Computer Science

General information

Graduates of this program will obtain a solid foundation in the theory and application of the principles of computer science, as well as in the cognitive capabilities and skills relating to computer science. This program also provides the opportunity for the student to develop practical capabilities and skills, such as software design and implementation, information management, risk assessment, effective deployment of software tools and system evaluation. In addition, transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, self-management and professional development are emphasized in many courses.

The Computer Science program at our university was developed in collaboration with leading representative from both academia and industry and is designed to meet the increasing need for graduates with the knowledge and skills in this important field.

Optional specializations within this degree program include Data Science  and Digital Media .

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and one of Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Computer Science (ICS4U) or Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in prerequisite computer science, math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all three MCV4U, ICS4U and SPH4U be taken. All other applicants should refer to Admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Program details and degree requirements

The requirements for the four-year Computer Science program are detailed in the following program map. In addition to the regular program, a co-op program is also available. Students interested in the co-op program  should contact the Faculty of Science Co-op Coordinator as early as the fall of their second year.

Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3 and 4 (60 credit hours)

• Seven electives*
• CSCI 3070U – Analysis and Design of Algorithms
• CSCI 4040U – Ethics, Law and the Social Impacts of Computing
• Four Senior Computer Science electives*

• One of:

• CSCI 3010U – Simulation and Modelling or
• CSCI 3030U – Database Systems and Concepts or
• CSCI 4030U – Big Data Analytics or
• CSCI 4050U – Machine Learning, Theory and Application or
• CSCI 4610U – Artificial Intelligence

• One of:

• CSCI 3090U – Computer Graphics and Visualization or
• CSCI 4110U – Advanced Computer Graphics or
• CSCI 4210U – Information Visualization or
• CSCI 4220U – Computer Vision

• One of:

• CSCI 3230U – Web Application Development or
• CSCI 4100U – Mobile Devices or
• CSCI 4160U – Interactive Media or
• CSCI 4620U – Human-Computer Interaction

• One of:

• CSCI 3055U – Programming Languages or
• CSCI 3060U – Software Quality Assurance or
• CSCI 4020U – Compilers or
• CSCI 4060U – Massively Parallel Programming

• One of:

• CSCI 3020U – Operating Systems or
• CSCI 3150U – Computer Networks or
• CSCI 3310U – Systems Programming or
• CSCI 4310U – Advanced Operating Systems Project or
• CSCI 4630U – High Performance Computing or
• CSCI 4640U – Distributed Computing

• One of:

• CSCI 4410U – Computer Science Thesis Project I ** or
• Senior Computer Science elective**

• One of:

• CSCI 4420U – Computer Science Thesis Project II ** or
• Senior Computer Science elective**

Note:

No more than 42 credit hours may be taken at the first-year level. Students are required to complete at least 12 credit hours in Computer Science courses at the 4000 level.

*Electives and breadth requirements

Students must complete a total of 45 credit hours such that the following elective requirements are satisfied:

• 27 credit hours must be in courses offered by the Faculty of Science, of which at least 12 credit hours must be in Senior Computer Science electives, with no more than 15 credit hours being in Computer Science.
• 12 credit hours must be in courses from outside the Faculty of Science, among which at least 3 credit hours must be in business electives++, and at least 3 credit hours in communications electives+++.
• 6 credit hours in general electives (offered by the Faculty of Science or outside the Faculty of Science).

**Thesis Project or Senior Computer Science electives

Students in clear academic standing who have completed 90 credit hours of their program and six third-year required courses may optionally apply to take a two-course sequence consisting of CSCI 4410U – Computer Science Thesis Project I and CSCI 4420U – Computer Science Thesis Project II. Students not accepted to take the thesis courses must complete two additional Senior Computer Science electives instead. A Senior Computer Science Elective is defined as a 3000- or 4000-level Computer Science course. A student meeting the above requirements who does not take CSCI 4410U and CSCI 4420U may optionally apply to take CSCI 4430U – Directed Studies in Computer Science as one of the required computer science electives. Opportunities for the Thesis Project and Directed Studies courses are limited; students must apply through Science Advising by March 30 following completion of the first three years of the program.