Master's degree

Students admitted to the master's program are expected to:

  • be familiar with your responsibilities and expectations as indicated in the department Graduate Handbook
  • write and successfully defend a thesis or a project report 
  • fulfill the course requirements
  • fulfill the breadth requirements  
  • participate in annual progress reports 

The MSc program consists of a minimum of 15 units which includes CSC course work (CSC courses are valued at 1.5 units each), a research skills course (CSC 595) and either a master's thesis (599), project (598), or industrial project (CSC 597).  No more than three courses in the MSc programs should be in the same breadth category of the thesis topic.

*At least 12 units of your program must be at the 500 level or higher.  The remaining units may be at the 400 level or higher.  (CSC or SEng courses)

The normal expectation is to complete the program typically in four to five terms.

You must achieve a GPA of at least B for every session registered; every grade of B- or lower taken for credit will be reviewed.

**The MSc Industrial program is not offered in the foreseeable future due to unavailable space.

Examples of MSc programs:

MSc Thesis MSc Project 

MSc Industrial 
 September entry only**
4 CSC grad courses
students entering after Aug2018		 7 CSC grad courses* 8 CSC grad courses*
1 CSC 595 1 CSC 595 1 CSC 595
Thesis 599 Project 598 Capstone Project 597

Full details and estimates on tuition and fees can be found on the Graduate Studies website.

MSc supervisory committee

For both the MSc Thesis Option and Project Option Programs, your program of study is under the direction of a supervisory committee. The primary supervisor is from your home department.  The other member of the supervisory committee is normally also from the Department of Computer Science, but can be from outside the department. 

  • For the MSc thesis option program, the supervisory committee consists of a minimum of two members: an academic supervisor from the home academic unit plus at least one member from within the home academic unit. 
  • For the MSc project option program, the supervisory committee consists of a minimum of two members: an academic supervisor from the home academic unit plus at least one member who may be from outside the home academic unit.

Relationship between you and your supervisory committee

In-depth explanations and detailed guidelines for the joint responsibilities towards a successful graduate program can be found in the Graduate Supervision Policy from the Faculty of Graduate Studies.  It is important and expected that both students and members of the Supervisory Committee are knowledgeable and familiar with the document.