TDFL

Computer Science

Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

​The Computer Science program provides the bedrock for exciting careers at the forefront of innovation in private industry or entrepreneurship. It helps students build skills and novel ideas for designing and implementing software, as well as developing effective algorithms to solve computing problems and plan and manage organizational technology infrastructures. Cutting-edge companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Autodesk, and Microsoft frequently hire graduates. Alumni are also actively engaged in entrepreneurship, innovation, and creating start-ups.

Completing this program

  • Core Course: Research Methodology in Computer Science.
  • Seminar: Students are required to give a departmental seminar on the results of their research.
  • Software Engineering Specialization: Four additional courses from a list approved by the Department of Computer Science.
  • Additional Courses: May include Artificial Intelligence, Databases, Computer Graphics, Scientific Computing, HCI and Visualization and others.
  • Thesis: Students will complete a thesis based on original research.

Specializations

Outcomes

Technology sector, business start-ups, computer science research, IT, software development.

A master’s degree in computer science will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Courses

One core course and four electives

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Two years full-time

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. Frank Maurer

    Frank Maurer

    Seeking Students
    Serious XR - Extended reality beyond gaming and marketing
  2. Placeholder Profile Image

    Lora Oehlberg

    Unavailable
  3. Jim Parker

    Jim Parker

    Accepting Inquiries
    Game Design, Generative Art, Machine Perception, Virtual Theatre
  4. Placeholder Profile Image

    Joel Reardon

    Seeking Students
    System Security
  5. Photo of Adam Runions.

    Adam Runions

    Seeking Students
    Computer Graphics and Animation, Procedural and Geometric Modeling, Computational Morphodynamics, Modeling and Visualization of Biological Systems
  6. Placeholder Profile Image

    Faramarz Samavati

    Accepting Inquiries
  7. Oldenburg, April 2022

    Renate Scheidler

    Accepting Inquiries
    Number Theory
  8. Ehud Sharlin

    Ehud Sharlin

    Seeking Students
    Interaction Design
  9. Ryo Suzuki

    Ryo Suzuki

    Seeking Students
    Human-Computer Interaction, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Tangible User Interfaces, Robotics
  10. Tony Tang

    Tony Tang

    Unavailable

Admission requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree. Post-degree CS courses may be considered when calculating GPA. Exceptions to GPA requirement may be considered for those with either:

  • demonstrated research excellence, or
  • GRE General scores of at least 600 verbal and 750 quantitative and either 720 analytical (old test format) or 5.5 (new test format)

Minimum education

Four year degree in computer science or another field with 3rd or 4th year courses in the following areas: Theory of Computation; Software Engineering; Systems (OS, Compilers, Distributed Systems, Networking); Application (AI, Graphics, Databases, etc.).

Work samples

None

Documents

None

Reference letters

Two letters of reference dated within twelve months of the application.

Test scores

Optional: Special consideration will be given to those with GRE scores of at least 600 verbal, 750 quantitative, and 720 analytical (5.5 in the new format). Applicants from outside Canada are expected to apply with GRE scores.


English language proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements

Deadlines

WINTER (For admission on January 1)

  • INTERNATIONAL
    • Final Application Deadline – July 1 (Final Documentation Submission Deadline – July 15)
  • CANADIAN
    • Final Application Deadline – September 1 (Final Documentation Submission Deadline – October 1)

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FALL (For admission on September 1)

  • INTERNATIONAL
    • Early Applications (complete application review) - January 15
    • Final Application Deadline – March 1 (Final Documentation Submission Deadline – March 15)
  • CANADIAN
    • Final Application Deadline – May 1 (Final Documentation Submission Deadline – June 1)

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Department of Computer Science

602 ICT Building
856 Campus Place NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.3528

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Faculty of Science

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Faculty of Science's website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour