Academic Program Advisor: S. Calanza susan.calanza@utoronto.ca
Co-op Program Coordinator: C. Dixon coopsuccess.utsc@utoronto.ca
This program provides a working knowledge of the foundations of computer science: modern computer software and hardware, theoretical aspects of computer science, and relevant areas of mathematics and statistics. It also imparts an appreciation of the discipline's transformative impact on science and society. The program prepares students for further study and for careers in the computing industry. It comprises four streams with different emphases:
The Comprehensive Stream provides a broad and balanced exposure to the discipline. It is the stream best-suited for students planning to pursue graduate study in computer science, but it is also suitable for other career paths.
The structure of the program requirements allows one to easily switch streams until relatively late in the program. Consequently, these streams should not be viewed as rigidly separated channels feeding students to different career paths, but as a flexible structure that provides computer science students guidance in their course selection based on their broad (but possibly fluid) interests.
Enrolment Requirements
Enrolment in the Specialist (Co-operative) program in Computer Science (all streams) is limited.
Current Co-op Students:
Students admitted to a Co-op Degree POSt in their first year of study must request a Co-op Subject POSt on ACORN upon completion of 4.0 credits. Students must have completed the required A-level CSC and MAT courses, and achieved the required grades, described in the Enrolment Requirements for the Specialist in Computer Science. In addition, they must also have achieved a CGPA of at least 2.5 across all attempted courses.
*Students must select one stream of the CS Specialist Co-op. Admission to the Entrepreneurship stream also requires the submission of a Supplementary Application Form available on the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences webpage.
Prospective Co-op Students:
Prospective students (i.e., those not yet admitted to a Co-op Degree POSt) must meet the enrolment requirements noted above and have a CGPA of at least 2.75 across all attempted courses.
Students must submit a program request on ACORN. Deadlines follow the Limited Enrolment Program Application Deadlines set by the Office of the Registrar each year. Failure to submit the program request on ACORN will result in the student's application not being considered.
Program Requirements
Students must complete the program requirements as described in the Specialist Program in Computer Science.
To remain in the program, students must maintain a CGPA of 2.5 or higher throughout the program. To complete the program, students must meet the work term and course requirements described below.
Co-op Work Term Requirements
Students must satisfactorily complete three Co-op work terms, each of four-months duration, one of which can be during the summer. To be eligible for their first work term, students must be enrolled in the Specialist (Co-operative) Program in Computer Science and have completed at least 7.0 credits, including all first year required courses (CSCA08H3, CSCA48H3, CSCA67H3, MATA22H3, MATA31H3, MATA37H3).
In addition to their academic program requirements, Co-op students complete up to five Co-op specific courses. These courses are designed to prepare students for their job search and work term experience, and to maximize the benefits of their Co-op work terms. They cover a variety of topics intended to assist students in developing the skills and tools required to secure work terms that are appropriate to their program of study, and to perform professionally in the workplace. These courses must be completed in sequence, and are taken in addition to a full course load. They are recorded on transcripts as credit/no credit (CR/NCR) and are considered to be additive credit to the 20.0 required degree credits. No additional course fee is assessed as registration is included in the Co-op Program fee.
Co-op Preparation Course Requirements:
1. COPB50H3/(COPD01H3) – Foundations for Success in Arts & Science Co-op
- Students entering Co-op from outside of UTSC (high school or other postsecondary) will complete this course in Fall or Winter of their first year at UTSC. Enrolment in each section is based on admission category: Typically, students in Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics enroll in the Fall semester while all other Arts & Science Co-op admission categories enroll in the Winter semester however this may vary year to year.
- Current UTSC students entering Co-op in April/May will complete this course in the Summer semester.
- Current UTSC students entering Co-op in July/August will complete this course in the Fall semester.
2. COPB51H3/(COPD03H3) – Preparing to Compete for your Work Term
- This course will be completed eight months in advance of the first scheduled work term.
3. COPB52H3/(COPD11H3) – Managing your Job Search and Transition to the Workplace
- This course will be completed four months in advance of the first work scheduled work term.
4. COPC98H3/(COPD12H3) – Integrating Your Work Term Experience Part I
- This course will be completed four months in advance of the second scheduled work term.
5. COPC99H3/(COPD13H3) – Integrating Your Work Term Experience Part II
- This course will be completed four months in advance of the third scheduled work term (for programs that require the completion of 3 work terms and/or four months in advance of any additional work terms that have been approved by the Arts and Science Co-op Office.
Students must be available for work terms in each of the Fall, Winter and Summer semesters and must complete at least one of their required work terms in either a Fall or Winter semester. This, in turn, requires that students take courses during at least one Summer semester.
For information on fees, status in Co-op programs, and certification of completion of Co-op programs, see the Co-operative Programs section and the Arts and Science Co-op section in the UTSC Calendar.
