Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Program overview
Cutting-edge companies such as Google and Apple have sought out graduates of the Computer Science program, which aims to give students the skills they need for careers ranging from private industry to academic positions at advanced research centres and universities. It helps students build skills and novel ideas for designing and implementing software, as well as find new ways to use computers, develop effective algorithms to solve computing problems, and plan and manage organizational technology infrastructure. As a program that usually takes about four years for an MSc graduate to complete, the degree requires course work, a single-authored scientific paper, and an oral candidacy exam, as well as submission and successful defense of a thesis.
Completing this program
- Core Course: Research Methodology in Computer Science.
- Seminar: Students will conduct a department seminar presentation based on their research.
- Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
- Additional Courses: May include Artificial Intelligence, Databases, Computer Graphics, Scientific Computing, HCI and Visualization and others.
- Candidacy: Students will complete a research proposal, scientific paper and oral candidacy exams.
Specializations
Outcomes
Technology sector, business start-ups, computer science research, academia, IT, software development.
A PhD in computer science is usually considered a final degree.
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Accepting InquiriesVisualization and Computer Graphics -
Accepting InquiriesSystems -
Seeking StudentsTheoretical foundations of quantum advantage, Bell nonlocality and applications, Quantum distributed computing, Information-theoretic cryptography
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Accepting InquiriesData Science with Virtual and Augmented Reality, Simulations of Biological Systems using Game Engines, LINDSAY Virtual Human
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
A thesis-based MSc., or equivalent from a recognized institution.
Work samples
None
Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
Curriculum Vitae and Statement of Purpose are required for Ph.D. Students. You can include with your official documents or you send them via email to the Graduate Science Centre (email: sci.grad@ucalgary.ca). Please include your name and ID# in the email.
Reference letters
Two reference letters from within the 12-month period prior to 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.
Additional Requirements
Students are required to have completed 3rd or 4th year undergraduate courses in each of the following areas:
- Theory of Computation
- Software Engineering
- Systems (Operating Systems, Compilers)
- Application (Artificial Intelligence, Graphics, Databases, etc.)
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.0 in each section).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (70 in some sections – up to the program, 60 in all other).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in one or two courses (up to the program), “B+” on all other courses.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 191.
*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements
Deadlines
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)
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
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