Bachelor of Computer Science

The following regulations apply to students starting the program in September 2010 or after.

Faculty Requirements

1000 Level
  • CSCI 1110.03: Introduction to Computer Science
  • CSCI 1120.03: Introduction to Computer Systems
  • CSCI 1170.03: Introduction to Web Design and Development
  • CSCI 1315.03:  Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
  • CSCI 1800.03: Society and Technology before Automation
  • CSCI 1801.03: Society and Technology in the Automation Age
2000 Level
3000 Level
  • CSCI 3101.03: Social, Ethical and Professional Issues in Computer Science
  • CSCI 3110.03: Design and Analysis of Algorithms I
  • CSCI 3120.03: Operating Systems
  • CSCI 3130.03: Introduction to Software Engineering
  • CSCI 3137.03: Principles of Programming Languages
  • CSCI 3171.03: Network Computing
Other Required Courses:
  • CSCI 1300.03: Calculus in Computer Science or MATH 1000.03: Differential and Integral Calculus I
  • MATH 1030.03: Matrix Theory and Linear Algebra I
  • STAT 2060.03: Introduction to Probability and Statistics I
  • six credit hours of a science course from the following list
  • three credit hours in humanities or social science at or above the 1000 level
  • six credit hours in business, science, or engineering at or above the 1000 level
  • three credit hours in business, science or engineering at or above the 2000 level
  • six credit hours of electives of computer science at or above the 3000 level
  • nine credit hours of electives of computer science at or above the 4000 level
  • six free credit hours of electives at or above the 1000 level
  • 18 free credit hours of electives at or above the 2000 level

Bachelor of Computer Science Honours

The purpose of the Honours program is to provide a more challenging degree program that prepares students for graduate school.

To enter the Honours program a student must consult with the Honours Student Advisor and obtain the approval of the Faculty of Computer Science.

Each computer science course at or above the 3000 level must be passed with a grade of at least 2.7 (B-). The cumulative GPA across all courses must be at least 3.0 (B).

The Honours program may be combined with co-op education.

Faculty Requirements

In addition to the normal requirements of the Bachelor of Computer Science degree, course selection must include six courses chosen as follows:

  • 15 credit hours of computer science at or above the 4000 level chosen in consultation with the thesis supervisor to ensure that the student has the appropriate background
  • CSCI 8873.03 (e.g. successfully complete and present an Honours Thesis)

Students who meet these requirements and who obtain a GPA of 3.7 (A-) or higher in all computer science courses will receive the degree Bachelor of Computer Science with First Class Honours.

Minors for the Bachelor of Computer Science

Students in the Bachelor of Computer Science program may add a Minor in many subjects from the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Management, Science and the College of Sustainability. Available minors are listed in the College of Arts and Sciences section.

The minor requirements are in addition to the normal Bachelor of Computer Science requirements. All 2000+ Computer Science and Math courses used to satisfy Bachelor of Computer Science requirements may not be counted towards a minor.  Students wishing to pursue a minor should consult the relevant department and a Faculty of Computer Science academic advisor.

Co-operative Education Programs

All programs in Computer Science have a Co-operative Education option. This requires the completion of three Co-op work terms.

The Co-op office receives requests from employers for Co-op placements and advertises these to qualifying students. Students apply for these positions and are interviewed by the employer.

Students interested in the Co-op program should apply to register for CSCI 8890.00 at the end of their first year.

Faculty Requirements

Students must complete the following courses before beginning their first work-term:

Students must complete three successful work-terms as part of the Computer Science Co-op program.  Each work term involves two courses, representing the experiential and academic co-op components:

  Experiential Academic
Work Term 1       CSCI 8781.00 Co-op Work Term 1         CSCI 8791.01: Co-op 1       
Work Term 2 CSCI 8782.00 Co-op Work Term 2 CSCI 8782.01: Co-op 2
Work Term 3 CSCI 8783.00 Co-op Work Term 3 CSCI 8783.01: Co-op 3

Entry Points to Bachelor of Computer Science

There are multiple entry points into the Bachelor of Computer Science program.

First-Year Entry-Students are advised to apply directly to the Faculty of Computer Science but may take their courses within the BSc first year and transfer to Computer Science at the beginning of their second year.

Students who wish to transfer to the Bachelor of Computer Science program from other disciplines may be able to do so, but will have to make up any required courses that are missing.

See also the Academic Regulations section for the Faculty of Computer Science.

Accreditation and the Profession

Of particular importance to the Faculty is the accreditation of the undergraduate program by the Computer Science Accreditation Council (CSAC), which is responsible for accreditation of computer science programs in Canada. Accreditation provides our graduates with an accelerated path towards achieving the professional designation of Information Systems Professional of Canada (I.S.P.).

The Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Computer Science with Co-op, Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours, and Bachelor of Computer science with Honours and Co-op are accredited by CSAC.

The co-operative program offers work terms to our students, thus providing an additional link between the Faculty and the Profession.