For current contact information and a list of faculty and administration related to this program, please visit Brock University - Computer Science.
To reach your academic advisor, please visit FMS Academic Advising.
The Department of Computer Science offers four-year programs of study leading to single or combined BSc (Honours), single Computer Science Co-op BSc (Honours), combined Mathematics/Computer Science Co-op BSc (Honours), single BSc with Major in Computer Science and combined BA (Honours) degree program.
Concentration Programs
Two concentrations are available in BSc (Honours) program: Concentration in Artificial Intelligence and Concentration in Software Engineering. There are cross-disciplinary programs in Computing and Business, Computing and Network Communications, Game Programming, and Interactive Arts and Sciences as well as a Minor in Applied Computing.
See relevant calendar entries for a listing of program requirements.
Multidisciplinary Knowledge Recommendation for Practicing Computer Science Professionals
Developing expertise beyond Computer Science significantly enhances both professional and academic growth. We encourage students in the BSc (Honours), BSc Co-op, and BSc with Major programs to pursue a minor or a cohesive set of courses in another discipline. This broadens your knowledge and provides valuable perspectives that complement and strengthen your computing skills.
Students can fulfill the multidisciplinary knowledge recommendation by either completing a minor in a subject (other than Applied Computing) or by taking credits to expand their knowledge in other disciplines providing a holistic education.
Graduate School Entry Recommendation
Students considering graduate studies are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor/Graduate Program Director and take additional credits such as 4F90 and other advanced courses.
Co-op Program
The Computer Science Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a four and one-half year period. Students spend one and one-half years in an academic setting studying the fundamentals of computer programming, computer organization, algorithms, data structures and ethics prior to their first work placement. Successful completion of courses in the core areas of Computer Science provides the necessary academic background for the work experience. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Co-op students are assessed an annual administration fee (see the Schedule of Fees ).
Eligibility to continue is based on the student’s major average and non-major average. Students will be required to maintain a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average in order to continue in the Co-op program. If a student subsequently raises the student’s major average to 70 percent, the student may be readmitted only if approved by the Computer Science Co-op Admissions Committee.
All students in the Co-operative Education program are required to read, sign and adhere to the terms of the Student Regulations Waiver and Co-op Student Manual (brocku.ca/co-op/current-students/co-op-student-manuals) as articulated by the Co-op Programs Office. In addition, eligibility to continue in the co-op option is based on the student’s major average and non-major average, and the ability to demonstrate the motivation and potential to pursue a professional career.
Students must register for each four-month co-operative education work term. Once students are registered in a co-op work term, they are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the placement accepted is for more than one four-month work term, students are committed to complete all terms. Students may not withdraw from or terminate a work term without permission from the Director, Co-op Program Office.
The Computer Science Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months Co-op work experience.
Applied Computing (APCO) Courses
Courses with the APCO designation are intended for non-Computer Science majors who recognize the need for fluency in computing as a part of their undergraduate program. These courses may be taken individually or as part of a minor.
APCO 1P00 , APCO 1P01 , APCO 1P30 , APCO 1P50 and APCO 1P93 may each be taken as a first APCO course. APCO 1P00 is a non-technical introduction to programming and requires no previous experience. APCO 1P01 discusses software tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases and searching the internet and anticipates previous exposure to computer use. APCO 1P30 involves programming for interactive media and assumes no prior programming experience but does assume familiarity with computer applications. APCO 1P50 considers effective and ethical use of computers for information acquisition and dissemination. It requires no previous computing skill. APCO 1P93 will usually serve as a second programming course but can also serve as an introductory programming course for those who need a more technical introduction to programming.
APCO courses do not count as major credit for COSC (single or combined) majors, Computing and Business, Computing and Network Communications and Computing and Solid-State Device Technology students.
Major Credits
In calculating the major average for a Computer Science major or co-major, all COSC courses, MATH 1P66 and MATH 1P67 are included.
Mathematics in Computer Science
Mathematics is fundamental to the study of Computer Science and thus MATH credits are required in each of the various programs. In order to be more competitive in the workplace and if considering graduate studies, students are strongly encouraged to take as many MATH courses as possible.
Program Notes
- Students are advised to take special care in selecting elective credits (both COSC and general), especially in year three, to ensure access to subsequent courses required to complete the four-year programs.
- MATH 1P05 and MATH 1P06 for Chemistry; MATH 1P97 and STAT 1P98 for Earth Sciences.
- One elective credit if the required course in year 1 in the other discipline is a Social Sciences context credit or Humanities context credit for the combined degree with Social Sciences context credit or Humanities context credit, respectively.
- Students may take MATH 1P05 and MATH 1P06 in place of MATH 1P97 and STAT 1P98 in year 1. STAT 1P98 would then be taken in year 2 in place of a one-half credit elective.
- For students with a special interest in geographic information systems, the following courses are strongly recommended as GEOG and COSC elective credits: GEOG 3P04 , GEOG 3P05 , GEOG 3P07 , COSC 3P98 .
- In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 20 credits may be taken.
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