1998/1999 Undergraduate Calendar

Students should consult the York University Undergraduate Calendar for full details of the degree requirements and relevant regulations (check the Calendars link at www.yorku.ca).

Degree requirements in the Faculty of Arts refer to the following categories of courses:

1. General Education Courses - Intended to provide a broad interdisciplinary perspective, "General Education" courses, are offered by three academic units, the Divisions of Humanities, Natural Science, and Social Science. The Faculty of Arts Foundations courses are part of the General Education requirement and are affiliated with the appropriate Faculty of Arts Colleges. These courses emphasize critical skills, especially writing, and provide a supportive learning environment. The connection to one of the Faculty of Arts Colleges - Calumet, Founders, McLaughlin, Stong, or Vanier - enables students to participate more fully in college life and co-curricular events.
2. Major (and Minor) Courses - In addition to taking courses which contribute to their broad knowledge, students are required to specialize in a specific subject or combination of subjects. The area of primary concentration is known as the "Major"; an area of secondary concentration (if any) is known as the "Minor". It is possible to have two "Majors".
3. Elective Courses - intended to broaden the educational experience of students beyond their area of specialization, electives include most courses which a student does not use to fulfil either General Education requirements or Major/Minor requirements. Courses not considered to be electives are:

1. Major courses taken above the required number;
2. non-Major courses taken within the Major subject (e.g. most Atkinson COSC courses);
3. courses outside the Major taken to fulfil major requirements (e.g., AS/MATH1090 3.0 and other MATH courses required for Computer Science);
4. courses which are cross-listed or designated as equivalents or exclusions for courses offered by the Major Programme.

4. Upper-Level Courses - courses at the 3000-level and/or 4000-level. Honours degrees require at least 18 credits at the 4000-level and at least 36 credits at the 3000- and 4000-level.

The Faculty provides for the following types of programmes in Computer Science:

Honours Programmes - are 120 credit programmes, which require more specialization, a higher minimum performance, and in some cases, different courses than does an Ordinary programme. (Pending Senate approval ordinary programmes will no longer be offered in COSC beginning FW98/99.)

In order to graduate with an Honours Degree, students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 credits which fulfil one of the following requirements [a), b), c), or d)]:

a) Specialized Honours:

1. General Education: See General Education Requirements below;
2. Major Requirements:
• COSC1020 3.0, COSC1030 3.0, COSC2001 3.0, COSC2011 3.0, COSC2021 3.0,
• COSC3101 3.0 and 18 more credits at the 3000-level satisfying breadth in COSC (see below),
• COSC4101 3.0 or COSC4111 3.0, and 9 more credits at the 4000-level in COSC, 6 more credits at the upper level in COSC,
• 18 credits of MATH including MATH1090 3.0, MATH1300 3.0, MATH1310 3.0, MATH2090 3.0, MATH2221 3.0 and MATH2320 3.0,
• and at least 30 credits that are neither COSC or MATH;
3. Elective Courses: at least 18 credits;
4. Upper-Level Courses:
1. 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000-level or 4000-level;
2. 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses [including at least 12 credits in the Major] must be at the 4000-level;
5. In-Faculty Courses: See In-Faculty Courses in the York University Undergraduate Calendar;
6. Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this programme must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed, and graduate.

b) Honours (Major):

1. General Education: See General Education Requirements below;
2. Major Courses:
• COSC1020 3.0, COSC1030 3.0, COSC2001 3.0, COSC2011 3.0, COSC2021 3.0,
• 15 credits at the 3000-level satisfying breadth in COSC and 12 credits at the 4000 level,
• 15 credits of MATH including MATH1090 3.0, MATH1300 3.0, MATH1310 3.0, MATH2090 3.0, and one of MATH2221 3.0 or MATH2320 3.0,
• and at least 30 credits that are neither COSC or MATH;
3. Elective Courses: at least 18 credits;
4. Upper-Level Courses:
1. 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000-level or 4000-level
2. 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses [including at least 12 credits in the Major] must be at the 4000-level;
5. In-Faculty Courses: See In-Faculty Courses in the York University Undergraduate Calendar;
6. Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this programme must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed, and graduate.

c) Honours (Minor):

A Minor in Computer Science must be combined with a Major in a different subject. The Minor in Computer Science has the requirements listed under (2)(b).

1. General Education: See General Education Requirements below;
2. Major/Minor Courses: as defined by the specific programmes;
1. Major: usually at least 42 credits in the Major, at least 12 credits of which must be at the 4000-level; and
2. Minor (in COSC):
• COSC1020 3.0, COSC1030 3.0, COSC2001 3.0, COSC2011 3.0, COSC2021 3.0,
• 15 credits at the 3000-level satisfying breadth in COSC and 6 credits at the 4000 level,
• 15 credits of MATH including MATH1090 3.0, MATH1300 3.0, MATH1310 3.0, MATH2090 3.0, and one of MATH2221 3.0 or MATH2320 3.0;

3. Elective Courses: Students who graduate in an Honours (Major/Minor) programme are deemed to fulfil the Elective Course requirement;
4. Upper-Level Courses:
1. 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000-level or 4000-level
2. 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses [usually including 12 credits - in the Major and 6 credits - in the Minor] must be at the 4000-level;
5. In-Faculty Courses: See In-Faculty Courses in the York University Undergraduate Calendar;
6. Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this programme must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed, and graduate.

d) Honours (Double Major):

Students may combine a Major in COSC (as defined above) with a Major in a different subject in the Faculty of Arts (either linked or unlinked), with an Honours Major in some Fine Arts subjects or in Environmental Studies. Elective courses are deemed fulfilled in these programmes; there must be at least 30 credits that are not COSC and not MATH.

Students will select their General Education requirements in accordance with the following:

1. One 1000-level 9 credit Foundations course, in either the Division of Humanities or the Division of Social Science - to be taken within the first 24 credits;
2. One 1000-level 6 credit course in the Division of Natural Science - to be taken prior to graduation, and preferably within the first 42 credits;
3. One 2000-level 9 credit Foundations course, in either the Division of Humanities or the Division of Social Science. If the 1000-level 9 credit Foundations course is taken in the Division of Humanities, then the 2000-level 9 credit Foundations course must be taken in the Division of Social Science (and vice versa) - to be taken within the first 48 credits;
4. Breadth requirement - will be satisfied by successfully completing the General Education/Foundations courses described above. (Breadth requirement is described below.)

The Breadth requirement must be successfully completed before graduation and requires at least 6 credits from each of the following areas:

Note: Mathematics, Computer Science, and Kinesiology and Health Science courses, will satisfy neither requirement, unless they are cross-listed with a unit listed above.

A student who has received a passing grade for a course may not repeat that course or take an equivalent or excluded course for degree credit.

Where a student retakes a course in which he/she has previously received a grade of E or F and passes it, the passing grade is also calculated into the Grade Point Average.

Qualifying for Honours -

Continuing in Honours - To continue in an Honours programme, students must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 5.0.

Graduating in Honours - To graduate in an Honours programme, students must pass at least 120 credits which meet Faculty of Arts and programme requirements. The Cumulative Grade Point Average for all courses taken must be at least 5.0.

General education courses are required within all BSc programmes. These non-science courses provide a broad perspective on current scholarship and the diversity of human experience. The courses are also expected to enhance students' critical skills in reading, writing, and thinking and contribute to their preparation for post-university life.

All BSc candidates must complete a minimum of 12 credits from two different areas of study, including at least 3 credits from each area, subject to the restrictions noted below. For the purposes of this regulation, "different area" means offered by different academic units such as divisions, departments or Faculties and excluding courses offered by similar departments in different Faculties (such as English in the Faculty of Arts and Atkinson College). Subject to the restrictions listed below, courses in the following areas may be taken in the Faculty of Arts, Atkinson College or Glendon College.

• Anthropology
• Classical Studies *
• Economics
• English
• History
• French Studies *
• Humanities
• Geography **
• Philosophy
• Languages, Literature & Linguistics *
• Political Science
• Social Science
• Sociology

The following courses offered by the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Faculty of Fine Arts may also be taken to satisfy Faculty of Pure and Applied Science general education requirements: ES/ENVS1000 6.0, FA/INFA1900 6.0 and FA/INFA2900 6.0.

General education courses are normally taken at the 1000 or 2000 level, but higher-level courses are acceptable, subject only to prerequisites and course access specifications for enrolment.

Permission may be granted by the Office of Science Academic Services, on an individual basis, for a student to take a course outside the areas and Faculties listed above for general education credit, subject to the course fulfilling the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science breadth and critical skills requirements for general education courses, the student having the appropriate prerequisites and the course access specifications permitting enrolment. A student who is in doubt regarding whether or not any specific course will fulfill the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science general education requirements should consult the Office of Science Academic Services.

1. Courses whose major focus is increased facility in the use of a language cannot count as general education courses. Such courses are offered in the departments marked with an * above.
2. Quantitative courses focussing on techniques of mathematics or statistics cannot count as general education courses. For example, this applies to some Economics courses.
3. Certain other types of courses cannot be used to satisfy general education requirements. In particular,

   (i) courses which are cross-listed as SC courses or which are eligible for SC credit cannot count as general education courses; and

   (ii) Geography courses (**) cannot be used to satisfy general education requirements for BSc candidates majoring in Geography.

Note: General education courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis (see "Pass/Fail Grading Option" in Science section III of the University Undergraduate Calendar).

1. All students are required to observe the regulations of the University. Unless otherwise stated, any changes in regulations become effective as announced. This policy is not meant to disadvantage students as they proceed through their studies, including those who have completed a number of courses. It is intended to ensure that their preparation for courses is appropriate and current. Students should consult closely with departments and the Faculty through the advising process. (Students admitted to the Faculty prior to September 1995 are strongly advised to follow current regulations, but may elect to graduate under the regulations of the year in which they were admitted to the Faculty.)
2. It is the student's responsibility to enrol in only those courses for which the student has successfully completed all designated prerequisites and to take concurrently all specified corequisites not already completed successfully.
3. All degree candidates are required to indicate a choice of degree programme (Ordinary, Specialized Honours, or Combined Honours) upon successful completion of 24 credits. A minimum cumulative credit-weighted grade-point average of 5.0 over all Science courses completed is required for onours programmes. For information about changing degree programmes see the University Undergraduate Calendar.
4. All BSc degree candidates in Honours and Ordinary programmes must successfully complete the following minimum requirements, normally at the 1000 level:

a) at least 24 Science credits, excluding SC/CHEM1520 4.0, SC/MATH1500 3.0, SC/MATH1510 6.0, SC/MATH1525 3.0, SC/PHYS1510 4.0, and all Natural Science courses, and including at least 2 credits in introductory computer science, 6 credits in approved mathematics courses, and 12 credits in courses with laboratories;

b) 12 general education credits (see "General Education Requirements" in this section of the Calendar).

To declare Honours requires successful completion of at least 24 credits and a minimum cumulative credit-weighted grade point average of 5.0* over all Science (SC) courses completed.

To proceed in each year of an Honours BSc programme requires a minimum cumulative credit-weighted grade-point average of 5.0* over all Science (SC) courses completed.

To graduate in an Honours BSc programme requires successful completion of all Faculty requirements and departmental required courses and a minimum cumulative credit-weighted grade point average of 5.0* over all Science (SC) courses completed.

* 6.0 for the Space and Communication Sciences Stream of Specialized Honours and for Combined Honours with Biology

All candidates for the BSc degree in all Honours programmes must, through registration in courses at York University or elsewhere deemed creditable towards the BSc degree,

1. satisfy regulations 2, 3 and 4;
2. present a total of at least 120 passed credits of which a minimum of 90 must be earned in Science courses, a minimum of 30 must be earned in one major Science subject area (Specialized Honours programmes only), or a minimum of 18 in each of two major Science subject areas (Combined Honours programmes only), a minimum of 42 must be earned in courses at the 3000 or higher level;
3. satisfy the Faculty academic standards for Honours BSc programmes - see "Academic Standards for Honours BSc Programmes" in section III of the University Undergraduate Calendar;
4. satisfy the following programme of study requirements:

Note: The following degree requirements do not apply to students in the Space and Communication Sciences Stream of Specialized Honours Computer Science; for requirements of that stream, see the "Space and Communication Sciences" Supplemental Calendar and section V of the York University Undergraduate Calendar.

1. All degree candidates must complete the programme core:
   • SC/COSC1020 3.0; SC/COSC1030 3.0;
   • SC/COSC2001 3.0; SC/COSC2011 3.0; SC/COSC2021 3.0.

2. All degree candidates must comply with general regulation 4 (section IV) by completing the following (in addition to SC/COSC1020 3.0 and SC/COSC1030 3.0 from the programme core):
   • SC/MATH1090 3.0; SC/MATH1300 3.0; SC/MATH1310 3.0;
   • 6 credits from SC/BIOL1010 6.0, SC/CHEM1010 6.0, SC/EATS1010 6.0, SC/PHYS1410 6.0 or SC/PHYS1010 6.0; (Note: In this context, SC/COSC1020 3.0 and SC/COSC1030 3.0 satisfy the other half of the 1000-level Science requirement for courses with laboratories.)
   • at least 3 additional credits from SC/BIOL1010 6.0, SC/CHEM1010 6.0, SC/EATS1010 6.0, SC/EATS1010 3.0, SC/EATS1011 3.0, SC/MATH1025 3.0, SC/PHYS1070 3.0, SC/PHYS1410 6.0 or SC/PHYS1010 6.0;
   • 12 general education credits (see "General Education Requirements" in Science section IV).

3. All degree candidates, in accordance with their declared programmes, must satisfy the course, credit and standing requirements for either Specialised Honours or Combined Honours as specified below.
4. All degree candidates must satisfy a breadth requirement in Computer Science by completing 3 credits at the 3000 level from Group A courses in each of four areas:
   • theory (second digit of course number is 1),
   • hardware (second digit is 2),
   • software (second digit is 3),
   • knowledge based (second digit is 4).
   Group A courses have odd course numbers; Group B courses have even course numbers.

5. All Honours degree candidates must complete at least 30 credits which are neither computer science nor mathematics.

Note: See the general prerequisites for 2000-, 3000- and 4000-level Computer Science courses (under "Courses of Instruction") for information about cumulative grade-point average requirements in completed Computer Science courses.

• SC/MATH2090 3.0; SC/MATH2221 3.0; SC/MATH2320 3.0;
• SC/COSC3101 3.0; SC/COSC4101 3.0 or SC/COSC4111 3.0;
• at least 18 additional credits in Computer Science courses at the 3000 level satisfying the departmental breadth requirement;
• at least 9 additional credits in Computer Science courses at the 4000 level;
• at least 6 additional credits in Computer Science courses at the 3000 or 4000 level, for an overall total of at least 54 credits in Computer Science courses (including those within the programme core);
• additional elective credits as required from an overall total of at least 120 credits, including at least 90 credits from Science courses, at least 42 credits at the 3000 or higher level, and at least 30 credits which are neither computer science nor mathematics.

The Department of Computer Science also offers a Specialized Honours degree stream in Space and Communication Sciences whose degree requirements are specified in a separate entry in section V.

• SC/MATH2090 3.0; SC/MATH1025 3.0 or SC/MATH2221 3.0 or SC/MATH2320 3.0;
• at least 15 credits in Computer Science courses at the 3000 level satisfying the departmental breadth requirement;
• at least 12 credits in Computer Science courses at the 4000 level, for an overall total of at least 42 credits in Computer Science courses (including those within the programme core);
• additional credits (including those required for the second major) as required for an overall total of at least 120 credits, including at least 90 credits from Science courses, at least 42 credits at the 3000 or higher level, and at least 30 credits which are neither computer science nor mathematics.

In order to qualify for a York University BSc degree in any Ordinary or Honours programme, a student must have successfully completed a minimum of 30 credits, approved by the major department(s), while registered in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science at York University.

We have partitioned our courses into four areas. Students must take at least one 3000-level course identified as a Group A course from each area. Group A courses have odd course numbers.

4000-level courses are also partitioned into the same four areas but they are not further partitioned into groups A and B. Thus, whether the course number is even or odd has no significance.

The four areas are described in the following.

Service courses at all levels have the second digit 5. These courses do not satisfy requirements in Computer Science.

Other courses falling outside the course numbering conventions are the following.

• COSC3001 1.0 -- restricted to SCS stream students
• COSC3010 3.0 -- Special Topics course
• COSC4001 6.0 -- restricted to SCS stream students
• COSC4010 3.0 -- Special Topics course
• COSC4080 3.0 -- Computer Science Project

This section presents a summary of the Department's course requirements, by sugesting the normal order in which courses should be taken. There are also checklists for each programme type at the back of this calendar.

Note: the Specialized Honours Space and Communication Sciences Stream has exceptions from the general requirements; the exceptions are noted. The course requirements of the SCS stream are described in the section on Programme Checklists.

The indication of first year, second year, etc., indicates the year of study for normal progress.

1000-level – first year

2000-level – second year

3000-level – third year

4000-level – fourth year, honours programmes only

It is absolutely essential that students fulfill the prerequisites for courses they wish to take.

There are both general prerequisites which are required for all COSC courses at the specified level and specific prerequisites for each course which are in addition to the general prerequisites. Both types of prerequisites include computer science courses and mathematics courses, and in all cases there are grade requirements in the prerequisite courses. The prerequisites are listed after each course description and summarized in the following table.

The prerequisites table is useful to determine what courses must be taken in order to enrol in a particular course, or to determine if you are permitted to enrol in a course.