Computer Science in Canada

Computer science studies the theory, design, development and application of software and software systems in a wide range of fields from artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction to computational modelling and computer graphics.

A graduate degree in computer science will give a competitive edge to your career skills. These technical and problem-solving skills will help you push the boundaries of computing.

Our department of computer science is recognized as one of the best in Canada. Our faculty has made a vital impact with research in crucial areas, such as data visualization, machine learning, security, privacy and embedded systems.

In our MSc program, you’ll learn and use expert research methods. You’ll work under faculty supervision on a thesis or project of your choice. You’ll study a range of courses to broaden your knowledge of computer science. You’ll graduate with a well-rounded skill set that will give you a competitive edge in your career of choice, as well as a foundation for further advanced studies.

How many computers have you used today? Think about the app used to find your bus, the online tool used to post pictures, and the video games you are looking forward to playing. Computers and software aid, inform, and enrich our lives. A degree in Computer Science will help you contribute to the incredible ways computers are shaping our lives.  Computer Science offers a rewarding, flexible and lucrative career.
The Department of Computer Science also offers an extensive Co-op education program. Students in the co-op program have an amazing opportunity to meet employers, get career support, and complete 12-months of paid work experience before graduation. Students in many disciplines are drawn to Computer Science to expand their education and make new contributions to their areas. Whether you study Computer Science as a major, a joint major, or a minor, courses in Computer Science are an essential part of a comprehensive university education.

The UBC Department of Computer Science, established in May 1968, is one of the top computer science departments in North America. Recognized internationally for excellence in research and teaching with a conscious focus on interdisciplinary programs, the Department encourages diversity both within its community and areas of study, and plays a leadership role in research, teaching and outreach activities to champion the understanding and integration of Computer Science within all aspects of society.

For those students contemplating advanced studies in computer science at UBC, completing a master's degree before continuing to the PhD program confers several advantages. The two-year period of the master's first helps students decide whether a research career is the right career choice for them. If it is, taking this time helps give them the skills needed to pursue independent research. Second, the research experience gained can be very valuable as student work toward picking a PhD topic, as most professors in the department prefer that students shoulder this choice on their own. Third, a student who completes a master's degree and decides to work in industry prior to embarking on the full PhD has the opportunity to apply his or her skills and master's level education in the field and to take advantage of jobs that have attractive starting salaries.

Develop advanced applied-computing and problem-solving skills without losing focus on the core computer science subjects such as programming languages and operating systems.

Receive hands-on experience in robotics, networking, and cybersecurity labs. Be among alumni hired at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, and many companies in California's Silicon Valley.

Stimulate the senses. Engage the mind. When you study Computation Arts, you become a digital artist, using algorithms and computational theory to create interactive multimedia that breaks new audio-visual ground. 

The degree gives students the flexibility to combine a traditional computer science degree with a non-traditional field. Our state-of-the-art labs for 3D graphics, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence will give you experience with the equipment you’ll use in the field. Through labs, lectures and projects, you’ll also:

• Investigate programming paradigms as they relate to digital art and design
• Learn the techniques and conceptual strategies central to 3D digital production
• Use computer systems to process, synthesize, and manipulate digitized representations of sound

Computer science is an exciting, rapidly evolving discipline that impacts our everyday lives in innumerable ways. Graduate degree-holders in computer science are in high demand. Graduates from our programs have a wide range of exciting career options in industry and academia.

The University of Lethbridge offers a high-quality Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science program that provides students a chance to build on their computer science knowledge and delve further into areas that interest them. This thesis-based program trains and supports students as they carry out novel research and refine their writing and critical thinking skills. Students are supervised and mentored by faculty members with world-class expertise in a variety of areas in computer science, including algorithms, systems, and computational intelligence.