2001-2002 Undergraduate Calendar

Computer Science

 

Chair

Jonathan Radue

Ivo Düntsch (effective of July 1, 2002)

Associate Professors

Jerzy Barchanski, David Hughes, Thomas Jenkyns, David McCarthy, Jonathan Radue, Brian Ross, Vladimir Wojcik

Assistant Professors

Sheridan Houghten, Beatrice Ombuki

Adjunct Professor

Jack Miller

Instructor

David Bockus

Student Support Co-ordinator

Gord Dunkley

Mentor

Bao-ling Bork

Co-op Program Co-ordinator

Kristine Dawson

 

General Information

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Administrative Assistant

Deborah Shiers

905-688-5550, extension 3513

Mackenzie Chown, J314

http://www.cosc.brocku.ca/

The Department of Computer Science offers three- and four-year programs of study leading to single or combined BSc (honours), single Computer Science Co-op BSc (honours), single BSc with a Major in Computer Science, combined BA (honours) and a three year single BSc pass degree program. There are two concentrations available as part of an honours program: software engineering and intelligent systems. An Internship program is also available in the honours program. There are cross-disciplinary programs in Computing and Business, Computing and Solid-State Device Technology and the Information Technology stream in the Department of Communications, Popular Culture and Film.

See relevant calendar entries for a listing of program requirements.

 

Co-op Program

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The Computer Science Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a four and one-half year period. Students spend two years in an academic setting studying the fundamentals of computer pro-gramming, algorithms, data-structures, database systems and object-oriented programming prior to their first work placement. Successful completion of courses in the core areas of Computer Science provides the necessary academic background for the work experience. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Co-op students are assessed an annual administration fee (see the Schedule of Fees).

Admission to the Computer Science Co-op program is on the basis of marks and a review of personal résumés. An interview may be required. The normal requirement is a minimum 75 percent average on 6 OACs including two OAC Mathematics including calculus (with a minimum 75 percent grade on at least one mathematics) and one OAC English. As this is a limited enrolment program admission is subject to employer availability. The Computer Science Co-op Admission Committee will facilitate admissions decisions. Prospective students with lower grades may be accepted. For additional information, prospective students should contact the department.

Students admitted to the Computer Science Co-op program must follow the Co-op program. Failure to ahear to the schedule may result in the removal from the Computer Science porgram. Eligibility to continue is based on the students major average and non-major average. Students will be required to maintain a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent minor average in order to continue in the Co-op program. If a student subsequently raises his/her major average to 70 percent, the student may be readmitted only if approved by the Computer Science Co-op Admissions Committee.

The Computer Science Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months Co-op work experience.

 

Internship Option

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The Internship option combines academic and work experience in a five-year program. It is available in Computer Science honours (single or combined), Computing and Business and Computing and Solid-State Device Technology programs. Students complete the normal four-year honours program and an 8-16 month work placement after second or third year. In order to complete the Internship placement, students will be required to submit an acceptable placement report which will be graded by the Department. In addition to the usual fees for courses, a one-time administration fee will be levied during the work term (see the Schedule of Fees).

Students enrolled in the program may apply for admission to the Internship Option during the Fall Term of year 1 or year 2 (depending on whether they plan a work term after year 2 or 3, respectively). As this is a limited enrolment program admission is subject to employer availability. Admission will be based on the achievement (as of January of the application year) and maintenance of a minimum 75 percent major average. Prior to the placement, the student must have completed at least 10, but preferably 15 credits, including COSC 1P12, 2P03, 2P32 and 2P91 and one or more of COSC 2P13, 2P50, 2P89. The Computer Science Internship Admissions Committee will make admission decisions.

 

Department Facilities

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A campus-wide fibre optic network links all the University's academic computing facilities. The department's computers form an integral part of this resource. Most computers on campus can be accessed from microcomputers in any of the laboratories. In particular, the department maintains two laboratories of Silicon Graphics O2 UNIX work stations (J327, J333) served by a 16 CPU Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 server. The department has two microcomputer laboratories: J301 and J310 containing Pentium PCs. Students also have access to scanners, a CD-ROM recorder, video cards, digitizers, robot arms, a mobile robot, a robot vision system, transputers and computer graphics software (Alias/Wavefront Maya, SoftImage), and database software (ORACLE, Access).

 

Computer Based Training

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Modules covering a wide range of topics in computer use leading to Microsoft certification at a variety of levels are available.

 

Telephone Access

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Brock's computing facilities and those of the department are accessible via telephone using a modem. Speeds up to 28.8 Kbps are supported for both remote terminal and SLIP/PPP access. A nominal fee is charged for this service. Students in residence may also obtain a direct network connection from their room. See the section titled "Academic Computing Information" at the beginning of this Calendar for more information.

 

Printer Usage Fees

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A non-refundable printer usage fee may be charged for all courses which use departmental or User Services laboratories. Additional printing beyond the initial quota will incur an additional fee.

 

Service Courses

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COSC 1P90, 1P93, 1P98 and 1P99 are intended for non-Computer Science majors who require an introduction to the use of computers. Students without previous computing experience are directed to COSC 1P90. COSC 1P98 is more appropriate for those with experience. COSC 1P93 is intended for students who require an introduction to programming. COSC 1P99 introduces the Internet and its resources and is open to all, but some previous computing experience is desirable. These courses may not be held for major credit by COSC (single or combined) majors, Computing and Business students or Computing and Solid-state Device Technology students.

 

Major Credits

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In calculating the major average for a Computer Science major or co-major, all COSC courses (with the exception of the service courses COSC 1P90, 1P93, 1P98 and 1P99), MATH 1P66, 1P67, 3F65 and 4P61 are included.

 

Mathematics in Computer Science

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Mathematics is fundamental to the study of Computer Science and thus MATH credits are required in each year of the honours and pass degrees. In order to be more competitive in the workplace and if considering graduate studies, students are strongly encouraged to take as many MATH courses as possible.

 

Computer Hardware

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Students interested in computer hardware are advised to elect PHYS 2P31, 2P92 and 3P92 within their Computer Science program. One of PHYS 1F20, 1F25 or 1F90 is a prerequisite for PHYS 2P31. Students may also wish to consider the Computing and Solid-state Device Technology program. (See separate calendar entry.)

 

Program Notes

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1.  Prior computer programming experience is not required for entry to the COSC programs. Students with considerable prior programming experience in a high-level language such as Pascal, Modula-2, C or Ada may be granted exemption from COSC 1P02 at the discretion of the Chair.  
2.  In choosing electives, students should consider: MGMT 1P91, 1P92, WRIT 2P15 and, if considering graduate school, additional MATH courses. Students are advised to take special care in selecting elective credits (both COSC and general), especially in year three, to ensure access to subsequent courses required to complete the four-year programs. Students without high-school calculus should consider electing MATH 1P97 as a preliminary to later taking MATH 1P01 and 1P02.  
3.  MATH 1P01 and 1P02 for Chemistry; MATH 1P97 and 1P98 for Earth Sciences.  
4.  PHYS 1F20 or 1F90 for Chemistry and Earth Sciences.  
5.  PHYS 2P20, 2P50 and 2P51 are prerequisites for year 3 PHYS courses.  
6.  One elective credit if the required course in year 1 in the other discipline is a Social Science context credit or Humanities context credit for the combined degree with Social Science context credit or Humanities context credit, respectively.  
7.  Students may take MATH 1P01 and 1P02 in place of MATH 1P97 and 1P98 in year 1. MATH 1P98 would then be taken in year 2 in place of a one-half credit elective.  
8.  A student who does not achieve a 60 percent in a prerequisite course is strongly advised to upgrade the mark in the course before proceeding.  
9.  For students with a special interest in geographic information systems, the following courses are strongly recommended as GEOG and COSC elective credits: GEOG 3P04, 3P05, 3P07, COSC 3P98.  
10.  In all 20 credit degree programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, three of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above.  

Honours Programs

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P12 (see program note 1)
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one Humanities context credit
- one Science context credit
- one-half elective credit (see program note 2)

Year 2

- COSC 2P03, 2P13, 2P32, 2P50 and 2P90
- MATH 1P01 and 1P02
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98
- one Social Science context credit.

Year 3

- COSC 2P91 or 2P93
- COSC 3F00
- one of COSC 3P01, 3P71, 3P92
- one COSC credit
- MATH 3F65
- one elective credit (see program note 2)

Year 4

- Three COSC credits (see program note 10)
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98 (not taken in year 2)
- MATH 4P61
- one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 10)
 

Computer Science Co-op (honours only)

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Students admitted to the Computer Science program must follow the program schedule as listed below. Failure to adhere may result in removal from the program.

Year 1

- COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P12 (see program note 1)
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one Humanities context credit
- one Science context credit
- one-half elective credit (see program note 2)

Year 2

- COSC 2P03, 2P13, 2P32, 2P50 and 2P90
- MATH 1P01 and 1P02
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98
- SCIE 0N90
- one Social Science context credit

Summer Term:

- COSC 0N01

Year 3

- COSC 3F00
- COSC 2P91 or 2P93
- one of COSC 3P01, 3P71, 3P92
- one COSC credit
- MATH 3F65
- one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 10)

Year 4

Fall Term:

- COSC 0N02

Winter Term:

- COSC 0N03

Summer Term:

- one and one-half COSC credits (see program note 10)
- one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 10)

Year 5

Fall Term:

- one and one half COSC credits (see program note 10)
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98 (not taken in year 2)
- MATH 4P61
 

BSc with a Major Program

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P12 (see program note 1)
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one Humanities context credit
- one Science context credit
- one-half elective credit (see program note 2)

Year 2

- COSC 2P03, 2P13, 2P32, 2P50 and 2P90
- MATH 1P01 and 1P02 or MATH 1P97 and one-half elective credit
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98
- one Social Science context credit

Year 3

- COSC 3F00
- one of COSC 2P91, 2P93
- one and one-half COSC credits
- MATH 3F65
- one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 10)

Year 4

- Three COSC credits (see program note 10)
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98 (not taken in year 2)
- one of MATH 2P71, 2P72, 3P60, 4P61, 4P71, 4P72
- one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 10)
 

Pass Program

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P12 (see program note 1)
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one Humanities context credit
- one Science context credit
- one-half elective credit (see program note 2)

Year 2

- COSC 2P03, 2P13, 2P32, 2P50 and 2P90
- MATH 1P01 and 1P02 or MATH 1P97 and one-half elective credit
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98
- one Social Science context credit

Year 3

- COSC 2P91 or 2P93
- COSC 3F00
- one and one-half COSC credits (see program note 10)
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98 (not taken in year 2)
- one of MATH 2P71, 2P72, 3P60, 4P61, 4P71, 4P72, or MATH 3F65
- one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 10)
 

Computer Science as a Second Degree Program

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A student holding an honours or pass degree in another discipline may obtain a BSc with a Major in Computer Science or a BSc (pass) degree. Students should refer to the University regulations concerning "Requirements for a Second or Subsequent Degree" section for further information. Previous or transfer credits may be used to satisfy some of the following requirements.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an acceptable level of fluency and accuracy in spoken and written English. Prior to admission, an applicant holding a degree from a non-Canadian university will be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency as demonstrated through one of the means outlined in the "Proof of Proficiency in English" section.

The additional courses taken for a second degree in Computer Science must include a minimum of five (for a subsequent 20 credit degree) or four (for a second pass degree) Brock COSC credits. All elective credits should be at the 2(alpha)00 level or above.

A second degree program is often taken as part-time study since the normal prerequisite structure requires a minimum of four (for 20 credit) or three (for pass) years of study. A student wishing to pursue full-time study can usually complete the program in three (for 20 credit) or two (for pass) years by following the pattern of study below.

Permission to take COSC 3F00 concurrent with COSC 2P32 must be sought from the Chair of the Department to complete this pattern.

 

BSc with a Major

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P12
- MATH 1P12 or 1P98
- MATH 1P66, 1P67 and 1P97

Spring Term:

- COSC 2P03

Year 2

- COSC 2P13, 2P32, 2P50, 2P90 and 3F00
- one-half COSC credit
- one-half COSC credit numbered 2(alpha)90 level or above

Year 3

- Three COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first two years of the above BSc with a Major program entitles the student to apply for a pass degree.

 

Combined Major Programs

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The COSC requirements for combined major programs with all other disciplines are outlined below. For specific co-major requirements, consult the co-major department.

 

BSc (honours) Computer Science and another Science

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one MATH credit (see program note 3)
- one credit in the co-major discipline
- one Social Science context credit

Year 2

- COSC 1P12 and 2P03
- one Science credit (see program note 4)
- two credits in the co-major discipline
- one Humanities context credit

Year 3

- COSC 2P13, 2P32, 2P50 and 2P90
- MATH 1P12
- two credits in co-major discipline
- one-half elective credit

Year 4

- COSC 3F00
- two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
- two credits in the co-major discipline numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
 

BSc (honours) Computer Science and Mathematics

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
- MATH 1P01, 1P02, 1P66 and 1P67
- one Science context credit
- one Social Science context credit

Year 2

- COSC 1P12, 2P03, 2P32 and 2P90
- MATH 1P12, 1P40, 2P03 and 2P81
- one Humanities context credit

Year 3

- COSC 2P13, 2P50 and 3F00
- MATH 2F40, 2P82 and 3F65
- one-half elective credit

Year 4

- Two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
- MATH 3P60, 4P61
- one MATH credit (see program note 10)
- one elective credit
 

BSc (honours) Computer Science and Physics

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
- one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90 (preferred)
- MATH 1P01 1P02, 1P66 and 1P67
- one Social Science context credit

Year 2

- COSC 1P12 and 2P03
- MATH 2F05
- PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50 and 2P51 (see program note 5)
- one Humanities context credit

Year 3

- COSC 2P13, 2P32, 2P50 and 2P90
- MATH 1P12
- two credits from MATH 3P08, 4P09, PHYS 3P20, 3P35, 3P36, 3P41, 3P70
- one-half elective credit

Year 4

- COSC 3F00
- two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
- two credits from PHYS 4F50, 4F90, 4P41, 4P70
 

BA (honours) or BSc (honours) Computer Science and a Humanities or a Social Science

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one credit in the co-major discipline
- one Science context credit
- one Social Science context credit (see program note 6)

Year 2

- COSC 1P12, 2P03, 2P32 and 2P90
- two credits in the co-major discipline
- one Humanities context credit (see program note 6)

Year 3

- COSC 2P13, 2P50 and 3F00
- MATH 1P97 and 1P98
- two credits in the co-major discipline

Year 4

- Two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
- two credits in the co-major discipline numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
- one elective credit
 

BA (honours) or BSc (honours) Computer Science and Economics

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
- ECON 1P91 and 1P92
- MATH 1P66, 1P67, 1P97 and 1P98 (see program note 7)
- one Science context credit

Year 2

- COSC 1P12, 2P03, 2P32 and 2P90
- ECON 2P21, 2P22, 2P31 and 2P32
- one Humanities context credit

Year 3

- COSC 2P13, 2P50 and 3F00
- ECON 2P90
- one and one-half ECON credits numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
- one elective credit

Year 4

- Two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
- ECON 3P90, 3P91, 4P13 and 4P14
- one elective credit
 

BA (honours) Computer Science and Geography

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
- GEOG 1F90
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one Humanities context credit
- one Science context credit

Year 2

- COSC 1P12, 2P03, 2P32 and 2P90
- GEOG 2P07 and 2P10
- one credit from GEOG 2P02, 2P03, 2P06
- MATH 1P97 and 1P98

Year 3

- COSC 2P13, 2P50 and 3F00
- GEOG 3P57
- one and one-half GEOG credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group A or C (see program note 9) (see Geography entry)
- one elective credit

Year 4

- Two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 9)
- GEOG 4F99
- one GEOG credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group A or C (see Geography entry)
- one elective credit
 

BSc (honours) Computer Science and Geography

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Year 1

- COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
- GEOG 1F91
- MATH 1P66 and 1P67
- one Humanities context credit
- one Social Science context credit

Year 2

- COSC 1P12, 2P03, 2P32 and 2P90
- GEOG 2P07 and 2P11
- one credit from GEOG 2P04, 2P05, 2P09
- MATH 1P97 and 1P98

Year 3

- COSC 2P13, 2P50 and 3F00
- GEOG 3P56
- one and one-half GEOG credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group B or C (see program note 9) (see Geography entry)
- one elective credit

Year 4

- Two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 9)
- GEOG 4F99
- one GEOG credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group B or C (see Geography entry)
- one elective credit
 

Concentration Programs

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Concentration in Software Engineering

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This concentration does not lead to a professional engineering degree.

Students can earn a Concentration in Software Engineering by successfully completing the courses listed below as part of their academic work leading to an honours BSc in Computer Science degree.

- COSC 2P03, 2P13, 2P90, 2P91, 3F00 and 3P01
- MATH 3F65 and 4P61
- one credit from COSC 3P92, 3P94, 4F90, 4P03, 4P13, 4P14, 4P75

Upon completion of the sequence, the designation "Concentration in Software Engineering" will be added to the student's transcript and diploma.

 

Concentration in Intelligent Systems

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Students can earn a Concentration in Intelligent Systems by successfully completing the courses listed below as part of their academic work leading to an honours BSc in Computer Science degree.

- COSC 2P03, 2P32, 2P90, 2P93, 3F00 and 3P71
- MATH 3F65 and 4P61
- one credit from COSC 4F90, 4P76, 4P77, 4P78, 4P79

Upon completion of the sequence, the designation "Concentration in Software Engineering" will be added to the student's transcript and diploma.

http://www.BrockU.CA/registrar/

http://www.BrockU.CA/registrar/

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science

 
Last updated: December 5, 2001 @ 09:42AM