Bachelor of Computer Science

On this page

1. Preparing for your Studies
   1. Video on registration and course selection tips for new CS students
   2. Q&A – Hear directly from our students
2. Academics
   1. Courses and Registration
   2. Honours vs Major Degree
   3. Program Streams and Minors
   4. MCS Accelerated Pathway
   5. Minor in Computer Science
   6. COMP Course Drop-in Support Service
3. Co-op
4. Student Clubs and Societies
5. Student Wellness and Support

Courses and registration

Preparing for your Studies

Are you a first-year student with questions about registration or looking for tips on selecting courses?

Watch this fantastic video prepared by students from the Carleton Computer Science Society

Access the slides shown in the video here

Q&A – Hear directly from our students

Learn about their experiences in Computer Science, including adding minors or a stream, electives they’ve enjoyed, taking Math and Stats courses, Co-op experiences and much more. Watch the Q&A here!

Academics

Courses and Registration

Welcome to Carleton and your Bachelor of Computer Science degree program! More information on registration, course selection, electives and prohibited courses, and your academic audit can be found by following the link below:

Honours vs Major Degree

The School of Computer Science offers both an Honours degree and a Major degree. Both are 20.0 credit degree programs in which you obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and both offer a co-op option.

However, the Honours degree requires you to take COMP 3804, which teaches valuable advanced problem-solving techniques that will remain useful for your entire career. It also allows you to take either COMP 4905 [0.5] (Honours Project) or COMP 4906 [1.0] (Honours Thesis), which gives you experience in doing independent work. The required written report in these courses is valuable, especially if you want to advance in a software career

The Honours program also has higher CGPA requirements for graduation, and you may not choose a program stream designation unless you are in the Honours program.

Program Streams and Minors

A program stream is a series of area-specific courses that you take as part of your degree which allows you to specialize in a particular field of study. If you intend to apply for a job within a particular field corresponding to one of our streams, then the stream will allow you to be more prepared/trained for that field of work. Some streams begin in first year, allowing you to take a stream-specific course during each year of the program. Other streams have course-specific requirements that only begin in third year.

You can find a comparison of stream requirements by following the link below:

In addition to your Major (i.e. Computer Science), students in the BCS program may add a maximum of two program elements to their degree. Program elements include Minors and Streams. This means that BCS students can choose up to one Stream and one Minor, or two Minors. Students are not permitted to have two Streams. You may view the Program section of each degree in the Undergraduate Calendar to see the requirements of the specific Stream or Minor that you are interested in. Adding a Minor or a Stream is optional. Students can add a Minor or a Stream using the Change of Program Elements Form on Carleton Central. If you have any questions about adding a program element to your degree, please consult with an Undergraduate Advisor.

MCS Accelerated Pathway

The MCS Accelerated Pathway allows Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons.) students a chance to fast-track their Master’s of Computer Science studies, enabling you to reach your academic and career goals sooner.

Minor in Computer Science

The Minor in Computer Science consists of 4.0 credits in computer science (COMP) courses. Enrolment is limited and not all programs are allowed to add computer science as a Minor. Please consult the Undergraduate Calendar to view the Minor requirements.

Co-op

“You have access as a Carleton co-op student to a lot of different employers. And it doesn’t just have to be here in Ottawa. I’ve gotten interviews with companies in other cities, even Vancouver and Edmonton.” – Eric Tran, BCSM.

Co-operative Education combines traditional, in-class education with hands-on experience. As a co-op student, you alternate study terms at Carleton with four, eight, twelve or sixteen month work terms. Co-op work terms allow for the development of key employability skills, exploration of career options and graduation with tangible, workplace experience—giving you a competitive edge in the job market after graduation.

Your first potential co-op admission is in the fall term of your second year, with your first potential work term taking place in the summer term of your second year. You are required to take complete four terms of work to receive the co-op designation. Students generally follow the schedule shown below:

Work-Study Sequence

Student Clubs and Societies

Carleton’s extensive network of clubs and societies is another great way to meet new people and pursue your interests outside the classroom. With more than 170 active clubs and societies to choose from, you will certainly find a venue for your academic, social, political or charitable interests. Here is a list of clubs and societies that are related to computer science:

Student Wellness and Support

University success is achieved by not only maintaining good study habits and attending class, but also by taking care of yourself. There are many resources and services on campus and in the community to help you better understand, manage and improve your mental health and wellness throughout your degree and beyond.