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.

This program is also offered at UBC's Vancouver Campus

Find out more

Visit program website

Program information

Campus: Okanagan
Faculty: Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Length 4 yrs
Co-op Yes
You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
Honours No
You can study intense specialization in a single field.

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 Faculty of Science 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?

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.
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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.

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

Your future

A UBC education will introduce you to people and ideas from around the world, open doors to new opportunities, and take you places you never imagined. You’ll graduate not only with expertise in your chosen field, but with the skills you need to continue growing, learning, and evolving with your career over time.

Program requirements

Canadian high schools
International high schools
International baccalaureate

English-language requirements

English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.

General admission requirements

IB Diploma Programme

Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.

IB Certificate Courses

IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.

IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.

Degree-specific requirements: Arts

No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission

Related courses

The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.

Language Arts
Mathematics and Computation
Second Languages
Social Studies
Visual and Performing Arts