Graduation Requirements
This page shows what is required for graduation under each program. The links will take you to the relevant course calendar page.
Computer Science Major (B.A.)
The Computer Science B.A. Major program includes the Faculty of Arts degree requirements, a thorough grounding in computer software design, and a broad choice of other studies in computing. This program is ideal for students who have a strong interest in Computer Science and the Arts, and whose interests are more closely matched by the Faculty of Arts requirements rather than those offered through the Faculty of Science. For example, Arts students normally do not take biology, chemistry, and physics.
Students must meet the following requirement for admission:
70% average over grades obtained in:
CPSC 110 (or CPSC 107), CPSC 121 and CPSC 210
Please note that meeting the 70% average above does not guarantee admission: it is the minimum requirement to apply. If you meet this requirement, then your admissions average will usually be computed based on all credits attempted at UBC in the past 3 years.
Students can apply after they have met the admission requirement. However, please note that the department does not process applications year round. When the application period opens, you can find the application webform here. Please note that course instructors, student advisors, and departmental administrators and assistants cannot provide additional details, and will not respond to requests for such information.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| Major (003073): Computer Science (CPSC): BA |  |
| BA degree requirements | |
| BA program requirements | |
Computer Science Major (B.Sc.)
The Computer Science B.Sc. Major program includes the general First Year Science program, with further choices in mathematics, a thorough grounding in computer software design, and a broad choice of other studies in computing. It gives the student freedom to pursue his or her interests in courses both within and outside Computer Science. Students select their electives from various departments including, but not limited to, Psychology, Music, Economics, Visual Arts, Biology, Philosophy, etc. When the application period opens, you can find the application webform here.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| First Year Requirements: Computer Science Major and Honours Programs | |
| Major (0376): Computer Science (CPSC) | |
| Restricted Electives | |
| Credit Exclusion List | |
Combined Major Specializations (B.Sc.)
Combined Major programs are available to those students who wish to combine their studies in Computer Science with another Science subject. If a Combined Major program in CPSC and the other Science subject of choice is not listed below, the generic Combined Major program in CPSC and another science subject offers students the flexibility of building their own combined program in consultation with department advisors.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| Combined Major (1370): Computer Science and Biology | |
| Combined Major (3401): Computer Science and Chemistry | |
| Combined Major (1429): Computer Science and Mathematics | |
| Combined Major (1371): Computer Science & Microbiology and Immunology | |
| Combined Major (1391): Computer Science and Physics | |
| Combined Major (1375): Computer Science and Statistics | |
| Combined Major: Computer Science and Another Science Subject | |
| Restricted Electives | |
| Credit Exclusion List | |
Cognitive Systems Program
The Cognitive Systems program is a multi-disciplinary undergraduate program involving four departments: Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Psychology. It provides students with a thorough grounding in the principles and techniques used by intelligent systems (both natural and artificial) to interact with the world around them. Cognitive Systems has four different streams, one of which (Computational Intelligence and Design) is managed by the Computer Science Department. Please see the Cognitive Systems Website for more details.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| B.Sc. Major in Cognitive Systems, Computational Intelligence and Design | |
| Restricted Electives | |
| Credit Exclusion List | |
Bachelor of Computer Science (Integrated Computer Science) - Second Degree Program
BCS(ICS) is a 2-year degree program designed for university graduates who want to make a career transition into information technology or who are interested in combining their own field with computer science. This program caters to outstanding university graduates with little or no programming experience, superior communication and people skills, and additional expertise in areas outside computer science and engineering. Upon graduation, students receive a Bachelor of Computer Science (Integrated Computer Science) degree. Please see the BCS Program website for more details.
Combined Major in Business and Computer Science (BCom BUCS)
This combined major provides students with a strong grounding in both business and computer science. Although the degree granted is the B.Com., the program is jointly administered by the Faculty of Commerce and the Department of Computer Science. Both units will provide student advising.
Program requirements: Combined Major Business and Computer Science (BUCS program)
Computer Science Honours
The Computer Science Honours program is more demanding and more specialized than the Computer Science Major program. The minimum Faculty of Science requirements are 132 rather than 120 credits for graduation. In addition, to be promoted within the program, Honours students students must take at least 30 credits in each winter session (or at least 15 credits in each school term if they are in the co-op program) and maintain an average of at least 72% over those credits. The Honours curriculum includes courses leading towards a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of Computer Science. The student still has some freedom to choose courses outside the Department, though the choice is inevitably more limited than in a Major program. An Honours program is especially suitable as preparation for graduate study. Students interested in registering for the Honours Program in Computer Science are required to consult a Department Advisor either before applying or shortly after they have been admitted. To be eligible for the honours program, students must complete at least 30 credits in first year with a 76% program average, with the same average over MATH/STAT/CPSC courses. Students considering an Honours Program should consider taking one or more of the intensive versions of first year courses such as Physics 107/108/109 or Mathematics 120/121.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| First Year Requirements: Computer Science Major and Honours Programs | |
| Honours (0154): Computer Science (CPSC) | |
| Restricted Electives | |
| Credit Exclusion List | |
Combined Honours Programs
Combined Honours programs are especially demanding and especially valuable for a good student who seeks breadth as well as depth. Students interested in registering for Combined Honours Programs in Computer Science are required to consult a Department Advisor either before applying or shortly after they have been admitted. To be eligible for the honours program, students must complete at least 30 credits in first year with a 76% program average. In addition, to be promoted within the program, Honours students students must take at least 30 credits in each winter session (or at least 15 credits in each school term if they are in the co-op program) and maintain an average of at least 72% over those credits. Students considering an Honours Program should consider taking one or more of the intensive versions of first year courses such as Physics 107/108/109 or Mathematics 120/121.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| Combined Honours (1372): Atmospheric Science and Computer Science | |
| Combined Honours (1460): Computer Science and Biology | |
| Combined Honours (0021): Computer Science and Mathematics | |
| Combined Honours (1373): Computer Science & Microbi and Immunology | |
| Combined Honours (0138): Computer Science and Physics | |
| Combined Honours (1376): Computer Science and Statistics | |
| Restricted Electives | |
| Credit Exclusion List | |
Second B.Sc. Degree Program
Unlike the Bachelor of Computer Science (ICS) program above, upon graduation from this program, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree. To earn a second Bachelor's degree, you need to satisfy two broad conditions. You must, of course, meet all the requirements for the degree you seek (that have not already been met in your previous study), and you must complete an additional 60 credits, of which 48 must be at 300 level or above. For more detailed information, please consult a Department Advisor. Please note that Second Degree students are not eligible for Honours programs.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| Second Degree Studies | |
Double Major Programs
Unlike a Combined Major program, students enrolling in a Double Major are required to complete all the specialization requirements for both subject areas. In most cases, it will take longer than four years to complete a Double Major. BSc students wishing to undertake a Double Major in the Faculty of Science (e.g., BSc Major in Computer Science and another Science specialization), or in Arts (BA Major in Computer Science and another Arts specialization), may do so with the permission of an advisor in their home faculty -- and advisors in both departments. BA students wishing to undertake a Double Major where the second Major is the BSc is Computer Science (rather than the BA) should consult with an Arts advisor (see https://students.arts.ubc.ca/specializations/adding-a-double-major-from-science/).
Minor Programs
Science students who wish to take a Minor in Computer Science must obtain approval from an advisor in the Faculty of Science as well as from advisors in both the Major and Minor subject areas. Entry into and continuation in a Minor option requires that the student remains in good academic standing. If you are a Science student and if you wish to have your Minor approved and recognized by the Department of Computer Science, and thus gain priority on CPSC wait lists, you need to apply both to our department and your faculty office. The same GPA entrance requirements will be used for Minors in Computer Science as for our other Computer Science degree specializations such as Majors and Combined Majors, and this includes Cognitive Systems Majors in the Computational Intelligence Option. The reason that we use the same GPA standards is because a Minor takes up almost as many department resources as a Major or Combined Major. For example, most Minor students take 6 upper-level CPSC courses and 4-5 lower-level CPSC courses. Thus, a typical Minor might take 11 CPSC courses. A typical Major takes 14 CPSC courses. A typical Combined Major takes 12 CPSC courses.
Arts students may apply for admission to the Major or Minor in Computer Science upon attaining second year status (completion of 27 credits). Admission to the Major or Minor is not automatic and must be approved by the Department. The Department accepts applications in April from current UBC Arts students. Applying for the Major or Minor as soon as possible is suggested.
Students who are in faculties or programs where the student can self-declare a Minor without formal approval of the Computer Science department get no priority on CPSC waiting lists. Such students need to compete for general seats in CPSC courses, just like non-CPSC students would, and priority is determined according to when the student registered on the waiting list. Thus, there is no "back door" into CPSC courses.
Note to students considering a minor: there is no guarantee of seats in CPSC courses.
Because there is a relatively small difference in the number of CPSC credits needed to complete a Minor vs. a Combined Major vs. a Major, students who wish to pursue a CPSC Minor should consider whether a CPSC Combined Major, for example, might be more appropriate for their academic goals. (However, not all faculties offer Combined Majors.)
Note that the requirements below apply equally to students in other departments or faculties wanting to take a Minor in Computer Science, and to students in a Computer Science program wanting to Minor in another discipline. Note: A recent addition to the list of Minors in Computer Science is the one offered to students in Applied Science.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| Minor in Science | |
| Minor in Arts | |
| Minor in Commerce | |
| Minor in Land and Food Systems | |
| Restricted Electives | |
| Credit Exclusion List | |
Software Engineering Option
The Software Engineering Option is available for well-qualified students in either the Major or Honours programs; it is not available for combined degrees, COGS, or Arts. This option offers a coherent set of courses pertaining to software engineering that will provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for a successful software development career. Interested students should apply in the spring of their second year. Seats are limited, and a 72% GPA (minimum) is required. You can find find out how to apply here.
| Program Requirements | Link |
| First Year Requirements: Computer Science Major and Honours Programs | |
| Honours (1201): Computer Science and Software Engineering | |
| Major (1200): Computer Science and Software Engineering | |
| Restricted Electives | |
| Credit Exclusion List | |