BSc CS Program Overview¶
Computing Science is a subject area inside the Faculty of Science's 120-unit Bachelor of Science (Major and Honors). Your CS requirements are only part of the degree; the BSc also has its own common, breadth, science, and senior-level requirements (see Degree Planning).
The Computing Science subject area page in the 2026-27 calendar is the authority. This page summarizes it.
The Seven Paths¶
Every Major and Honors path shares the same foundation: CMPUT 174 and 175 (or 274 and 275), Calculus I and II, linear algebra, one intro stats course, plus CMPUT 204 and 272. The math options are on Math and Stats.
| Path | Units | Required CMPUT beyond the shared core | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | 54 | Two of 201/229/291; 15 units of 300/400-level CMPUT, plus 6 units at the 400 level | None |
| Major, AI Option | 72 | 200, 261, 267, 365, 366, 467; one of 201/291; one of 312/328/340/350; one of 412/455/461/463; 12 units 300/400-level + 6 units 400-level | STAT 252 or 266 |
| Major, Software Practice Option | 78 | 201, 229, 291, 301, 325, 379, 401, 402; one of 304/340/474; 6 units 300/400-level + 3 units 400-level | STAT 252 or 266; 12 units of Business (6 from BTM, MGTSC, OM); 8-, 12-, or 16-month SIP |
| Honors | 72 | 201, 229, 291; one of 399/401/469/499; 18 units 300/400-level + 12 units 400-level | STAT 252 or 266 |
| Honors, AI Option | 90 | The Major AI Option's named courses, plus all of 201, 229, 291, and 469 (AI Capstone); two of 412/455/461/463; 18 units 300/400-level + 6 units 400-level | STAT 252 or 266 |
| Honors, Software Practice Option | 93 | The Major SPO's named courses, plus one of 399/469/499; 12 units 300/400-level + 9 units 400-level; at least 18 CMPUT units at the 400 level overall | STAT 252 or 266; 12 units Business; SIP |
| Minor | 24 | 174, 175; 6 units from 201/204/229/272/291; 6 units of any 200+ CMPUT; 6 units 300/400-level | No math, stats, or ethics listed |
Honors paths also accept the Honors math courses (MATH 117/118 for calculus, MATH 127 for linear algebra). The Major paths list only MATH 134/144/154, 136/146/156, and 125.
Rules that catch people¶
- Ethics: every Major and Honors path needs CMPUT 200 (Responsible Data Science and AI) or CMPUT 300 (Computers and Society). Both AI Options require 200 specifically. The Minor doesn't.
- 275 replaces 201: you can swap 174 for 274 and 175 for 275, but you can't get credit for both 275 and 201. In every path except the Major AI Option, the calendar says you must replace 201 with another CMPUT course at the 200 level or above. (In the Major AI Option, 201 is a pick-one with 291, so just take 291.)
- Software Practice and the SIP: if you don't complete a SIP placement, you must withdraw from the option and reapply to the regular Major or Honors.
- Prerequisites aren't in the requirement lists. The calendar warns that upper-year CMPUT courses need specific CMPUT, MATH, or STAT courses. The prerequisite map shows the main ones.
Major vs Honors: The Rules¶
From the BSc calendar page:
| Major | Honors | |
|---|---|---|
| GPA to continue (each Fall/Winter) | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Subject-area GPA to graduate | 2.3 | 3.0 |
| GPA on last 60 units to graduate | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| 300/400-level units in the whole degree | 36 | 42 |
| Can add a Minor | Yes | Yes |
| Can do a Double Major | Yes | No |
| When to declare | Before 60 units | On application to Honors |
Switching between Major and Honors requires an application. Changing subject area normally isn't allowed after 90 units. The AI and Software Practice Options can't be combined with a CS Minor (obviously), and the separate Data Science subject area can't be combined with a CS, Math, or Stats Minor.
Which Should You Pick?¶
Default to the plain Major. It's the most flexible path, it has the lowest GPA floor, and nothing stops you from taking the AI or software courses as electives anyway. For industry jobs, Major vs Honors is rarely what decides an offer; internships and projects are.
- Pick Honors if you're aiming at grad school or research, and you can hold a 3.0. The extra 400-level depth and the capstone/topics requirement (399, 401, 469, or 499) give you a natural way to work with a professor. Honors requires a 3.0 every Fall/Winter to continue, so be honest about that risk.
- Pick the AI Option if you're sure you want ML/AI and want the full sequence (261, 267, 365, 366, 467) guaranteed on your transcript. The cost is elective freedom: the Major AI Option is 72 units versus 54. A plain Major can take most of the same courses.
- Pick the Software Practice Option if you want a structured industry path and are confident you'll land a SIP placement. It's the heaviest path (78 or 93 units) and it hinges on a placement you have to win. If you want internships without that risk, take the plain Major and apply to SIP anyway: it's open to any full-time Faculty of Science undergrad with a 2.3+ GPA (SIP requirements).
- Pick the Minor if CS is your second interest alongside another BSc subject.
Not sure? Start in the Major. First year looks nearly identical in every path, and you have until 60 units to declare.
Last verified: October 2026 against the 2026-27 Computing Science subject area and BSc program pages. Requirements change; the calendar is the authority.