Computer Science

Chair

Ke Qiu

Professor Emeritus

Jack M. Miller

Professors

Ivo Düntsch, Sheridan Houghten, Beatrice Ombuki-Berman, Ke Qiu, Brian Ross, Michael Winter

Associate Professors

David Hughes, David McCarthy, Jonathan Radue, Vladimir Wojcik

Adjunct Professors

Joseph Brown, Jack Miller, Robert Teather

Instructor

David Bockus

Student Support Co-ordinator

Christine Keith

Senior Laboratory Co-ordinator/Demonstrator/Mentor

Baoling Bork

Director, Co-operative Programs

Cara Boese

General Information

Administrative Assistant

Donna Phelps

905-688-5550, extension 3513

Mackenzie Chown, J314

cosc.brocku.ca

The Department of Computer Science offers 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 Major in Computer Science and combined BA (Honours) degree program. Two concentrations are available: 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, Computing and Network Communications, Game Programming, and Interactive Arts and Sciences as well as a Minor in Applied Computing.

See relevant calendar entries for a listing of program requirements.

Domain Knowledge Requirement for Practicing Computer Science Professionals

It is widely recognized that the professional practice of Computer Science requires Domain Knowledge - specialized knowledge of the area in which computing is being applied. This phenomenon is often described as Computer Science + X. In order to prepare students for professional practice, the BSc (Honours) Co-op and BSc with Major programs require the completion of the domain knowledge requirement. Students following the BSc (Honours) program must either complete the courses for graduate school entry (see below) or complete the Domain Knowledge Requirement.

The domain knowledge requirement can be fulfilled either by completing a minor in a subject other than Applied Computing or by completing a cohesive set of at least 4.0 credits in an area other than Computer Science or Applied Computing approved by the Computer Science Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Graduate School Entry Requirement

Students pursuing the BSc (Honours) program must either complete the courses for graduate school entry: two additional credits from COSC 3P99, 4F90, 4P03, 4P42, MATH 2P12, 2P81, 2P92, 2P97, 2P98, 3P12, 3P73, 4P71, 4P92; or the Domain Knowledge Requirement (see above).

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, computer organization, algorithms, data structures and ethics 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).

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.

All students in the Co-operative Education program are required to read, sign and adhere to the terms of the Student Regulations Waiver and Co-op Student Handbook (brocku.ca/co-op/current-students/co-op-student-handbooks) as articulated by the Co-op Programs Office. In addition, eligibility to continue in the co-op option is based on the student's major average and non-major average, and the ability to demonstrate the motivation and potential to pursue a professional career.

Students must register for each four-month co-operative education work term. Once students are registered in a co-op work term, they are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the placement accepted is for more than one four-month work term, students are committed to complete all terms. Students may not withdraw from or terminate a work term without permission from the Director, Co-op Program Office.

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 that 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 1P50, 2P03, 2P89 and one or more of COSC 2P12, 2P13, 3P32, 3P50. The Computer Science Internship Admissions Committee will make admission decisions.

Applied Computing (APCO) Courses

Courses with the APCO designation are intended for non-Computer Science majors who recognize the need for fluency in computing as a part of their undergraduate program. These courses may be taken individually or as part of a minor.

APCO 1P00, 1P01, 1P30, 1P50 and 1P93 may each be taken as a first APCO course. APCO 1P00 is a non-technical introduction to programming and requires no previous experience. APCO 1P01 discusses software tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases and searching the internet and anticipates previous exposure to computer use. APCO 1P30 involves programming for interactive media and assumes no prior programming experience but does assume familiarity with computer applications. APCO 1P50 considers effective and ethical use of computers for information acquisition and dissemination. It requires no previous computing skill. APCO 1P93 will usually serve as a second programming course but can also serve as an introductory programming course for those who need a more technical introduction to programming.

APCO courses do not count as major credit for COSC (single or combined) majors, Computing and Business, Computing and Network Communications and Computing and Solid-State Device Technology students. Students who have done well in APCO 1P00 and are interested in changing their major to COSC should contact the Department Chair and may be permitted to proceed directly to COSC 1P03.

Department Facilities

A campus-wide fibre optic network links all the University's academic computing facilities including the department's computers. Campus-wide WiFi provides access to this network from anywhere on campus. The department maintains a 16 core Redhat Linux server that supports the departmental labs and provides students with access to their files wherever they can connect via the internet. The department has three computer laboratories: D205, J301 and J310 containing multi-core Intel processor computers running both Windows and Linux operating systems with access to development environments, database systems and other special purpose software used in the courses.

Printer Usage Fees

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

Major Credits

In calculating the major average for a Computer Science major or co-major, all COSC courses, MATH 1P66, 1P67 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 of the various programs. 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, 2P32 and 3P92 within their Computer Science program. PHYS 1P21 or 1P91 (recommended) and one of PHYS 1P22, 1P23, 1P92 (recommended), 1P93 are required as 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

Honours Program

Year 1

	COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P50 (see program note 1)
	MATH 1P66 and 1P67
	one Humanities context credit
	one Social Sciences context credit
	one-half elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9)

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	MATH 1P12 and 1P98
	two elective credits (see program notes 2, 8, 9 and 10)

Year 3

	COSC 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	MATH 1P05 and 1P06
	one COSC credit (see program notes 8 and 10)
	one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 2, 8, 9 and 10)

Year 4

	COSC 4F00 and 4P61
	two COSC credits (see program notes 8 and 10)
	one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 2, 8, 9 and 10)

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 1P50 (see program note 1)
	MATH 1P66 and 1P67
	one Humanities context credit
	one Social Sciences context credit
	one-half elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9)

Year 2

Fall Term:

	COSC 2P03 and 2P12
	MATH 1P12
	SCIE 0N90
	one-half COSC credit (COSC 2P89 recommended)
	one-half elective credit (see program notes 2, 9 and 10)

Winter Term:

COSC 0N01 and 2C01

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	COSC 2P13 and 3P32
	MATH 1P98
	one elective credit (see program notes 2, 9 and 10)

Year 3

Fall Term:

	COSC 3P71
	one-half COSC credit (COSC 3P50 recommended)
	one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 2, 9 and 10)

Winter Term:

COSC 0N02 and 2C02

Spring/Summer Sessions:

COSC 0N03 and 2C03

Year 4

	COSC 2P05, 3P03 and 4F00
	MATH 1P05 and 1P06
	one COSC credit (see program note 10)
	one elective credit (see program notes 2, 9 and 10)

Year 5

Fall Term:

	COSC 4P61
	one COSC credit (see program note 10)
	one elective credit (see program note 2, 9 and 10)

BSc with Major Program

Year 1

	COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P50 (see program note 1)
	MATH 1P66 and 1P67
	one Humanities context credit
	one Social Sciences context credit
	one-half elective credit (see program notes 2 and 9)

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	MATH 1P12 and 1P98
	two elective credits (see program notes 2, 9 and 10)

Year 3

	COSC 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	MATH 1P05 and 1P06
	one COSC credit (see program note 10)
	one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 2, 9 and 10)

Year 4

	COSC 4F00 and 4P61
	two COSC credits (see program note 10)
	one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 2, 9 and 10)

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 or a BSc with a Major in Computer Science. 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 Brock COSC credits. All elective credits should be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

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

Honours

Year 1

	COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P50
	MATH 1P12, 1P66, 1P67 and 1P98

Spring/Summer Sessions:

COSC 2P03

Year 2

	COSC 2P05, 2P12, 2P13, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	MATH 1P05 and 1P06

Year 3

	COSC 4F00 and 4P61
	two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

BSc with Major

Year 1

	COSC 1P02, 1P03 and 1P50
	MATH 1P12, 1P66, 1P67 and 1P98

Spring/Summer Sessions:

COSC 2P03

Year 2

	COSC 2P05, 2P12, 2P13, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	MATH 1P05 and 1P06

Year 3

	COSC 4F00 and 4P61
	two COSC credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Combined Major Program

Students may take a combined major in Computer Science and a second discipline. For requirements in the other discipline, the student should consult the relevant department/centre. It should be noted that not all departments/centres provide a combined major option.

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 Sciences context credit

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12, and 2P13
	two credits in the co-major discipline
	one Humanities context credit

Year 3

	COSC 1P50, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	MATH 1P12 and 1P98
	two credits in co-major discipline

Year 4

	COSC 4F00
	one COSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	two credits in the co-major discipline numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

BSc (honours) Computer Science and Mathematics

Year 1

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

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	MATH 1P11, 1P40, 2P03 and 2P81
	one elective credit

Year 3

	COSC 1P50, 2P95, 3P03 and 3P32
	MATH 2P40 and 2P82
	MATH 2P12 or 2P92
	one-half MATH credit (see program note 10)
	one elective credit (see program note 10)

Year 4

	COSC 4F00
	one COSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	MATH 3P60 and 4P61
	one-half MATH credit (see program note 8)
	one-half MATH credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 8)
	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

Consult the Physics entry for a listing of program requirements.

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

Year 1

	COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
	MATH 1P66 and 1P67
	one credit in the co-major discipline
	one Humanities context credit (see program note 4)
	one Social Sciences context credit (see program note 4)

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	two credits in the co-major discipline
	one elective credit

Year 3

	COSC 1P50, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98
	two credits in the co-major discipline

Year 4

	COSC 4F00
	one COSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	two credits in the co-major discipline numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

BSc (Honours) Computer Science and Visual Arts

Year 1

	COSC 1P02 and 1P03 (see program note 1)
	VISA 1P96, 1P97, 1Q98 and 1Q99
	MATH 1P66 and 1P67
	one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	VISA 2P61 and 2P96
	one VISA credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above (VISA 2P97 and 2P98 recommended)
	one elective credit

Year 3

	COSC 1P50, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	one VISA credit numbered 3(alpha)00 or above (VISA 3F96 recommended)
	MATH 1P12 and 1P97
	one elective credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above

Year 4

	COSC 2P89, 3P98 and 4F00
	one VISA credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
	one and one-half VISA credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	MATH 1P98

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 5)
	one Humanities context credit

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	ECON 2P21, 2P22 and 2P30
	one-half ECON credit
	one elective credit

Year 3

	COSC 1P50, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	ECON 2P90, 3P21, 3P22 and 3Q91
	one elective credit

Year 4

	COSC 4F00
	one COSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	ECON 3P90, 4P13 and 4P14
	one-half ECON credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	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 elective credit

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	GEOG 2P07 and 2P10
	one credit from GEOG 2P02, 2P03, 2P06
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98

Year 3

	COSC 1P50, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	GEOG 3P57
	one and one-half GEOG credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group A or C (see Geography department; see program note 6)
	one elective credit

Year 4

	COSC 4F00
	one COSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 6)
	two GEOG credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group A or C (see Geography department)
	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 Sciences context credit

Year 2

	COSC 2P03, 2P05, 2P12 and 2P13
	GEOG 2P07 and 2P11
	one credit from GEOG 2P04, 2P05, 2P09
	MATH 1P97 and 1P98

Year 3

	COSC 1P50, 3P03, 3P32 and 3P71
	GEOG 3P56
	one and one-half GEOG credits numbered 2(alpha)90 to 3(alpha)99 from group B or C (see Geography department; see program note 6)
	one elective credit

Year 4

	COSC 4F00
	one COSC credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above (see program note 6)
	two GEOG credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from group B or C (see Geography department)
	one elective credit

Concentration Program

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, 2P05, 2P13, 3P03, 4F00, 4P42 and 4P61
	two credits from COSC 3P92, 3P94, 4F90, 4P03, 4P13, 4P14, 4P75

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, 2P05, 3P03, 3P32, 3P71, 4F00 and 4P61
	two credits from COSC 4F90, 4P76, 4P78, 4P80, 4P81, 4P87

Minor in Applied Computing

Computer Science (single or combined), Computing and Business, Computing and Network Communications, Computing and Solid-State Device Technology, and Game Programming majors may not obtain a minor in Applied Computing.

Students in other disciplines may obtain a minor in Applied Computing within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:

Four APCO or COSC credits

Brock/Colleges Articulation Agreement

Brock-Fanshawe College

This agreement allows Brock to admit students from the Fanshawe College Programmer Analyst Diploma Program who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 to the BSc (Honours) Computer Science, BSc with Major Computer Science or BSc (Pass) Computer Science program. Students who have a grade of B in all transferred courses will be awarded six credits towards any of these three degrees and can complete the requirements for the BSc (Honours) and with Major degrees within three years and the Pass degree within two years. The schedule of transferable courses is available from the Admissions Office.

Brock-Mohawk College

This agreement allows Brock University to admit graduates of the Mohawk College Computer Systems Technology - Software Engineering Advanced Diploma Program who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (80 percent) to the BSc (Honours) Computer Science or BSc with Major Computer Science program. At admission, the student will be awarded five credits towards either of these degrees. After completion of five credits at Brock University, the student may be eligible for up to two and one-half additional transfer credits. Normally the requirements for the BSc Honours and with Major degrees can be completed within three years. The schedule of transferable courses is available from the Admissions Office.

Brock-Niagara College

This agreement allows Brock University to admit graduates of the Niagara College Programmer/Analyst Advanced Diploma Program who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (80 percent) to the BSc (Honours) Computer Science or BSc with Major Computer Science program. At admission, the student will be awarded five credits towards either of these degrees. After completion of five credits at Brock University, the student may be eligible for up to two additional transfer credits. Normally the requirements for the BSc (Honours) and with Major degrees can be completed within three years. The schedule of transferable courses is available from the Admissions Office.

Brock-Sheridan College

This agreement allows Brock University to admit students from the Sheridan College Computer Science Technology Advanced Diploma Program who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (80 percent) to the BSc (Honours) Computer Science or BSc with Major Computer Science program. At admission, the student will be awarded seven credits towards either of these degrees. After completion of five credits at Brock University, the student may be eligible for up to two additional transfer credits. Normally the requirements for the BSc (Honours) and with Major degrees can be completed within two to three years. The schedule of transferable courses is available from the Admissions Office.

Master of Science (MSc) Program

Candidates with either an Honours or a Pass BSc degree in Computer Science, or equivalent, may apply to the Director of the Graduate Studies Office for entry into this program. Candidates holding a Pass degree will be required to take a qualifying year, similar to year 4 of the Honours program, before formally enrolling for the MSc degree. Candidates may be required to write Graduate Record Aptitude Examinations.

Candidates with an Honours degree, or who have completed a qualifying year, require a minimum of one year of full-time study. The department offers a wide range of courses and research opportunities.

For further information about the MSc program see the Graduate Calendar and the department's Graduate Studies brochure.

Course Descriptions

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course

* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

APPLIED COMPUTING COURSES

*APCO 1P00

Introduction to Media Computation

(also offered as IASC 1P00)

Programming by example, encoding and manipulating pictures (such as grayscale and colour replacement), pixel manipulation (such as red eye and mirroring), designing and debugging, text manipulation with HTML, file processing, automatic generation and manipulation of web pages, and sound processing (such as encoding, volume manipulation and splicing).

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week; tutorial, 1 hour per week.

Restriction: not open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

Note: prior computer experience is not required.

*APCO 1P01

Fluency With Technology

(also offered as IASC 1P01)

Skills, concepts and capabilities of computers, networks and the Internet. Topics include representation of information, current hardware, software and network technologies, modelling with Excel, presentations with PowerPoint, Internet searching and basic web page development with HTML.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week.

Restriction: not open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

Note: some prior computer experience is preferred but not required.

#APCO 1P30

Programming for Interactive Media

(also offered as IASC 1P30)

Introduction to ActionScript and object-oriented programming syntax and uses for classes, functions, properties and events in interactive Flash applications for the web.

Lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to IASC (single or combined) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite(s): one of one APCO credit, one COSC credit (minimum 60 percent), IASC 1P10 or permission of the instructor.

Note: enrolment limited to 24 students. Materials fee required. Students must supply any additional materials and equipment.

#APCO 1P50

Integrity and Literacy in the Information Age

(also offered as COSC 1P50 and IASC 1P50)

Issues in use of information technology including historic and social perspectives; legal, ethical and moral issues; intellectual property, licensing and copyright; privacy and freedom of expression; professional conduct and information literacy.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; seminar, 1.5 hours per week.

Note: this course involves seminars and considerable written work. A good command of written and spoken English is required.

*APCO 1P93

Applied Programming

(also offered as IASC 1P93)

Modern software techniques including problem solving and design of effective algorithms, structured program design methodology, subprogram library usage, documentation, correctness, floating-point arithmetic and error analysis.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week; tutorial, 1 hour per week.

Restriction: not open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

Prerequisite(s): APCO 1P00 or 4U Mathematics credit.

APCO 2P01

Personal Computers and Networks

Inner workings of modern computers from a user's point of view. Understanding the hardware, network and system software. Topics include CPUs, memory, video, input/output, networks, security, installation of operating systems and hands-on trouble shooting.

Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: not open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

Prerequisite(s): APCO 1P01 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

#APCO 2P60

Web 2.0 Content, Construction, Collaboration

(also offered as IASC 2P60)

Context and topics in web-based interactive environments, communities and social networks designed for sharing content, user interaction and collective intelligence. Blogs, videoblogs and vodcasts; peer 2 peer and consumer 2 consumer; RSS, agents and recommender systems; social networks; online communities and virtual environments; tagging and bookmarking; wikis; mashups; collaborative and open source software and working environments.

Lectures, seminar 3 hours per week.

#APCO 2P61

Website Creation

(also offered as STAC 2P61 and VISA 2P61)

Creative approaches to basic technical and design foundations of website design and development. Processing and management of images and other media assets, structuring websites, development tools and applications, web hosting and dissemination strategies. Contemporary web-based art practices within the broader history of cultural production.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Restriction: open to STAC, VISA (single or combined) and VISA (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) majors until date specified in Registration guide. After that date open to STAC, VISA (single or combined), VISA (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) majors and APCO minors.

Prerequisite(s): one credit from VISA 1P95 (minimum 60 percent), 1P96 (minimum 60 percent), 1P97 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

Note: materials fee required. Students might need additional materials and equipment, which they must supply. VISA 1P95 recommended.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in VISA (APCO/COMM/IASC/STAC) 2P95.

#APCO 2P89

Internet Technologies

(also offered as COSC 2P89 and IASC 2P89)

Concepts and techniques for building and maintaining advanced interactive Web sites. Topics include XML and SGML, database connectivity and forms handling, basic animation, graphics optimization for the Web, scripting, advanced searching and Web design for accessibility.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab/seminar, 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): APCO 1P00 (minimum 60 percent) and 1P01 (minimum 60 percent) or COSC 1P03 (minimum 60 percent).

APCO 2P99

Project in Applied Computing

Development project in computing, Internet programming or directed reading essay under the supervision of a faculty member.

Prerequisite(s): two APCO credits (minimum 60 percent).

Note: students may propose their own projects for departmental approval or may apply for a project proposed by a faculty member. Further information (including project guidelines and project list) is available on the department Web pages.

#APCO 3P94

Introduction to Human Computer Interaction

(also offered as COSC 3P94 and IASC 3P94)

Human factors in the design and support of computing systems. Design methodologies such as GOMS, TAGs and Task Analysis. Design principles relating to various interaction paradigms.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab/seminar, 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): two credits from APCO (minimum 60 percent), COSC (minimum 60 percent), IASC (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES

COSC 1P02

Introduction to Computer Science

Foundations of Computer Science and computer programming in a high-level language (normally Java). Topics include computer fundamentals, representation of information, problem solving and software development, programming language syntax and semantics, methods, input/output, control structures and data types.

Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week; tutorial, 1 hour per week.

Note: students with considerable prior programming experience in a high-level language such as Pascal, Java, C++ or Ada may be granted exemption from this course at the discretion of the Chair.

COSC 1P03

Introduction to Data Structures

Programming and problem solving in a high-level programming language (normally Java). Data structures including arrays and linked-lists. Modularity, abstraction and abstract data types including stacks, queues and lists. Introduction to searching and sorting, recursion, algorithm analysis and object-orientation.

Lectures, 2 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week; tutorial, 1 hour per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 1P02 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the Chair.

Note: Students with a minimum 80 percent in APCO 1P00 and changing their major to COSC may be permitted to enter directly into COSC 1P03. Consult the Chair.

*COSC 1P50

Integrity and Literacy in the Information Age

(also offered as APCO 1P50 and IASC 1P50)

Issues in use of information technology including historic and social perspectives; legal, ethical and moral issues; intellectual property, licensing and copyright; privacy and freedom of expression; professional conduct and information literacy.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; seminar, 1.5 hours per week.

Note: this course involves seminars and considerable written work. A good command of written and spoken English is required.

COSC 2P03

Advanced Data Structures

Implementation and use of advanced data structures including trees, graphs, hash tables and advanced list structures, sorting and searching, recursion and traversals. Analysis of algorithms.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week; tutorial, 1 hour per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST, CNET and NEUR Neurocomputing stream majors.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 1P03 (minimum 60 percent), MATH 1P66 and 1P67.

COSC 2P05

Programming Languages

Fundamental concepts of programming languages including syntax, semantics, program translation, virtual machines, control, data types, multi-threading, exception handling and abstraction mechanisms. Introduction to programming paradigms including imperative, applicative, logic and object-oriented.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent).

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in COSC 2P90 and 3P05.

COSC 2P12

Introduction to Computer Architecture

Evolution of digital computer. Computer organization including functional units, instruction cycle, control, buses and memory. Instruction types and memory access, instruction sequencing and call/return. Basic assembly language programming.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 1P03 (minimum 60 percent).

COSC 2P13

Computer Systems

Operating systems and networking. Resource sharing including file, processor, I/O and memory management. Concurrency including: context switching, interprocess communication, and synchronization. Protection and security including encryption. Distributed systems and networking including: ISO model and packet routing.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P12 (minimum 60 percent).

*COSC 2P89

Internet Technologies

(also offered as APCO 2P89 and IASC 2P89)

Concepts and techniques required for building and maintaining advanced interactive Web sites. Topics include XML and SGML, database connectivity and forms handling, basic animation, graphics optimization for the Web, scripting, advanced searching, Web design for accessibility.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab/seminar, 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 1P03 (minimum 60 percent) or APCO 1P00 (minimum 60 percent) and 1P01 (minimum 60 percent).

COSC 2P95

Programming in C++ with Applications

C++ as a second language. Basic language structure, data structures, libraries for application. Introduction to object-orientation and UNIX commands.

Lectures, 2 hours per week; labs 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): one of COSC 1P03, APCO 1P00, 1P93, MATH 2P40.

Note: students should select the lab appropriate for their application domain (Computer Science or Mathematics).

#COSC 2P96

Introduction to 3D Modelling and Animation

(also offered as IASC 2P96, STAC 2P96 and VISA 2P96)

Concepts and skills of 3D modelling and rendering. Approaches to building models, using texturizing, lighting, cameras and rendering as well as basic animation techniques. Relevant historical and theoretical perspectives on 3D and virtuality situating 3D within creative process and broader critical practices in cultural production.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), IASC (single or combined), STAC, VISA (single or combined) and VISA (Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) majors until date specified in Registration guide.

Prerequisite(s): one of four COSC credits, IASC 1F01 (1F00), one credit from VISA 1P93 (minimum 60 percent), 1P94 (minimum 60 percent), 1P95 (minimum 60 percent), 1P96 (minimum 60 percent), 1P97 (minimum 60 percent).

Note: materials fee required. Students might need additional materials and equipment, which they must supply. VISA 1P95 recommended.

COSC 3P03

Algorithms

Design and analysis of computer algorithms. Topics include asymptotic notations, solving recurrences, order statistics, general algorithm design techniques such as divide-and-conquer, greedy algorithms, dynamic programming, backtracking and branch-and-bound. Graph and string algorithms. Introduction to NP-Completeness and complexity theory.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 3P32

Introduction to Database Systems

Fundamental database concepts: specification, design and applications; various models including the relational model; normal forms, efficiency considerations, queries using SQL, database administration and security. Practical experience (normally ORACLE) in a group project.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent).

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in COSC 2P32.

COSC 3P50

Group Computing Project

Project management skills applied to a half-year group development project.

Lectures/seminar 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent).

Note: COSC 2P89 and/or 3P32 recommended.

COSC 3P71

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Historic and philosophical foundations of AI; knowledge representation and reasoning; problem spaces; blind and heuristic search; adversarial search in game playing; machine learning; social and ethical considerations.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 3P91

Advanced Object-Oriented Programming

Topics may include graphical user interfaces, animation, sound, music, networking, parallelism, client-server and XML using game design as an example. Object-oriented program design including UML and design patterns. Introduction to advanced Java APIs.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): two COSC credits or permission of instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in COSC 3P40.

COSC 3P92

Computer Architecture

Topics include buses, internal and external memory, I/O and interfacing, computer arithmetic, instruction sets, RISCs, microprogrammed control, parallel organization.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P12 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 3P93

Parallel Computing

Origins of parallelism, classification of designs, characterization of performance. Pipelined computers: selection and comparison, case studies. Processor arrays: switching networks, case studies. Parallel languages: general principles, parallel constructs, vectorizing compilers, issues of portability. Practical exposure to a parallel programming language and parallel computing hardware. Parallel algorithms: general principles, recurrences, parallel approach to data structures and computational structures. Future trends: technology, design limitations, future supercomputers.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P13 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

*COSC 3P94

Introduction to Human Computer Interaction

(also offered as APCO 3P94 and IASC 3P94)

Human factors in the design and support of computing systems. Design methodologies such as GOMS, TAGs and Task Analysis. Design principles relating to various interaction paradigms.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab/seminar, 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): two credits from APCO (minimum 60 percent), COSC (minimum 60 percent), IASC (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 3P95

Embedded Software

Real-time execution, concurrency, network and device control. Topics include requirements posed by embedded software; real-time programming languages and operating systems; development of embedded applications. (knowledge of C assumed).

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 2 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P13 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

Note: PHYS 1P91 and 1P92 are recommended.

COSC 3P96

Discrete Event Simulation

Classification of modelling and simulation problems: discrete, continuous and Monte Carlo. Concepts of causality, understanding and modelling. Issues of model credibility, validation, verification, tractability, uncertainty and system state. Basic discrete-event simulation methodology. Elements of probability in model building. Random number generation. Statistical analysis of simulated data and design of simulation experiments.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 1P98 or permission of the instructor.

COSC 3P97

Mobile Computing

Overview of mobile applications, technologies and communication. Common paradigms in mobile computing. Application frameworks and application development. Interaction styles for user interface.

Lectures 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P13 (minimum 60 percent) and COSC 3P32 (minimum 60 percent).

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in COSC 3V97.

COSC 3P98

Computer Graphics

Topics include 2-D and 3-D graphics, curve and surface fitting, light and colour models, real time interfaces, animation and hardware issues (knowledge of C assumed).

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent), three COSC credits and MATH 1P12 or permission of the instructor.

COSC 3P99

Computing Project

Half-year development project or directed reading essay under faculty supervision.

Seminar, 2 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors and permission of project co-ordinator.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent).

Note: students may propose their own projects for departmental approval or may apply for a project proposed by a faculty member. Further information (including project guidelines and project list) is available on the department Web pages.

COSC 3V90-3V99

Computing Topics I

Selected topics in computer science.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

COSC 4F00

Software Development

Capstone team project in Computer Science. Topics include team organization, software project management, software life-cycle, software development and management tools, and design notations. Team project including application of organizational paradigm, management model, life-cycle model, tools, design notation, implementation, testing and debugging of a major software system.

Lectures/seminar/lab, 5 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC, BCB, CNET and COSC (combined) majors with a minimum of 14.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03.

Note: COSC 1P50 is recommended. This course requires considerable written work and presentations. A good command of written and spoken English is required. Major group project is required.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in COSC 3F00.

COSC 4F90

Computing Project

Full-year project under the supervision of a faculty member.

Seminar, 2 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors with a minimum 75 percent major average, a minimum 10.0 overall credits and permission of project co-ordinator.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent).

Note: students may propose their own projects for departmental approval or may apply for a project proposed by a faculty member. This course is strongly recommended for students considering graduate school. Students must consult with faculty at the end of year 3 regarding supervision of projects. Further information (including project guidelines and project list) is available on the department Web pages.

COSC 4P03

Advanced Algorithms

Classical and evolving problems and algorithms in Computer Science. Topics include classical design and analysis techniques, cryptography, combinatorics.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 3P03 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P13

Operating Systems: Design and Implementation

Design and implementation of UNIX and other operating systems. Topics include process and thread management, interprocess communication, synchronization and scheduling, multiprocessing, device drivers, kernel memory management, distributed and advanced file systems and STREAMS (knowledge of C assumed).

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P13 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P14

Computer Networks

Advanced topics in computer networking, including computer network security, wireless and high-speed networking, computer network management and performance evaluation.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P13 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P41

Functional Programming

Introduction to functional programming using the languages Haskell and SML. Topics include all data types, type inference, pattern-matching, recursion, polymorphism, higher-order functions, lazy vs eager evaluation, modules and monads.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): three and one-half COSC credits or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P42

Formal Methods in Software Engineering

Specification and correctness of software. Topics include algebraic specifications, semantics of programming languages, Hoare/dynamic logic, specification languages, program transformation.

Lectures/lab/tutorial, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): three and one-half COSC credits and MATH 1P67 or permission of the instructor.

*COSC 4P61

Theory of Computation

(also offered as MATH 4P61)

Regular languages and finite state machines: deterministic and non-deterministic machines, Kleene's theorem, the pumping lemma, Myhill-Nerode Theorem and decidable questions. Context-free languages: generation by context-free grammars and acceptance by pushdown automata, pumping lemma, closure properties, decidability. Turing machines: recursively enumerable languages, universal Turing machines, halting problem and other undecidable questions.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined) majors.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 1P67.

Note: MATH students may take this course with permission of the Mathematics Department.

COSC 4P75

Compiler Construction

Topics include lexical, syntactic and semantic analysis of high-level languages; symbol table organization; code generation and optimization.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 2P03 (minimum 60 percent), 2P05 (minimum 60 percent) and 2P12 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P76

Machine Learning

Fundamental machine learning techniques with emphasis on using these techniques to design and implement small practical learning systems. Topics include learning as a search, inductive bias, concept learning, computational learning, explanation-based learning and reinforcement learning.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 3P71 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P78

Robotics

Computer control aspects of robots focusing on behaviour-based robot control architectures. Topics include robot components and subsystems, sensors and perception, object location and manipulation, mobile robot navigation, task planning, control architectures, adaptive and social behaviour.

Lectures, 3 hours per week; lab, 1 hour per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 3P71 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

Note: PHYS 1P91 and 1P92 are recommended.

COSC 4P80

Artificial Neural Networks

Practical problem solving using artificial neural networks. Supervised learning, single- and multilayer feed-forward networks and backpropagation and refinements; recurrent neural networks; Hopfield networks and Boltzmann machines. Unsupervised learning, competitive learning, Kohonen map and self-organizing feature maps.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 3P71 or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P81

AI Programming

Developing computer applications for AI problem solving. Topics in AI software systems, programming languages and paradigms, and their suitability in different problem domains. Languages relevant to AI programming.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 3P71 (minimum 60 percent).

COSC 4P87

Foundations of Reasoning under Uncertainty

Uncertain reasoning is based on both deductive and inductive methods. Exploration of formal foundations of both streams. Formal systems such as propositional modal logics and grammars, models of probability, Bayesian reasoning, fuzzy sets, rough sets, concept lattices and knowledge structures.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): COSC 3P71 (minimum 60 percent) or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4P98

Topics in Computer Media and Digital Audio

Fractals, digital audio fundamentals, Fourier analysis, MIDI, computer composition, music and sound processing and user interfaces. Programming assignments may use C, Java, Supercollider and Csound.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): three and one-half COSC credits or permission of the instructor.

COSC 4V80-4V99

Computing Topics II

Selected topics in computer science.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COSC (single or combined), BCB, CAST and CNET majors.

CO-OP COURSES

COSC 0N01

Co-op Work Placement I

First co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COSC and BCB Co-op students.

COSC 0N02

Co-op Work Placement II

Second co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COSC and BCB Co-op students.

COSC 0N03

Co-op Work Placement III

Third co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COSC and BCB Co-op students.

COSC 0N04

Co-op Work Placement IV

Optional co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COSC and BCB Co-op students.

COSC 0N05

Co-op Work Placement V

Optional co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COSC and BCB Co-op students.

COSC 2C01

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration I

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BCB, COSC and CNET Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): COSC 0N01.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

COSC 2C02

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration II

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BCB and COSC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): COSC 2C02.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

COSC 2C03

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration III

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BCB and COSC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): COSC 0N03.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

COSC 2C04

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration IV

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BCB and COSC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): COSC 0N04.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

COSC 2C05

Co-op Reflective Learning and Integration V

Provide student with the opportunity to apply what they've learned in their academic studies through career-oriented work experiences at employer sites.

Restriction: open to BCB and COSC Co-op students.

Prerequisite(s): SCIE 0N90.

Corequisite(s): COSC 0N05.

Note: students will be required to prepare learning objectives, participate in a site visit, write a work term report and receive a successful work term performance evaluation.

INTERNSHIP COURSE

COSC 2N90

Internship

Work placement of 8-16 months duration with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to students accepted into the Internship option.

Note: interviews with employer and student and completion, by the student, of a work report.