Master of Applied Computer Science (MACSc)
Introduction
The Master of Applied Computer Science (MACS) is a 16-month graduate degree that prepares students for dynamic careers in the software industry. Students develop their technical skills through core courses in systems, communications, and data management.
Students apply what they have learnt in a paid industrial internship, entrepreneurship work term, or research project. The program is also open to students with a STEM undergraduate degree outside of computer science and engineering who complete a two-term preparatory program in software development.
Visit the MACS website at www.dal.ca/macs for a complete program description and for information concerning updates to the program’s regulations and course offerings. Email queries must be addressed to graduate@cs.dal.ca.
Admission Requirements
Students entering this program must have the equivalent of a four-year undergraduate university degree, a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0, and meet the following program-specific admission requirements:
- If applying from a non-Computer Science background, qualifying year courses may be necessary, and a list of courses will be specified in the letter of offer.
- Non-Canadian applicants whose first language is not English require a TOEFL score of at least 92 (IBT) or IELTS score of 7.0.
- Please note: The MACS program does not accept students for the summer term. Applicants should follow the application deadlines for September and January.
- Note that admission into the MACS program is competitive. Thus, meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Information pertaining to the English language proficiency requirement is given in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations. Both TOEFL and IELTS results are accepted as proof of English language proficiency. For admission into graduate programs in Computer Science, a score of at least 92 on the internet-based TOEFL test or at least 7.0 on the IELTS test is required.
Information and Application Forms
For further information, please visit https://www.dal.ca/faculty/computerscience/graduate-programs/grad-handbook/how-to-apply.html
Registration Requirement and Duration of Studies
A student is required to register each academic term to maintain eligibility to continue in the program. Student who enter the program meeting normal admission requirements may be able to complete the program requirements in 16 months. For information on maximum time limits for completion of program requirements, leaves of absence, and extensions, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations in this calendar.
Program Requirements
For full-time students, the Master of Applied Computer Science (MACS) program takes about 16 months to complete, i.e. three (3) academic terms with a total of (30) credit hours (24 to 27 credit hours of courses followed by either a (3) credit hour industrial or entrepreneurial internship or a (6) credit hour project, depending on the selected stream). Students from a non-Computer Science background may be assigned additional qualifying year courses, which could add up to one (1) additional year to the program.
All students must complete the following (9) credit hours of core courses.
- CSCI 5100.03: Communication Skills
- CSCI 5308.03: Advanced Topics in Software Development
- CSCI 5408.03: Data Management, Warehousing, Analytics
All students must complete (12) credit hours from the following list of 5000-level electives
- CSCI 5193.03: Technology Innovation
- CSCI 5306.03: Topics in Software Comprehension
- CSCI 5409.03: Advanced Topics in Cloud Computing
- CSCI 5410.03: Serverless Data Processing
- CSCI 5601.03: Designing for User Experience
- CSCI 5708.03: Mobile Computing
- CSCI 5709.03: Advanced Topics in Web Development
- CSCI 5901.03: Special Graduate Topics in Applied Computer Science
- CSCI 5902.03: Special Graduate Topics in Applied Computer Science
Additional requirements are stream-dependent, with students required to complete the following components:
- Internship stream: (6) credit hours of additional CSCI electives from the 5000 or 6000 level, CSCI 9890 Internship Preparation, and the CSCI 9100.03 Industrial Internship
- Entrepreneurship stream: (6) credit hours of BUSI electives from the approved list, and the CSCI 9200.03 Entrepreneurial Internship
- Project stream: (3) credit hours of additional CSCI electives from the 5000 or 6000 level, and the CSCI 9301.03 and CSCI 9302.03 research projects.
For the (6) credit hours of BUSI electives required in the Entrepreneurial Stream, the following courses are currently approved:
- BUSI 5902.03: Starting Lean
- BUSI 6002.03: New Venture Creation
- BUSI 6007.03: Innovation Management
- 2 x BUSI courses (3 credit hours per course) offered as part of CDL (Creative Destruction Lab) Atlantic program. The courses that are part of the CDL-Atlantic program will be available as an option only for MACS students being admitted in September. The CDL-Atlantic program uses a competition-based model for accepting students into the program and entry is not guaranteed.
Program Sequencing
The structure of each term of the program will depend on the stream chosen by the student, since there are stream-specific courses that would need to be taken when they are offered and in a specific sequence. The course sequence for each stream is summarized below.
It is recommended that students meet with an academic advisor (email graduate@cs.dal.ca) to plan their courses based on interests, course availability and program requirements, both prior to beginning the program, and throughout their studies.
ALL STREAMS
Term 1
Full-time students, who have NOT been assigned the undergraduate pre-requisite course, are expected to take the following three (3) courses during the first academic term of the program:
Full-time students, who have been assigned the undergraduate pre-requisite course, are expected to take the following two (2) courses during the first academic term of the program:
INTERNSHIP STREAM
Term 1
- See All Streams sequencing
- If students would like to go on internship in the 3rd term and return for an academic term following internship, they may need to take CSCI 9890 Internship Preparation course during term 1 as well. It is recommended that interested students consult advisors at the co-op office for details.
Term 2
- Three (3) courses from the list of approved CSCI 5000-level electives.
- CSCI 9890 Internship Preparation course as they prepare for an internship in Term 4
Term 3
- One (1) course from the list of approved CSCI 5000-level electives.
- Two (2) additional courses from CSCI 5000 or 6000 level electives
Term 4
- Students are expected to be on their Industrial Internship (CSCI 9100).
ENTREPRENEURSHIP STREAM
Term 1
- See All Streams sequencing
- Students in the Entrepreneurship Stream may need to take one of the graduate business (BUSI) courses that may be offered during this term.
Term 2
- Three (3) courses from the list of approved CSCI 5000-level electives
- One (1) graduate business (BUSI) course from those offered this term
Term 3
- One (1) course from the list of approved CSCI 5000-level electives.
- Complete any remaining BUSI courses to be eligible for the internship.
Term 4
- Students are expected to be on their Entrepreneurial Internship (CSCI 9200).
PROJECT STREAM
Term 1
- See All Streams sequencing
Term 2
- Three (3) courses from the list of approved CSCI 5000-level electives
Term 3
- One (1) course from the list of approved CSCI 5000-level electives.
- Two (2) additional courses from CSCI 5000 or 6000 level electives
- Additionally, project stream students are expected to start working on their project and may choose to register in CSCI 9301.
Term 4
- Students are expected to complete their project (CSCI 9301 if not previously taken, and CSCI 9302).