On this page: Introduction | Programs |
See also: Faculty Members | Course Descriptions | Course Winter Timetable | Prospective Student Guide to Academic Programs | More on Department

Introduction

What is Computer Science?

Despite the name, Computer Science is not really a “science of computers” at all. Computers are quite remarkable electronic devices, but even more remarkable is what they can be made to do: simulate the flow of air over a wing, manage communication over the Internet, control the actions of a robot, synthesize realistic images, play grandmaster-level chess, and on and on. Indeed the application of computers in activities like these has affected most areas of modern life. What these tasks have in common has little to do with the physics or electronics of computers; what matters is that they can be formulated as some sort of computation. This is the real subject matter of Computer Science: computation, and what can or cannot be done computatively.

In trying to make sense of what we can get a computer to do, a wide variety of topics come up. There are, however, two recurring themes. The first is the issue of scale: how big a system can we specify without getting lost in the design, or how big a task can a computer handle within reasonable bounds of time, memory and accuracy. A large part of Computer Science deals with these questions in one form or another. In the area of programming language and methodology, for example, we look for notations for describing computations, and programming methodologies that facilitate the production of manageable and efficient software. In the theory of computation area, we study resource requirements in time and memory of many basic computational tasks.

The second theme concerns the scope of computation. Computers were originally conceived as purely numerical calculators, but today, we tend to view them much more broadly. Part of Computer Science is concerned with understanding just how far computational ideas can be applied. In the area of artificial intelligence, for example, we ask how much of the intelligent behaviour of people can be expressed in computational terms. In the area of human/computer interaction, we ask what sorts of normal day-to-day activities of people might be supported and augmented using computers.

Many of our programs combine another field with computer science, such as Information Systems, Economics, Mathematics, Physics or Statistics. The programs in Software Engineering and Human-Computer Interaction focus on developing areas of computing.

The equipment and software available to students are up-to-date and accessible. On the St. George campus, microcomputers are used at the introductory level, and a network of workstations serves upper-level courses. In addition, some higher-level courses are based on laboratories.

Some Computer Science courses are offered in the evening, to allow part-time students to pursue our programs. Introductory courses and some higher-level courses are offered in the summer.

The Professional Experience Year Program (PEY) and the Japan Internship Program are available to eligible, full time students. Please refer to Page 22 for more information. In Computer Science, students are to have completed the writing requirement before undertaking a Professional Experience Year.

Undergraduate Coordinator:

Dr. J.N. Clarke

Undergraduate Office:

Sandford Fleming Building, Room 2304D (978-6360)

Student Counsellor:

D. George, Sandford Fleming Building, Room 2304A

Website: http://www.cs.utoronto.ca

COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAMS

Enrolment is restricted in all CSC programs. Consult the Timetable and the Department for details of how to apply.
Admission to restricted programs depends on performance in the required 100-level courses (listed in program descriptions) and on the cumulative GPA. The minimum mark in CSC 148H is 65%, and in first-year calculus is 60%. The minimum GPA is calculated annually. It is never lower than 2.00, and for 2000 will not be higher than 2.80.
Tuition fees for students enroled in Computer Science Major or Specialist programs may be higher than all other programs in the Faculty of Arts and Science.

COMPUTER SCIENCE: Comprehensive Option (B.Sc.) Consult Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science.

Specialist program (Hon.B.Sc.):
(13 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

Enrolment in the Specialist Program is limited. Admission requires 65% in CSC 148H, 60% in MAT 137Y/157Y, and a minimum CGPA. Consult the Timetable and the Department for details.

First Year:
CSC 108H, 148H; MAT 137Y/157Y; STA 107H (See Note 1 to Specialist program)

First or Second Year:
CSC 238H/MAT 246Y, CSC 258H, 270H; MAT (223H, 224H)/240H; writing requirement (See Note 2 to Specialist program)

Second Year:
CSC 209H, 228H; MAT 237Y/257Y
Second or Third Year
: STA 257H

Third Year:
CSC 324H, 364H, 378H; MAT 301H/302H/315H/334H/344H

Third or Fourth Year:

1. CSC 438H/443H/448H/465H/478H
2. CSC 350H, 351H
3. One half-course from Group A, and one half-course from either Group A or Group B:

Group A:

CSC 401H, 407H, 408H, 418H, 428H, 434H, 458H, 468H, 485H, 486H, 487H, 488H/ECE 489H

Group B:

CSC 340H, 354H, 372H, 384H, 446H, 454H, 456H, 457H, ECE 385H

Notes:
1. Students with a strong background in Java or C++ may omit CSC 108H. Consult the Computer Science Undergraduate Office for further advice.
2. Writing requirement: Students in any Specialist program sponsored by the Department of Computer Science (including Combined Specialist programs) must complete one credit requiring substantial written work in English. The courses accepted for this purpose are listed below. Students in the Major program in Computer Science must take one-half credit from the same list. Departments offering these courses have agreed to accept our students, but will not give you special preference in admission. You must satisfy the prerequisite and other requirements listed in this Calendar. Make sure to check that the course you want to take is offered in the year you want it, and to follow the enrolment requirements stated in the Arts and Science Registration Handbook and Timetable.
ANT 100Y, 204Y; CLA 160Y, any 200- or 300-level except 201H; CSC 300H; EAS 102Y;
ENG - any 100- or 200-level except 269Y; GER 235Y, 251Y;
HIS - any 100- or 200-level; HPS - all courses; HUM 100Y, 101Y, 199Y;
INI 115Y, 202Y, 203Y, 204Y, 224Y, 225Y, 235Y, 311Y; ITA 240Y, 245Y, 340Y;
JAL 328Y; JEF 100Y; JUP 250Y;
NEW 150Y, 160Y, higher-level courses in the “Humanism” grouping;
NMC 170Y, 185Y, 278Y, higher-level courses in the “History” grouping;
PHL/PHI 100Y, 101Y, 102Y, any 200- or 300-level except 245H, 246H, 247H, 344H, 345H, 346H, 347H, 349H, 356H;
POL 100Y, 102Y, 103Y, 104Y, 108Y, any 200-level except 242Y;
RLG 100Y, 101Y, any 200-level; UNI 130Y, 201H, 202H, 310Y; VIC 110Y, 120Y, 140Y; WLD 100Y; WRT 300H.
Courses not accepted to satisfy the writing requirement include SCI 199Y, SSC 199Y, and the “Research Opportunity Program” courses numbered 299Y in any department.
3. Students are strongly encouraged to include a sequence of courses in a subject area in which computers can be usefully applied, and are advised to arrange their program so as to complete the requirements of the Major Program by the end of Third Year.
4. It is recommended that students take PHY 140Y.

Major program (B.Sc.):
(8 full courses or their equivalent)

Enrolment in the Major Program is limited. Admission requires 65% in CSC 148H, 60% in MAT 137Y/157Y and a minimum CGPA. Consult the Timetable and the Department for details.

First Year:
CSC 108H, 148H; MAT 137Y/157Y (See Note 1 to Specialist program)

First or Second Year:

CSC 209H/228H/260H, 258H, 270H; MAT (223H, 224H/STA 107H/257H)/MAT 240H; writing requirement (see Note 2 to Specialist program).

Higher Years:
Six half-courses from the following groups, of which at least two half-courses must be from Group C and at least two from Group D:

Group C:

CSC 324H, 340H, 354H, 372H, 384H, 401H, 407H, 408H, 418H, 428H, 434H, 454H, 458H, 468H, 485H, 486H, 487H, 488H/ECE 489H, ECE 385H

Group D:

CSC 238H/MAT 246Y*, CSC 336H, 350H, 351H, 364H, 378H, 438H, 446H, 448H, 456H, 457H, 465H, 478H (you may not take both of CSC 336H and CSC 350H/351H)

Group E:

CSC 300H, 318H
*NOTE: MAT 246Y counts as only one half-course from the six required.

Minor program (B.Sc.):
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
NOTE: This program has been discontinued, and students who complete CSC 148H later than May 2000 will not be accepted into it. Those now enroled may complete it.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS (Hon.B.Sc.)
NOTE: This program has been discontinued, and students who complete CSC 148H later than May 1998 will not be accepted into it. Those now enroled may complete it.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS (Hon.B.Sc.) Consult the Undergraduate Secretary, Department of Economics or Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science.
Enrolment in this Program is limited. Admission requires 70% in ECO 100Y, 65% in CSC 148H, 60% in MAT 137Y/157Y, and a minimum CGPA. The requirements of the two departments, Computer Science and Economics, must both be met. Consult the Timetable and the Departments for details.

Specialist program:
(17 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
CSC 108H, 148H; ECO 100Y; MAT 137Y/157Y (See Note 1 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

Higher Years:

1. Writing requirement (See Note 2 to Specialist program in Computer Science)
2. CSC 228H, 238H/MAT 246Y, CSC 258H, 270H, 324H, 378H, 336H/350H
3. ECO 206Y, 208Y, 325H, 326H/432Y, 327Y/357Y, 416H/418H
4. APM 236H/261H, MAT (223H, 224H)/240H, 235Y/237Y/257Y
5. ECO 227Y/STA (257H, 261H)
6. One and a half courses from the following groups, of which at least one half-course must be from each of Groups A and B

Group A:

CSC 434H, 458H

Group B:

ECO 310Y, 314H, 328Y, 333Y, 334Y, 336Y, 348H

Group C:

APM 361H/366H/371H; CSC 340H, 351H, 354H, 401H, 407H, 408H, 454H; ECE 385H; STA 302H, 322H, 347H, 401H, 437H, 457H

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS (Hon.B.Sc.) Consult Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science or Professor S.A. Cook, Department of Computer Science.
Enrolment in this Program is limited. Admission requirements are the same as for the Specialist program in Computer Science. Consult the Timetable and the Department of Computer Science for details.

Specialist program:
(15 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
CSC 148H; MAT 157Y, 240H; STA 107H (See Note 1 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

First or Second Year:
CSC 258H, 270H; writing requirement (See Note 2 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

Second Year:
CSC 228H; MAT 247H, 257Y, 267H

Third Year:
CSC 324H, 364H, 378H
Third or Fourth year:

1. MAT 327H, 347Y, 354H, 357H; STA 257H/352Y
2. One of CSC 438H, 448H, 465H, 478H
3. CSC 350H, 351H
4. One of CSC 401H, 407H, 408H, 418H, 428H, 434H, 456H, 457H, 458H, 468H, 485H, 486H, 487H, 488H, ECE 489H
5. APM 351Y/MAT 457Y
6. One of APM 461H, MAT 344H, 364H, 467H
NOTES:
1. It is recommended that PHY 140Y be taken.
2. Students in this Program may request admission to courses requiring CSC 238H as a prerequisite, without having taken CSC 238H

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND PHYSICS (Hon.B.Sc.) Consult Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science, or Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), Department of Physics.
Enrolment in this Program is limited. Admission requirements are the same as for the Specialist program in Computer Science. Consult the Timetable and the Department of Computer Science for details.

NOTE: Students in this Program must consult either Department during the spring of each year, to ensure that they choose courses appropriate to their intended careers.

Specialist program:
(17.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
CSC 108H, 148H; MAT 137Y/157Y, 223H/240H; PHY 140Y (See Note 1 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

First or Second Year:
CSC 238H/MAT 246Y, CSC 270H; writing requirement (see Note 2 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

Second Year:
CSC228H; MAT 237Y/257Y, 244H/267H; PHY 225H, 251H, 252H, 255H, 256H

Third Year:
APM 346H; CSC 324H, 350H, 378H; MAT 334H; PHY 351H, 352H, 355H

Third or Fourth Year:
1.
1. CSC 351H, 364H
2. PHY 457H/459H/460H
3. CSC 401H/407H/408H/418H/428H/434H/458H/468H/485H/486H/487H/488H/ECE 489H
4. 1.5 courses from the 300/400-level lab courses as described in the Notes to the Physics Specialist program

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND STATISTICS (Hon.B.Sc.) Consult Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science, or Undergraduate Secretary, Department of Statistics.
Enrolment in this Program is limited. Admission requirements are the same as for the Specialist program in Computer Science. Consult the Timetable and the Department of Computer Science for details.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
CSC 108H, 148H; MAT 137Y/157Y

First or Second Year:
1. CSC238H/MAT246Y, CSC 258H, 270H
2. MAT (223H, 224H)/(240H, 247H)
3. Writing requirement (see Note 2 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

Second Year:
CSC 228H; STA 257H, 261H; MAT 237Y/257Y

Third Year:
CSC 324H, 350H, 351H, 364H, 378H; STA 302H, (347H, 447H)/352Y

Third or Fourth Year:
1. One of CSC 408H, 418H, 434H, 456H, 457H, 458H, 478H, 487H
2. STA 437H/442H/457H
3. Two of CSC 310H, 354H, 401H, 411H, 412H, STA 410H

HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION (Hon.B.Sc.) Consult Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science.
Enrolment in this Program is limited. Admission requires 65% in CSC 148H, 60% in MAT 135Y/137Y/157Y, a minimum CGPA, and submission of a résumé. The required GPA may be raised to limit enrolment. Consult the Timetable and the Department of Computer Science for details.

Specialist program:
(15 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:

1. CSC 108H, 148H (See Note 1 to Specialist program in Computer Science)
2. MAT 135Y/137Y/157Y
3. SOC 101Y

First or Second Year:
CSC 238H/MAT 246Y, CSC 270H, PSY 100Y

Second Year:

1. CSC 228H, CSC 258H
2. MAT 223H/240H; SOC 200Y
3. Writing requirement (see Note 2 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

Third Year:

1. CSC 300H, 318H, 324H, 340H
2. STA (220H, 221H)/(107H, 250H/257H)/PSY (201H, 202H)/SOC 300Y
3. PSY (270H, 371H)/JUP 250Y

Third or Fourth Year:

1. CSC 364H/378H; 428H
2. Two of CSC 401H, 407H, 408H, 418H, 448H, 454H, 468H, 485H, 486H, 487H, 494H
3. WDW 260H
NOTES:
1. Students in this program choosing to graduate after three years may be certified in the Major program in Computer Science. This may require additional courses if MAT 135Y was taken in place of MAT 137Y/157Y.
2. Students in this program should consult the Department of Computer Science at least annually to discuss their choice of courses, especially if they plan on graduate study.
3. Students who may be interested in other programs sponsored by the Department of Computer Science must take MAT 137Y/157Y and not MAT 135Y.
4. It is recommended that you take a physical science course such as PHY 138Y/140Y.
5. It is strongly recommended that you take at least one half-course in Human Factors or Ergonomics offered by the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. For advice on course choice consult the Department of Computer Science.

COMPUTER SCIENCE: INFORMATION SYSTEMS OPTION (Hon.B.Sc.) Consult Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science.
Enrolment in this Program is limited. Admission requires 65% in CSC 148H, 60% in MAT 137Y/157Y, and a minimum CGPA. Consult the Timetable and the Department of Computer Science for details.

Specialist program:
(15 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:

1. CSC 108H, 148H; MAT 137Y/157Y; MGT 120H (See Note 1 to Specialist program in Computer Science)
2. One 100-series full course in ECO/HIS/PHI/PHL/POL/PSY/SOC

First or Second Year:

1. CSC 238H/MAT 246Y, CSC 258H, 270H
2. STA 107H/(220H, 221H)
3. Writing requirement (see Note 2 to Specialist program in Computer Science. The writing requirement may be satisfied by some of the choices in item 2 under “First Year”.)

Second Year or Third Year:

1. CSC 209H, 228H, 324H, 336H/350H, 340H, 364H, 378H
2. MAT 223H/240H
3. STA 250H/257H

Third or Fourth Year:
MGT 262H/363H/WDW 260H

Fourth Year:

1. CSC 318H/428H; 407H/408H, 434H; 454H/MGT 374H
2. Three of CSC 354H, 372H, 384H, ECE 385H, CSC 401H,407H/408H not taken in Group 1; CSC 418H, 458H, 465H, 468H, 485H/486H/487H, 488H/ECE 489H
Notes:
1. Students in this program choosing to graduate after three years may be certified in the Major Program in Computer Science.
2. Students are strongly recommended to take both CSC 407H and CSC 408H; doing so does not increase the number of courses required.

COMPUTER SCIENCE: SOFTWARE ENGINEERING OPTION (Hon.B.Sc.) Consult Student Counsellor, Department of Computer Science.
Enrolment in this Program is limited. Admission requires 65% in CSC 148H, 60% in MAT 137Y/157Y, and a minimum CGPA. Consult the Timetable and the Department of Computer Science for details.

Specialist program:
(13.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
CSC 108H, 148H; MAT 137Y/157Y; STA 107H (See Note 1 to Specialist program in Computer Science)

First or Second Year:
CSC 238H/MAT246Y, CSC 258H,270H; writing requirement (See Note 2 to Specialist program in Computer Science.)

Second Year or Third Year:
CSC 209H, 228H, 318H/428H, 324H, 340H; MAT 223H/240H; STA 250H/257H

Third or Fourth Year:

1. CSC 336H/350H, 364H, 378H, 407H, 408H
2. Two of CSC 354H, 372H, 384H, ECE 385H, CSC 401H, 454H, 465H
3. Three of CSC 418H, 434H, 458H, 468H, 488H/ECE 489H
Notes:
1. This program does not lead to certification as a Professional Engineer.
2. Students in this program choosing to graduate after three years may be certified in the Major Program in Computer Science.
3. Students in this program are strongly encouraged to consider participating in the “PEY” program.

COGNITIVE SCIENCE & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE — See University College Programs

COMPUTING AND LINGUISTICS — See LINGUISTICS