Program Requirements
Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.
Honours Computer Science Programs
The Honours BSc Computer Science program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits. A maximum of 6.0 credits are allowed at the 100 level.
Schedule
- Year 1
- CP104, CP164
- MA102 in fall and MA103 in winter or MA103 in fall
- MA122
- 2.5 elective credits if MA103 is taken in winter, (3.0 elective credits if MA103 is already taken in fall)
- Year 2
- CP213, CP214, CP216, CP220, CP264
- 2.5 elective credits
- Year 3
- CP312, CP317, CP363, CP372, CP373, CP386
- ST230
- 1.5 elective credits
- Year 4
- CP414
- 4.5 elective credits
Notes
Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Electives must include at least 3.0 senior CP credits among which at least 1.0 credit must be at the 400 level. Electives must also include at least 1.0 credit from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
Progression requirements will be based on grade point averages (GPAs) obtained from all courses taken and will be calculated on a cumulative basis. For progression and graduation, the requirement will be a cumulative GPA of 5.00 in Computer Science and a minimum overall GPA of 5.00.
The program consists of a total of 25.0 credits. Students receive two degrees and must complete the required course and GPA components of each of the two degrees, Honours Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Honours Bachelor of Business Administration.
- The program duration is approximately four and two-thirds years in length.
- The program guarantees entry into the Co-op Option if progression requirements to Year 2 are satisfied. The Co-op Option is not mandatory. Students have the option of undertaking three or four co-op work terms.
- The 3.0 senior computer science credits must include at least 1.0 credit at the 400 level.
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
- The program allows for 2.5 course credit repeats, instead of the traditional 2.0 course credit repeats allowed in the Honours BBA program.
- ENTR courses are considered BU electives, but are included in the non-BU GPA. BU elective credits cannot be used for progression during Year 1, 2 or 3. However, as an additional elective credit, the elective will count in the GPA.
Schedule
Year 1
- Fall: BU111, CP104, EC120, MA103 (or MA102), MA122
- Winter: BU121, BU127, CP164, EC140, MA103 (or 0.5 elective credit if MA103 is taken in fall)
- Progression Requirements:
- GPA of 7.00 for all BU courses, and GPA of 5.00 for all EC, CP, PC, MA and other courses
- GPA of 5.00 for all CP courses, and an overall GPA of 5.00
- GPA requirements for both Business and non-Business courses must be achieved by August 31 for progression into Year 2. Total course repeats may not exceed a maximum of 1.5 credits. All credits taken during Year 1 will be included in the GPA requirements for progression into Year 2. A total of 5.0 credits must be completed by August 31 for progression to Year 2.
Year 2
- Fall: BU288, EC255, CP212, CP213, CP220
- Winter: U247, CP214, CP216, CP264, CP363
- Spring: Co-op term number one
- Progression Requirements:
- GPA of 7.00 for all BU courses, and GPA of 5.00 for all EC, CP, PC, MA and other courses
- GPA of 5.00 for all CP courses, and an overall GPA of 5.00
- A total of 10.0 credits must be completed by August 31 for progression to Year 3.
Year 3
- Fall: BU231, CP312, CP386, 1.0 senior CP elective
- Winter: Co-op term number two
- Spring: BU275, BU283, CP317, EC250 or EC260, 0.5 senior CP elective
- Progression Requirements:
- GPA of 7.00 for all BU courses, and GPA of 5.00 for all EC, CP, PC, MA and other courses
- GPA of 5.00 for all CP courses, and an overall GPA of 5.00
- A total of 15.0 credits must be completed by August 31 for progression to Year 4.
Year 4
- Fall: Co-op term number three
- Winter: BU352, BU354, BU393, CP372, 0.5 senior CP elective
- Spring: BU362, BU375, BU398, BU481 (may be taken in Year 4 or Year 5), BU415 or BU486 (may be taken in Year 4 or Year 5)
- Progression Requirements:
- GPA of 7.00 for all BU courses, and GPA of 5.00 for all EC, CP, PC, MA and other courses
- GPA of 5.00 for all CP courses, and an overall GPA of 5.00
- The required 300-level Business courses in Year 4 are an Integrated set which must be taken concurrently.
- A total of 20.0 credits must be completed by August 31 for progression to Year 5.
Year 5 (Option 1 or Option 2)
- Fall
- Option 1: 2.5 BU electives, 0.5 400 level CP elective
- Option 2: Co-op term number four
- Winter
- Option 1: BU491, CP373, CP414, 0.5 400 level CP elective
- Option 2: CP373, CP414, 1.0 400 level CP elective
- Spring
- Option 2: U491, 2.5 senior BU elective
- Progression Requirements:
- GPA of 7.00 for all BU courses, and GPA of 5.00 for all EC, CP, PC, MA and other courses
- GPA of 5.00 for all CP courses, and an overall GPA of 5.00
The program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including 7.5 senior credits in computer science and 6.5 senior credits in mathematics (MA) or statistics (ST).
Schedule
- Year 1
- CP104, CP164
- MA103, MA104 (refer to Note 6 below), MA121, MA122;
- PC131, PC132 (or PC141 and PC142)
- 1.0 elective credit
- Year 2
- CP213, CP216, CP220, CP264
- MA201, MA205, MA215, MA238
- 1.0 elective credit (including MA104 if MA102 taken in Year 1) (refer to Note 6 below)
- Year 3
- CP312, CP317, CP363, CP372, CP373, CP386
- MA222, ST259, ST260, MA338
- Year 4
- CP315/PC315, CP414
- MA323
- 1.5 senior CP elective credits at the 300 or 400 level. (Refer to Note 2)
- 2.0 senior MA or ST elective credits at the 300 or 400 level
Regulations
- While the above schedule constitutes the recommended sequence by which all program requirements are satisfied, other valid sequences are possible. However, many of the required courses have one or more prerequisites and students are advised to be cautious in departing from the recommended schedule.
- The program must include at least 1.5 elective credits of senior CP courses, at least 1.0 credit of which must be at the 400 level.
- The program must include at least 1.0 credit of 400 level Mathematics courses.
- Students must meet both conditions in each year of the program for progression and graduation:
- GPA of 5.00 in MA and ST credits and an overall GPA of 5.00
- GPA of 5.00 in CP credits and an overall GPA of 5.00
- Senior honours students are expected to attend all department seminars.
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be advised to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
The program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 7.0 senior credits of CP courses and at least 7.0 senior credits of PS courses.
Required Courses
- CP104, CP164, CP220/PC220, CP213, CP216, CP264, CP312, CP317, CP363, CP372, CP386, CP414, and at least 2.0 additional senior CP credits
- PS101 and PS102, PS295, PS296, PS394, PS395, PS410
- PS499 or 1.0 credit of 300 or 400-level PS courses
- Two of PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267
- One of PS270, PS275, PS276
- Two of PS360, PS361, PS362, PS363, PS367
- Two of PS460, PS461, PS462, PS463, PS467
- MA103, MA121, MA122, MA238
- The electives must also include at least 0.5 credit from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
Regulations
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
- Progression to Year 2 requires a GPA of at least 5.00 in CP104 and CP164, a GPA of at least 5.00 in PS101 and PS102, and an overall GPA of at least 5.00. For progression to subsequent years, the cumulative GPA must be at least 5.00 in CP courses, at least 6.00 in PS courses and at least 5.00 overall; for graduation, the cumulative GPA must be at least 5.00 in CP courses, at least 7.00 in PS courses and at least 5.00 overall.
- The senior CP electives must include at least 1.0 credit at the 400 level.
- For students considering graduate studies, it is recommended that a thesis (PS499* or CP493/CP494) be taken in Year 4. Students wishing to take PS499* are advised that this is a limited enrolment course; students must apply during the winter term of Year 3 to Psychology to take this course. Refer to the course description for application details.
Schedule
The following is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be fulfilled.- Year 1
- Fall: CP104; MA102 or MA103; MA122, PS101, 0.5 elective credit
- Winter: CP164, MA103 if MA102 is taken in Fall, MA121, PS102, 0.5 elective credit if MA103 is taken in Winter, (or 1.0 elective credit if MA103 is already taken in Fall)
- Year 2
- Fall: CP220/PC220, CP213, PS295; one of PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267; one of PS270, PS275, PS276
- Winter: CP216, CP264, CP363, PS296, one of PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267
- Year 3
- Fall: CP317, CP386, PS394; one of PS360, PS361, PS362, PS363, PS367; 0.5 senior CP elective
- Winter: CP372, MA238, PS395; one of PS460, PS461, PS462, PS463, PS467; 0.5 elective credit
- Year 4
- Fall: CP312, PS410, PS499* (or 0.5 300 or 400-level PS credit); one of PS360, PS361, PS362, PS363, PS367; 0.5 senior CP elective credit
- Winter: CP414, PS499* (or 0.5 300 or 400-level PS credit); one of PS460, PS461, PS462, PS463, PS467; 1.0 senior CP elective credit
The program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 7.0 senior Computer Science credits and at least 7.5 senior Psychology credits.
Required Courses
- CP104, CP164, CP213, CP216, CP220/PC220, CP264, CP312, CP317, CP363, CP372, CP386, CP414, and at least 2.0 senior CP credits
- PS101 and PS102
- PS267 and two of PS260, PS262, PS263
- One of PS270, PS275, PS276
- PS295, PS296
- PS367 and one of PS360, PS362
- PS394, PS395, PS410
- PS467 and one of PS460, PS462
- PS499 or 1.0 credit of 300 or 400-level PS courses
- MA103, MA121, MA122, MA238
- The electives must also include at least 0.5 credit from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
Regulations
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
- Progression to Year 2 requires a GPA of at least 5.00 in CP104 and CP164, a GPA of at least 5.00 in PS101 and PS102, and an overall GPA of at least 5.0. For progression to subsequent years, the cumulative GPA must be at least 5.00 in CP courses, at least 6.0 in PS courses, and at least 5.00 overall; for graduation, the cumulative GPA must be at least 5.00 in CP courses, at least 7.00 in PS courses and at least 5.00 overall.
- The senior CP electives must include at least 1.0 credit at the 400 level.
- For students considering graduate studies, it is recommended that a thesis (PS499 or CP493/CP494) be taken in Year 4. Students wishing to take PS499 are advised that this is a limited enrolment course; students must apply during the winter term of Year 3 to Psychology to take this course. Refer to the course description for application details.
Schedule
The following is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be fulfilled.
- Year 1
- Fall: CP104, (MA102 or MA103), MA122, PS101, 0.5 elective credit
- Winter: CP164, MA103 if MA102 is taken in Fall, MA121, PS102, 0.5 elective credit if MA103 is taken in winter, (or 1.0 elective credit if MA103 is already taken in fall)
- Year 2
- Fall: CP220/PC220, CP213, PS295, PS267 and one of (PS260, PS262, PS263)
- Winter: CP216, CP264, PS296, one of PS260, PS262, PS263; one of PS270, PS275, PS276
- Year 3
- Fall: CP317, CP386, PS394; PS367 (or one of PS360, PS362), 0.5 senior CP elective credit
- Winter: CP363, CP372, MA238, PS395, PS467 (or one of PS460, PS462)
- Year 4:
- Fall: CP312, PS410, PS499 (or 0.5 300 or 400-level PS credit), one of PS360, PS362, (or PS367); 0.5 senior CP elective credit
- Winter: CP414, PS499 (or 0.5 300 or 400-level PS credit), one of PS460, PS462 (or PS467); 1.0 senior CP elective credit
The combined Honours BA Computer Science program consists of 20.0 credits of which not more than 6.0 may be taken at the 100 level. A minimum of 7.0 senior Computer Science credits is required.
Required Courses
- CP104, CP164, CP213, CP214, CP216, CP220/PC220, CP264, CP312, CP317, CP363, CP372, CP386, CP414 and at least 1.5 additional senior Computer Science credits, which must include at least 1.0 credit at the 400 level
- MA103, MA122
- ST230 or a statistics or research methods course from the other BA major
- Electives: An additional 12.0 credits toward the required degree total of 20.0 credits, which includes the second BA major, and MA and ST required courses above.
Notes
- Students who do not take a research methods course in their other major are required to take ST230.
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
The program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 6.0 senior credits in Computer Science and 6.0 senior credits in Physics. The program must include a minimum of 14.0 senior credits.
Schedule
- Year 1
- MA103, MA122
- CP104, CP164 or CP114
- PC131, PC132
- 2.0 elective credit or 1.5 elective credit if MA102 is required prior to completing MA103
- Year 2
- MA205, MA201
- CP214, CP264, CP213, PC220/CP220, PC212, PC237, PC242
- 0.5 elective
- Year 3
- CP216, CP312, CP317, CP315/PC315, PC321, PC351/CP351
- PC331 or PC235
- ST230
- 1.0 elective credit
- Year 4
- CP363, CP386, CP373, CP414, PC344
- PC454 or PC400A
- 2.0 elective credits
Students may follow a different schedule of their choice.
Regulations
- Electives must include at least 1.0 credit from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
- Elective credits must include at least 2.0 senior credits in Physics and Computer Science, or which at least 1.0 credit must be senior Physics.
- A maximum of six 100-level credits are allowed.
- 20.0 credits minimum to complete the degree, of which at least 14.0 must be at the senior level
- For progression into the next year, and for graduation, the requirement is:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 (C) calculated on the Computer Science courses.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 (C) calculated on the Physics courses.
- A minimum cumulative overall GPA of 5.00 (C).
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Honours Physics Programs
The program consists of 20.0 credits, of which no more than 7.0 credits may be at the 100 level. The program must include at least 9.0 senior Physics credits.
Schedule
- Year 1
- Fall: MA102 or MA103, MA122, PC131, 1.0 elective credit (CP104 recommended)
- Winter: PC132, MA103 if MA102 is taken in fall, 1.5 elective credits (2.0 elective credits if MA103 is taken in fall)
- Year 2
- Fall: MA201, MA205, PC212, 1.0 elective credit
- Winter: PC237, PC242, 1.5 elective credits
- Year 3
- Fall: PC321, PC344, PC351/CP351, 1.0 elective credit
- Winter: PC235 or PC331, 2.0 elective credit
- Year 4
- Fall: PC454 or PC400A, 2.0 elective credits
- Winter: 2.5 elective credits
Notes
- Electives must include at least 5.0 senior credits in Physics
- Progression requirements will be based on grade point averages (GPAs) obtained from all courses taken and will be calculated on a cumulative basis. For progression and graduation, the requirement will be a cumulative GPA of 5.00 in Physics and a minimum overall GPA of 5.00.
The Honours BSc Chemistry and Physics joint program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 6.0 senior credits in Chemistry and 6.0 senior credits in Physics. The program shall include a minimum of 14.0 senior credits.
Schedule
This is a suggested schedule within which all program requirements can be fulfilled. While other sequences are possible, many of the required courses have one or more prerequisites and students are advised to be cautious in departing from the recommended schedule.
- Year 1
- CH110, CH111
- PC131, PC132
- MA103, MA104 (unless MA102 is taken)
- MA122
- 1.5 elective credits (BI110 and CP104 recommended)
- Year 2
- CH202, CH212, CH261
- PC212, PC237, PC242, 0.5 senior PC elective credit
- MA201, MA205
- 0.5 elective credit
- Year 3
- CH213, CH225, CH313, CH390
- 1.0 credit from CH340, CH345 or CH440
- PC321
- 0.5 credit from PC235 or PC331
- 1.0 elective credit
- Year 4
- PC344, PC351
- 0.5 credit from PC400A or PC454
- 1.5 PC senior elective credits
- 1.5 CH senior elective credits
- 0.5 elective credit
Regulations
- Electives must include at least 1.0 credit from outside of the major discipline(s) of which 0.5 credit must be from a discipline outside of those offered by the Faculty of Science.
- Progression into Year 2 requires a minimum average GP of 5.00 in CH110, CH111, PC131 and PC132, and an overall GPA of 5.00. Progression into Year 3 and Year 4, as well as graduation, requires a minimum average GP of 5.00 in Chemistry and Physics courses and an overall GPA of 5.00.
- Students who are not planning to enrol in CH490 or PC491 and PC492 in Year 4 must enrol in CH390 in Year 3. Students who are planning to enrol in CH490 or PC491 + PC492 in Year 4 are encouraged to enrol in CH390 in Year 3 but are not required to do so and may replace CH390 with 0.5 CH credit at the 300 or 400 level. By the end of the program, a student must have credit for at least one of the following: CH390, CH490 or PC491 and PC492. A student may have credit for only one of CH490 or PC491 and PC492.
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be advised to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103; then MA102 and MA103 would be completed in Year 1 and MA104 would be completed in Year 2.
The program consists of a minimum of 20.0 credits, including at least 6.0 senior credits in Computer Science and 6.0 senior credits in Physics. The program must include a minimum of 14.0 senior credits.
Schedule
- Year 1
- MA103, MA122
- CP104, CP164 or CP114
- PC131, PC132
- 2.0 elective credit or 1.5 elective credit if MA102 is required prior to completing MA103
- Year 2
- MA205, MA201
- CP214, CP264, CP213, PC220/CP220, PC212, PC237, PC242
- 0.5 elective
- Year 3
- CP216, CP312, CP317, CP315/PC315, PC321, PC351/CP351
- PC331 or PC235
- ST230
- 1.0 elective credit
- Year 4
- CP363, CP386, CP373, CP414, PC344
- PC454 or PC400A
- 2.0 elective credits
Students may follow a different schedule of their choice.
Regulations
- Electives must include at least 1.0 credit from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Science.
- Elective credits must include at least 2.0 senior credits in Physics and Computer Science, or which at least 1.0 credit must be senior Physics.
- A maximum of six 100-level credits are allowed.
- 20.0 credits minimum to complete the degree, of which at least 14.0 must be at the senior level
- For progression into the next year, and for graduation, the requirement is:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 (C) calculated on the Computer Science courses.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00 (C) calculated on the Physics courses.
- A minimum cumulative overall GPA of 5.00 (C).
- Based on the results of the Calculus Preparation Evaluation, an entering student may be required to complete MA102 prior to completing MA103.
Options and Minors
Options and minors are a secondary concentration of courses in a subject other than a major or honours subject.
The Applied Digital Option and Management Option are most popular with students in our department. Computer Science and Physics students are required to take ST230 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Science to meet the statistics requirement of the Management Option
- CP104 Introduction to Programming
- CP164 Data Structures I or CP114
- CP213 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
- 1.5 additional senior credits in Computer Science
- PC131 Mechanics
- PC132 Thermodynamics and Waves or PC141 Mechanics for the Life Sciences and PC142 Thermodynamics and Waves for the Life Sciences
- PC212 Electricity and Magnetism
- PC242 Modern Physics
- 1.0 additional senior credit in Physics
The listed physics courses have mathematics prerequisites and co-requisites; specifically MA110 or MA103 or MA105, MA122, MA205. Depending on the senior credits chosen, there may be additional mathematics requirements.
Cooperative Education
Computer Science BA/BSc (including double majors) and Computing and Computer Electronics BSc
Computer Science BSc and Business Administration (double degree)
Physics BSc (including double majors)