Computing Science Undergraduates
Our computing science programs give you the knowledge, practical experience and in-demand skills to take advantage of one of the most dynamic and diverse, and lucrative job markets out there.
Research Opportunities
We encourage undergraduate students to create knowledge by conducting research in computing science. This foray into research can help you decide whether graduate school is your next step.
Get Involved
You can participate in research and make connections with our faculty by:
- Take a directed studies course (CMPT 415/416) for credit. Submit written or project-based work in your area of research interest with the guidance of a faculty member.
- Apply for an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA). Conduct paid research under the guidance of a faculty member.
- Enroll in a semester-long Work Study Program. Conduct paid research under the guidance of a faculty member.
- Apply for the Honours program.
Honours Degree
Research Areas in Computing Science
The School of Computing Science focuses on six research areas: Data Science, Thoery, Programming Languages, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, and Visual Computing. Our faculty are not only subject matter experts, but involved in active research labs at SFU.
Data Science, Databases and Data Mining
In many application domains, such as social networks, business, and healthcare, increasingly large amounts of data are being collected requiring sophisticated computational tools to discover the hidden "golden nuggets."
Our researchers in data science, databases, and data mining address the corresponding research challenges with a broad range of methods and systems from data collection, storage, cleaning, management, analytics, knowledge extraction, and representation. They are international leaders in topics such as data cleaning, big data systems, database query answering, graph and network mining, privacy preserving, data analytics, spatial and temporal data processing, and various applications.
Research Areas:
- Data Science Research
THEORETICAL COMPUTING
The Algorithms and Complexity Group is interested in the theoretical aspects of computing science and in the application of this theory to modern industrial uses. Important subareas include computational geometry, parallel algorithms, distributed algorithms, operations research, and graph algorithms. We have a particular interest in the development of algorithms for optimization problems. Some of our current projects have applications in the areas of biomedical image processing, geographical information systems, communication networks, scheduling, robot motion planning, pattern recognition, and VLSI layout. In addition to our own research, we consult for industry and advise other academic researchers.
Research Areas:
- Algorithms & Complexity
Programing Languages, Software Engineering, Networks and systems
The group focuses on applied research in systems, networking and computer architecture. Primary subareas covered include network modelling, network security, operating systems, parallel and distributed computing, real-time systems, wireless, multimedia, and peer-to-peer communication. Research in programming languages and software covers subareas such as Formal Verification, Static Program Analysis and Model Checking, Concurrent and Mobile Systems, Functional and Logic Programming.
RESEARCH AREAS:
- Multimedia and Networking
- Network Modelling Research
- Parallel & Distributed Computing
- Systems
Artificial Intelligence
The AI group at SFU works in several important subareas of the field, including machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, knowledge representation and reasoning, constraint optimization, and robotics.
Research Areas:
- Natural Language
- Vision & Media
- Machine Learning
- Robotics
Computational Biology, Biomedical Computing and Medical/Health Informatics
The explosion of huge biological and medical data sets creates the opportunity to drive innovations in the life sciences through computational approaches such as machine learning, sequence algorithms, image analysis and others. Computational biology researchers at SFU CS are working to develop tools for analysis of genome sequencing data, gene regulation, epigenomics, single-cell assays, medical images, medical records, and others.
Research Areas:
- Computational Biology
- Medical Image Analysis
Visual and Interactive Computing (VINCI)
Visual computing encompasses all scientific and computational disciplines that deal with visual data such as images, videos, 3D shapes, and virtual environments. Core areas of visual computing include computer graphics, computer vision, image processing, computational photography, computational design and fabrication, and data and information visualization. Interactive computing encompasses areas of computing that involve human interaction or interactive computational systems. Core areas are human-computer interaction, multimedia systems, user-centered software, and interactive visualization.
Research Areas:
- Graphics, Usability, and Visualization (GRUVI)
- Medical Image Analysis
- Vision and Media
- Interactive Experiences
Funding for International Research Mobility
SFU International supports ongoing international engagement of the university community by providing funds for initiatives aimed at deepening SFU’s international partnerships and growing SFU’s international activities. They maintain a comprehensive list of International Research Mobility Funding opportunities, which you may be eligible for.