Queen's University

Computing

Computing Science is one of the top degrees for careers in North America. On top of Computer Science, the Queen's School of Computing is home to diverse areas of study such as software design, game development, biomedical computing, cognitive science, computing and mathematics, and computing and the creative arts. Offering an exciting learning experience in this ever-changing field, by fostering interaction across disciplines, Computing prepares you for countless careers and graduate degrees. Our 12 to 16-month paid internship option gives students an opportunity to gain experience in industry, while earning academic credits. Our outstanding professors are both internationally recognized experts and committed educators who take pride in giving you the skills and theoretical knowledge you’ll need to excel as a computer scientist.

See our Major Map to learn more

Location: 
Goodwin Hall
Room number: 
557
Telephone: 
(613) 533-6050
Email: 
info@cs.queensu.ca
URL: 
http://www.cs.queensu.ca/
Director: 
Hossam Hassanein
Undergraduate Chair: 
David Lamb
Undergraduate Chair (Assistant): 
Karen Knight
Graduate Coordinator: 
James Stewart
Graduate Assistant: 
Debby Robertson

Degree Options

Bachelor of Computing (Honours) - BCPH

Specialization in Biomedical Computing
An intensive course of study with approximately two-thirds of your courses within the combined disciplines.

Specialization in Cognitive Science
An intensive course of study with approximately two-thirds of your courses within the discipline.

Specialization in Computer Science
An intensive course of study with approximately two-thirds of your courses within the discipline. This plan has been accredited by the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS).

Specialization Computing and Mathematics
An intensive course of study with approximately two-thirds of your courses within the combined disciplines.

Specialization in Software Design
An intensive course of study with approximately two-thirds of your courses within the discipline. This plan has been accredited by the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS).

Major in Computing
A major is an intensive course of study in one discipline, with approximately half of your courses within the discipline with room for an optional minor in any other Arts and Science discipline.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - BAH

Specialization in Computing and the Creative Arts (COCA)
This specialization consists of the majority of the courses in Computing and a SubPlan such as Art, Drama, Music or Film and Media with room for elective courses.

Bachelor of Computing - BCP

General in Computing
A less intense course of study leading to a 3-year degree.

Bachelor of Arts - BA

General in Computing
A less intense course of study leading to a 3-year degree.

For a full list of Degree Plans, see the Academic Calendar

Graduate Degree Options

Computing - MSc (research)
Computing - MSc (project)
Computing - MSc (coursework)
Computing - PhD

Internships

Queen’s internship option, unlike other co-op programs, avoids interrupting your studies with several short work terms. Instead, it offers 12- to 16-month industrial placements after second or third year through the Queen's Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP). These longer work terms result in employers who are willing to invest in training and supervision. Our interns regularly participate in significant projects with many of Canada’s leading high-tech companies, making a notable contribution, and often returning for permanent employment upon graduation.

Qualified students in any of the Plans leading to a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) degree may register in a 12- or 16-month Professional Internship program for their degree.  Students who meet the minimum GPA requirement of 1.90 in at least 54.0 units must seek approval of the Chair of Undergraduate Studies in the School of Computing.  These students have the opportunity to pursue a 12- or 16-month paid work term in a career-related position after completing their second or third year of study.  Upon successful completion of the internship program, students’ transcripts will be annotated with a statement certifying that they have completed their degree with a Professional Internship.

Job and Career Opportunities for Computing Grads

Computing Science is rooted in basic principles of mathematics and logic. Students in our computer science programs gain a strong basis in these areas as well as in the analysis of algorithms and theory of computation. Students see how these principles are applied to the creation of software and are given ample opportunity to refine their software development skills. Our computer science programs provide a broad training with the opportunity to focus on specific application areas like artificial intelligence, computer graphics, data mining, and human-computer interaction.

Where could Computing students go after graduation?

  • 3D animator
  • Biomedical computing
  • Biotechnician
  • Communications
  • Computer programmer
  • Cryptographer
  • Data analyst
  • Data mining and processing
  • Database administrator
  • Educator
  • Game development/design
  • Graphic artist
  • Human/Computer interface designer
  • Information architect
  • Lawyer
  • Linguist
  • Marketing
  • Medical applications technician
  • Medicine
  • Pharmeceutical researcher
  • Project manager
  • Research
  • Robotics
  • Security
  • Social and digital media specialist/advisor
  • Software architect
  • Software developer
  • Software tester
  • Sound designer
  • Systems analyst
  • Web developer

Note that some of these careers may require additional training.

Newest Programs in the School of Computing

Computing and the Creative Arts (CoCA)

CoCA is an exciting new multi-disciplinary program for students interested in both Computing and the Arts. You'll learn how to direct, develop and use cutting-edge computer software programs for Music, Art, Drama, and Film production. As part of this offering, you will acquire the technical expertise to design and develop new applications and take full advantage of future trends in digital technology. You'll get the theoretical and historical background necessary to make critical judgements about new approaches to artistic expression and practical knowledge of the challenges faced by creative artists in a digital age.

Students who follow this program will find careers in the video-game and entertainment industries, art galleries, museums, and multimedia design and production, but also in more traditional computer industries as these increasingly adopt multimedia user interface design. There is no lack of jobs for students following this program, which include: 3D Game Developer; New Media Artist; Sound Designer; Art Management; 3D Animator; Computer Graphics Designer; Web Developer; Interaction Designer; Human Factors.

Biomedical Computing

In the fall of 2001 Queen's University introduced a new program in computational biology and medical informatics: Bachelor of Science Computing (Honours), Subject of Specialization in Biomedical Computing. This is the first program of its kind in Canada.

Biomedical Computing involves the application of computational methods for the advancement of biological and medical science. Activities in this area range from data acquisition, robotics and laboratory analysis to the dissemination, storage and retrieval of knowledge.

Modern biomedical computing is rooted in a broad range of application areas. Imaging needs from microscopy to mammography have motivated and relied on advances in imaging science. Medical data storage and access systems benefit from the study of information retrieval. Algorithms and software development are of key importance in areas such as genome sequence analysis and acquisition, which also depend on techniques from statistics and artificial intelligence.

Undergraduate Course Highlights

Depending on your path, you will learn the fundamentals of Creative Computing, Web Development, or Game Design. As you progress in your studies, you may express yourself in Computing and the Creative Arts, develop apps in Human Computer Interaction, delve into Neural and Genetic Computing, or learn about the latest advances in Computer-Assisted Surgery. Because computing is a rapidly evolving discipline, we offer 4th-year topics courses on emerging subjects year to year such as Deep Analytics Using Watson and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Undergraduate Admission to Computing

Students apply to Queen’s Computing (QD) through the OUAC (Ontario Universities' Application Centre) website (ouac.on.ca). Prerequisites include English 4U, Advanced Functions 4U, and Calculus and Vectors 4U. COCA students apply to Queen’s Arts (QA) and have no math requirements. Visit queensu.ca/admission for additional information regarding requirements and admission to Queen's.

Alumni Profile

Susan Bartlett is a Queen’s University Alumna with a B.Sc. in Software Design and a B.A. in English Literature. Through skills honed at Queen’s, Susan leads teams of designers, researchers, and business strategists to deliver innovative solutions at Bridgeable. She is passionate about understanding the complex interactions people have with the world around them, and using design to make those interactions simpler and better. Susan Bartlett Rhodes Scholar 2003 University of Oxford B.A., Philosophy, Politics & Economics Queen’s University B.Sc., Software Design B.A., English Literature

Graduate Studies in Computing

Our Graduates rank among the best in Canada. They expand the horizons of science, technology, commerce and the arts by providing ever more powerful and general computing capabilities. Because Computing Science forms one of the pillars of our society, our graduates have no problem finding the opportunity that suits them, whether that be furthering their research career, developing their career in one of the leading IT companies around the world, or striking off on their own and developing an entrepreneurial opportunity.

You can join the School of Computing Grad Studies in a few simple steps:

  1. Review our research groups and faculty members.
  2. Check our admissions requirements.
  3. Apply on-line by January 15. This deadline is flexible for Canadian applicants. The application is done on a separate site managed by the School of Graduate Studies.
  4. Contact a potential supervisor and tell them of your application.
  5. Offers are normally made between February and June.

Prospective Graduate students are encouraged to review our Frequently Asked Questions or to contact graduate-inquiries@cs.queensu.ca for further information about our programs. Information is available for research groups within the School of Computing and graduate students (email gcs@cs.queensu.ca ) are available to answer questions about their labs.

The academic year begins in September, so this is the normal date for admission to all graduate programs. Admission for January or May is possible for Ph.D. applicants.