• Home
• Courses
• Search
• Contents
• Previous Page
• Next Page
• Login
• Printable
  Version

Computer Science General Information Co-op Program Internship Option Department Facilities Wireless Access Printer Usage Fees Service Courses Major Credits Mathematics in Computer Science Computer Hardware Program Notes Honours Programs Computer Science Co-op (honours only) BSc with a Major Program Pass Program Computer Science as a Second Degree Program BSc with a Major Combined Major Programs BSc (honours) Computer Science and another Science BSc (honours) Computer Science and Mathematics BSc Computer Science and Mathematics Co-op (honours only) BSc (honours) Computer Science and Physics BA (honours) or BSc (honours) Computer Science and a Humanities or a Social Science BA (honours) or BSc (honours) Computer Science and Economics BA (honours) Computer Science and Geography BSc (honours) Computer Science and Geography Concentration Programs Concentration in Software Engineering Concentration in Intelligent Systems Course Descriptions

Computer Science
Chair Ivo Düntsch Professor Ivo Düntsch 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 Gordon Dunkley Mentor Boa-ling Bork Director, Co-operative Programs Cindy Dunne
General Information
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), combined Mathematics/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
The Computer Science Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a four and one-half year period. Students spend one and one-half years in an academic setting studying the fundamentals of computer programming, algorithms, data-structures 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, a review of personal résumés and employer availability. An interview may be required. The normal requirement is a minimum 80 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 not guaranteed by attainment of the minimum requirement. 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 Co-op Office. Students admitted to the Computer Science Co-op program must follow an approved Co-op pattern. Failure to adhere to the pattern may result in the removal from the Computer Science Co-op program. Eligibility to continue is based on the student's major average and non-major average. Students will be required to maintain a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major 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
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 not guaranteed by attainment of the minimum requirement. Admission will be based on the achievement (as of January of the application year) and maintenance of a minimum 70 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 2P90 and one or more of COSC 2P13, 2P50, 2P89. The Computer Science Internship Admissions Committee will make admission decisions.
Department Facilities
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 a laboratory of Silicon Graphics O2 UNIX work stations (J327) served by a 16 CPU Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 server. The department has three microcomputer laboratories: D205, 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, computer graphics software (Bryce, Poser, SoftImage), and database software (ORACLE, Access).
Wireless Access
In order to accommodate students who own laptops, the Department has wireless Internet connection available. Suitable PCMCIA cards need to be fitted to the laptop.
Printer Usage Fees
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
COSC 1P93, 1P95 and 1P96 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 1P95. COSC 1P93 is intended for students who require an introduction to programming. COSC 1P96 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
In calculating the major average for a Computer Science major or co-major, all COSC courses (with the exception of the service courses COSC 1P93, 1P95 and 1P96), MATH 1P66, 1P67, 3F65 and 4P61 are included.
Mathematics in Computer Science
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
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
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, Java, 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.  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.   9.  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
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, 1P02 and 1P12 one Social Science context credit. Year 3 COSC 2P91 or 2P93 COSC 3F00 one of COSC 3P01, 3P71, 3P92 one COSC credit (see program note 9) MATH 3F65 one elective credit (see program note 2) Year 4 Three COSC credits (see program note 9) MATH 1P98 and 4P61 one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9)
Computer Science Co-op (honours only)
Students admitted to the Computer Science program must follow an approved program pattern. The most common pattern is listed below. For other approved patterns, consult the Co-op Office. Failure to adhere to an approved pattern 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 Fall Term: COSC 2P03, 2P13 and 2P90 MATH 1P01 and 1P12 SCIE 0N90 Winter Term: COSC 0N01 Spring/Summer Sessions: COSC 2P32 and 2P50 MATH 1P98 one elective credit (see program note 2) Year 3 COSC 3F00 COSC 2P91 or 2P93 one of COSC 3P01, 3P71, 3P92 one-half COSC credit (see program note 9) MATH 1P02 and 3F65 one Social Science context credit Spring/Summer Sessions: COSC 0N02 Year 4 Fall Term: COSC 0N03 Winter Term: one and one-half COSC credits (see program note 9) one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9) Spring/Summer Sessions: COSC 0N04 (optional) Year 5 Fall Term: two COSC credits (see program note 9) MATH 4P61
BSc with a Major 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 or MATH 1P97 and one-half elective credit MATH 1P12 one Social Science context credit Year 3 COSC 3F00 COSC 2P91 or 2P93 one and one-half COSC credits (see program note 9) MATH 3F65 one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9) Year 4 Three COSC credits (see program note 9) MATH 1P98 one of MATH 2P71, 2P72, 3P60, 4P61, 4P71, 4P72 one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9)
Pass 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 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 9) MATH 1P12 or 1P98 (not taken in year 2) one of MATH 2P71, 2P72, 3P60, 4P61, 4P71, 4P72, and one-half elective credit, or MATH 3F65 one-half elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9)
Computer Science as a Second Degree Program
A student holding an honours or pass degree in another discipline may obtain a BSc (honours) in Computer Science, 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 to complete this pattern. Honours Year 1 COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P12 MATH 1P12, 1P66, 1P67 and 1P97 Spring/Summer Sessions: COSC 2P03 Year 2 COSC 2P13, 2P32, 2P50, 2P90 and 3F00 COSC 2P91 or 2P93 one of COSC 3P01, 3P71, 3P92 Year 3 Two and one-half COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above MATH 3F65 and 4P61
BSc with a Major
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
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
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
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 9) one elective credit
BSc Computer Science and Mathematics Co-op (honours only)
Consult the Mathematics entry for a listing of program requirements.
BSc (honours) Computer Science and Physics
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
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
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
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 Geography entry) (see program note 8) one elective credit Year 4 Two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 8) 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
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 Geography entry) (see program note 8) one elective credit Year 4 Two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 8) GEOG 4F99 one GEOG credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group B or C (see Geography entry) one elective credit
Concentration Programs
Concentration in Software Engineering
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
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 Intelligent Systems" will be added to the student's transcript and diploma.