Bachelor of Computer Science

Computer Science is the foundation of all computer technologies concerned with receiving, storing, processing, sharing and delivering information. At Concordia we have put together a curriculum leading to the BCompSc degree to satisfy two major objectives for sound, relevant and dynamic computer science education: understanding the theoretical developments that have made it possible for computers to transform the way we work and live, and acquiring the necessary skills to intelligently use this technology in the real world.

The Computer Science program emphasizes fundamentals, techniques and skills that remain relevant and useful for many years after graduation. A distinctive feature of the Computer Science program at Concordia is the flexibility that is built in the form of eight different options, allowing you to match your studies to your interests. Each option involves the study of selected advanced elective courses in computer science to provide further depth in computer science and the particular application area:

1. The Computer Games option
2. The Web Services and Applications option
3. The Computer Systems option
4. The Software Systems option
5. The Information Systems option
6. The Computer Applications option
7. The Computation Arts option
8. The Mathematics and Statistics option

Explore detailed information on each option.

Degree Requirements

The B.Sc in Computer Science is a 90 credit program which normally takes three years of full time study after CEGEP. All eight options offered in this study program consist of the Computer Science Core and the Complementary Core. The core provides a basic and broad study of theory, mathematical basics, programming methodology, computer architecture, data structures, operating systems, and software engineering.

General program course sequence (Computer Science, January entry)

General program course sequence (Computer Science, September entry)

Computer Science Core (32 credits)

COMP 228    System Hardware
COMP 232    Mathematics for Computer Science
COMP 233    Probability and Statistics for Computer Science
COMP 248    Object-Oriented Programming I
COMP 249    Object-Oriented Programming II
COMP 335    Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science
COMP 346    Operating Systems
COMP 348    Principles of Programming Languages
COMP 352    Data Structures and Algorithms
COMP 354    Introduction to Software Engineering

Complementary Core (6 credits)

ENCS 282    Technical Writing and Communication
ENCS 393    Social and Ethical Dimensions of Information and Communication Technologies

Option Core and Option-Specific Elective Credits

In addition to the Computer Science Core and the Complementary Core, each option consist either of Option Core or Option-Specific Electives and various amounts of Computer Science Electives, Mathematics Electives and General Electives.

The Option Core or Option-Specific Electives consists of a specific set of courses which are designed to provide an integrated yet specialized training in particular application areas of the discipline in which the students are interested – Computer Games, Web Services and Applications, Computer Systems, Software Systems, Information Systems, Computation Arts, Mathematics and Statistics options.

Honours program and Co-op program

An honours program is available in each computer science option for students in BCompSc. Students must complete at least 30 credits towards their degree with superior performance required before entering and remaining in the Honours program.

Co-operative education is a structured educational strategy integrating academic studies with learning through program-relevant work experiences. It provides progressive experiences in integrating theory and practice, giving students the opportunity to transfer knowledge and skills between work and classroom settings. All options in the Computer Science program are offered in the co-op format to selected students enrolled in the BCompSc program. Co-op students in Computer Science take the regular academic program; however, they have the opportunity through the work terms to experience computer science in the government and corporate sectors.

Minor in Computer Science

The minor in Computer Science is designed to meet the growing demand of computer-literate professionals while complementing another program at Concordia.

Students will need to take 15 credits from the Computer Science Core listed below, and 9 credits of Computer Science Electives.

COMP 228    System Hardware
COMP 232    Mathematics for Computer Science
COMP 248    Object-Oriented Programming I
COMP 249    Object-Oriented Programming II
COMP 352    Data Structures and Algorithms
Computer Science Electives (9 credits)

Students who require any of the above courses as part of their Major should replace these courses with elective courses chosen from the list of Computer Science Electives.