Computer Science (General)

Program Overview

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Program Overview & Highlights

General 3-Year Program

The Computer Science program at the University of Windsor offers a 3-year general program that provides students with a comprehensive education in computer science. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a wide range of careers in the field.

BCS

The program leads to a Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) degree, which is a highly respected credential in the industry.

Program Description

The program provides hands-on learning opportunities and support as students learn computer languages, operation systems, and the mathematics behind computation. University degree holders from another subject area can fast track through this program. This excellent career prep has helped all of our grads find jobs in their chosen fields within two years. UWindsor Computer Science program is tied for first in Ontario university employment rates.

Gain Experience in Paid Co-op Positions

Students in the program have the opportunity to gain experience in paid co-op positions, which can help accelerate their career.

Strong Server Infrastructure

The university hosts the ICPC programming competition and has a strong server infrastructure for students.

Many Specializations

The program offers many specializations, providing students with the flexibility to diversify their skills in AI, software engineering, and more.

What Lancers Are Saying

Ashad

Taking Computer Science at University of Windsor has allowed me to explore so many different fields and topics that now I have a much better idea of what I want to achieve in my future. From data structures to website design classes, I've gained useful knowledge in various areas thanks to the amazing faculty and meaningful friendships. Additionally, I've had the unique experience of taking on a co-op position at the University, which has helped me gain valuable connections and real-world experience with modern web development techniques in a fast-paced team and environment. Overall, the program has certainly paved a bright pathway for my future by preparing me for the ever advancing computer science industry.

Parmida

After the first day I started playing video games, I knew I wanted my future job to do something with them. I am now studying computer science and hopefully will be able to program games of my own soon. It took me years of researching in different fields before I knew what path I wanted to choose in life. Although I know the expectation of figuring life out and choosing your future job when you’re a teenager could be a confusing process, I would be glad to help you in this journey. Come find me at Head Start this summer to put any confusion to rest before attending the University of Windsor in the fall.

Admission Requirements

High School Student from Canada

• Course Requirements: Advanced Functions/MHF4U, English/ENG4U
• Strongly Recommended: Calculus & Vectors/MCV4U
• Minimum Average: 70% (70% average of math courses)
• Minimum Average (Co-op): 75% (70% average in all attempted math courses)
• Mean Average: 86%
• Learn more about Course Equivalencies

High School Student from Outside Canada and the United States (International)

• Course Requirements: Advanced Functions. Grade 12 English.
• Strongly Recommended: Calculus & Vectors
• Minimum Average: 70% (70% average of math courses)
• Minimum Average (Co-op): 75% (Co-op Programs: 75% + 70% average in all attempted math courses, excluding Data Management)
• Mean Average: 82%

Course Sequencing

Degree Requirements

• Total courses: thirty.
• 1. COMP-1000, COMP-1400, COMP-1410, COMP-2120, COMP-2540, COMP-2560, COMP-2650, COMP-2660, COMP-3150, COMP-3220, COMP-3300, COMP-3340 (or COMP-3670), plus two additional Computer Science courses (excluding COMP-XXX7).
• 2. MATH-1250 (or MATH-1260), MATH-1720 (or MATH-1760), and STAT-2910;
• 3. one course from Arts/Languages, and one from Social Sciences;
• 4. eleven other courses from any area of study, including Computer Science.

First Year

• Ten courses, including COMP-1000, COMP-1400, COMP-1410, MATH-1250 or MATH-1260, MATH-1720 (or MATH-1760).

COMP 1000: Key Concepts in Computer Science

• The objectives of this course are to excite students’ interest in computer science and to give students a precise understanding of a number of difficult concepts that are fundamental to modern computer science. Topics may include: induction and recursion; algebraic characterization; syntax; semantics; formal logic; soundness, completeness, and decidability; specification, algorithm, and determinism; complexity. (Restricted to students registered in programs offered wholly or jointly by Computer Science or by Mathematics and Statistics, or with approval of Computer Science.) (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week).

COMP 1400: Introduction to Algorithms and Programming I

• This course is the first of a two-course sequence designed to introduce students to algorithm design and programming in a high-level language such as C. The main objectives of the course are to develop the ability to identify, understand and design solutions to a wide variety of problems. Topics include: computer system overview, hardware and software, problem solving steps, concepts of variables, constants, data types, algorithmic structure, sequential logic, decisions, loops, modular programming, one-dimensional arrays, text files. If possible, problems like searching/sorting will be addressed. (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week).

COMP 1410: Introduction to Algorithms and Programming II

• This course is the continuation of COMP-1400 that introduces students to more advanced algorithm design and programming in a high level language such as C. The main objectives of the course are to develop the ability to identify, understand, and design solutions to a wide variety of problems. Topics covered include: multi-dimensional arrays, pointers, strings, advanced modular programming, records, binary files, recursion, stacks, linked lists and introduction to algorithm analysis. (Prerequisite: COMP- 1000 (or MATH-1720) and COMP-1400.) (3 lecture and 1.5 laboratory hours a week).

MATH 1250: Linear Algebra I

• This course will cover linear systems, matrix algebra, determinants, n-dimensional vectors, dot product, cross product, orthogonalization, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, diagonalization and vector spaces. (Prerequisites: Both Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or MATH-1280.) (Antirequisites: MATH-1260, MATH-1270.) (3 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours per week.)

MATH 1260: Vectors and Linear Algebra

• This course is for students without Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). The course MATH- 1250 is for students with MCV4U. This course will cover vectors, three-dimensional geometry, linear systems, matrix algebra, determinants, n- dimensional vectors, dot product, cross product, orthogonalization, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, diagonalization and vector spaces. The course is equivalent to MATH-1250 for all prerequisite purposes. (Prerequisite: Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U).) (Antirequisites: MATH-1250, MATH-1270.) (4 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours per week.)

MATH 1720: Differential Calculus

• This course will cover trigonometric functions and identities, inverse trigonometric functions, limits and continuity, derivatives and applications, mean value theorem, indeterminate forms and l’Hôpital’s rule, antiderivatives and an introduction to definite integrals. This course is for students who have taken both Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). Students who do not have credit for MCV4U should take MATH-1760. (Prerequisites: Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or MATH-1780.) (Antirequisite: MATH-1760.) (3 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour per week.)

MATH 1760: Functions and Differential Calculus

• This course will cover a review of functions, trigonometric functions and identities, transcendental functions, inverse trigonometric functions, introduction to limits, continuity, derivatives and applications, mean value theorem, indeterminate forms and l’Hôpital’s rule, antiderivatives and an introduction to definite integrals. This course is for students who have taken Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U), but have not taken Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). Students who have credit for MCV4U should take MATH-1720. The course is equivalent to MATH-1720 for all prerequisite purposes. (Prerequisite: Ontario Grade 12Advanced Functions (MHF4U).) (Antirequisite: MATH-1720.) (4 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour per week.)

Second Year

• Ten courses, including COMP-2120, COMP-2540, COMP-2560, COMP-2650, COMP-2660, and STAT-2910.

COMP 2120: Object-Oriented Programming Using Java

• Concepts of classes and objects, Java applications, frames, event handling, control structures, methods, arrays, string manipulations, object-based programming, object-oriented programming – inheritance, polymorphism, interface and abstract classes, anonymous classes, data structures in Java, exception handling, introduction to graphical user interface. (Prerequisite: COMP-1410 or COMP-2087.) (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week)

COMP 2540: Data Structures and Algorithms

• An introduction to the programming and analysis of linear and non-linear internal (main store) data structures and associated algorithms. Topics include the formal notion of an algorithm, elementary time and space complexity; linear lists (such as stacks, queues, linked structures.); non-linear lists (trees, binary trees); recursion; sorting techniques (such as heap sort, quick sort, merge sort, shell sort.); searching techniques (such as binary search, binary search trees, red-black trees, hashing.); algorithm design paradigms (such as divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, greedy algorithms); and applications. (Prerequisite: COMP-1000 and COMP-1410. Restricted to Computer Science students or permission of the School of Computer Science.) (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week.)

COMP 2560: Systems Programming

• This course introduces students to advanced software development techniques in system programming using the C language in the UNIX environment. Topics include introduction to modern operating systems, system calls, managing processes, the use of fork and exec, signals, file processing, filters, pipes, scripting languages, introduction to concurrency (e.g. synchronization), network programming (e.g. using sockets), client-server problems. (Prerequisite: COMP-1410 or COMP-2087)(3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week)

COMP 2660: Computer Architecture II: Microprocessor Programming

• This course uses microprocessor programming to explore the structure of a CPU and related components. Topics include data representation, central processing unit, arithmetic logic unit, control unit, assembly language concepts, memory segmentation, programming a typical microprocessor (e.g. Intel processors), instruction set architecture-addressing modes and formats, register set, runtime stack, floating point processor. (Prerequisite: COMP-2650). (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week)

STAT 2910: Statistics for the Sciences

• This course will cover descriptive statistics, probability, discrete and continuous distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, goodness-of-fit and contingency tables. (Prerequisite: Grade 12 “U” Advanced Level Mathematics (MHF4U, MCV4U, MDM4U) or Grade 11 Functions and Applications (MCF3M) or Grade 11 Functions (MCR3U).) (Course equivalencies and antirequisites as stated in the University of Windsor Senate Policy on Introductory Statistics Courses.) (May not be taken for credit after taking STAT-2920 or STAT-2950.) (3 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour per week.)

Third Year

• Ten courses, including COMP-3150, COMP-3220, COMP-3300, and COMP-3340 (or COMP-3670).

COMP 3150: Database Management Systems

• This course will acquaint students with the Basic concepts of Database Systems. The topics covered will include 3-level architecture, introduction to file structures: B-trees, B+ Trees and Hashed files, relational model, relational algebra and calculus, SQL, and database design with Normalization Theory. (Prerequisite: COMP-2540 and COMP-2560 or COMP-2650.) (3 lecture hours a week)

COMP 3220: Object-Oriented Software Analysis and Design

• This course builds on the knowledge of object-oriented programming, data structures, systems programming. Students are introduced to object-oriented software analysis and design concepts (such as cohesion and coupling), and design practices currently used in industry , (such as design patterns and refactoring). These concepts and practices will be discussed through case studies and programming exercises. (Prerequisite: COMP-2120 and COMP-2540)(3 lecture hours a week)

COMP 3300: Operating Systems Fundamentals

• Operating system services, introduction to primary components of multi-programming operating systems, CPU scheduling, concurrent processes, process synchronization and interprocess communication, deadlocks, memory management, file systems, virtual memory, disk scheduling. (Prerequisite: COMP-2120, COMP-2540, COMP-2560, and COMP-2650 or COMP-2660.)(3 lecture hours a week)

COMP 3340: World Wide Web Information Systems Development

• This course is designed for people who want to make their data available to others over the Internet. Topics will include WWW authoring, WWW site planning, executable programs that create dynamic documents, the client-server model, multi-tier WWW software architecture, and security aspects. (Prerequisite: COMP-2120 and COMP-2540.) (3 lecture hours a week)

COMP 3670: Computer Networks

• This course is an introduction to computer networks and their protocols. Topics include: network architectures, transport, routing, and data link protocols, addressing, local area networks, flow and congestion control, and network security. Examples will be drawn primarily from the Internet (e.g. TCP, UDP, IP) protocol suite. (Prerequisite: COMP-2120, COMP-2540 or COMP-2547, COMP-2560 and COMP-2650. Recommended corequisite: COMP-3300.)

Career Tracks

• Web Developer
• Software Developer
• Computer Programmer
• IT Manager
• Video Game Developer
• Graduate Studies

Related Programs

• Computer Science, Computer Information Systems
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Science (Honours)

Plan Your Program

Term: Fall 2025

Important Notes

1. All students using this page are strongly encouraged to attend Head Start or make an appointment with an academic advisor.
2. Email: for direction to an appropriate academic advisor.
3. Open Choice means any course that fulfils the degree requirements. Many students choose to select a Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS) course in the first year.

Required Course Notes

• COMP 1000*
• COMP 1400*
• MATH 1250 or MATH 1260**
• MATH 1720 or MATH 1760**
• Open Choice

• Course with lab or tutorial

** Students who have credit for MCV4U Calculus and Vectors may take MATH 1250 and MATH 1720; those who do not have this credit will take MATH 1260 and MATH 1760.

Required Courses

COMP 1400: Introduction to Algorithms and Programming I

• This course is the first of a two-course sequence designed to introduce students to algorithm design and programming in a high-level language such as C. The main objectives of the course are to develop the ability to identify, understand and design solutions to a wide variety of problems. Topics include: computer system overview, hardware and software, problem solving steps, concepts of variables, constants, data types, algorithmic structure, sequential logic, decisions, loops, modular programming, one-dimensional arrays, text files. If possible, problems like searching/sorting will be addressed. (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week).

COMP 1000: Key Concepts in Computer Science

• The objectives of this course are to excite students’ interest in computer science and to give students a precise understanding of a number of difficult concepts that are fundamental to modern computer science. Topics may include: induction and recursion; algebraic characterization; syntax; semantics; formal logic; soundness, completeness, and decidability; specification, algorithm, and determinism; complexity. (Restricted to students registered in programs offered wholly or jointly by Computer Science or by Mathematics and Statistics, or with approval of Computer Science.) (3 lecture hours and 1.5 laboratory hours a week).

MATH 1720: Differential Calculus

• This course will cover trigonometric functions and identities, inverse trigonometric functions, limits and continuity, derivatives and applications, mean value theorem, indeterminate forms and l’Hôpital’s rule, antiderivatives and an introduction to definite integrals. This course is for students who have taken both Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). Students who do not have credit for MCV4U should take MATH-1760. (Prerequisites: Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or MATH-1780.) (Antirequisite: MATH-1760.) (3 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour per week.)

MATH 1760: Functions and Differential Calculus

• This course will cover a review of functions, trigonometric functions and identities, transcendental functions, inverse trigonometric functions, introduction to limits, continuity, derivatives and applications, mean value theorem, indeterminate forms and l’Hôpital’s rule, antiderivatives and an introduction to definite integrals. This course is for students who have taken Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U), but have not taken Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). Students who have credit for MCV4U should take MATH-1720. The course is equivalent to MATH-1720 for all prerequisite purposes. (Prerequisite: Ontario Grade 12Advanced Functions (MHF4U).) (Antirequisite: MATH-1720.) (4 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour per week.)

MATH 1260: Vectors and Linear Algebra

• This course is for students without Ontario Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U). The course MATH- 1250 is for students with MCV4U. This course will cover vectors, three-dimensional geometry, linear systems, matrix algebra, determinants, n- dimensional vectors, dot product, cross product, orthogonalization, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, diagonalization and vector spaces. The course is equivalent to MATH-1250 for all prerequisite purposes. (Prerequisite: Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U).) (Antirequisites: MATH-1250, MATH-1270.) (4 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours per week.)

MATH 1250: Linear Algebra I

• This course will cover linear systems, matrix algebra, determinants, n-dimensional vectors, dot product, cross product, orthogonalization, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, diagonalization and vector spaces. (Prerequisites: Both Ontario Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) and Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or MATH-1280.) (Antirequisites: MATH-1260, MATH-1270.) (3 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours per week.)