Computer Science (BA)

Find out how Computer Science complements Arts disciplines, and discover how to use your artistic creativity with technology to benefit society. Learn how to use and improve computers while you explore topics such as databases and operating systems, software engineering, security, web development, and numerical methodology. You’ll also learn about specialty areas such as computational intelligence, bioinformatics, and computer graphics and animation.

Faculty Website

Program Information

Campus: Okanagan
Faculty: Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

4 yrs Length
Yes Co-op Option
No Honours Option

This program provides students with an opportunity to complement their Arts degree with a core of Computer Science courses specific to their interests. This program would appeal to students interested both in computer science and visual arts (game or website design), psychology (programming for cognitive science, psychology, and human and computer interactions), English (technical writing), languages (automation of text translation), philosophy (computer ethics), or law (information security and privacy, and forensics).

Experiential learning and research

The Capstone Software Engineering Project allows you to develop software for an actual client as part of a student team. In addition, the computer science program offers directed studies, where you can take part in the maintenance of a large software system, conduct supervised readings, and complete independent research projects. The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences holds an annual undergraduate research conference on UBC’s Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects.

What can you do with this major after graduation?

Your Computer Science program career options

COSC 122 - Computer Fluency

COSC 122 - Computer Fluency
Introduction to computer skills (electronic communication, websites, Internet, document editing, programming, data analysis using spreadsheets/databases) and concepts (information representation, abstraction, algorithmic thinking). Course objectives are life-long productivity and understanding of technology in society. [3-2-0]
COSC 123 - Computer Creativity

COSC 123 - Computer Creativity
A hands-on introduction to programming and computer-based problem solving and creativity. Experience with application development including storytelling, graphics, games, and networking. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: One of COSC 111, COSC 122.
COSC 101 - Digital Citizenship

COSC 101 - Digital Citizenship
Provides knowledge and skills to navigate the digital society. The importance of digital participation will be investigated by studying issues surrounding digital access, skills, and utilization. Digital literacy is emphasized through the exploration of computer applications, the use of converging technologies, and online resources. This course does not assume students have any Computer Science background. Credit will be granted for only one of COSC 101 or COSC 132. [3-2-0]
COSC 114 - Vector Graphics and Animations

COSC 114 - Vector Graphics and Animations
Foundation and applications of 2D /3D Euclidean geometry necessary for the computer manipulation of curves and surfaces; decomposition of a picture into basic objects; planar and spatial linear transformations; automatic picture generation and introduction to algorithmic art. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: One of MATH12, PREC12, or CALC12

COSC 211 - Machine Architecture

COSC 211 - Machine Architecture
Organization and design of computer systems and their impact on the practice of software development. Instruction set architecture and assembly programming languages, design of central processing units (CPU), memory hierarchy and cache organization, input and output programming. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: A score of 60% or higher in COSC 121.
COSC 247 - Networks and Social Media

COSC 247 - Networks and Social Media
Online social networks and digital social media. Social media platforms, channels, and software tools. Graph-theoretic and game-theoretic foundation of network analysis and network science. Network metrics and evaluation. Computational, economic, and social aspects of social media. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: COSC 223.
COSC 264 - Introduction to Web Development and Databases

COSC 264 - Introduction to Web Development and Databases
Construction of simple database-driven websites. Introduction to web programming: client-side, server-side; database design, implementation, and query. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: COSC 223.

COSC 341 - Human Computer Interaction

COSC 341 - Human Computer Interaction
Examines the basic principles behind interaction design; how humans interact with computers, as well as the user-centered design cycle; user task analysis, task models, graphical interface design, prototyping, and evaluation. Credit will be granted for only one of COSC 341 or COSC 541. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.
COSC 322 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

COSC 322 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
AI and intelligent agents; state space search; game playing agents; logic and knowledge-based agents; constraint programming; planning; reasoning and decision making under uncertainty; machine learning; natural language understanding. Credit will be granted for only one of COSC 322 or COSC 522. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: All of COSC 221, COSC 222.
DATA 301 - Introduction to Data Analytics

DATA 301 - Introduction to Data Analytics
Techniques for computation, analysis, and visualization of data using software. Manipulation of small and large data sets. Automation using scripting. Real-world applications from life sciences, physical sciences, economics, engineering, or psychology. No prior computing background is required. Credit will be granted for only one of COSC 301, DATA 301 or DATA 501. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

Equivalency: COSC 301.
COSC 305 - Project Management

COSC 305 - Project Management
Examine tools and techniques to complete projects successfully, and within budget. Topics include Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and Critical Path Methods (CPM), and project management software. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: COSC 223 or a score of 60% or higher in COSC 121, and third-year standing

Corequisite: COSC 310.

COSC 407 - Introduction to Parallel Computing

COSC 407 - Introduction to Parallel Computing
Design and implementation of parallel programs including theoretical computer models, parallel architectures (distributed, multicore, GPU), and standard parallel libraries. Credit will be granted for only one of COSC 407 or COSC 507. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: Either (a) COSC 111 or (b) APSC 177. Third-year standing is required.
COSC 414 - Computer Graphics

COSC 414 - Computer Graphics
Human vision and colour, modelling, geometric transformations, algorithms for 2-D and 3-D graphics, hardware and system architectures, shading and lighting, animation. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: All of COSC 221, COSC 222 and one of MATH 221, APSC 179.
COSC 445 - Computer Vision

COSC 445 - Computer Vision
Processing and interpretation of images: image sensing, filtering, algorithms for colour analysis, texture description, image segmentation, and object recognition. [3-2-0]

Prerequisite: COSC 222 and one of MATH 200, APSC 248 and one of MATH 221, APSC 179.

Program Requirements

Canadian High Schools
International High Schools

Faculty Website

Experiential learning and research

What can you do with this major after graduation?

Related Programs

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Program Requirements

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