Graduate Certificate in Software and Information Systems Testing (Co-op)

Know it. Understand it. Test it. Communicate it. Knowledge of software and hardware is important, and in today's fast-paced information technology world, making sure everything is running smoothly is essential to running an effective operation. You'll emerge from the Software and Information Systems Testing 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.

You'll gain broad skills but get in-demand skills that you can pair with any of the other diplomas offered in the School of Information Technology. You'll learn how to write external test scripts and the different methods used to figure out the experience of the end-user, from bug testing to reporting. You'll graduate with practical experience in project management, leadership, and security testing.

Consumers want a smooth product. Learn to test software and hardware to help make that a reality.

Admission Requirements - 2019/2020

• A Two- or Three-Year College Diploma, or a Degree
  OR
  An acceptable combination of related work experience and post-secondary education as judged by the College to be equivalent to the above

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:

• A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 570 for the paper-based test (PBT), or 88 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years.
• Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years.
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 59, with test results within the last two years.
• A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 176 with no language skill less than 169, with test results within the last two years.
• An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with a minimum score of 75% in all sections of the test, with test results within the last two years.
• Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9 or 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10.

Recommended Academic Preparation

Previous Business or Information Technology post-secondary education and/or training and/or work experience.

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:

• Advanced Professional Communication
• Coding for Test
• End-User Experience Testing
• Test Methodologies
• Applied Project Management
• Systems Design & Analysis
• Co-operative Education Employment Prep
• Graduate Success Strategies

Level 2

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

• Automated Test Tools
• Capstone Project
• Non-Functional Testing
• IS Security Testing
• Testing for Development

Program Residency

Students Must Complete a Minimum of 11 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will build skills useful with numerous sectors (software design, games design, help desk, business analysis, management consulting and customer help) within the information technology industry and will gain practical experience in one or more of those sectors. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to assure quality assurance testing roles and ultimately management positions in the technology industry.

Program Description

This program is aimed at providing the student with a better understanding of the testing paradigms and methodologies associated with Information Technology and Software development. Information Systems Testing involves a balanced understanding of Software and Hardware, Quality Assurance methodologies, Project Management approaches and Business Analysis techniques. As a comprehensive program, this graduate certificate will be broad in nature but ready students for the in-demand field of quality assurance and Quality Control. This one-year program has one co-op work term, giving students valuable hands-on experience practicing their newly acquired skills with our local industry partners.

Other Information

A CONNECT lab fee is included in the Additional Program Fees stated in the Fee Schedule. This fee helps cover costs associated with the delivery of the CONNECT mobile computing program.

Students should not purchase a laptop computer or software until the College publishes the recommended configuration, models, software titles and versions for that academic year.

Co-operative Education

This one-year program has one co-op work term. Students who fulfill both the academic and co-op requirements of the program will be eligible to graduate with a Co-op Endorsed Certificate. More information about Co-operative Education can be found at www.fanshawec.ca/co-op.

Learning Outcomes

• 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.
• 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.
• Test, verify and evaluate procedures to assess software quality and improve software performance taking into consideration all the conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding and affecting the testing of software.
• 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.
• Collect, analyze and supplement data with metrics, graphs and charts and other pictorial representations that help the developers and users interpret that data.
• Manage software quality assurance and software testing projects according to current project management principles and practices.
• 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.