Computer Science (COMP)

Location

Main Office
McConnell Engineering Building, Room 318
3480 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 0E9
Telephone: 514-398-7071
Fax: 514-398-3883

Undergraduate Student Affairs Office
McConnell Engineering Building, Room 320
3480 University Street
Montreal QC H3A 0E9
Telephone: 514-398-7071 ext. 00739
Fax: 514-398-3883

Email: ugrad-sec [at] cs.mcgill.ca
Website:

About Computer Science

Computer Science covers the theory and practice behind the design and implementation of computer and information systems. Fundamental to computer science are questions about how to describe, process, manage, and analyze information and computation. A fundamental building block is the study of algorithms. An algorithm presents a detailed sequence of actions solving a particular task. A computer program is the implementation of an algorithm in a specific programming language, which enables a computer to execute the algorithm. Software generally refers to a computer program or a set of related computer programs.

Based on the building blocks of computational thinking and programming, computer science is split into many different areas. Examples are:

The study of algorithms and data structures
Programming languages and methodology
Theory of computation
Software engineering (the design of large software systems)
Computer architecture (the structure of the hardware)
Communication between computers
Operating systems (the software that shields users from the underlying hardware)
Database systems (software that handles large amounts of data efficiently)
Artificial intelligence (algorithms inspired by human information processing)
Computer vision (algorithms that let computers see and recognize their environment)
Computer graphics
Robotics (algorithms that control robots)
Computational biology (algorithms and methods that address problems inspired by biology)

Computer science also plays an important role in many other fields, including Biology, Physics, Engineering, Business, Music, and Neuroscience, where it is necessary to process and reason about large amounts of data. Computer Science is strongly related to mathematics, linguistics, and engineering.

A degree in Computer Science offers excellent job prospects. As the use of computers and specialized software plays a crucial role in business, science, and our personal life, computer science graduates are in high demand. Computer scientists find jobs in software development, consulting, research, and project management. As computer scientists often develop the software for a specific application domain (e.g., business, engineering, medicine), they must be prepared and willing to get to know their application area.

The School of Computer Science offers a wide range of programs. Most programs start with the same set of basic courses allowing students to decide on their exact program once they get a basic understanding of the discipline. Within the Faculty of Science, there are:

Major, Honours, Liberal, and Minor programs in Computer Science;
Major and Liberal programs in Software Engineering;
Major in Computer Science: Computer Games Option;
Major and Honours in Mathematics and Computer Science (see Mathematics and Statistics (MATH));
Major and Honours in Statistics and Computer Science (see Mathematics and Statistics (MATH));
Major and Honours in Physics and Computer Science (see Physics (PHYS));
Major and Honours in Computer Science and Biology (see Biology (BIOL)).

The School also offers a Major Concentration and Minor concentrations in Computer Science, and a Major Concentration in Software Engineering through the Faculty of Arts (see Faculty of Arts > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Computer Science (COMP)), or as part of a Bachelor of Arts and Science (see Bachelor of Arts & Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Computer Science (COMP)).

The School's courses are available as electives to Engineering students. Engineering students interested in a minor in Computer Science should consult Faculty of Engineering > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Minor Programs > Computer Science Courses and Minor Program.

Most course instructors are faculty members of the School that do research in the areas they teach. The School favours interactive teaching practices where students get to know their professors and have the opportunity to do cutting-edge research. Some graduate courses in Computer Science are available to suitably qualified senior undergraduates. The School offers large computing labs in the Lorne Trottier Building, which is dedicated to undergraduate students.

All students planning to enter Computer Science programs are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with an academic adviser through the School's Undergraduate Student Affairs Office (see ).

Internship Opportunities

Students who want to get practical experience in industry before graduation are encouraged to participate in one of the following internship programs:

The Internship Year in Science (IYS) is offered for a duration of 8, 12, or 16 months. It will be reflected on the student's transcript and is included in the program name (Bachelor of Science 鈥� Internship Program).
The Industrial Practicum (IP) has a duration of four months and is usually carried out starting in May. It will appear as a 0-credit, Pass/Fail course on the student's transcript. If a student completes two IPs, the program name will change to include the word 鈥渋nternship.鈥�

For more information on these opportunities, consult Science Internships and Field Studies or www.mcgill.ca/science/student/internships-field.

Research Opportunities

Computer science undergraduates have excellent opportunities to participate in research. Each summer, several awards are available, such as the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards; these offer financial support for a research experience in an academic setting. Other research assistantship and volunteering opportunities in research labs are also available.

Students may also take undergraduate research project courses such as COMP 396 Undergraduate Research Project, COMP 400 Project in Computer Science, and COMP 401 Project in Biology and Computer Science. Students who have participated in substantial and broad undergraduate research may qualify for the Dean's Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research List at graduation time. For more information, consult University Regulations & Resources > Undergraduate > Graduation > Graduation Honours > Faculty of Science Dean's Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research List.

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Students intending to pursue a program in Computer Science or Software Engineering should have a reasonable mathematical background and should have completed MATH 140 (or MATH 150), MATH 141 (or MATH 151), and MATH 133, or their CEGEP equivalents. These three Mathematics courses should have been completed with at least an average of B-. A background in computer science is not necessary as students may start their studies with the introductory course COMP 202. However, taking COMP 202 in the Freshman year, or completing an equivalent course in CEGEP, would be an asset that would allow students to take more advanced courses earlier in their program.

More information about the admission process and programs is available at .

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2018-2019 (last updated Aug. 16, 2018) (disclaimer)

Computer Science Faculty

Director
B. Kemme
Emeritus Professors
D. Avis; B.Sc.(Wat.), Ph.D.(Stan.)
R. De Mori; Ph.D.(Politecnico Torino)
T.H. Merrett; B.Sc.(Qu.), D.Phil.(Oxf.)
M.M. Newborn; B.E.E.(Rensselaer Poly.), Ph.D.(Ohio St.), F.A.C.M.
C. Paige; B.Sc., B.Eng.(Syd.), Ph.D.(Lond.)
G.F.G. Ratzer; B.Sc.(Glas.), M.Sc.(McG.)
D. Th茅rien; B.Sc.(Montr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Wat.) (James McGill Professor)
G.T. Toussaint; B.Sc.(Tulsa), Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
Post-Retirement
C. Tropper; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Brooklyn Poly.)
Professors
L. Devroye; M.S.(Louvain), Ph.D.(Texas) (James McGill Professor)
G. Dudek; B.Sc.(Qu.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.) (James McGill Professor)
L. Hendren; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Qu.), Ph.D.(Cornell), F.R.S.C. (Canada Research Chair)
X. Liu; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Tsinghua), Ph.D.(Ill.) (William Dawson Scholar)
P. Panangaden; M.Sc.(IIT, Kanpur), M.S.(Chic.), Ph.D.(Wisc.)
B. Reed; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (Canada Research Chair)
M. Robillard; B.Eng.(脡cole Poly., Montr.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
K. Siddiqi; B.Sc.(Lafayette), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Brown) (William Dawson Chair)
Associate Professors
M. Blanchette; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Wash.)
X.W. Chang; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Nanjing), Ph.D.(McG.)
C. Cr茅peau; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(MIT)
N. Friedman; B.A.(W. Ont.), Ph.D.(Tor.)
H. Hatami; B.Sc.(Sharif), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.)
B. Kemme; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany), Ph.D.(ETH, Zurich)
J. Kienzle; Eng.Dip., Ph.D.(Swiss Fed. IT)
P. Kry; B.Sc.(Wat.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
M. Langer; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc.(Tor.), Ph.D.(McG.)
M. Maheswaran; B.Sc.(U. Peradeniya), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Purdue)
B. Pientka; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Tech. U. of Darmstadt, Germany), Ph.D.(Carn. Mell)
J. Pineau; B.Sc.(Wat.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Carn. Mell) (William Dawson Scholar)
D. Precup; B.Sc.(Tech. U. of Cluj-Napoca), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Mass.)
D. Ruths; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Rice)
C. Verbrugge; B.A.(Qu.), Ph.D.(McG.)
A. Vetta; B.Sc., M.Sc.(LSE), Ph.D.(MIT)
J. Waldispuhl; B.Sc.(Nice Sophia Antipolis), M.Sc.(Paris VII), Ph.D.(脡cole Poly., France)
Assistant Professors
Y. Cai; B.S.(Peking), M.S., Ph.D.(MIT) (William Dawson Scholar)
J. Cheung; B.Sc.(Br. Col.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.)
D.Meger; B.Sc.(Br. Col.), M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
Faculty Lecturer
J. Vybihal; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McG.)
Associate Members
D. Schlimm (Philosophy)
T.R. Shultz (Psychology)
Adjunct Professors
A. Baretto, P.J. Mosterman, T. Perkins, I. Rekleitis, G.O. Sabidussi

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2018-2019 (last updated Aug. 16, 2018) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Computer Science (24 credits)

Students must obtain approval from their main program adviser, and are also strongly encouraged to speak with a School of Computer Science adviser before choosing complementary courses. A particular course selection must be approved before the student registers for their final term of studies. ...

For more information, see Minor Computer Science (24 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Computer Science (45 credits)

This program provides an introduction to the principles of computer science and offers opportunity to get insight into some of its sub-areas. Having only 45 credits, it allows students to combine it with minor or major concentrations in other disciplines.

For more information, see Liberal Program - Core Science Component Computer Science (45 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Software Engineering (49 credits)

This program covers a core of programming and software engineering courses and allows students to select courses that aim at practical aspects of software development.

For more information, see Liberal Program - Core Science Component Software Engineering (49 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Computer Science (63 credits)

This program is the standard Major program offered by the School of Computer Science. It provides a broad introduction to the principles of computer science and offers ample opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of several sub-disciplines. At the same time, its credit requirements allow students to take an additional minor. ...

For more information, see Major Computer Science (63 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Computer Science and Biology (74 credits)

This program will train students in the fundamentals of biology and will give them computational and mathematical skills needed to manage, analyze, and model large biological datasets. Integrative features of the program include interdisciplinary introductory and seminar courses in bio-physical sciences, and a joint independent studies project. ...

For more information, see Major Computer Science and Biology (74 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Computer Science - Computer Games (67 credits)

This program is a specialization within Computer Science. It fulfils all the basic requirements of the Major Computer Science. Complementary courses focus on topics that are important to understanding the technology behind computer games and to gaining experience in software development and design needed for computer game development. ...

For more information, see Major Computer Science - Computer Games (67 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Software Engineering (63 credits)

This program provides a broad introduction to the principles of computer science and covers in depth the design and development of software systems. Students may complete this program with a maximum of 63 credits or a minimum of 60 credits if they are exempt from taking COMP 202.

For more information, see Major Software Engineering (63 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Computer Science (75 credits)

Students may complete this program with a minimum of 72 credits or a maximum of 75 credits depending if they are exempt from taking COMP 202. Honours students must maintain a CGPA of at least 3.00 during their studies and at graduation.

For more information, see Honours Computer Science (75 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Computer Science and Biology (77 credits)

This honours program will train students in the fundamentals of biology - with a focus on molecular biology - and will give them computational and mathematical skills needed to manage, analyze, and model large biological datasets. Integrative features of the program include interdisciplinary introductory and seminar courses in bio-physical sciences, and a joint...

For more information, see Honours Computer Science and Biology (77 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Software Engineering (75 credits)

This program provides a more challenging and research-oriented version of the Major Software Engineering program. Students may complete this program with a maximum of 75 credits or a minimum of 72 credits if they are exempt from taking COMP 202. Honours students must maintain a CGPA of at least 3.00 during their studies and at graduation.

For more information, see Honours Software Engineering (75 credits).