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  and .

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  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  should refer to the Co-op education website for up-to-date information.

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

Year 1 (30 credit hours)

• Two electives*
• CSCI 1030U – Introduction to Computer Science
• CSCI 2050U – Computer Architecture I
• MATH 1020U – Calculus II
• PHY 1020U – Physics II

• Two of:

• CSCI 1060U – Programming Workshop I
• CSCI 1061U – Programming Workshop II
• CSCI 1062U – Accelerated Programming Workshop **
• CSCI 1063U – Computer Programming Project **

• One of:

• MATH 1000U – Introductory Calculus ⁺ or
• MATH 1010U – Calculus I ⁺

• One of:

• PHY 1010U – Physics I ⁺ or
• PHY 1030U – Introductory Physics ⁺

•  

  ⁺All students who have completed Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) should take  and . Students without one of these high school courses or equivalent are directed to take  and .

• ** Students must pass a programming proficiency test in order to take  and . The test will be administered at the beginning of the semester.

Year 2 (30 credit hours)

• Two electives*
• CSCI 2000U – Scientific Data Analysis
• CSCI 2010U – Data Structures
• CSCI 2020U – Software Systems Development and Integration
• CSCI 2040U – Software Design and Analysis
• CSCI 2072U – Computational Science I
• CSCI 2110U – Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists
• MATH 2050U – Linear Algebra
• STAT 2010U – Statistics and Probability for Physical Science

Year 3 and 4 (60 credit hours)

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 33 credit hours such that the following elective requirements are satisfied:

• 12 credit hours must be non-Computer Science courses offered by the Faculty of Science
• 12 credit hours must be in courses from outside the Faculty of Science, among which at least three credit hours must be in business electives++, and at least three credit hours in communications electives+++.
• 9 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.

Program learning outcomes

The following outcomes outline the knowledge and skills students will have achieved upon completion of the program.