Academic Program Advisor: S. Calanza susan.calanza@utoronto.ca
Co-op Program Coordinator: 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.
In addition to their academic course requirements, students must successfully complete the additive Arts & Science Co-op Work Term and Course requirements.
Enrolment Requirements
Enrolment in the Specialist (Co-operative) program in Computer Science (all streams) is limited. 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.
Note: Co-op students who started in Co-op prior to Fall 2025 are allowed to follow the calendar requirements in effect at that time.
Prospective Co-op Students:
Students who have not yet been admitted into a Co-op Degree POSt must submit a co-op program request through ACORN and ensure they meet the minimum enrolment requirements as noted above. These qualifications may include a higher CGPA specific to the co-op program.
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/request not being considered.
Please note that meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee enrolment in the Co-op Program of Study or Degree POSt. The required CGPA may be higher than the minimum threshold and is dependent on the applicant pool and number of spaces available.
Minimum Qualifications for Prospective Co-op Students:
Credits: Minimum of 4.0 credits to a maximum of 10.0 credits
Required Courses: As noted in the Enrolment Requirements above
Cumulative GPA: 2.75 across all attempted courses.
Current Co-op Students:
Students admitted to a Co-op Degree POSt must request a Co-op Program of Study through ACORN.
*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.
Minimum Qualifications for Current Co-op Students:
Credits: 4.0 credits
Required Courses: Program-specific courses described in the Enrolment Requirements above
Cumulative GPA: 2.50 across all attempted courses.
Academic Program Requirements
Students must complete the program requirements as described in the Specialist Program in Computer Science. To be eligible for their first work term, students must be enrolled in the program, have completed at least 7.0 credits, including all first year required courses (CSCA08H3, CSCA48H3, CSCA67H3, MATA22H3, MATA31H3, MATA37H3), and maintain a CGPA of 2.50 or higher. In addition to their academic courses, students must also complete the required Co-op preparation courses.
Planning your Co-op Work Terms & Academics:
Enrollment in a Co-op program requires careful planning of both academics and work terms. Students should consult their Co-op Program Coordinator and Academic Program Advisors, as well as review the standard co-op sequences and course maps available on the Arts & Science Co-op website and Arts and Science Co-op Compass for guidance.
Co-op Work Term Requirements:
Students must successfully complete three Co-op work terms, totaling 12 months in duration, which can be fulfilled through the following options:
- Three 4-month work terms, or
- One 4-month work term and one 8-month work term, or
- One 12-month work term.
Students must be available for work terms during the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters, and are required to complete at least one of their work terms in either the Fall or Winter semester. As a result, students must also take courses during the Summer semesters.
Co-op Course Requirements:
Co-op students complete the following Co-op-specific courses as part of their degree
Co-op Preparation Courses (Completed in First Year):
Work Term Search Courses:
- COPB57H3/(COPB52H3) - Completed in the semester prior to the first work term
- COPC98H3 - Taken in the semester prior to the second work term
- COPC99H3 - Taken in the semester prior to the third work term
Co-op Work Term Courses:
Additional Work Terms & Courses:
After successful completion of three required work terms, students interested in additional work terms will require approval from the Arts & Science Co-op Office. Additional course work will also be required.
Note: Co-op courses are taken alongside a full course load and are recorded on transcripts as Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR). These courses have no credit weight and are considered additional credits beyond the 20.0 required degree credits. No additional course fee is charged, as registration is included in the Co-op Program fee.
For information on course codes, 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.
