With deep gratitude and respect, we are honored to be learning and unlearning on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
Last Updated: September 1, 2025
Teacher: Colin Kam (he/him)
Room: 142
Blocks: 1-3, 2-1, 2-3, 2-4 (concurrent with PRG 11/12)
Pre-requisites: Grade 10-12. Programming and/or web-coding experience is recommended. Ability to troubleshoot and work autonomously is required.
Computer Information Systems 12 (CIS 12) is a hands-on course with a focus on computer hardware and networking. Through the study of robotics, microcomputers and servers, students will have an opportunity to build their own projects to solve real-life problems and use code to manipulate the hardware. This senior course will require students to be professional, work autonomously, and troubleshoot unexpected problems, as this course prepares them for the workplace.
Curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/adst/12/computer-information-systems
Big Ideas:
- Design for the life cycle includes consideration of social and environmental impacts.
- Personal design choices require self-exploration, collaboration, and evaluation and refinement of skills.
- Tools and technologies can be adapted for specific purposes.
Curricular Competency:
- Identify potential users, intended impact, and possible unintended negative consequences.
- Critically analyze how competing social, ethical, and sustainability considerations impact designed solutions to meet global needs for preferred futures.
- Construct prototypes, making changes to tools, materials, and procedures as needed.
- and more…
Content:
- Network management tools, including security, imaging, backup, and remote access
- Awareness and understanding of digital security risks
- Interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively within the IT sector
- and more…
The three core competencies that all students need to develop in order to engage in deep and life-long learning include:
- Communication: competencies encompass the knowledge, skills, processes, and dispositions we associate with interactions with others. The communication core competency has two interrelated sub-competencies: Communicating and Collaborating.
- Thinking: competencies encompass the knowledge, skills and processes we associate with intellectual development and is demonstrated through Creative thinking and Critical thinking
- Personal & Social: competencies relate to students’ identity in the world, both as individuals and as members of their community and society. This includes Positive personal & cultural identity, Personal awareness & responsibility, and Social responsibility
Schedule: A day-to-day schedule is available on Teams. The timeline may be subjected to change at the teacher’s discretion.
- Custom-Built PC
- Server Computers
- Robotics and Microcomputers
- Hardware Programming
Student Materials: Students will need these items for the course during in-person classes.
- Headphone or earbud (2.5 mm jack)
- 8 GB or larger microSD card
- Optional: Laptop
Assignments: Students are provided a sufficient amount of class time to complete their assignments. This allows the teacher to give instant and on-going feedback; the teacher expects nothing less than quality end-products.
Late assignments will be counted as missing (i.e. zero) until they are marked, usually at a much later time; students are encouraged to proactively seek the teacher to get their late assignments marked during Flexible Instructional Time (FIT). Students may request an extension before the deadline, and it is only granted on an individual basis under special circumstances.
Students who require extra help can meet with the teacher during FIT or make an appointment.
Classroom Rules: Staff and students are expected to fully abide to the VSB Code of Conduct and the Acceptable Use of Technology Policy. In addition, students are responsible for taking full advantage of their learning opportunities. The teacher’s responsibility is to provide such opportunities, to fairly evaluate students, and to establish a safe learning environment by supporting these five classroom rules:
- Come to class on time.
- Be prepared to learn.
- Follow instructions the first time given.
- Respect others and their belongings.
- Keep the classroom clean.
Washroom privileges are allowed at the teacher’s discretion but not to be abused. NEVER bring food, drinks, or cell phones into the classroom, as they will be confiscated on sight and returned at the end of the day or next day.
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on projects based on the following weights:
- Hardware Configuration (10%)
- QEMU Server (20%)
- Xeon Server (10%)
- Raspberry Pi Server (10%)
- LEGO Mindstorms EV3 (10%)
- Programming (30%)
- Professionalism / Final Project (10%)
Because the purpose of this course is not only to learn content but also to prepare students in a professional work environment, a certain level of independence and professionalism is expected at all times. The rubric for professionalism can be found here.
The cut-off dates are as follows:
| 2025-2026 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Interim | October 1, 2025 | TBA |
| Midterm | November 3, 2025 | TBA |
| Final | January 20, 2026 | TBA |
Letter grades are based on the student’s ability to meet the learning outcomes of the course. Work habits are now integrated into the comments.