The School of Computer Science offers MSc and PhD programs in Computer Science.

The MSc in Computer Science program emphasizes both academic and applied research that can contribute to further research, academic studies, industry partnerships, and government programs. The MSc degree encompasses professors at the cutting edge of their fields, course offerings covering a wide range of computer science areas, and competitive financial incentives to eligible students.

The PhD in Computer Science program prepares candidates for careers in computer science teaching, research, or consulting. The program is designed to provide a deep knowledge of computer science and training in advanced research. Doctoral research carries the expectation of making an original contribution to the body of existing knowledge or technology. It is also expected that the responsibility of problem definition and solution is that of the student, and that the student's advisor(s) acts truly in an advisory capacity. Therefore, graduates are expected to have acquired autonomy in defining and analysing problems, conducting research, and preparing scholarly publications. These objectives are achieved through a combination of course work, independent research, public seminars, a qualifying examination, and the production and defense of a research dissertation.

The School of Computer Science also offers an Interdisciplinary PhD degree in Computational Sciences. More information on can be found at: Computational Sciences

Administrative Staff

Director
Minglun Gong (1117 Reynolds, Ext. 52824)
socsdirector@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Stacey Scott (3308 Reynolds, Ext. 54153)
graddir@socs.uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Jennifer Hughes (1116 Reynolds, Ext. 56402)
csgradassist@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

Most spaces are filled in March for entry the following September, and in October for entry the following January. Prospective students should check the School of Computer Science website http://www.socs.uoguelph.ca/ for admission procedures and deadlines.

General Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must have a four-year honours degree in computer science, or a four-year honours degree in another discipline with at least 10 courses related to computer science. Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements of both the university and the School of Computer Science, including at least a 75% average during the previous two years of full-time university study for a degree.

In addition to the university and School of Computer Science requirements, applicants must also submit:

1. a current CV and
2. a statement of research that would normally include the following sections:
   • Specific research interest with justification.
   • Academic and/or practical research experience.

English Proficiency

A test of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Please refer to the University of Guelph Admission Requirements.

Program Requirements

Once a student has been admitted to the MSc program, the following components are required for the successful completion of the MSc degree:

• Completion of CIS*6890 Technical Communication and Research Methodology and at least four other graduate courses
• Completion of the seminar requirement.
• An accepted thesis.

Duration of the Program

The MSc degree is a two-year program during which students complete five courses, give a public seminar and complete and successfully defend a thesis. Heavy emphasis is placed on the thesis, which usually requires at least two semesters. Students should plan on spending at least four full-time semesters (16 months) in the program assuming adequate preparation for graduate work.

Course Requirement

An MSc student is required to take CIS*6890 Technical Communication and Research Methodology and at least four other CIS graduate courses. Of these four courses, at least two should be outside of the student's thesis topic area. This area and the courses which fall outside of this area are identified by the student's advisor. With approval from the Graduate Program Committee, a CIS graduate course requirement may also be met by a non-CIS graduate course or by a 4000-level course. At most one reading course (CIS*6660 Topics in Computer Science II) and at most one 4000-level course can count towards the course requirement.

Seminar Requirement

An MSc student must give one publicly announced research seminar on their MSc thesis research. The student will be allocated times and dates for the seminar. It must be attended by the student's advisor and at least one other member of the student's Advisory Committee. The quality of the presentation is graded on a pass/fail basis. The MSc seminar requirement is intended for students to practice presentation and communication skills and to participate in the process of knowledge dissemination as part of the academic life.

Thesis Defence

Arrangements for the MSc thesis defence should be made at least four weeks prior to the anticipated date of the defence, and the student must submit their MSc thesis to the Examination Committee at least two weeks prior to the defence. The examination consists of an oral presentation by the student followed by questions from the Examination Committee.

PhD Program

Admission Requirements

The minimum academic requirement for admission to the PhD program is completion of a recognized master's degree in Computer Science, or related discipline, that included a thesis or major independent project, with a minimum grade average of B. Normally, successful applicants have obtained high academic standing in their master’s degree program. In addition to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies admission requirements, applicants must submit: (i) a current CV including research publications; and (ii) a statement of research (maximum of 1500 words). 

In exceptional circumstances, a student who has completed an honours undergraduate Computer Science degree (or an equivalent 4-year undergraduate degree) may apply for direct admission to the PhD program. The successful applicant must have an outstanding academic record, breadth of knowledge in Computer Science, demonstrated research accomplishments, and strong letters of recommendation.

Prospective students should check the School of Computer Science (SoCS) website for further details, procedures and deadlines. 

Program Requirements

The prescribed program of study consists of CIS*6890: Technical and Communication Research Methodology, plus two additional 0.50 courses at the graduate level. The additional courses should be prescribed in consultation with the advisory committee, which may specify more than two courses, including undergraduate make-up courses, depending on the student’s background, and will ensure appropriate breadth of knowledge in traditional core topics of Computer Science. 

To further satisfy breadth, students must have completed a total of 8 graduate courses (including CIS*6890), where at least four (not including CIS*6890) have content related to computer science. This requirement includes courses from previous degrees, where a master’s thesis counts for one course. Each course must have a grade of at least 70% and at most, one reading course can be used to satisfy this requirement. A student must satisfy the breadth requirement no later than the 4th semester after entering the program. It is the responsibility of the student’s advisory committee to assess this breadth requirement.

Students are expected to present two public seminars, successfully complete the Qualifying Examination (QE), and present and defend a thesis.

Collaborative Specializations

Artificial Intelligence

The School of Computer Science participates in the collaborative specialization in Artificial Intelligence. MSc students wishing to undertake thesis research with an emphasis on artificial intelligence are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Computer Science and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the Artificial Intelligence listing for more information.

One Health

The School of Computer Science participates in the collaborative specialization in One Health. Master’s and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Computer Science and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.

Courses

The core graduate courses are designed to be accessible to any student with an appropriate background in Computer Science and will provide enough introduction for those unfamiliar with the specific area to allow them to keep up with the advanced material.

The advanced graduate courses are taught with the assumption that the student has sufficient background in the research area to understand the advanced concepts and research ideas.  Students who intend to take a course for which they have insufficient background should consult with the instructor prior to enrollment in the course.