• 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: cs.mcgill.ca

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 and Machine Learning (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. 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 in Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence Concentration;
• Major, Honours, 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), or as part of a Bachelor of Arts and Science (see Bachelor of Arts & Science > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Computer Science).

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 advisor through the School's Undergraduate Student Affairs Office (see cs.mcgill.ca/undergrad/program/advising/).

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 – 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 "internship".

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

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.

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 or COMP 204 or COMP 208. For example, 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 on the School of Computer Science website at cs.mcgill.ca.