“Real world” experience is a great way to reinforce classroom material.  It brings to life the things you learn and gives them a chance to breathe with real-world applications.  It also gives you a chance to appreciate both the importance and the limitation of theory ... not everything works out as neatly as it says in the book!  But with a solid scientific foundation, you are better able to evaluate and adapt, gaining greater insight into the process of software and systems development.

The projects are very much student-driven.  You work with clients from industry, government, and education.  Other than a gentle nudge from faculty to keep things on track, the projects are the pride and joy of our students.  For many, they have been the highlight of their Trent experience.

The Department of Computing & Information Systems offers two project courses, one each for our two streams: 

• COIS 4000 – Software Engineering Project is a full-year required course in the Software Engineering specialization, but is also available to all students in Computing Systems.  Working with a real-world client, your team exercises all phases of the software development life cycle and produces a well-documented and well-tested software application.  

• COIS 4850H – Information Systems Project is a half-year course which is available to students in Information Systems.  Working with a real-world client, your team completes the analysis and design phases of the systems development life cycle and recommends an information system for competitive advantage.

In both courses, you gain invaluable experience working within the dynamics of a group and dealing with the technical and managerial challenges that any specialist in computing and information systems would face each day.  It’s fun, it’s challenging, and it’s rewarding.

Last year's 4000 projects can be found here :

• 6s
• BaseT Designs
• Code Abode
• Cool Vision
• Iris
• NRgroup
• Team Ln