Computer Science – Comprehensive

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 UOIT 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.

Specializations within this degree program include Digital Media , as well as the general Computer Science degree (Comprehensive) .

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 two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), or Physics (SPH4U). In addition, a combined minimum 70 per cent average in math and science courses is required. It is recommended that all four MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U 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 regular four-year Computer Science – Comprehensive program are detailed in the following program map. In addition to the regular program, a co-op program is also available. See Computer Science – Comprehensive – Co-operative Education   for more information.

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

Program map – Regular and Co-operative Education program

Program map – Regular program

Notes:

No more than 42 credit hours may be taken at the first-year level.

*This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

**Electives and breadth requirements

Students must complete a total of 39 credit hours such that the following elective requirements are satisfied:

• 21 credit hours must be in courses offered by the Faculty of Science, of which at least 12 credit hours must be in computer science electives and at least 6 credit hours in non-computer science electives.
• 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 (offer by Faculty of Science or outside Faculty of Science).

Students who are not accepted into the thesis option must complete an additional 6 credit hours in Senior Computer Science electives.

Computer Science electives for the Comprehensive program:

• CSCI 2160U – Digital Media  
• CSCI 3010U – Simulation and Modelling  
• CSCI 3050U – Computer Architecture II  
• CSCI 3220U – Digital Media Production  
• CSCI 3230U – Web Application Development  
• CSCI 4100U – Mobile Devices  
• CSCI 4110U – Advanced Computer Graphics  
• CSCI 4120U – Digital Evidence  
• CSCI 4130U – Forensic Informatics  
• CSCI 4160U – Interactive Media  
• CSCI 4210U – Information Visualization  
• CSCI 4220U – Computer Vision  
• CSCI 4610U – Artificial Intelligence  
• CSCI 4620U – Human-Computer Interaction  
• CSCI 4630U – High Performance Computing  
• CSCI 4640U – Distributed Computing  
• CSCI 4650U – Elements of Theory of Computation  
• MATH 4020U – Computational Science II ​ 

⁺⁺Business electives:

• BUSI 1020U – Business Communications   
• BUSI 1600U – Management of the Enterprise   
• BUSI 1700U – Introduction to Entrepreneurship  
• BUSI 2000U – Collaborative Leadership  

⁺⁺⁺Communication electives:

• COMM 1050U – Technical Communications  
• COMM 1100U – Introduction to Communication Studies  
• COMM 1311U – Writing and Publishing in the Digital Age  
• COMM 1320U – Public Speaking  
• COMM 1610U – Interpersonal Communication  

***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 student meeting the above requirements who does not take CSCI 4410U  and CSCI 4420U  may optionally apply to take CSCI 4430U  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.