Note: This is the 2010–2011 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
This program is a specialization within Computer Science. It fulfils all the basic requirements of the Major Computer Science. Complementary courses focus on topics that are important to understanding the technology behind computer games and to gaining experience in software development and design needed for computer game development.
Students may complete this program with a minimum of 62 credits or a maximum of 67 credits depending if they are exempt from taking COMP 202 and their choice of complementary courses.
Required Courses (50 credits)
* Students who have sufficient knowledge in a programming language do not need to take COMP 202 and can replace it with additional computer science complementary course credits.
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COMP 202 Introduction to Computing 1 (3 credits) *
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Overview of components of microcomputers, the internet design and implementation of programs using a modern high-level language, an introduction to modular software design and debugging. Programming concepts are illustrated using a variety of application areas.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Petitpas, Mathieu; Frydrychowicz, Maja (Fall) Frydrychowicz, Maja; Pomerantz, Daniel (Winter) Pomerantz, Daniel (Summer)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: a CEGEP level mathematics course
- Restrictions: COMP 202 and COMP 208 cannot both be taken for credit. COMP 202 is intended as a general introductory course, while COMP 208 is intended for students interested in scientific computation. COMP 202 cannot be taken for credit with or after COMP 250
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COMP 206 Introduction to Software Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Comprehensive overview of programming in C, use of system calls and libraries, debugging and testing of code; use of developmental tools like make, version control systems.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Vybihal, Joseph P (Fall) Vybihal, Joseph P; Dudek, Gregory L (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 202 or COMP 250
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COMP 250 Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : An introduction to the design of computer algorithms, including basic data structures, analysis of algorithms, and establishing correctness of programs. Overview of topics in computer science.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Precup, Doina (Fall) Langer, Michael (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: Familiarity with a high level programming language and CEGEP level Math.
- Restrictions: COMP 203 and COMP 250 are considered to be equivalent from a prerequisite point of view, and cannot both be taken for credit.
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COMP 251 Data Structures and Algorithms (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Design and analysis of algorithms. Complexity of algorithms. Data structures. Introduction to graph algorithms and their analysis.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Verbrugge, Clark (Fall) Crepeau, Claude (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 250 or COMP 203.
- Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 252.
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COMP 273 Introduction to Computer Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Number representations, combinational and sequential digital circuits, MIPS instructions and architecture datapath and control, caches, virtual memory, interrupts and exceptions, pipelining.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Vybihal, Joseph P (Fall) Siddiqi, Kaleem (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Corequisite: COMP 206.
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COMP 302 Programming Languages and Paradigms (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Programming language design issues and programming paradigms. Binding and scoping, parameter passing, lambda abstraction, data abstraction, type checking. Functional and logic programming.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Pientka, Brigitte (Fall) Doherty, Jesse (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 250 or COMP 203
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COMP 303 Software Development (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Principles, mechanisms, techniques, and tools for object-oriented software development: encapsulation, design patterns, unit testing, etc.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Robillard, Martin (Fall)
- Winter
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: COMP 206, COMP 250.
- Corequisite: COMP 302.
- The course involves a significant project
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COMP 308 Computer Systems Lab (1 credit)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Digital circuitry and programming interface of peripheral circuit boards (cards), e.g., graphics cards; introduction to tools and libraries that interact with the card; performance issues.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Vybihal, Joseph P (Winter)
- 1 hour
- Prerequisite: COMP 273.
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COMP 310 Operating Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Control and scheduling of large information processing systems. Operating system software - resource allocation, dispatching, processors, access methods, job control languages, main storage management. Batch processing, multiprogramming, multiprocessing, time sharing.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Tropper, Carl (Fall) Swidan, Andraws (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 273
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COMP 322 Introduction to C++ (1 credit)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Basics and advanced features of the C++ language. Syntax, memory management, class structure, method and operator overloading, multiple inheritance, access control, stream I/O, templates, exception handling.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 1 hour
- Prerequisites: COMP 202 or COMP 250 or COMP 206 or COMP 208. Ability to program in general is presumed. Some familiarity with the C language is assumed.
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COMP 330 Theoretical Aspects: Computer Science (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Mathematical models of computers, finite automata, Turing machines, counter machines, push-down machines, computational complexity.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Hatami, Hamed (Fall)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 251.
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COMP 361D1 Software Engineering Project (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Software development process in practice: requirement elicitation and analysis, software design, implementation, integration, test planning, and maintenance. Application of the core concepts and techniques through the realization of a large software system.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Vybihal, Joseph P; Kienzle, Jorg Andreas (Fall)
- Prerequisites: COMP 206, COMP 250
- Corequisite: COMP 303
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken the 3 credit version of COMP 361.
- Students must register for both COMP 361D1 and COMP 361D2
- No credit will be given for this course unless both COMP 361D1 and COMP 361D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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COMP 361D2 Software Engineering Project (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : See COMP 361D1 for course description.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Kienzle, Jorg Andreas; Vybihal, Joseph P (Winter)
- Prerequisite: COMP 361D1
- No credit will be given for this course unless both COMP 361D1 and COMP 361D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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COMP 557 Fundamentals of Computer Graphics (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : The study of fundamental mathematical, algorithmic and representational issues in computer graphics. The topics to be covered are: overview of graphics process, projective geometry, homogeneous coordinates, projective transformations, quadrics and tensors, line-drawing, surface modelling and object modelling reflectance models and rendering, texture mapping, polyhedral representations, procedural modelling, and animation.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Kry, Paul (Fall)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: MATH 223, COMP 251, COMP 206
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MATH 222 Calculus 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Jonsson, Wilbur; Sancho, Neville G F (Fall) Jonsson, Wilbur (Winter)
- Prerequisite: MATH 141. Familiarity with vector geometry or Corequisite: MATH 133
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CEGEP course 201-303 or MATH 150, MATH 151 or MATH 227
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MATH 223 Linear Algebra (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Loveys, James G; Huang, Hongnian (Fall) Loveys, James G (Winter)
- Fall and Winter
- Prerequisite: MATH 133 or equivalent
- Restriction: Not open to students in Mathematics programs nor to students who have taken or are taking MATH 236, MATH 247 or MATH 251. It is open to students in Faculty Programs
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MATH 240 Discrete Structures 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Mathematical foundations of logical thinking and reasoning. Mathematical language and proof techniques. Quantifiers. Induction. Elementary number theory. Modular arithmetic. Recurrence relations and asymptotics. Combinatorial enumeration. Functions and relations. Partially ordered sets and lattices. Introduction to graphs, digraphs and rooted trees.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Shepherd, Frederick (Fall)
- Fall
- Corequisite: MATH 133.
- Restriction: For students in any Computer Science program. Others only with the instructor's permission. Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 235.
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MATH 323 Probability (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics & Statistics (Sci) : Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Summer 2011
Instructors: Anderson, William J (Fall) Partovi Nia, Vahid (Winter)
- Prerequisites: MATH 141 or equivalent.
- Restriction: Intended for students in Science, Engineering and related disciplines, who have had differential and integral calculus
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MATH 356
Complementary Courses (17 credits)
Students complete a minimum of 15 or a maximum of 17 complementary credits selected as follows:
3 credits selected from:
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COMP 350 Numerical Computing (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Computer representation of numbers, IEEE Standard for Floating Point Representation, computer arithmetic and rounding errors. Numerical stability. Matrix computations and software systems. Polynomial interpolation. Least-squares approximation. Iterative methods for solving a nonlinear equation. Discretization methods for integration and differential equations.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Chang, Xiao-Wen (Fall)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: MATH 222 and MATH 223 and one of: COMP 202, COMP 208, COMP 250; or equivalents.
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COMP 360 Algorithm Design Techniques (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : A study of techniques for the design and analysis of algorithms.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Vetta, Adrian Roshan (Fall) Nguyen, The Phuong (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: Either COMP 251 or COMP 252, and either MATH 240 or MATH 235 or MATH 363.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 362.
6-8 credits selected from:
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COMP 424 Artificial Intelligence (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Introduction to search methods. Knowledge representation using logic and probability. Planning and decision making under uncertainty. Introduction to machine learning.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Pineau, Joelle (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: (COMP 206 or ECSE 321) and COMP 251
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COMP 507 Computational Geometry (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Problems in computational geometry; worst-case complexity of geometric algorithms; expected complexity of geometric algorithms and geometric probability; geometric intersection problems; nearest neighbour searching; point inclusion problems; distance between sets; diameter and convex hull of a set; polygon decomposition; the Voronoi diagram and other planar graphs; updating and deleting from geometric structures.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 360 or COMP 362 or permission of instructor or corequisite COMP 506.
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COMP 521 Modern Computer Games (4 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Genre and history of games, basic game design, storytelling and narrative analysis, game engines, design of virtual worlds, real-time 2D graphics, game physics and physical simulation, pathfinding and game AI, content generation, 3D game concerns, multiplayer and distributed games, social issues.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Verbrugge, Clark (Winter)
- 4 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 303 or COMP 361.
- Corequisite: COMP 557.
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COMP 522 Modelling and Simulation (4 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Simulation and modelling processes, state automata, Petri Nets, state charts, discrete event systems, continuous-time models, hybrid models, system dynamics and object-oriented modelling.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: COMP 251, COMP 302, COMP 350
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COMP 529 Software Architecture (4 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Development, analysis, and maintenance of software architectures, with special focus on modular decomposition and reverse engineering.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Dagenais, Barthélémy (Winter)
- 4 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 303 or COMP 304.
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COMP 533 Object-Oriented Software Development (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Object-oriented, UML-based software development; requirements engineering based on use cases; using OCL and a coherent subset of UML to establish complete and precise analysis and design documents for a software system; Java-specific mapping strategies for implementation.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Kienzle, Jorg Andreas (Fall)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 335 or ECSE 321 or COMP 303 or COMP 361
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COMP 559 Fundamentals of Computer Animation (4 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Physically-based animation, constraints, stiff systems, motion capture, rigid body motion, collision detection, deformable solids.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Kry, Paul (Winter)
- Prerequisites: COMP 557, COMP 350
6 credits selected from:
* Students take either COMP 435 or COMP 535, but not both.
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COMP 409 Concurrent Programming (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Characteristics and utility of concurrent programs; formal methods for specification, verification and development of concurrent programs; communications, synchronization, resource allocation and management, coherency and integrity.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Verbrugge, Clark (Fall)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: COMP 251, COMP 302, and COMP 310 or ECSE 427
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COMP 421 Database Systems (3 credits)
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Database Design: conceptual design of databases (e.g., entity-relationship model), relational data model, functional dependencies. Database Manipulation: relational algebra, SQL, database application programming, triggers, access control. Database Implementation: transactions, concurrency control, recovery, query execution and query optimization.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Kemme, Bettina (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: COMP 206, COMP 251, COMP 302
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COMP 435 Basics of Computer Networks (3 credits) *
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Exposition of the first four layers of the ISO model for computer network protocols. Socket programming. Network administration and configuration and security issues.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 310
- COMP 435 and COMP 535 cannot both be taken for credit.
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COMP 535 Computer Networks 1 (3 credits) *
Overview
Computer Science (Sci) : Exposition of the first four layers of the ISO model for computer network protocols, i.e., the physical, data, network, and transport layers. Basic hardware and software issues with examples drawn from existing networks, notably SNA, DECnet, and ARPAnet.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: COMP 310
- Restriction: Students may not take both COMP 435 and COMP 535 for credit
Faculty of Science—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)