Department vs. Faculty Regulations

Programs in the Department of Computer Science are governed by a combination of general Faculty of Science regulations and the additional program specific regulations listed below.

It is essential for students to be familiar with both sets of regulations. It is helpful to read the Faculty Regulations first.

Students should consult Academic Requirements in their Student Centre periodically to ensure that requirements are being met. Also, students are strongly urged to consult with the Undergraduate Science Centre (USC) and the Department at all stages of their program.

First Courses in Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science offers the following courses for students who are interested in an introduction to the discipline of computer science or who wish to use computers more effectively. Each of Computer Science 217, 231 and 235 is intended primarily for a group of students (with differing academic objectives) who are interested in an introduction to computer science that includes an introduction to programming and that is available for credit in computer science programs. The pace at which programming concepts are introduced also differs in each course.

Computer Science 217 is recommended for students wishing to combine studies in computer science with studies in other disciplines, or who are in programs other than computer science and who are interested in a course that includes an introduction to programming. Material related to computer science will be introduced at a pace that is appropriate for students who are unfamiliar with programming or scripting. Upon completion of Computer Science 217, students who are interested in computer science programs would continue by taking Computer Science 219. The latter course includes additional lectures in order to ensure that students in this course sequence are adequately prepared for senior courses in computer science.
Computer Science 231 is recommended for computer science majors. Material related to computer science will be introduced at a somewhat faster pace than in Computer Science 217. Upon completion of Computer Science 231, students who are interested in computer science programs would continue by taking Computer Science 233.
Computer Science 235 is a challenging course intended for exceptional students. This course also includes an introduction to programming and it can be used in place of either Computer Science 217 and 219 or Computer Science 231 and 233 in the requirements for computer science programs. Students completing Computer Science 235 will have additional flexibility when choosing options in computer science and may be able to complete courses that are required for computer science programs more rapidly than would otherwise be possible.
Computer Science 203 is recommended for students who are not in computer science programs and who are interested in a course that introduces computer system fundamentals and tools, including spreadsheets, and database applications. This course generally does not include an extensive introduction to programming and it is not available for registration for computer science majors or minors.
Students that have completed Data Science 211 and wish to pursue a Computer Science Degree should take Computer Science 219.

Advanced Placement in Computer Science

Students in International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs may be eligible for advanced credit in Computer Science courses, including Computer Science 217 and 219 or 231 and 233. See the Admissions section of this Calendar (A.13 Transfer Credit/Advanced Standing) for additional details.

Other students with backgrounds in Computer Science equivalent to Computer Science 231 or 231 and 233 may request advanced placement in Computer Science in order to have prerequisite requirements for these courses waived, after successful completion of an advanced placement examination. Interested students should see the Admissions section of this Calendar (A.13.2 Advanced Placement (AP) Program) for additional details, and contact the Department of Computer Science to apply.

Courses Constituting the Field of Computer Science

Completion requirement

Courses Constituting the Field of Computer Science

Students must successfully complete a minimum of 51 units, to a maximum of 66 units, in Courses Constituting the Field of Computer Science while fulfilling the Program Requirements.

Earn at least 51 credits from the following:

Courses Constituting the Field of Computer Science
- Enroll in the following Course Lists:
  - All courses labelled Computer Science (CPSC) except Computer Science 203, 304, and 399.04
  - Mathematics 318, 391, 493
  - All courses labelled Software Engineering (SENG)
  - Data Science 211 and 311

Program Requirements

Completion requirement

Required Courses - BA Major Program

Complete one of the following three sets of courses:

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:

Computer Science 231 and 233
Computer Science 217 or Data Science 211, and Computer Science 219
Computer Science 235 and 3 units from the Field of Computer Science at the 300 level or above

Required Courses - BA Major Program

Earn at least 36 credits from the following:

18 units - Computer Science 251, 331(1), 355, 441, 449, and 481
Software Engineering 300
6 units - One of Mathematics 211; one of Mathematics 249 or 265 or 275
6 units - Logic Requirement: One of Philosophy 279 or 377 and 379
3 units - Ethics Requirement: Philosophy 314

(1)Students who have completed Computer Science 319 (course) prior to admission to a program in Computer Science may use this course in lieu of Computer Science 331 ( course) as a program requirement. Students with Computer 319 will be required to complete a non-credit, on-line course in order to be qualified for senior courses in theoretical computer science.

Required Options - Major Program

Complete ALL of the following Requirement Sets:

6 units - From the Field of Computer Science at the 300 level or above
- Select courses at the 300 level from the following:
  Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  - All courses labelled Computer Science (CPSC) except Computer Science 203, 304, and 399.04
  - Mathematics 318, 391, 493
  - All courses labelled Software Engineering (SENG)
  - Data Science 211 and 311
12 units - From the Field of Computer Science at the 400 level or above
- Select courses at the 400 level or above from the following:
  Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
  - All courses labelled Computer Science (CPSC) except Computer Science 203, 304, and 399.04
  - Mathematics 318, 391, 493
  - All courses labelled Software Engineering (SENG)
  - Data Science 211 and 311
6 units - From the Field of Computer Science at the 500 level or above
9 units - Breadth Requirement: Options from faculties other than the Faculty of Science excluding courses in the Field of Computer Science. Of these, at least 6 units must be from the Faculty of Arts. Science 311 may be counted among the courses from other faculties.
- 9 units - Breadth Requirement: Options from faculties other than the Faculty of Science, excluding courses in the Field of Computer Science. Of these, at least 6 units must be from the Faculty of Arts. Science 311 may be counted among the courses from other faculties.
30 units - Non-Major Field Requirement: Options that are not in the Field of Computer Science
- Select from courses that are NOT in the Field of Computer Science
  Courses Constituting the Field of Computer Science
  - All courses labelled Computer Science except Computer Science 203, 304, and 399.04;
  - Mathematics 318, 391, 493;
  - All courses labelled Software Engineering;
  - Data Science 211 and 311.
15 units - Options
- An open option means you can take any course you like from the list of Undergraduate Courses.
  - Some of these courses may be restricted to students who are enrolled in particular majors and programs.
  - Not all of these courses are offered each year. Check the availability of courses by logging into your Student Centre.

Concentrations

Completion requirement

Concentrations

Students may focus their program on one of nine areas of interest by including a specified set of courses in their Major or Honours degree. Successful completion will mean that the area of concentration will appear on the transcript. The concentrations and course requirements are:

Complete ANY of the following Requirement Sets:

A. Concentration in Computer Game Development
- Earn at least 27 credits from the following:
  - 3 units from Mathematics 267, 277, 283 or 331
  - 3 units from Physics 211, 221 or 227
  - 6 units Computer Science 453 and 585
  - 3 units from Computer Science 441, 461 or 481
  - 3 units from Computer Science 587, 589 or 591
  - 3 units from Computer Science 433, 531, 535, 586
  - 6 units selected from: Art 231, 233, 235, 241, 251, 311.01, 311.14, 311.23, 343, 362, 373, 377, 379; Drama 223, 225; English 265, 393, 395, 399; Communications Studies 201; Operations Management 301; Music 209, 213, 225, 309, 325, 329, 351, 451, 453, 511, 513, 551, or any Music course listed as formerly Music Theory and Composition
  Note: Students interested in taking courses offered by the Department of Art to complete these requirements are encouraged to contact that department for permission to enrol in courses normally restricted to BFA Art students.
B. Concentration in Software Engineering
- Earn at least 27 credits from the following:
  - 6 units from Computer Science 594, 596, 502.06; or Computer Science 503.06 and 3 units chosen from courses labelled Software Engineering (SENG)
  - Computer Science 481
  - 9 units chosen from courses labelled Software Engineering (SENG), Computer Science 499(1) or 599(1)
  - 6 units chosen from courses labelled Software Engineering (SENG); Computer Science 411, 441, 453, 471, 499(1), 527, 528, 559, 567, 571, 575, 585, 599(1)
  - 3 units chosen from Computer Science 405, Economics 201 or courses offered by the Haskayne School of Business
  Notes:
  - The Haskayne School of Business will consider waiving the prerequisites for senior courses (particularly Business Technology Management 463 and 465) on an individual request basis. Students should contact the particular Area Chair in the Haskayne School of Business regarding prerequisite waivers.
  - Honours students interested in Software Engineering should consider the use of Computer Science 502.06 to complete the Honours requirement for Computer Science 502.
  (1)Students interested in using Computer Science 499 or 599 should contact the department to determine which topics, if any, are being offered in a given year that may be used to fulfill the requirements of this concentration.
C. Concentration in Theoretical Computer Science
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
  - 18 units from Mathematics 311, 391, 527; Statistics 321; Philosophy 379; Computer Science 411, 418, 491, 502.02, 503.02, 511, 513, 517, 518, 519, 521, 522, 530, 561
  Notes:
  - A maximum of 6 units may be at the 300 level.
  - Honours students interested in Theoretical Computer Science should consider the use of Computer Science 502.02 to complete the Honours requirement for Computer Science 502.
D. Concentration in Scientific Computation
- Earn at least 24 credits from the following:
  - 3 units from Mathematics 267 or 277
  - 3 units of courses labelled Mathematics (MATH) or Statistics (STAT) at the 300-level or above
  - 6 units Computer Science 471 and 491 or Mathematics 391
  - 9 units chosen from Computer Science 453, 461, 482, 531, 535, 559, 571, 572, 582, 599(1) or 601(1), of which, a maximum of 3 units may be at the 400 level
  - 3 units from Biology 311, 313, 371; Marine Science 321; Plant Biology 427, 403, 421; Chemistry 311, 351, 371, 373, 402.01; Physics 343, 375, 455; Astrophysics 307, 409; Geology 313, 323, 337, 343, 353, 381, 401, 475; Geophysics 351, 355(2)
  Note: Honours students interested in Scientific Computation should consider the use of Computer Science 502.05 to complete the Honours requirement for Computer Science 502.
  (1)Students interested in using Computer Science 599 or 601 should contact the department to determine which topics, if any, are being offered in a given year that may be used to fulfill the requirements of this concentration.
  (2)All of these courses require a minimum of 6 units of prerequisite courses. Student should identify the prerequisite courses needed for the course they intend to complete from this list. Junior level prerequisite courses should be incorporated into students' first year of studies. Students may contact the Undergraduate Science Centre (USC) for assistance in planning their course work in order to fulfil this requirement.
E. Concentration in Human-Computer Interactions
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
  - Computer Science 481
  - 6 units chosen from Computer Science 482, 581 (recommended), or 584
  - 3 units from Computer Science 453, 482, 502.07, 503.07, 581, 582, 584, 599.90, Software Engineering 403, 471 or 515 that is not already being used to meet another concentration requirement
  - 6 units chosen from Anthropology 203; Art 317, 334, 491; Communications Studies 201, 481; Innovation 321, 323; Museum and Heritage Studies 201; Psychology 200, 201, 203, 300, 301, 365, 369; Sociology 201, 311, 313, 315, 341, 345
  Notes:
  - Honours students interested in Human-Computer Interactions should consider the use of Computer Science 502.07 to complete the Honours requirement for Computer Science 502.
  - Students interested in taking courses offered by the Department of Art to complete these requirements are encouraged to contact that department for permission to enrol in courses normally restricted to BFA Art students.
F. Concentration in Computer Graphics
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
  - 3 units from Mathematics 267 or 277
  - Computer Science 453
  - 6 units from Computer Science 587, 589 and 591
  - 6 units from Computer Science 481, 535, 585, 587, 589, 591 or 599(1), that are not already being used to meet another concentration requirement
  - 3 units from Art 231, 233, 235, 241, 373, 377, 379, Physics 211, 221, or 227
  Notes:
  - Honours students interested in Computer Graphics should consider the use of Computer Science 502.03 to complete the Honours requirement for Computer Science 502.
  - Students interested in taking courses offered by the Department of Art to complete these requirements are encouraged to contact that department for permission to enrol in courses normally restricted to BFA Art students.
  (1)Students interested in using Computer Science 599 should contact the department to determine which topics, if any, are being offered in a given year that may be used to fulfill the requirements of this concentration.
G. Concentration in Information Security
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
  - Computer Science 329, 441, 525 and 526
  - 3 units from Computer Science 418 or Mathematics 318
  - 3 units from Computer Science 502.04, 503.04, 505, 527, 528, 530, 556, 577 or Software Engineering 521
  Note: Honours students interested in Information Security should consider the use of Computer Science 502.04 to complete the Honours requirement for Computer Science 502. Computer Science 418 is strongly recommended over Mathematics 431.
H. Concentration in Networks and Distributed Computing
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
  - Computer Science 329
  - Computer Science 441
  - 3 units from Computer Science 559 or 561
  - 3 units from Computer Science 525, 526, 528 or 530
  - 3 units from Computer Science 502.08 or Computer Science 503.08
  - 3 units from Software Engineering 513; Computer Science 550, 567, 568 or 571
  Note: Computer Science 526 is recommended over Computer Science 525, 528 or 530.
I. Concentration in Visualization and Analytics
- Earn at least 18 credits from the following:
  - 3 units from Computer Science 482
  - 3 units from Computer Science 573 or 599.87
  - 3 units from Computer Science 471, 544, or 599.44
  - 3 units from Statistics 321, 327 or 423
  - 9 units of Computer Science 453, 481, 502.03, 502.07, 503.03, 503.07, 572, 573, 582, 588, 599.27, 599.87, or 599.89 that is not already being used to meet another concentration requirement

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science

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