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School of Computing Science Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2017

Computing Science Major

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts

The school offers a general program leading to a bachelor of science (BSc) or bachelor of arts (BA) degree. This undergraduate degree is appropriate for many interdisciplinary areas. Visit www.cs.sfu.ca for information.

Admission Requirements

Entry into computing science programs is possible via

  • direct admission from high school
  • direct transfer from a recognized post-secondary institution, or combined transfer units from more than one post-secondary institution
  • internal transfer from within Simon Fraser University

Admission is competitive. A separate admission average for each entry route is established each term, depending on spaces available and subject to the approval of the Dean of Applied Sciences. Admission averages are calculated over a set of courses satisfying particular breadth constraints.

For more information, contact an Applied Sciences Advisor.

Internal Transfer

Internal transfer allows students to transfer, within Simon Fraser University, from one faculty to another.  Once students have completed the 3 qualifying courses they can apply for internal transfer into the School of Computing Science.  Simon Fraser University students applying for School of Computing Science admission are selected on the basis of an admission Computing Related Grade Point Average. The CRGPA is calculated over the best three courses chosen as follows.

  • one mathematics course chosen from: MACM 101, 201, MATH 150 (or 151), 152 and 240 (or 232)
  • one computing course chosen from: CMPT 125 (or 126 or 128, 130 or 135), 150, (or ENSC 150), 225, 250 (or ENSC 250) and 275 (or 276).
  • one additional mathematics or computing science course chosen from the above lists

No course may be included in the average if it is a duplicate of any previous course completed at Simon Fraser University or elsewhere. All three courses must be completed prior to application. For more information, contact an Applied Sciences Advisor.

Continuation Requirements

Students who do not maintain at least a 2.40 CGPA, will be placed on probation. Courses available to probationary students may be limited. Each term, these students must consult an advisor prior to enrolment and must achieve either a term 2.40 term GPA or an improved CGPA.

Reinstatement from probationary standing occurs when the CGPA improves to 2.40 or better and is maintained.

Graduation Requirements

A GPA of 2.00 must be obtained for upper division courses used to fulfil the program requirements.

Prerequisite Grade Requirement

Computing science course entry requires a grade of C- or better in each prerequisite course.

A minimum 2.40 CGPA is required for 200, 300 and 400 division CMPT courses. For complete information, contact an Applied Sciences Advisor.

Program Requirements

For specific program information and course plans consult an Applied Sciences Advisor.

Lower Division Requirements

Students must complete the courses listed below. It is suggested that students complete a recommended schedule of courses within the first two years.

Students complete all of

CMPT 120 - Introduction to Computing Science and Programming I (3)
CMPT 125 - Introduction to Computing Science and Programming II (3)
CMPT 127 - Computing Laboratory (3)
CMPT 225 - Data Structures and Programming (3)
CMPT 276 - Introduction to Software Engineering (3)
CMPT 295 - Introduction to Computer Systems (3)
MACM 101 - Discrete Mathematics I (3)
MACM 201 - Discrete Mathematics II (3)

and one of

MATH 150 - Calculus I with Review (4)
MATH 151 - Calculus I (3)
MATH 154 - Calculus I for the Biological Sciences (3) **
MATH 157 - Calculus I for the Social Sciences (3) **

and one of

MATH 152 - Calculus II (3)
MATH 155 - Calculus II for the Biological Sciences (3) **
MATH 158 - Calculus II for the Social Sciences (3) **

and one of

MATH 232 - Applied Linear Algebra (3)
MATH 240 - Algebra I: Linear Algebra (3)

and one of

STAT 270 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)
BUEC 232 - Data and Decisions I (4)

** with a grade of at least B+, and with school permission.

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete at least 45 upper division units including

CMPT 376W - Technical Writing and Group Dynamics (3)

 Students should consult an academic advisor before commencing upper division requirements.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.

Breadth Requirement

Five courses from five of the six Table I areas of concentration (see below) must be completed including both of

CMPT 300 - Operating Systems I (3)
CMPT 307 - Data Structures and Algorithms (3)

CMPT 354 is also recommended.

Depth Requirement

Twelve units of additional CMPT courses numbered CMPT 400 or above must be completed (excluding CMPT 415, 416 and 498, which may be included by special permission).

BSc Credential

For a BSc computing science degree, the following additional requirements must be met.

  • two additional courses chosen from Table I, Table II or Table III

MACM 316 - Numerical Analysis I (3)

BEd Credential 

For a major in computing science in conjunction with a BEd program as offered by the Faculty of Education, one additional CMPT course chosen from Table I or Table II must be completed, to total at least 30 upper division units in CMPT courses.

BA Credential

For a BA computing science degree within the Faculty of Applied Sciences, the following additional requirements must be met.

one additional CMPT upper division course chosen from Table I or Table II must be completed bringing the total upper division units in CMPT courses to a minimum of 30 units.

a concentration of 15 units in a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences discipline (department) including at least six units of upper division credit.

Areas of Concentration

The primary upper division requirements are structured according to breadth, depth and credential requirements as listed above.

As part of a major program, students may complete one or more areas of concentration from the six areas listed in Table I. To complete a concentration, students complete the major requirements, including four courses in the corresponding Area as listed in Table I, two of which must be at the 400 division. Courses used to meet the requirements of a concentration may also be used to meet other program requirements.

Table I – Computing Science Concentrations

Artificial Intelligence

CMPT 310 - Artificial Intelligence Survey (3)
CMPT 340 - Biomedical Computing (3)
CMPT 411 - Knowledge Representation (3)
CMPT 412 - Computational Vision (3)
CMPT 413 - Computational Linguistics (3)
CMPT 414 - Model-Based Computer Vision (3)
CMPT 417 - Intelligent Systems (3)
CMPT 419 - Special Topics in Artificial Intelligence (3)

Computer Graphics and Multimedia

CMPT 361 - Introduction to Computer Graphics (3)
CMPT 363 - User Interface Design (3)
CMPT 365 - Multimedia Systems (3)
CMPT 461 - Image Synthesis (3)
CMPT 464 - Geometric Modelling in Computer Graphics (3)
CMPT 466 - Animation (3)
CMPT 468 - Introduction to Computer Music and Sound Synthesis (3)
CMPT 469 - Special Topics in Computer Graphics (3)

Computing Systems

CMPT 300 - Operating Systems I (3)
CMPT 305 - Computer Simulation and Modelling (3)
CMPT 371 - Data Communications and Networking (3)
CMPT 379 - Principles of Compiler Design (3)
CMPT 431 - Distributed Systems (3)
CMPT 433 - Embedded Systems (3)
CMPT 471 - Networking II (3)
CMPT 479 - Special Topics in Computing Systems (3)
CMPT 499 - Special Topics in Computer Hardware (3)

Information Systems

CMPT 354 - Database Systems I (3)
CMPT 441 - Computational Biology (3)
CMPT 454 - Database Systems II (3)
CMPT 456 - Information Retrieval and Web Search (3)
CMPT 459 - Special Topics in Database Systems (3)
CMPT 470 - Web-based Information Systems (3)
CMPT 474 - Web Systems Architecture (3)

Programming Languages and Software

CMPT 373 - Software Development Methods (3)
CMPT 375 - Mathematical Foundations of Software Technology (3)
CMPT 383 - Comparative Programming Languages (3)
CMPT 384 - Symbolic Computing (3)
CMPT 473 - Software Quality Assurance (3)
CMPT 475 - Requirements Engineering (3)
CMPT 477 - Introduction to Formal Verification (3)
CMPT 489 - Special Topics in Programming Language (3)

Theoretical Computing Science

CMPT 307 - Data Structures and Algorithms (3)
CMPT 308 - Computability and Complexity (3)
CMPT 404 - Cryptography and Cryptographic Protocols (3)
CMPT 405 - Design and Analysis of Computing Algorithms (3)
CMPT 407 - Computational Complexity (3)
CMPT 408 - Theory of Computing Networks/Communications (3)
CMPT 409 - Special Topics in Theoretical Computing Science (3)
MACM 300 - Introduction to Formal Languages and Automata with Applications (3)

Table II – Application Courses

Currently no courses.

Table III – Computing Mathematics Courses

MACM 316 - Numerical Analysis I (3)
MACM 401 - Introduction to Computer Algebra (3)
MACM 442 - Cryptography (3)
MATH 308 - Linear Optimization (3)
MATH 340 - Algebra II: Rings and Fields (3)
MATH 343 - Applied Discrete Mathematics (3)

Other Courses Per Department Approval

The following courses may be counted in one of the above tables with permission of the school.

CMPT 318 - Special Topics in Computing Science (3)
CMPT 415 - Special Research Projects (3)
CMPT 416 - Special Research Projects (3)
CMPT 496 - Directed Studies (3)
CMPT 497 - Dual Degree Program Capstone Project (6)
CMPT 498 - Honours Research Project (6)

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student’s major subject
Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division
6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc
6 units Humanities: B-Hum
6 units Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements)

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

 

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program’s total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study
  • At least two thirds of the program’s total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study
  • At least two thirds of the upper division units in the courses of a school offering (or joint offering) a program must be earned through that school at Simon Fraser University

For information regarding transfer, consult an Applied Sciences Advisor.

Co-operative Education and Work Experience

All computing science students are strongly encouraged to explore the opportunities that Work Integrated Learning (WIL) can offer them. Please contact a computing science co-op advisor during your first year of studies to ensure that you have all of the necessary courses and information to help plan for a successful co-op experience.