Computer Science
Computer science combines the study of computation and information processing fundamentals with their application in the world around us. Computer scientists build fast, reliable, scalable and secure software systems to organize and analyze information. The honours curriculum comprises advanced topics in databases, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, security, distributed computing and algorithm design, culminating in an honours project. This program teaches graduates how to use their creative and innovative talents to conceive, design and implement software systems.
The French Immersion Stream is available to all students in the Computer Science program. Our degrees are very flexible and include options, minors and a major, which can be used to explore connections between computer science and many other fields of study.
Studies made for you
Options with this program
- Honours BSc with Specialization in Computer Science
- Honours BSc with Specialization in Computer Science, Management and Entrepreneurship Option
- Honours BSc with Specialization in Computer Science, Data Science Option
- Joint Honours BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics
- Major in Computer Science
- Minor in Computer Science*
- Minor in Computer Science for Scientists*
- Accelerated stream: You can complete your Honours BSc with Specialization in Computer Science and your Master of Computer Science within five years with the Accelerated Stream.
*Complimentary program offered only as a second discipline. Registration starts in second year.CloseLanguages
- This program is offered in English and in French.
- All compulsory courses are offered in English and in French.
- French immersion: the French Immersion Stream is available for this program.
CloseCourse examples
- Design of Secure Computer Systems
- WWW Structures, Techniques and Standards
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Fundamentals of Data Science
- Computer Network Protocols
Consult and compare the course list of programs and options.
- Cryptography
- Programming Language Concepts
- Advanced Programming Concepts with C++
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Real-Time Systems Design
- Computer Graphics
Close
Apply!Access the program guide
Caitlin Fischer / Computer Science (2019)
“My first computer science course was memorable. Having never tried programming, I found the course, Introduction to Computing I, both interesting and intimidating; it was interesting because I had to think differently to solve problems and it was intimidating because almost every time I answered a question in class, I was wrong. Needless to say, I had to work hard to succeed in that course.
Fast forward a few years, and I am currently interning at Google for the second time. It is exciting to apply concepts I learned in courses like Introduction to Software Engineering as well as Data Structures and Algorithms to my internship. I am hopeful that in 2019, I will be able to return to Google for a third time.
I would encourage students to pursue studies in Computer Science. Although it is a challenging program, it is both fascinating and rewarding. With what you learn in your courses and during internships, you have the ability to help thousands (or even millions) of people.”
Enhance your studies
CO-OP (optional)
Experience your future career and help fund your studies with the CO-OP program. With the Co-operative Education (CO-OP) Program, you can gain hands-on experience in your field of study while you complete your degree.Examples of tasks at workCO-OP salary and placement rateSome of our employers includeMore informationUndergraduate research opportunitiesCentre for Entrepreneurship and Engineering Design (CEED)
Things to know
Admission requirements
OntarioSecondary VCEGEP
Not studying in an Ontario or Quebec high school? Find your admission requirements.
Admission averages vary between English and French programs. See the French page for the French program requirements.
Opportunities with this degree
Career opportunitiesSalary and placement rateGraduate studies
This Engineering field offers many possibilities to students.
If you have any more questions about this field, we invite you to get in touch with the Undergraduate Studies Office or the Career Development Centre.
Apply!Contact usRelated linksBack to top
uOttawa – Faculty of Engineering
Undergraduate Studies Office
STE 1020 (map)
800 King Edward Ave.
Ottawa ON Canada
K1N 6N5
Tel.: 613-562-5918
Fax.: 613-562-5187
bacinfo@engineering.uOttawa.ca
Graduate Studies Office
STE 1024 (map)
800 King Edward Ave.
Ottawa ON Canada
K1N 6N5
Tel.: 613-562-5347
Fax.: 613-562-5129
engineering.grad@uOttawa.ca
Office of the Dean
CBY A306 (map)
161 Louis Pasteur
Ottawa ON Canada
K1N 6N5
Tel.: 613-562-5682
Fax.: 613-562-5174
Faculty services
Caitlin Fischer / Computer Science (2019)
“My first computer science course was memorable. Having never tried programming, I found the course, Introduction to Computing I, both interesting and intimidating; it was interesting because I had to think differently to solve problems and it was intimidating because almost every time I answered a question in class, I was wrong. Needless to say, I had to work hard to succeed in that course.
Fast forward a few years, and I am currently interning at Google for the second time. It is exciting to apply concepts I learned in courses like Introduction to Software Engineering as well as Data Structures and Algorithms to my internship. I am hopeful that in 2019, I will be able to return to Google for a third time.
I would encourage students to pursue studies in Computer Science. Although it is a challenging program, it is both fascinating and rewarding. With what you learn in your courses and during internships, you have the ability to help thousands (or even millions) of people.”
Enhance your studies
CO-OP (optional)
Experience your future career and help fund your studies with the CO-OP program. With the Co-operative Education (CO-OP) Program, you can gain hands-on experience in your field of study while you complete your degree.Examples of tasks at work
- Basic operations software
- Database design
- Designing basic programs and extensions to existing programs
- Mathematical and statistical analysis
- Programming in several languages including C++, Java, Prolog, Assembler, Perl, Scheme and fourth-generation languages (4GL)
- Project analysis and management
- Work on designing high-level software including for data transmission and networks
CloseCO-OP salary and placement rate
Salary (hourly rate)
- $17.80 – $25.51
Work term placement rates
- 96.6%
CloseSome of our employers include
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Amazon
- Bank of Canada
- Bell Canada
- BlackBerry
- CENX Inc.
- CIENA Corporation
- Canada Border Services Agency
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Caseware International Inc.
- Communication Security Establishment Canada
- Electronic Arts Inc.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Ericsson Canada Inc.
- Global Affairs Canada
- Health Canada
- House of Commons
- IBM Canada Ltd.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Kinaxis
- Klipfolio
- Mitel Networks Corporation
- Morgan Stanley
- NXP Semiconductors
- National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
- Natural Resources Canada
- Nokia
- Open Text AG
- Public Services and Procurement Canada
- Ross Video Limited
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Shopify
- Statistics Canada
- StoneShare Inc.
- Telepin Software
- The Pythian Group
- Treasury Board of Canada
- Ubisoft Entertainment
- University of Ottawa
CloseMore information
CloseUndergraduate research opportunitiesCentre for Entrepreneurship and Engineering Design (CEED)
Things to know
Admission requirements
Ontario
General requirements
A minimum combined average of 70% is required for all prerequisite courses in science and mathematics.
Prerequisite courses
| Discipline | Prerequisites and other requirements | Admission average |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Mechanical Engineering | English 4U or Français 4UAdvanced Functions 4UCalculus and Vectors 4UBiology 4UChemistry 4UPhysics 4U | High 80s |
| Biotechnology (Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering) | English 4U or Français 4UAdvanced Functions 4UCalculus and Vectors 4UTwo of the following:Biology 4UChemistry 4UPhysics 4UEarth and Space Science 4U | Mid 80s |
| Chemical Engineering | English 4U or Français 4UAdvanced Functions 4UCalculus and Vectors 4UChemistry 4UPhysics 4U | Mid 80s |
| Civil Engineering | ||
| Mechanical Engineering | ||
| Computer Science | English 4U or Français 4UAdvanced Functions 4UCalculus and Vectors 4U | Low to Mid 90s |
| Computer Science and Mathematics | ||
| Data Science | ||
| Computer Engineering | English 4U or Français 4UAdvanced Functions 4UCalculus and Vectors 4UChemistry 4UPhysics 4U | Low 80s |
| Electrical Engineering | ||
| Physics and Electrical Engineering | ||
| Software Engineering | English 4U or Français 4UAdvanced Functions 4UCalculus and Vectors 4UOne of the following:Biology 4UChemistry 4UComputing 4UPhysics 4U | High 80s |
CloseSecondary V
General requirements
A minimum combined average of 84% is required for all prerequisite courses in science and mathematics.
Students may be required to take up to two mathematics make-up courses at the University either the summer before or during their first year.
Prerequisite courses
| Discipline | Prerequisites and other requirements | Admission average |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Mechanical Engineering | English, Language Arts (Sec. V) or Français, langue d’enseignement (5e sec.)Mathematics Technical and Scientific option or Science option (Sec. V)Chemistry (Sec. V)Physics (Sec. V)Science and Technology (with or without option) (Sec. IV) | 84% |
| Biotechnology (Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering) | ||
| Physics and Electrical Engineering | ||
| Computer Science | English, Language Arts (Sec. V) or Français, langue d’enseignement (5e sec.)Mathematics Technical and Scientific option or Science option (Sec. V) | 84% |
| Computer Science and Mathematics | ||
| Data Science | ||
| Chemical Engineering | English, Language Arts (Sec. V) or Français, langue d’enseignement (5e sec.)Mathematics Technical and Scientific option or Science option (Sec. V)Chemistry (Sec. V)Physics (Sec. V) | 84% |
| Civil Engineering | ||
| Computer Engineering | ||
| Electrical Engineering | ||
| Mechanical Engineering | ||
| Software Engineering | English, Language Arts (Sec. V) or Français, langue d’enseignement (5e sec.)Mathematics Technical and Scientific option or Science option (Sec. V)One of the following:Science and Technology (with or without option) (Sec. IV)Chemistry (Sec. V)Physics (Sec. V) | 84% |
These are minimum requirements only. They are subject to change. Admission is not guaranteed.
See the full undergraduate admission requirements for more information.CloseCEGEP
General requirements
A minimum combined average of 70% is required for all prerequisite courses in science and mathematics, except in Software Engineering, where a minimum of 70% is required for each prerequisite course in science and mathematics.
Students who are missing the mathematics prerequisite are required to take up to two replacement courses at the University the summer before or during their first year.
Prerequisite courses
| Discipline | Prerequisites and other requirements | Admission average |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | English (603) or Français (601)Mathematics (201) Calculus I | Mid 70s |
| Computer Science and Mathematics | ||
| Data Science | ||
| Computer Engineering | English (603) or Français (601)Chemistry (202) General Chemistry or Organic ChemistryPhysics (203) Mechanics or Electricity and MagnetismMathematics (201) Calculus I | Low 70s |
| Electrical Engineering | ||
| Physics and Electrical Engineering | ||
| Biotechnology (Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering) | English (603) or Français (601)Mathematics (201) Calculus ITwo of the following:Biology (101) General Biology IChemistry (202) General Chemistry of Organic ChemistryPhysics (203) Mechanics or Electricity and MagnetismMathematics (201) Algebra I | Mid 70s |
| Chemical Engineering | English (603) or Français (601)Chemistry (202) General Chemistry or Organic ChemistryPhysics (203) Mechanics or Electricity and MagnetismMathematics (201) Calculus I | Mid 70s |
| Civil Engineering | ||
| Mechanical Engineering | ||
| Software Engineering | English (603) or Français (601)Mathematics (201) Calculus IOne of the following:Biology (101) General Biology IChemistry (202) General Chemistry of Organic ChemistryPhysics (203) Mechanics or Electricity and Magnetism | Low 80s |
| Biomedical Mechanical Engineering | English (603) or Français (601)Biology (101) General BiologyChemistry (202) General Chemistry or Organic ChemistryPhysics (203) Mechanics or Electricity and MagnetismMathematics (201) Calculus I | Low 80s |
These are minimum requirements only. They are subject to change. Admission is not guaranteed.
See the full undergraduate admission requirementsfor more information.Close
Not studying in an Ontario or Quebec high school? Find your admission requirements.
Admission averages vary between English and French programs. See the French page for the French program requirements.
Leave a Reply