Computer Science (BSc Program)
Liang Chen, Professor and Acting Chair
David Casperson, Associate Professor
Fan (Terry) Jiang, Assistant Professor
Andreas Hirt, Term Assistant Professor
Allan Kranz, Senior Lab Instructor
Website: http://www.unbc.ca/computerscience
The Computer Science program gives students a thorough exposure to basic areas like computer architecture, programming languages and methodology, algorithms and data structures, systems programming, operating systems and networking, knowledge-based and database systems, software engineering, and theory. The student will develop the advanced practical computing and problem-solving skills required for professional work in modern industry, based on a strong conceptual foundation and on insights into the nature of this rapidly changing field. Each student will use advanced development tools, and will be encouraged to approach problem-solving from a multidisciplinary point of view. The program emphasizes direct co-operation with industry.
Major in Computer Science (BSc)
Major in Computer Science (BSc Honours)
Joint Major in Chemistry and Computer Science (BSc)
Joint Major in Computer Science and Mathematics (BSc)
Joint Major in Computer Science and Physics (BSc)
Minor in Computing
Major in Computer Science
A major in Computer Science requires at least 20 Computer Science courses and at least 61 credit hours in Computer Science, at least 27 credit hours of which must be upper-division courses, and of those upper-division credits, at least 12 must be taken at the 400 level. MATH 335-3 and STAT 371-3 can count towards this requirement.
The following courses may not be used for credit towards a Computer Science major or joint major:
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Finite Mathematics for Business and Economics |
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Biostatistics |
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The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a major in Computer Science is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
*Note: Unless otherwise specified, students enrolling in any Computer Science or Mathematics course with prerequisites are required to have completed all prerequisite courses for that course with a C- or better, or have permission to enrol from the Program Chair.
Lower Division Requirement
100 Level
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Computer Programming I |
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Computer Programming II |
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Discrete Computational Mathematics |
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Writing and Communication Skills |
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or ENGL 270-3 |
Expository Writing |
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Calculus I |
*Note: MATH 101-3 Calculus II is strongly recommended.
200 Level
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Algorithm Analysis and Development |
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Introduction to Concurrent and Distributed Programming |
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Introduction to Logic Design |
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Computer Organization and Architecture |
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Mathematical Topics for Computer Science |
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Ethics in Computing Science |
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Data Structures I |
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Linear Algebra |
General Science Requirement
Students must take two courses from the following list of science courses. It is recommended that computer science majors take PHYS 110-4 and PHYS 111-4. However, students may take any two courses from the following list, according to their interests, to fulfill the general science requirement:
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Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
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Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
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Introduction to Physics I |
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Introduction to Physics II |
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General Chemistry I |
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General Chemistry II |
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Introductory Biology I |
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Introductory Biology II |
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Introduction to Psychology I |
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Introduction to Environmental Citizenship |
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Introduction to GIS |
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Cartography and Geomatics |
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Introduction to Earth Science |
*Note: In some special cases other science courses approved by the Chair of Computer Science may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Upper Division Requirement
Computer Science Breadth
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Software Engineering I |
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Programming Languages |
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Operating Systems |
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Introduction to Database Systems |
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Theory of Computation |
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Data Communications and Networking |
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or CPSC 444-3 |
Computer Networks |
*Note: STAT 371-3 Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers is strongly recommended.
400 Level
At least 12 credit hours of Computer Science courses must be taken at the 400 level, and at least nine of these credit hours must be outside the seminar course, project course (other than CPSC 400-3), research course, or special topics course category.
Alternate courses may be substituted for the above with the written permission of the Program Chair.
Subject Requirement
Six additional credit hours chosen from the following:
Computer Science at any level
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Introduction to Numerical Methods |
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Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers |
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Elective credit hours as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credits necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation 15). A total of 45 credit hours in upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses from any discipline are required for graduation.
BSc Honours - Computer Science
The Honours Program in Computer Science offers students additional undergraduate research experience and helps to prepare them for post-graduate studies in Computer Science and related fields.
Candidates are normally expected to apply for entry prior to completion of 90 credit hours. Candidates are required to consult with their Student Advisor prior to entry to the Program. Entry to the Computer Science Honours Program takes place after completion of 60 credit hours, 30 credit hours of which must be from the Computer Science Program Requirements (excluding Elective and Academic Breadth) , and requires a minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.33 over the previous 30 credit hours of Computer Science Program Requirements, and permission of the Department Chair. Attaining the minimum requirement does not guarantee entry to the Honours Program, which is at the discretion of the Department. Maintenance of a Cumulative GPA of 3.33 is required to remain in the Honours Program. Students are responsible to find their own undergraduate thesis research supervisor. Faculty members are under no obligation to supervise
Honours students.
To be awarded the BSc Honours degree students will
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complete 120 credits hours required for a BSc in Computer Science
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complete an additional 6 credit hours of CPSC 430 and an undergraduate thesis under the supervision of a faculty member
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complete STAT 371-3
Joint Major in Chemistry and Computer Science (BSc)
See Calendar entry under Chemistry.
Joint Major in Computer Science and Mathematics (BSc)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a Joint Major in Computer Science and Mathematics is 123 credit hours.
MATH 342-3 (Biostatistics) may not be used for credit towards any Mathematics or Computer Science major, minor, or joint major.
MATH 150-3 (Finite Mathematics for Business and Economics) may not be used for credit towards any Mathematics or Computer Science major or joint major.
Program Requirements
Literacy Requirement
One of the following:
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Writing and Communication Skills |
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Expository Writing |
Lower Division Requirement
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Computer Programming I |
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Computer Programming II |
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Discrete Computational Mathematics |
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Mathematical Topics for computer Science |
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Algorithm Analysis and Development |
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Introduction to Logic Design |
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Computer Organization and Architecture |
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Data Structures I |
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Calculus I |
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Calculus II |
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Calculus III |
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Introduction to Complex Analysis |
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Linear Algebra |
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Foundations of Modern Mathematics |
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Linear Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems |
General Science Requirement
Two of the following:
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and BIOL 123-1 |
Introductory Biology I Introductory Biology I Laboratory |
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and BIOL 124-1 |
Introductory Biology II Introductory Biology II Laboratory |
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General Chemistry I |
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General Chemistry Lab I |
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General Chemistry II |
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General Chemistry Lab II |
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Introduction to Physics I |
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or PHYS 110-4* |
Introductory Physics I: |
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Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
*Note: PHYS 110-4 (Introductory Physics I: Mechanics) and PHYS 111-4 (Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity) are strongly recommended for all majors.
Upper Division Requirement
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Programming Languages |
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Operating Systems |
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Functional and Logic Programming |
**Six credit hours of 300- or 400-level Computer Science.
Six credit hours of 400-level Computer Science (excluding seminar, project, and special topics courses).
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Survey of Algebra |
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Advanced Linear Algebra |
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Introduction to Numerical Methods |
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Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers |
**Three credit hours of 300- or 400-level Mathematics.
Six credit hours of 400-level Mathematics.
**Note: Three of these 9 credit hours must be at the 400 level so that the total number of Computer Science and Mathematics credit hours at the 400 level is at least 15.
Note: CPSC 340-3 (Theory of Computation) is recommended.
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Elective credit hours as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 123 credit hours, including any additional credits necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation 15).
Joint Major in Computer Science and Physics (BSc)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a Joint Major in Computer Science and Physics is 127 credit hours.
MATH 342-3 (Biostatistics) may not be used for credit towards any Mathematics or Computer Science major, minor, or joint major.
MATH 150-3 (Finite Mathematics for Business and Economics) may not be used for credit towards any Mathematics or Computer Science major or joint major.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirement
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Computer Programming I |
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Computer Programming II |
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Discrete Computational Mathematics |
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Algorithm Analysis and Development |
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Computer Organization and Architecture |
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Data Structures I |
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Writing and Communication Skills |
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or ENGL 270-3 |
Expository Writing |
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Calculus I |
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Calculus II |
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Multivariable Calculus I |
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Multivariable Calculus II |
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Linear Algebra |
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Linear Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems |
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Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
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Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
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Thermal Physics |
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Electromagnetism and Optics |
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Modern Physics I |
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Modern Physics II
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Programming Languages |
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Operating Systems |
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Functional and Logic Programming |
*Twelve additional credit hours of upper-level Computer Science, of which at least six must be at the 400 level (excluding seminar, project, and special topics courses).
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Introduction to Numerical Methods |
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Intermediate Differential Equations |
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Classical Mechanics |
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Quantum Mechanics I |
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Electronics [which must be taken before CPSC 231-4 (Computer Organization and Architecture)] |
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Solid State Physics |
*Nine additional credit hours of upper-level Physics, of which at least six must be at the 400 level (excluding project and special topics courses).
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Elective credit hours must be taken as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 127 credit hour, including any additional credits necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation 15).
Minor in Computing
The Minor in Computing requires the following 29 credit hours of courses:
Requirements
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Computer Programming I |
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Computer Programming II |
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Discrete Computational Mathematics |
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Algorithm Analysis and Development |
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Data Structures I |
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Software Engineering |
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Introduction to Database Systems |
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Data Communications and Networking |
One additional upper-division Computer Science course**
** MATH 335-3 (Introduction to Numerical Methods) may be used to meet this requirement.
