About this Guidebook

Whether you are a second year student trying to decide which course to take to complete an "Arts pair", or are planning a schedule of ten courses leading to an Honours Degree in Computer Science, we have designed this booklet for you. It contains information on job opportunities and careers for computer science graduates, a list of frequently asked questions, descriptions of the various Degree Programs in computer science in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts, and a list of Faculty members and research interests. If you are interested in computer science and want to learn more, the Department strongly encourages students to contact faculty members to discuss courses, programs, and career opportunities and/or graduate studies in mathematics. A good place to start is the Department Chair, or a professor from whom you have had a course, but don't limit yourself. We'd all like to talk with you about computer science!

The Study of Computer Science

Computer Science is a science of abstraction - creating the correct model for thinking about a problem and devising the appropriate mechanized techniques to solve it. Computer Science touches virtually every aspect of human endeavor. Its impact on society is seen in the proliferation of computers, information systems, and all of the wonderful application programs that have been developed to make computers easier to use and people more productive.

Every other science deals with the universe as it is. The physicist’s job is to understand how the world works, not to invent a world in which physical laws would be simpler or more pleasant to follow. Computer Scientists, on the other hand, must create abstractions of real-world problems that can be understood by computer users and, at the same time, be represented and manipulated inside a computer.

Computer Science has been taught at St.F.X. for over 30 years, with increasing enrollment. From a humble start with one course per year, St.F.X. now offers 20 different courses to its students. Classes are small; first year courses have less than 60 students, and enrollment in upper-level courses normally is less than 20.

Computer Science students at St.F.X. have gone on to jobs in teaching, research, programming, systems analysis, graphics, systems development, and many other fields closely related to or applying concepts of Computer Science. As well, many recent graduates have earned prestigious scholarships to continue their studies in both Master’s and Ph.D. programs.

While at X, Computer Science students have had jobs as lab assistants, teaching assistants, and computer support staff. During the summers, many have been hired on campus as research assistants and computer support personnel, while others have found well-paid computer-related summer jobs in industry. In 2004 alone, six students were hired as summer research assistants. During the academic year 2003/04, many of the junior and senior students were hired as markers, lab assistants, and/or student interns.

How to Get Involved!

1. Come and visit the Department.
   Chair: Martin van Bommel, Annex 24C, 867-3857,
   Administrative Assistant: Rhonda Connors, Annex 24A. 867-3972,
   
   

2. Join the Math Society
   Meetings are held in the Departmental Library (Annex 24). Activities include the occasional athletic contest versus the faculty (seems easy!), running the Execoi tutorial service, running a computerized dating service etc. The current co-presidents are: Andrew Moeller and Melissa Gould.

3. Attend Departmental Seminars
   Held on announced dates in the Departmental Seminar Room, Annex 23A - watch for notices.

The Programs

Degrees in Computer Science are administrated by the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. Degrees in Computer Science can be obtained following various programs:

• Bachelor of Arts with Advanced Major
• Bachelor of Arts with Joint Advanced Major
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours
• Bachelor of Arts with Joint Honours
• Bachelor of Science with Advanced Major
• Bachelor of Science with Joint Advance Major
• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Bachelor of Science with Joint Honours
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Business

• CSci 160 or equivalent
• CSci 255, 367, 375, 383, 465, 475
• Math 111/112 or equivalent
• Math 253 and 277
• Stat 201 or equivalent
• An additional 3 credits CSci
• CSci 491 and a research paper
• 24 credits in a second Arts subject, 12 in each of three others
• 21 credits of open electives

• CSci 160 or equivalent
• CSci 255, 256, 365, 375, 383, 385, 465, 475, 485
• Math 111/112 or equivalent
• Math 253 and 277
• Stat 201 or equivalent
• An additional 9 credits in Math/CSci
• CSci 491 and 493 (honours thesis)
• 12 credits in a second Arts subject, 12 in a third
• 21 credits of open electives

• CSci 160 or equivalent
• CSci 255, 367, 375, 383, 465, 475
• Math 111/112 or equivalent
• Stat 231 or equivalent
• Math 253 and 277
• An additional 3 credits CSci
• CSci 491 and a research paper
• 12 credits in a second Science subject, 6 in a third
• 12 credits in one social science or humanity, 6 in a second
• 18 credits of approved electives
• 27 credits of open electives

• CSci 160 or equivalent
• CSci 255, 256, 365, 375, 383, 385, 465, 475, 485
• Math 111/112 or equivalent
• Stat 231 or equivalent
• Math 253, 267, and 277
• An additional 9 credits in Math/CSci
• CSci 491 and 493 (honours thesis)
• 12 credits in a second Science subject, 6 in a third
• 12 credits in one social science or humanity, 6 in a second
• 3 credits of approved electives
• 9 credits of open electives

• CSci 160, 235, 255, 365, 375, 383, 465, 475
• Math 111/112 or equivalent
• Math 253 and 277
• STAT 231 or equivalent
• CSci 491 and a research paper
• BSAD 101, 102, 221, 222, 231, 261, 341, 471
• An additional 6 credits in BSAD
• ECON 100
• 12 credits in a second Science subject, 6 in a third
• 12 credits in one social science or humanity, 6 in a second
• 3 credits of approved electives

The Facilities

The University has a campus-wide network of personal computers supported by several Microsoft Windows XP servers and IBM RS/6000 minicomputers. Several teaching labs are equipped with PCs with Pentium processors, and over 200 such PCs are available for general student use. All are equipped with sound cards and CD-ROM drives. Every student has access to electronic mail and the internet, and can create home pages on the world wide web.

Computer Science students begin programming in C and advance to C++, using Borland’s C++ compiler on the campus network of PCs. Upper level courses offer instruction in Java, ML, Prolog, and Lisp. Courses also give students experience with UNIX, Microsoft Office Professional, Oracle, DB/2, and various other database management and networking packages. The department maintains a network of PCs dedicated for use by upper level students and a Mathematics and Computer Science resource center, both of which are located in the Annex.

A high-speed sun lab is avaliable for use in the department Containing a 6 Sun workstations, a SUN server, and access to our Sun Netra X1 Cluster Grid of 34 Sun servers, including UltraSPARC II 64bit CPUs, capable of 1 Gflops with 1 Gbyte main memory.

The Myths

Although students begin with a programming course, Computer Science at St.F.X. is not all programming and theory. Students are provided with a strong foundation in these, complemented with applied principles and hand-on experience. In the junior and senior years, students have the choice to take the more theoretical courses or those teaching the applications of computers to business, industry, and research. Most students end up with a mixture, giving a well-rounded education and the capability to follow any career path.

It is also not the case that all Computer Scientists are geeks. In this rapidly changing world of computers, applications are being developed in every aspect of human endeavor. Thus, those familiar with computers are required in all types of careers. It is now common for employers to search for graduates who have well-rounded experience, both with computers and with the application at hand. Thus students with diverse backgrounds are becoming the most sought after of the graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am currently enrolled in a Science program, how can I change to CSci?

A: CSci 160 is the foundation course in CSci program. It is a prerequisite for almost all other CSci courses. Therefore, you should enroll in CSci 160 as soon as possible. To get a head start, consider taking a programming course during the summer. Q: How long will it take to get a CS degree if I have completed two years in the Faculty of Science?

A: You can complete your degree in four years even without having taken CSci 160. Assuming you have a calculus course and a science pair, you simply have to take MATH 253 and 277 and STAT 231, along with CSci 255, 365, 375, 383, 465, 475, and 491, and additional credits in CSci. Students who have done the transfer are listed in the recent graduates section.

A: The second pair in the B.A. program must be from the Faculty of Arts. The core requirements are identical.

• With Computer Science, you will have a stronger more technical background in the Computer Science fundamentals. This will give a competitive edge in the long term. You will have an equal or better chance to get a good job and keep it.
• You do not have to take Business courses as part of your program. However, if you want to become familiar with Business, its methods and terminology, you can take up to four Business/IS courses as part of your degree.

A: CSci professors are involved in a wide range of research projects. All professors are funded either by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada or industry. Additional funding is obtained form the St.F.X. University Research Council and from Human Resources Development of Canada (Summer Career Placement). In 2004, 6 computer science students were hired by the CSci faculty. This provides students with an opportunity to get hand-on experience in research. All recent graduates going to graduate school were supported either by NSERC, entrance scholarships, or research and teaching assistantships (valued at least $15,000 per year). Acceptance rates have been high, denoting proper prepartion.

A: Recent graduates have been very successful in getting offers from major consulting firms such as Anderson, and DMR, and companies such as Shell Canada and Nortel. As well, they have scored well on the skills tests for Revenue Canada and Statistics Canada. Having a strong background in theory, as well as practical experience, gives our graduates an advantage over other applicants with just theoretical knowledge or hands-on experience. This background lets potential employers know that they are flexible in their skills and can learn new applications easily.

Recent Graduates

The Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Department has seven faculty members with Computer Science concentration. All hold doctoral degrees from respected universities and their research efforts are supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

1. Dr. Man Lin, Ph.D.(Linkoping University)
   • Office location: Annex 20
   • Office Telephone: 867-5204
   • Email:
   • Area of Interest: Formal methods for reactive and real-time systems
   • Courses taught 2003-2004: CSCI 100, 345, 383, 483
   
   
2. Dr. Alexander MacEachern Ph.D. (Iowa State)
   • Office Location: Annex 20B
   • Office Telephone: 867-2344
   • Email:
   • Area of Interest: Distributed Databases
   • Courses taught: 2003-2004: CSCI 254, 375, 475, 483
   
   
3. Dr. Ernst Schuegraf Ph.D.(University of Alberta)
   • Office Location: Annex 20C
   • Office Telephone: 867-2269
   • Email:
   • Area of Interest: Information retrieval
   • Courses taught: 2003-2004: Math 100.13, CSCi 100, 125 and 255
   
   
4. Dr. Martin van Bommel Ph.D.(University of Waterloo)
   • Office Location: Annex 20A
   • Office Telephone: 867-3857
   • Email:
   • Area of Interest: object-oriented database design, retrieval
   • Courses taught: 2003-2004: CSci 160, 385, 485
   
   
5. Dr. Ping Wang, Phd (Regina)
   • Office location: Annex 22B
   • Office Telephone: 867-2446
   • E-mail address:
   • Area of Interest: Graph Theory
   • Courses taught 2003-2004: Math 111/112, 205, CS 256, 335
   
   
6. Dr. Laurence Yang Ph.D. (in progress)
   • Office location: Annex 11B
   • Office Telephone: 867-5546
   • E-mail address:
   • Area of Interest: Parallel and Distributed computing
   • Courses taught 2003-2004: CS 235, 365, 455, 465, 467