Computer Science (MCompSc)
Master of Computer Science (MCompSc)
Offered by:Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
Why pursue a Master's in Computer Science?
The Master of Computer Science provides students with an opportunity to broaden their base of knowledge and increase their research capabilities in a specific area of computer science.
The MCompSc program appeals to computer science graduates as well as students of cognate disciplines, such as mathematics and electrical and computer engineering, who have successfully completed core courses in computer science. It also attracts graduates from other disciplines who have a solid academic background in computer science.
The program is ideal for students employed in business and industry who wish to gain a solid education in computer science and/or software engineering at the theoretical and practical levels. The MCompSc promotes research and development, culminating in the presentation of a thesis. This program is designed for full-time study. Graduates can pursue their training at the Doctoral level (PhD), the department’s highest degree program, and attain the greatest possible expertise in their chosen fields.
The MCompSc experience is comprehensive, practical and flexible. The program offers students a wide variety of stimulating core and elective courses on a complete range of mechanical and industrial engineering topics.
Program details
Applicants to the MCompSc program must hold a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or other disciplines such as engineering, sciences, and mathematics with very high standing. Qualified applicants requiring prerequisite courses may be required to take such courses in addition to their regular graduate program.
- Program of Study. A fully qualified candidate is required to complete successfully a minimum of 45 credits. Each individual program of study must be approved by the department.
- Completion. Normally a full-time student will require six terms to complete the degree requirements.
- Transfer Credits. Students may be granted transfer credits for, in general, not more than 8 credits taken in approved graduate studies prior to their entry in this program. A course submitted for transfer credit must be appropriate to the student’s program of study at Concordia University. An application for such credit will be considered only at the time of admission.
- Cross-Registration. A student in the program wishing to take courses under the cross-registration scheme outlined in the graduate calendar must first obtain permission of the graduate program director.
- Time Limit. Please refer to the Academic Regulation page for further details regarding the Time Limit requirements.
- Thesis. Students must complete a 29-credit thesis as part of their degree requirements. The thesis must represent the results of the student’s independent work after admission to the program. The proposed topic for the thesis, together with a brief statement outlining the proposed method of treatment, and the arrangement made for faculty supervision must be approved by the graduate studies committee. For purposes of registration, this work will be designated as COMP 7941 Master’s Research and Thesis. The thesis will be evaluated by the student’s supervisor(s), and at least two examiners appointed by the graduate studies committee. Students who are admitted before June 1, 2001 may take COMP 7921.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
1. Submit your application and pay a $100CAD application fee. A student ID number will be issued
2. Log on to MyConcordia.ca portal to upload documents
3. A completed file that is ready to be assessed will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of purpose
- Transcripts (with mark sheets if applicable) for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
4. An admission offer will not be issued until a supervisor match has been made. Students are encouraged to review the list of faculty members' field of interests and directly contact those with whom you would like to work.
For initial assessment purposes, scanned and uploaded copies of documents are accepted. To finalize a file, once admitted, Concordia University will require official documents.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Computer Science | ||||
| Canadian/Permanent Resident | MCompSc | June 1 | Oct. 1 | Feb. 1 |
| International | MCompSc | Feb. 15 | June 15 | Oct. 15 |
Priority will be given to those who apply within the official deadlines listed above. Some programs may continue to accept applications after these deadlines. For more information, please contact the department.
Curriculum
Students must complete 45 credits as shown below:
- Courses. Students must complete a minimum of 16 credits of courses. A minimum of 8 credits must be chosen from Topic Areas C01 through C07. Any remaining credits may be chosen from Topic Areas C08 through C13, and C16, and COMP 6961. A maximum of 4 credits can be chosen from computer science courses at the 6000 level marked with (*). The student’s study program must be approved by the supervisor(s) and either the Graduate Program Director or the Department Chair.
- Thesis. 29 credits.
Sample classes
- Topics in Software Engineering
- Software Engineering Development Processes
- Software Comprehension and Maintenance
- Advanced Programming Practices
- Mobile computing and wireless networks
- distributed systems
- computer networks and protocols
- parallel algorithms and architectures
- ad hoc networks
- numerical analysis and scientific computing
- semantics of programming languages
- databases
- knowledge based systems
- data mining
- semantics web
- symbolic and algebraic computation
- combinatorial algorithms
- mathematical programming
- artificial Intelligence
- natural language processing
- pattern recognition
- image processing
- 3D graphics and computer gaming
- visualization techniques
- multimedia computing
- bioinformatics
- software architecture
- requirement engineering
- software measurement
- user interface
- software comprehension and maintenance
- dependable software.
Graduate students of computer science and software engineering may apply for positions as teaching assistants within the department. All candidates must have good language skills.
