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Frequently Asked Questions > Degrees and Programs
Degrees and Programs
1
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What is the advantage of doing a 4-year Computer Science degree vs. a 3-year Computer Science degree? Does the advantage clearly outweigh the extra year that I will have to spend at the University (in terms of time, money & effort)?
The 4-year B.Sc. program is a more comprehensive program and offers both ample depth and significant breadth of Computer Science related topics. The 3-year B.Sc. program is a weaker program. It is a good program of choice if used as an add-on to another 4-year degree. But the three year degree is not strong as a stand-alone degree. In particular, the 3-year degree only requires 30 cu of CMPT courses, while the 4-year degree requires 48 cu of CMPT courses and there are restrictions on which 3rd and 4th year CMPT courses need to be taken. In addition, the 4-year degree has stronger mathematics and business science requirements. Finally, the 4-year degree program is an accredited program, while the 3-year degree is too weak to be accredited.
2
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What is the difference between a 4-year B.Sc. and an Honours Degree?
First, there are two Honours programs: the regular Honours and Software Engineering Honours. First, a comparison is given between the 4-year degree, and an Honours in general. Most important, an Honours program requires an average of 70% over all courses, and also a 70% average over CMPT courses. Next, an Honours program requires 6 cu more of CMPT courses than a 4-year degree, and there are more constraints on the CMPT courses taken in third and fourth year. It particular, students are required to take all the core courses of third year, including some of the more formal/theoretical courses that many students find more difficult. Between requiring a 70% average and requiring some of the more formal courses, students find an Honours program more challenging, and those who complete it are recognized as having completed a more challenging program.
Looking at the two Honours programs in more detail. The Software Engineering program has few options. To complete it, a student must complete the courses related to working in the software engineering field, and this leaves room for only one CMPT elective. This program is primarily directed to those anticipating to go work on developing large software systems in industry, but it also provides a good background to go to graduate school.
The regular Honours program is more formal than the Software Engineering one, as the regular program requires more of the formal CMPT courses. Also, the regular Honours has stronger mathematics and statistics requirements. On the other hand, the regular Honours program has more CMPT electives than the Software Engineering one. The regular Honours is directed somewhat towards entry into graduate school, but it is also a strong background to go work in industry. See also comparison of regular and Software Engineering Honours.
Note that an Honours degree is not required for entrance into graduate school. However, for entrance into graduate school a student needs to have close to an 80% average. Also, if a student omits the more formal courses of an undergraduate program, then the student might be required to take one or more of them in their graduate program (possibly as extra courses). As a result, most students headed towards graduate school will take one of the two Honours programs.
3
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What is the difference between the Software Engineering Honours vs. the Regular Honours Degree? Is one better than the other?
The Regular Honours option offers a more generic degree with ample depth and breadth of topics, but, if a student has an avid interest in the development of large software systems, the Software Engineering option will provide a stronger background for him/her.
The Software Engineering Honours program has fewer formal Math and theoretical Computer Science classes but has more rigid program requirements. The Regular Honours program has more formal Math and Theoretical Computer Science requirements but is a less rigid program and offers students more flexibility in terms of course selections. See also comparison of 4-year and Honours programs.
4
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I wish to do a double Honours involving Computer Science and another field. Who should I consult for this?
Because of the complications of developing such programs, the advising for them is usually handled by the Undergraduate Chair for the Department. You should make an appointment to discuss this possibility.
5
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When is a good time to apply for an Honours degree in Computer Science?
Although a student can apply anytime between the 2nd year and the 4th year of their degree program, the best time to apply for Honours is during or after completing 3rd year, and certainly before starting the 4th year of studies. Probably the normal time to apply is in second term of your third year. It should be noted that a student must have at least a 70% average to be considered for the Honours program. Also, a student should decide towards the end of their second year whether they are considering an Honours program, because their selection of CMPT courses for third year is affected by this decision. In March of your third year is a good time to see an adviser for help making this choice, and help selecting their third year CMPT courses. Applications for the Honours program are available at A & S Student Academic Services in 265 Arts.
6
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If I were to complete a regular or Software Engineering degree in Computer Science, what kind of career options would be available to me?
There are several occupations that Computer Science and Software Engineering graduates could consider. A list of some such career opportunities follows:
- Programmer or Software Developer
- Software Architect
- Software Development Project Manager
- IT Infrastructure professional
- IT project manager
- Information Systems Manager
- QA Analyst
- QA Manager
- Technical product planner
- Technical Writer
- Technical Pre-Sales Consultant
- System Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Network Analyst
- Web Applications Developer
- Webmaster
- Database Manager
- Database Administrator
- Network Administrator
- Technical Support Staff
- Technical Consultant
- Software Development Consultant
- Business Development for Technical product organizations
- Teachers at high schools, college or private training facilities
- Researchers, instructors, Professors at Universities
- Chief Technology Officer
- Chief Information Officer etc.
7
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How does the Post Degree Specialization Certificate (PDSC) compare to the other Computer Science degree options available at this University?
If you already have a 4-year degree other than a B.Sc., the PDSC offers an option to complete the CMPT courses equivalent to a 4-year B.Sc. without concern for non-CMPT electives.
If you already have a 3-year or 4-year B.Sc. in another discipline, especially if the degree is from here, you should not consider doing PDSC but should pursue an Advanced or Honours Certificate. An Advanced or Honours certificate certifies that you have completed ALL the requirements for a B.Sc. This is obviously better than a certificate (like a PDSC) that only certifies that you have completed the computer science part of a B.Sc. Thus, if you have already completed the non-cmpt electives as part of your first degree, you can easily complete all the requirements for a B.Sc. Therefore, in this case an Advanced or Honours certificate is the way to go.
Doing a PDSC as opposed to a B.Sc. is an attractive alternative for many students whose first degree is not a B.Sc. or else a B.Sc. that does not involve taking most of the non-CMPT electives required here. For them, a PDSC allows them to complete fewer courses, since an Advanced or Honours certificate would require several non-CMPT courses. The PDSC is highly focused on Computer Science. The PDSC requires a minimum of 30 cu beyond those for the first degree. If several computer science and mathematics courses were taken as part of your first degree (which is certainly true for some branches of Engineering), a PDSC can often be done in 30 cu.
The disadvantage of pursuing a PDSC is that it does not provide students with any exposure to the Arts subjects (an important component of any Arts and Science Degree).
If you have a non B.Sc. degree, an alternative to a PDSC is doing a second degree; a B.Sc. with Computer Science major. There are three options for a B.Sc.: 3-year degree, 4-year degree, and Honours degree. The 3-year B.Sc. program does not attain the depth of CMPT courses (30 cu in CMPT for 3-year degree versus 48 cu in CMPT for 4-year degree) that is achieved when pursuing the PDSC option, but the 3-year degree does provide sufficient coverage of Arts subjects. A student must take at least 30 credit units beyond those for the first degree for a 3 year degree. Dependant upon the courses taken for the first degree, it might be possible to complete the requirements for a 3-year degree in 30 credit units (especially for some Engineering disciplines). The 4-year B.Sc. program is a more comprehensive program that offers ample depth and significant breadth in both Computer Science and Arts topics. However, it requires at least 60 credit units of courses beyond the courses for the first degree. An Honours degree has been more depth in computer science, and still requires a minimum of 60 cu beyond a first degree. Because of the 60 cu rule for a 4-year or Honours B.Sc., few students follow either of these options for their second degree. Thus, the choice is usually between the 3-year B.Sc. and the PDSC. Whether PDSC is a better option for a student or a dual degree depends on the student’s objectives and interests. A more detailed comparison of the different B.Sc. degrees in Computer Science is provided in related questions (3-year versus 4-year, and 4-year versus Honours).
8
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What is the internship program, and how do I get into it?
The Profession Internship Program is an optional program for a student to go out and obtain a job and practical experience between third year and fourth year. It lasts from May after third year through the summer, the following winter term, and a second summer; 16 months in total. Employers who wish to hire internship students, post jobs. Students in the internship program apply for such jobs in the fall of their third year. The employers make their choice of students to hire. There is no obligation of the University or Department to find a job for each student who applies to the internship program. Students in the internship program are required to have a 65% average, and have completed a reasonable selection of third year CMPT courses.
For details on the program see the Profession Internship Program web site.
9
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I am in the College of Engineering, and I am considering doing an B.Sc. or PDSC as well as my Engineering degree. What program should I take and what courses transfer?
There are some advising forms for specific Engineering disciplines doing specific Computer Science programs. However, because of the complications of transferring for Engineering students, the advising for them is usually handled by the Undergraduate Chair for the Department. You should make an appointment to discuss this possibility.
10
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I understand that there are several versions of undergraduate Computer Science Programs - old curriculum, new curriculum and revised new curriculum. What are my options, and which one should I follow?
In a dynamic field like Computer Science, frequent changes are made in courses and program requirements. However, an effort is made to minimize adverse affects on students already in the system.
When a change is made in program requirements, a student has the choice of using the program that was in effect when they started the program, or selecting a newer program. Naturally, we believe that the newest program is the best, but the student has the choice of selecting any one in effect since they started the program.
Major changes were made in various Computer Science programs in the summer of 2004. Most students will have started since then so the previous program is not relevant to them. In 2005, the College revised the Division of Science requirements. Basically, the requirement for 24 cu of arts courses was replaced by 18 cu of arts courses with 6 cu of these to satisfy the Humanities Writing requirement, and another science course was required. In 2007, the full course CMPT 250.6 was replaced by CMPT 270.3 and CMPT 280.3.
In general, unless you have a good reason to do otherwise, you should complete the newest version of the program. However, you have the option of selecting any version was in effect since you first started the program.
Please check out the requirements of the various versions of our undergraduate programs at our web site.
