Computer Science

ADMISSION TO THE COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAMS

Ontario High School Applicants

Applicants to our Bachelor of Arts programs require the successful completion of at least six grade 12 4U/M courses with a minimum overall average of 70% and must qualify to obtain their OSSD. BA and B.Cosc. programs in Computer Science require a grade 12 4U English, a grade 12 4U Mathematics course in Advanced Functions, one additional grade 12 4U Mathematics course, and three other Grade 12 4U/M courses.

Applicants to our Bachelor of Science programs require the successful completion of at least six grade 12 4U/M courses with a minimum overall average of 70% and must qualify to obtain their OSSD. Specific grade 12 courses are as follows: Grade 12 4U English, Grade 12 4U Advanced Functions, one additional Grade 12 4U Mathematics, Grade 12U Science, and two Grade 12 4U/M courses

Advanced Placement

Applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses in appropriate subjects with a grade of 4 or higher may receive transfer credit equivalent to a maximum of 12 credits. Applicants must also meet the admission requirements listed above as Advanced Placement courses are not accepted in place of the Grade 12 requirements.

International Baccalaureate

Applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate are eligible for admission provided they have achieved a minimum score of 28 and have fulfilled the diploma requirements (six subjects, minimum three at the higher level). Applicants may receive transfer credits for higher level courses with grades of 5 or higher. Applicants must submit the International Baccalaureate transcript to the Office of Admissions for evaluation.

Canadian High School Applicants from Outside Ontario

Applicants require the successful completion of a secondary school diploma with the equivalent course requirements as Ontario applicants. Applicants from the Province of Quebec require a minimum of the first year of the Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) program or grade 12 with a minimum 75% average. Applicants who have completed two or three years of a CEGEP program will be considered for admission with advanced standing.

High School Applicants from the United States of America

Applicants must have completed grade 12 from an accredited secondary school with a minimum overall B average and with at least four different subjects, including English.

Applicants from Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology

Applicants who have completed a minimum of one year of college studies with a minimum overall C average may be eligible for admission.  For students who have completed two or three year programs, Laurentian has many articulation agreements designed to enhance student mobility. If there is not an articulation agreement, Laurentian offers admission with advanced standing as indicated below. For information with respect to articulation agreements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

3 Year Diploma                 

                GPA = A:  48 to 54 credits* 

                GPA = B:  36 credits

                GPA = C+: 24 credits    

2 Year Diploma

                GPA = A:  36 to 42 credits*               

                GPA = B:  24 credits

*             Number of credits depends on the program affinity

Applicants from other Universities and Colleges

Applicants wishing to be considered for admission must submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. The transcripts received will be assessed for admissibility and possible transfer of credits.

Mature Students

Applicants wishing to be considered as a mature student must:

                be 21 years old or older prior to the first day of classes of the term to which they applied

                have not attended any secondary or postsecondary institution for at least two years

                submit a letter outlining the reasons for pursuing university studies

                submit a resume or CV specifying current education, interests, and work experience

Applicants from Other Countries

Applicants from other countries wishing to be considered for admission must submit official transcripts and supporting documents to the Office of Admissions. These documents should be submitted in their original language as well as an official translation into English or French.

Applicants to English language programs who have not completed at least three years of English academic study, must also present an English-language proficiency test result (TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL or MELAB) with the required minimum score. Applicants who do not meet the minimum and who are otherwise admissible are offered the opportunity to enrol in Laurentian’s English Academic Preparation (EAP) Program. Please refer to the website of Laurentian International for more details.

For Current Students

The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours)

Total 120 credits

Students may complete a major in Computer Science as part of a double major or in combination with a minor. Students wishing to specialize in Computer Science must enroll in the B.Cosc. program.

Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.

Students electing for the B.Cosc. degree must follow these regulations:

• Maximum of 78 credits allowed in Computer Science
• Maximum of 48 credits allowed at First Year level
• It is recommended that COSC students take the following electives: MATH 1036, 1037, 1057, 2057, STAT 2246
• The Honors degree designation will be given to a student who obtains an average of at least 5.5 (70 %) overall.
• Students are advised to consult an academic advisor on a regular basis to ensure that all required and elective course requirements are satisfied.
• Elective courses must include 18 credits satisfying three of the following four conditions:
  1) 6 credits from the Humanities
  2) 6 credits from the Social Sciences
  3) 6 credits from  the Sciences other than COSC or MATH
  4) 6 credits from Commerce, Education, Human Kinetics, Nursing, Social Work, or Sports Administration.

Note:    Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
 

 
Specialization in Computer Science (B.Cosc.)
First Year
COSC 1046E     Computer Science I
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II
COSC 1056E   OR   MATH 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I
21 elective credits#
 
Second Year
COSC 2006E     Data Structures
COSC 2056E   OR   MATH 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II
COSC 2306E     The UNIX Operating System
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2406E     Assembly Language Programming
COSC 2947E     Object Oriented Programming Using C++
12 elective credits#
 
Third Year
COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing
COSC 3127E     Programming Languages
COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
COSC 3406E     Computer Organization
COSC 3407E     Operating Systems I
15 elective credits#
 
Fourth Year
18 COSC credits at the 4000 level
12 COSC credits from:
     COSC 2206E     Internet Tools
     COSC 3000 or 4000 level courses
 

#Elective courses must include 18 credits satisfying three of the following four conditions:
1) 6 credits from the Humanities
2) 6 credits from the Social Sciences
3) 6 credits from  the Sciences other than COSC or MATH
4) 6 credits from Commerce, Education, Human Kinetics, Nursing, Social Work, or Sports Administration.

Specialization in Web Data Management (B.Cosc.)

First year:
COSC 1046E     Computer Science I    
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II  
COSC 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I 
21 elective credits#    

Second year:
COSC 2006E     Data Structures  
COSC 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II 
COSC 2206E     Internet Tools  
COSC 2306E     The Unix Operating System 
COSC 2307E     Database Programming 
COSC 2406E     Assembly Language Programming
12 elective credits#

Third year:
COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing 
COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis 
COSC 3406E     Computer Organization   
COSC 3407E     Operating Systems I 
COSC 3707E     Techniques of Systems Analysis 
COSC 3807E     Introduction to Computer Networks 
12 elective credits#

Fourth year:
COSC 4606E     Data Management Systems 
COSC 4806E     Web Database Management 
24 credits in COSC electives from (COSC 3807, 3XXX, COSC 4XXX), with a minimum of 12 credits at the 4000 level

#Elective courses must include 18 credits satisfying three of the following four conditions:
1) 6 credits from the Humanities
2) 6 credits from the Social Sciences
3) 6 credits from  the Sciences other than COSC or MATH
4) 6 credits from Commerce, Education, Human Kinetics, Nursing, Social Work, or Sports Administration.

Specialization in Game Design (B.Cosc.)

First year:
COSC-1046E     Computer Science I 
COSC-1047E     Computer Science II 
COSC-1056E     Discrete Mathematics I 
21 elective credits#
 
Second year:
COSC-2006E     Data Structures 
COSC-2026E     User Interface Design
COSC-2056E     Discrete Mathematics II 
COSC-2306E     The UNIX Operating System  
COSC-2307E     Database Programming 
COSC-2406E     Assembly Language Programming 
COSC-2947E     Object Oriented Programming Using C++ 
9 elective credits#
 
Third year:
COSC-3127E     Programming Languages  
COSC-3026E     Game Design I 
COSC-3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis 
COSC-3406E     Computer Organization  
COSC-3407E     Operating Systems I   
15 elective credits#

Fourth year:
COSC 4026E     Game Design II
COSC 4926E     Human Computer Interaction 
COSC 4086E     Fourth Year Project 
3 Credits from :
     COSC 4117E     Artificial Intelligence
     COSC 4306E     Computer Graphics
6 Credits at the 4000 level
9 COSC credits from:
     COSC-2206E     Internet Tools
     COSC 3000 or 4000 level courses
3 elective credits#

#Elective courses must include 18 credits satisfying three of the following four conditions:
1) 6 credits from the Humanities
2) 6 credits from the Social Sciences
3) 6 credits from  the Sciences other than COSC or MATH
4) 6 credits from Commerce, Education, Human Kinetics, Nursing, Social Work, or Sports Administration.

Specialization in Computer Science with a Major in Mathematics (B.Cosc.)

First Year
COSC 1046E     Computer Science I
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II
MATH 1036E     Calculus I
MATH 1037E     Calculus II
MATH 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I
MATH 1057E     Linear Algebra I
COSC 2836E     Computer Software for Sciences
9 elective credits#
 
Second Year
COSC 2006E     Data Structures
COSC 2306E     The UNIX Operating System
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2406E     Assembly Language Programming
COSC 2947E     Object Oriented Programming Using C++
MATH 2037E     Advanced Calculus
MATH 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II
MATH 2057E     Linear Algebra II
MATH 2066E     Differential Equations
STAT 2246E     Statistics for Sciences
 
Third Year
COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing
COSC 3127E     Programming Languages
COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
COSC 3406E     Computer Organization
COSC 3407E     Operating Systems I
MATH 3036E     Real Analysis
MATH 3056E     Algebra I
MATH 3236E     Probability and Statistics
MATH 3416E     Numerical Methods I
3 elective credits#
 
Fourth Year
18 COSC credits at the 4000 level
12 COSC credits from:
     COSC 2206E     Internet Tools
     COSC 3000 or 4000 level courses
 
# must include 6 credits from the Arts

Major in Computer Science

COSC 1046E     Computer Science I
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II
COSC 1056E   OR   MATH 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I
COSC 2006E     Data Structures
COSC 2056E   OR   MATH 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II
COSC 2306E     The UNIX Operating System
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2406E     Assembly Language Programming
COSC 2947E     Object Oriented Programming using C++
9 credits from:
     COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing
     COSC 3127E     Programming Languages
     COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
     COSC 3406E     Computer Organization
     COSC 3407E     Operating Systems I
6 credits from:
     COSC 2206E     Internet Tools
     COSC electives at the 3000 or 4000 level

78 elective credits

Notes: 

• Students must ensure they have another major or a minor in order to graduate. Students need to ensure they meet either the B.Sc. or the BA requirements in order to graduate.
• Students in a BA may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program, while a student in a B.Sc. may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree

Major in Web Data Management
COSC 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I
COSC 1801E     Introduction to E-Commerce
COSC 2006E     Data Structures I     
COSC 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II
COSC 2206E     Internet Tools   
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2306E     The Unix Operating System
COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing
COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis     
COSC 3707E     Techniques of Systems Analysis
COSC 3806E     Enterprise Application Software
COSC 3807E     Introduction to Computer Networks  
COSC 4606E     Data Management Systems
COSC 4806E     Web Database Management

Notes: 

• Students must ensure they have another major or a minor in order to graduate. Students need to ensure they meet either the B.Sc. or the BA requirements in order to graduate.
• Students in a BA may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program, while a student in a B.Sc. may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree

 
Major in Game Design
COSC 1046E     Computer Science I
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II
COSC 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I
COSC 2006E     Data Structures
COSC 2026E     User Interface Design
COSC 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2947E     Object Oriented Programming Using C++
COSC 3026E     Game Design I
COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
COSC 4026E     Game Design II
COSC 4086E     Fourth Year Project
COSC 4306E     Computer Graphics I  OR  COSC 4117 Artificial Intelligence
COSC 4926E     Human Computer Interaction

Notes: 

• Students must ensure they have another major or a minor in order to graduate. Students need to ensure they meet either the B.Sc. or the BA requirements in order to graduate.
• Students in a BA may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program, while a student in a B.Sc. may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree

Bachelor of Arts or Science (General) in Computer Science

Total 90 credits

Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.

Concentration in Computer Science - Bachelor of Arts

All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.

Although the requirements have been slotted in first year in the description below, students may fulfill them at any time during their studies.

Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.

Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization. 

First Year
COSC 1046E     Computer Science I
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II
COSC 1056E   OR   MATH 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I
6 elective credits of lingistic awarness (see regulations)
6 elective credits in Indigenous content (starting 2017)**
9 elective credits
 
Second Year
COSC 2006E     Data Structures
COSC 2056E   OR   MATH 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II
COSC 2306E     The UNIX Operating System
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2406E     Assembly Language Programming
15 elective credits
 
Third Year
9 credits from:
     COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing
     COSC 3127E     Programming Languages
     COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
     COSC 3406E     Computer Organization
     COSC 3407E     Operating Systems I
3 credits from:
     COSC 2206E     Internet Tools
     COSC 2947E     Object Oriented Programming using C++
     COSC electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
18 elective credits
 
Note:  Students must include a minimum of 36 credits in the Arts in their degree program.
          Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
 
Concentration in Computer Science - Bachelor of Science
First Year
CHMI 1006E     General Chemistry I*
COSC 1046E     Computer Science I
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II
COSC 1056E   OR   MATH 1056E     Discrete Mathematics I
MATH 1036E     Calculus I**
MATH 1037E     Calculus II
MATH 1057E     Linear Algebra I
PHYS 1006E     Introductory Physics I   OR   PHYS 1206E     Physics for the Life Science I
PHYS 1007E     Introductory Physics II   OR   PHYS 1207E     Physics for the Life Science II
3 elective credits#
 
*  Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry may take CHMI 1041 in place of CHMI 1006.
 
** Students lacking grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or who have attained a grade of less than 60% must first take MATH 1912.
 
Second Year
COSC 2006E     Data Structures
COSC 2056E   OR   MATH 2056E     Discrete Mathematics II
COSC 2306E     The UNIX Operating System
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2406E     Assembly Language Programming
15 elective credits#
 
Third Year
9 credits from:
     COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing
     COSC 3127E     Programming Languages
     COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
     COSC 3406E     Computer Organization
     COSC 3407E     Operating Systems I
3 credits from:
     COSC 2206E     Internet Tools
     COSC 2947E     Object Oriented Programming Using C++
     COSC 3000 or 4000 level courses
   18 elective credits#
 
#  Students must include a minimum of 12 credits from the Arts.
 
Note:    Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
 
 

Minor in Computer Science

COSC 1046E     Computer Science I
COSC 1047E     Computer Science II
COSC 2006E     Data Structures
COSC 2947E     Object Oriented programming Using C++
6 credits from:
     COSC 2206E     Internet Tools
     COSC 2306E     The UNIX Operating System
     COSC 2307E     Database Programming
     COSC 2406E     Assembly Language Programming
6 credits from:
     COSC 3106E     Theory of Computing
     COSC 3127E     Programming Languages
     COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
     COSC 3406E     Computer Organization
     COSC 3407E     Operating Systems I 
  
Minor in Web Data Management
COSC 1801E     Introduction to Ecommerce
COSC 2206E     Internet Tools
COSC 2307E     Database Programming
COSC 2306E     The Unix Operating System
COSC 3707E     Techniques of Systems Analysis
COSC 3806E     Enterprise Application Software
COSC 4606E     Data Management Systems
COSC 4806E     Web Database Management
 
Minor in Game Design
COSC 2006E      Data Structures
COSC 2026E     User Interface Design
COSC 2947E     Object Oriented Programming Using C++
COSC 3026E     Game Design I
COSC 3207E     Algorithm Design and Analysis
COSC 4026E     Game Design II
COSC 4926E     Human Computer Interaction
One of COSC 4306E     Computer Graphics I   OR   COSC 4117E     Artificial Intelligence

Coop Education Option
Cooperative education combines academic instruction and practical experience allowing students to develop work skills and gain experience while obtaining a formal education. The work-study sequence in Computer Science consists of eight study terms interspersed with four work terms. The first work term takes place during the winter (January-April) semester of 2nd year.

The co-op option is only available to full-time students in the B.Co.Sc. program who apply to the program after successfully completing 1st year. Students must have a minimum of 70% in COSC 1046, 1047 and
1056, an overall average of 70% in 1st year (based on 30 credits) and a satisfactory mid-term evaluation for the fall term of 2nd year. Students who do not fulfill all of these requirements may be considered on a
case-by-case basis.

Interviews are held in the fall term of 2nd year to evaluate each student’s readiness. A portion of the administration fee, charged at the time of application, is non-refundable. Students who are not selected
for the co-op option receive the refundable amount. Successful applicants must agree to provide academic transcripts to potential employers.

Co-op students may have limited choices in arts and science elective courses and, without careful planning, may not meet all of the elective requirements for their degree. Consequently, those interested in the co-op option are required to consult the program coordinator at every stage of their studies, especially before registering in 1st year.

Co-op students must be enrolled full time and maintain good academic status in accordance with the academic regulations specified herein. In addition, a student who fails one or more courses in a study term is subject to an interview with the chair and may be required to withdraw from the co-op option.

Co-op students must write a work term report after each work semester and their employer will provide an assessment of their performance in the workplace. The department will review both reports and assign a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) for the work term, which will appear on the transcript as non-credit courses COSC 0001, 0002, 0003 and 0004. A “U” normally results in a student’s withdrawal from the
co-op option. In this case, the student can revert to the regular program provided that he/she has maintained good academic standing.