Second Degree in Computing Science

This is a direct admission program which has been designed for individuals to pursue a Second Degree in the School either on a full-time or part-time basis. Students may complete a second degree on a full-time basis in approximately two years with two co-op semesters, if they have the lower level courses completed or waived.

The program can be completed by a well-prepared student in one year (three terms) of full-time study, but can also be finished through part-time study.

The basic requirement for a further bachelor's degree shall be the completion of the upper division requirements of the computing major. Total second degree program requirements add up to 45 upper division units which include the 42 units of specified course work required by the computing science major (or, alternatively, including the 30 upper division units specified for the major with a BA).

How to apply:

If you are an SFU alumnus or alumna:

Fill out the reactivation/readmission form: http://students.sfu.ca/admission/reactivation-form.html 

On the form, select "Applied Sciences" as your program.

If you are a current SFU student or your SFU degree has not yet been awarded:

Please consult a Faculty of Applied Sciences advisor before submitting your application.

If you are a non-SFU degree holder:

Check under 'Degree Holders' here for the application process: http://www.sfu.ca/computing/prospective-students/undergraduate-students/admissions.html

Program

For most second degree students, some of the requirements below will be waived due to work completed previously. For example, if a student has taken a course equivalent to CMPT 126 in their first degree, they will not have to take it again and can start with CMPT 225.  Note that lower division (100 and 200) courses are not graduation requirements, but students need to obtain appropriate pre-requisites for their desired upper division (300 and 400) courses.

Lower Division Requirements

CMPT 120

Introduction to Computing Science and Programming I

CMPT 125

Introduction to Computing Science and Programming II
CMPT 210 Probability and Computing

CMPT 225

Data Structures and Programming

CMPT 276

Introduction to Software Engineering

CMPT 295

Introduction to Computer Systems

MACM 101

Discrete Mathematics I

MATH 151

Calculus I

MATH 152

Calculus II

MATH 232 or 240

Applied Linear Algebra or Algebra I: Linear Algebra

STAT 270

Introduction to Probability and Statistics

 

Students without this background may require additional time to complete lower division prerequisites prior to the commencement of upper division courses needed for the second degree. This will be evaluated by the School during the application process.

Upper Division Requirements

A minimum of 45 Upper Division units is required; 42 of these units must be Computing Science courses. The remaining three units can be taken in another discipline.

Note that students may have to take prerequisites to the upper division courses.

The primary upper division requirements for a major are classified into the Computing Science Areas of Concentration Courses are picked from these lists in order to satisfy the breadth, depth, and credential requirements for the degree.

Breadth Requirements (15 units)

The student is required to take five courses from five of the six areas of concentration in Table I including CMPT 300 and 307. CMPT 354 is recommended.

Depth Requirements (12 units)

Four additional courses from Table I at the 400 level must be completed, excluding CMPT 415 and 416.

Credential Requirements (12 credit hours)

For a BSc second degree in Computing Science, the following additional requirements must be met:

Writing, Quantitative and Breadth Requirements (3 credit hours)

  • CMPT 376W

Alternate Credential Requirements

For a BA second degree in Computing Science, the following additional requirements must be met:

  • one additional CMPT upper division course chosen from Table I or II must be completed to bring the total upper division units in CMPT courses to a minimum of 30.
  • a concentration of 15 units in a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences discipline (department) including at least six units of upper division course work.

Co-operative Work Experience

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in Co-op. Co-op is not mandatory; however, Post-Baccalaureate Dimploma students and Second Degree students completing 2 or more co-op placements will receive the co-op designation on their transcript and parchment. 

Participating students can take up to a maximum of 5 co-op terms. A maximum of 2 consecutive co-op terms can be taken back to back. Students will need to have completed Bridging Online (BOL I) at least two terms prior to the start of the first Co-op term. Please see the Co-op site for more details.

Graduation

For a major program in Computing Science, an upper division CMPT GPA of 2.00 must be maintained for any upper division courses used to fulfill the above requirements. A major graduation plan will need to be completed and approved by an Academic Advisor. In order to graduate, both the UDGPA (upper division GPA) and CGPA need to be 2.00 or higher. We strongly recommend that students visit a Computing Science Advisor early on in their program to ensure that they meet the requirement of their program.

Graduation Planning Form

Notes

Continuation Requirement: Students in Computing Science programs are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.40 or better.

Students whose CGPA falls below 2.40 will be placed on probationary standing with the school and are required to make an appointment with an advisor prior to course registration. The number of courses available to probationary students may be limited. Probationary students must achieve either a semester GPA of at least 2.4 or an improvement in CGPA in order to continue. Probationary standing will be removed once the CGPA improves to 2.40 or better and is maintained.

Students must obtain permission from the department if they wish to take, for further units, any course that is a prerequisite for a course the student has already completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Prerequisite Grade Requirement: Registration in any computing science course normally requires that students obtain a C- or better in each prerequisite course. A minimum CGPA of 2.40 is required for entry into upper division computing courses.

Refer to the School of Computing Science section in the SFU calendar for the complete list of program requirements.


Last Updated @ 2015.01.08