Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
  3. Achievement in the Admission Requirements

Courses

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
COMM-6019Advanced Professional Communication3
This course focuses on refining and advancing students workplace communication abilities. The advanced communication documents and strategies covered include presentation skills, research skills, business document writing, meeting and management team strategies, business etiquette, and advanced employment communications. Additionally, students learn about interpersonal and intercultural communication (high/low and monochromic/polychromic context) concepts and strategies.
INFO-6066Coding for Test5
This course will examine the practices and procedures related to creating and debugging software. The curriculum will also prepare the student to write code, using initially a procedural approach and then migrating to an object oriented approach. A problem solving approach toward programming will be emphasized so the student can understand the processes involved in programming and ultimately testing and debugging the software. This course will introduce the following concepts: data types, creating and referencing variables, the three procedural programming concepts of sequence, selection, and repetition, data input validation, simple testing and bug hunting techniques. The concepts of objects as entities containing data values and methods will be developed throughout the course. Students will be introduced to the three foundation concepts of object oriented programming: encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Students will write their own classes to create objects that will implement each of these concepts.
INFO-6050End User Experience Testing3
Usability and successful solution interaction is a key deliverable in any solution. Students of this course will learn the development of test cases, execution plans, test reports, software and hardware bug testing and reporting, as well as different methods used in end user testing, including exploratory, usability and agile testing.
INFO-6104Test Methodologies4
Software Testing plays a major role in the readiness of software for sales and deployment. This course introduces the student to a myriad of quality assurance methodologies, including black-box, white-box, grey-box, unit and other testing methods.
INFO-6011Applied Project Management3
This course focuses on the fundamental theory and practical application of project management skills and techniques to enable the development, selection, definition, execution and closure of IT projects. Students will take a case study through the essentials of a five-phase project management process as defined by the Project Management Institute and learn about the unique challenges at each stage. Students will use task based techniques, templates and Industry standard tools, including Microsoft Project to focus on program specific cases that reinforce processes presented concurrently in the program.
INFO-6056Systems Design & Analysis3
Systems Analysis & Design is a fundamental activity in all major businesses today, assisting businesses to utilize data and information to its fullest capacity. It includes structured approaches and methods used to create and maintain systems that perform basic business functions. The goal of Systems Analysis & Design is to improve efficiency by applying software solutions to key business tasks, and is based upon understanding organizational objectives, structure and processes. Students in this course will learn about: Defining systems analysis and design methodologies; The role of systems analysts in information systems development; The information systems development life cycle; Computer aided software engineering tools in system development.
COOP-1020Co-operative Education Employment Prep1
This workshop will provide an overview of the Co-operative Education consultants and students' roles and responsibilities as well as the Co-operative Education Policy. It will provide students with employment preparatory skills specifically related to co-operative education work assignments and will prepare students for their work term.
ACAD-6002Graduate Success Strategies1
This course presents and helps to develop some of the skills required to achieve academic and career success for graduate students. Areas of focus include college resources, study skills, and time management among other skills. The importance of Academic Integrity will be a main focus.
View all courses

Tuition Summary

London

Canadian Costs
$4,921.28
Total Cost of Program
International Costs
$16,848.18
Total Cost of Program

*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.

 

Contact/Questions