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Computing Science

Overview

International Year One (UTP Stage II): Computing Science is equivalent to the first year of SFU’s Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) degree program. It provides the foundation for further study in many aspects of computing to help you choose your area of specialization for your undergraduate degree.

KEY INFORMATION

Duration

  • 3 terms

Intakes

  • January, May, September

Location

  • Vancouver

Your direct pathway to Simon Fraser University

High School
FIC
2nd year Simon Fraser University

International Year One (UTP Stage II): Computing Science

Entry to second year at SFU

Bachelor of Science

Areas of study:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Graphics and Multimedia
  • Computing Science dual degree (with Zhejiang University, China)
  • Computing Systems
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Programming Languages and Software
  • Software Systems (major)
  • Theoretical Computing Science

For more information on SFU’s School of Computing Science.

A minimum GPA of 2.75, based on completion of 10 courses (at least 30 units, and with a grade of C- or better in all courses), will guarantee admittance to the School of Computing Science for successful transfer students from FIC. In addition, a cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the university. Course offerings and required courses may change without notice. A student advisor can help you choose appropriate courses to satisfy SFU entry requirements. Your International Year One (UTP Stage II) Program may include a mandatory non-credit academic literacy course.

For students planning their SFU transfer, please see the Graduation and Transfer page.

Careers

Potential career paths

  • Bioinformatics
  • Business analysis
  • Cryptography
  • Database administration
  • Game development
  • Information security
  • Programmer
  • Software engineering
  • Web design
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* Program fees are based on 30 credits of study at C$1,148.92 per credit. Students taking more than 30 credits of study will need to pay additional fees. Not for credit transfer Academic Literacy Course is a requirement for International Year One (UTP Stage II) Direct entry.

For the most up-to-date fees and charges, please visit: https://www.fraseric.ca/admissions/fees/

Program Requirements

 

To transfer into the Faculty of Applied Science, Students must complete the requirements listed below, which include one ‘W’ and one ‘Q’ course; and achieve grade of C- or better in all courses.
-> What are ‘W’ and ‘Q’ courses?

There is a continuance GPA in computing science of 2.40.  By the end of the second semester of study all student must maintain a GPA of 2.40 to remain in the computing science program.  If you are not able to maintain this GPA advising will work with you to find an alternative program. (The continuance GPA was previously 2.0 all current students have until January 1st, 2017 to achieve a 2.4 GPA).

All (direct) students are required to take (and pass) ILS101/ILSA101 – Integrated Learning Skills and ALC101/ALAC101 – Academic Literacy Course in their first term of study unless exempted. For ALC exempted requirements, please check the English requirements page*

 

Computing Science Fundamentals Program

Students without Grade 12 equivalent Math will be admitted to the Computing Science Fundamentals Program and will be required to take MATH100 or an additional science during their first term at FIC. This course counts as an elective with academic credit, so students starting in the Computing Science Fundamentals Program can still complete the pathway in one year (three terms), provided they have enough electives available in their program to be used for these classes.

 

Required Courses

Please note that the required courses in the transfer pathway to Computing Science have been updated for students beginning in the Fall of 2022. Please select the relevant drop-down below for your required courses. If possible, it is recommend that students complete the newer requirements.

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Required Courses (Admission Fall 2022 Onward)

Required Courses (Fall 2022 Onward)

CMPT115 - Exploring Computer Science

Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Applied Sciences – You will be exploring fundamental ideas in Computer Science, and the far-reaching impact of computational thinking on modern society. Programming is not the focus, but you will do a bit of programming to actively experience the computational point of view on the world, creating applications in AI and robotics using friendly visual programming languages. No prior computing experience required. Breadth-Science.

Prerequisite

No prerequisite required
Students with credit for CMPT 120, 125, 130 or 135 may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT120 - Introduction to Computing Science and Programming I

Quantitative
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Applied Sciences – An elementary introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students with little or no programming background. Students will learn fundamental concepts and terminology of computing science, acquire elementary skills for programming in a high-level language and be exposed to diverse fields within, and applications of computing science. Topics include pseudocode; data types and control structures; fundamental algorithms; computability and complexity; computer architecture; and history of computing science. Treatment is informal and programming is presented as a problem-solving tool.

Prerequisite

MATH100 or higher with a minimum C- grade
CMPT115 with a minimum C grade (Computing Science Students)
Students with credit for CMPT125, CMPT130 or CMPT135 may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT125 - Introduction to Computing Science and Programming II

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Applied Sciences – A rigorous introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students who already have some background in computing science and programming. Intended for students who will major in computing science or a related program. Topics include: memory management; fundamental algorithms; formally analyzing the running time of algorithms; abstract data types and elementary data structures; object-oriented programming and software design; specification and program correctness; reading and writing files; debugging tools; shell commands.

Prerequisite

CMPT120 or CMPT130 with a minimum C- grade
Students with credit for CMPT135 may not take this course for further credit.

MACM101 - Discrete Mathematics I

Quantitative
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Science – This course is an introduction to discrete mathematics. The course will focus on establishing basic principles and motivate the relevance of those principles by providing examples of applications in computing science.

Prerequisite

Math Check score (26 or above) OR MATH100 with a minimum B grade

MATH151 - Calculus I

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Science – Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions; trigonometric functions; and inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of Differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, related rates, Newton's method. Antiderivatives and applications. Conic sections, polar coordinates, parametric curves.

Prerequisite

Math Check score (26 or above) OR MATH100 with a minimum B grade OR MTH101 & MTH103 with a minimum B grade
Students with credit for MATH157 may not take MATH151 for further credit.

MATH152 - Calculus II

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Science – Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence, and applications of power series.

Prerequisite

MATH151 with a C- minimum grade or MATH157 with a B minimum grade

 

Choose one course from the following list:

ENGL112 - Literature Now (Formerly ENGL101)

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Introduces students to contemporary works of literature in English and/or contemporary approaches to interpreting literature. May focus on one or multiple genres. Includes attention to writing skills.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes
Students with credit for ENGL101 may not take this course for further credit.

ENGL113 - Literature and Performance

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Introduces students to plays and performance works created and adapted for the stage, and/or the performative dimensions of other literary forms. May be organized historically, generically or thematically. The course may also explore the links between literary and performance theory. Includes attention to writing skills.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes

ENGL115 - Literature and Culture (Formerly ENGL105)

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – An Introduction to the study of literature within the wider cultural field, with a focus on contemporary issues across genres and media.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes
Students with credit for ENGL105 may not take this course for further credit.

PSYC109 - Brain, Mind and Society

Writing
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – Introduces the student to issues in Psychology by surveying the research on brain and behaviour and the implications of this work for individuals and society. Beginning with neurons, this course explores the transition to human experience.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes.

WL101 - Writing in World Literature

Writing
Breadth-Humanities
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Explores literary texts from diverse linguistic and cultural origins while introducing students to the fundamentals of comparative literary analysis and critical writing. May examine cross-cultural interactions, or compare texts thematically. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes. Students with credit for WL102 may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT120 and CMPT125 are preferred for students in the Computing Science pathway. If a student already has credit for CMPT120/125 or CMPT130/CMPT135 due to internal transfer, they are exempt from CMPT115 as it must be taken before CMPT120/CMPT130. CMPT115 must be replaced with MATH232 in these cases as a required course.

***A minimum grade of B will be required in MACM101 for students beginning the pathway in Fall 2022 or later.

 

Elective Courses

Students select at least 3 courses within the FIC roster of offerings.

 

Recommend Course Selection Order

Page Section

Required Courses (For Students Admitted Prior to Fall 2022)

Required Courses (Admission Prior to Fall 2022)

CMPT130 - Introduction to Computer ProgrammingⅠ

Quantitative
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Applied Sciences – An introduction to computing science and computer programming, using a systems-oriented language, such as C or C++. This course introduces basic computing science concepts. Topics will include: elementary data types, control structures, functions, arrays and strings, fundamental algorithms, computer organization and memory management.

Prerequisite

Computing Science students cannot take CMPT130 in the first semester of their study.
BC Math 12 (or equivalent, or any of MATH150, MATH151, MATH154, or MATH157), OR MATH100 with B grade OR Math Check score (26 or above).
Students with credit for CMPT102, CMPT120, CMPT126, or CMPT128 may not take this course for further credit.

CMPT135 - Introduction to Computer Programming Ⅱ

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Applied Sciences – A second course in systems-oriented programming and computing science that builds upon the foundation set in CMPT 130 using a systems-oriented language such as C or C++. Topics: a review of the basic elements of programming; introduction to object-oriented programming (OOP); techniques for designing and testing programs; use and implementation of elementary data structures and algorithms; introduction to embedded systems programming.

Prerequisite

CMPT130 with a minimum C- grade.
Students with credit for CMPT125, CMPT126, or CMPT128 may not take this course for further credit.

MACM101 - Discrete Mathematics I

Quantitative
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Science – This course is an introduction to discrete mathematics. The course will focus on establishing basic principles and motivate the relevance of those principles by providing examples of applications in computing science.

Prerequisite

Math Check score (26 or above) OR MATH100 with a minimum B grade

MATH151 - Calculus I

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Science – Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions; trigonometric functions; and inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of Differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, related rates, Newton's method. Antiderivatives and applications. Conic sections, polar coordinates, parametric curves.

Prerequisite

Math Check score (26 or above) OR MATH100 with a minimum B grade OR MTH101 & MTH103 with a minimum B grade
Students with credit for MATH157 may not take MATH151 for further credit.

MATH152 - Calculus II

Quantitative
3 units
Faculty of Science – Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence, and applications of power series.

Prerequisite

MATH151 with a C- minimum grade or MATH157 with a B minimum grade

Choose one course from the following list:

ENGL112 - Literature Now (Formerly ENGL101)

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Introduces students to contemporary works of literature in English and/or contemporary approaches to interpreting literature. May focus on one or multiple genres. Includes attention to writing skills.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes
Students with credit for ENGL101 may not take this course for further credit.

ENGL113 - Literature and Performance

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Introduces students to plays and performance works created and adapted for the stage, and/or the performative dimensions of other literary forms. May be organized historically, generically or thematically. The course may also explore the links between literary and performance theory. Includes attention to writing skills.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes

ENGL115 - Literature and Culture (Formerly ENGL105)

Writing
Breadth-Humanities (Effective Fall 2016)
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – An Introduction to the study of literature within the wider cultural field, with a focus on contemporary issues across genres and media.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes
Students with credit for ENGL105 may not take this course for further credit.

PSYC109 - Brain, Mind and Society

Writing
Breadth-Science
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – Introduces the student to issues in Psychology by surveying the research on brain and behaviour and the implications of this work for individuals and society. Beginning with neurons, this course explores the transition to human experience.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes.

WL101 - Writing in World Literature

Writing
Breadth-Humanities
3 units
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Explores literary texts from diverse linguistic and cultural origins while introducing students to the fundamentals of comparative literary analysis and critical writing. May examine cross-cultural interactions, or compare texts thematically. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

Prerequisite

Open to students who have passed 3 UTP II Classes. Students with credit for WL102 may not take this course for further credit.

 

Elective Courses

Students select at least 4 courses within the FIC roster of offerings.

 

Recommend Course Selection Order

 

Course Repeat Policy

Required courses may only be repeated once.

 

Readmission to the Computing Science pathway

For readmission to the Computing Science pathway, students must take a minimum of three new courses including one new W and one new Q and achieve a semester GPA of 2.7 in the semester immediately following removal from the program. FIC does not guarantee Computing Science required courses during the readmission semester.


*Courses and programs are subject to change without notice. If you have any questions, please contact the student success advising team.

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