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Software Systems Major
This program provides skills, knowledge and thought processes necessary for professional software production, while also providing a broad background of various computing systems that graduates encounter in their careers. For course planning information, visit for further information.
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
Entry into computing science programs is possible via
- direct admission from high school
- direct transfer from a recognized post-secondary institution, or combined transfer units from more than one post-secondary institution
- internal transfer from within ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV is competitive. A separate admission average for each entry route is established each term, depending on spaces available and subject to the approval of the dean of applied sciences. ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV averages are calculated over a set of courses satisfying particular breadth constraints.
See for provisions governing high school direct entry or direct transfer from another post-secondary institution.
Contact an advisor at .
Internal Transfer
Internal transfer allows students to transfer, within ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, from one faculty to another. Once you have completed our three qualifying courses (see below) you can apply for internal transfer into the School of Computing Science. ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV students applying for School of Computing Science admission are selected on the basis of an admission computing-related grade point average (CRGPA). The CRGPA is calculated over the best three courses chosen as follows.
- one mathematics course chosen from MACM 101, 201, MATH 150 (or 151), 152 and 240 (or 232)
- one computing course chosen from CMPT 125 (or 126, 128, 130 or 135), 150, (or ENSC 150), 225, 250 (or ENSC 250) and 275 (or 276).
- one additional mathematics or computing science course chosen from the above lists
No course may be included in the average if it is a duplicate of any previous course completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV or elsewhere. All three courses must be completed prior to application. Visit for information.
Continuation Requirements
Students who do not maintain at least a 2.40 CGPA, will be placed on the school’s probation. Courses available to probationary students may be limited. Each term, these students must consult an advisor prior to enrolment and must achieve either a term 2.40 term GPA or an improved CGPA.
Reinstatement from probationary standing occurs when the CGPA improves to 2.40 or better and is maintained.
Students must obtain permission from the department if they wish to complete, for further credit, any course that is a prerequisite for a course the student has already completed with a grade of C- or higher.
Graduation Requirements
A GPA of 2.00 must be obtained for upper division courses used to fulfill the program requirements.
Prerequisite Grade Requirement
Computing science course entry requires a grade of C- or better in each prerequisite course.
Students must obtain permission from the department if they widh to complete, for further credit, any course that is a prerequisite for a course the student has already completed with a grade of C- or higher.
First-year Requirements
The first year of Software Systems begins with , a curriculum for students in the Faculty of Applied Science at Surrey. The courses required for Systems One are included in the following list of requirements.
Program Requirements
Students complete the following:
Systems Requirements
Students complete at least 18 units, including all of
Digital design concepts are presented in such a way that students will learn how basic logic blocks of a simple computer are designed. Topics covered include: basic Von Neumann computer architecture; an introduction to assembly language programming; combinational logic design; and sequential logic design. Prerequisite: Strongly recommended: MACM 101 and either CMPT 120 or equivalent programming. Students with credit for ENSC 150 or CMPT 290 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
This course deals with the main concepts embodied in computer hardware architecture. In particular, the organization, design and limitations of the major building blocks in modern computers is covered in detail. Topics will include: processor organization; control logic design; memory systems; and architectural support for operating systems and programming languages. A hardware description language will be used as a tool to express and work with design concepts. Prerequisite: CMPT/ENSC 150. Students with credit for ENSC 250 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
This course aims to give the student an understanding of what a modern operating system is, and the services it provides. It also discusses some basic issues in operating systems and provides solutions. Topics include multiprogramming, process management, memory management, and file systems. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and MACM 101.
First year project course designed to provide students with a first exposure to the challenges of project organization. Students are responsible for designing and constructing a mechanical robot optimized to solve a particular chosen task. The engineering challenges of the project are expected to focus half on mechanical design and half on control algorithm design and implementation. Students with credit for ENSC 182 may not take MSE 110 for further credit.
and two of
An introduction to the creation of web pages, as well as interactive websites. Students will learn how to create web pages using current best practices. Creation of web-based application using a modern web application framework. Prerequisite: CMPT 120 or 126 or 128. Enrolling in CMPT 125 concurrently is highly recommended if CMPT 126 or 128 has not already been completed. Students with credit for CMPT 118 or CMPT 165 may not take this course for further credit.
Logical representations of data records. Data models. Studies of some popular file and database systems. Document retrieval. Other related issues such as database administration, data dictionary and security. Prerequisite: CMPT 225, MACM 101.
Data communication fundamentals (data types, rates, and transmission media). Network architectures for local and wide areas. Communications protocols suitable for various architectures. ISO protocols and internetworking. Performance analysis under various loadings and channel error rates. Prerequisite: CMPT 225, CMPT/ENSC 150 and MATH 151 (MATH 150). MATH 154 or 157 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted for MATH 151 (MATH 150).
The basics of embedded system organization, hardware-software co-design, and programmable chip technologies are studied. Formal models and specification languages for capturing and analyzing the behavior of embedded systems. The design and use of tools for system partitioning and hardware/software co-design implementation, validation, and verification are also studied. Prerequisite: CMPT 250, 300.
An advanced course on database systems which covers crash recovery, concurrency control, transaction processing, distributed database systems as the core material and a set of selected topics based on the new developments and research interests, such as object-oriented data models and systems, extended relational systems, deductive database systems, and security and integrity. Prerequisite: CMPT 300 and 354.
This course examines: two-tier/multi-tier client/server architectures; the architecture of a Web-based information system; web servers/browser; programming/scripting tools for clients and servers; database access; transport of programming objects; messaging systems; security; and applications (such as e-commerce and on-line learning). Prerequisite: CMPT 354.
This course covers the fundamentals of higher level network functionality such as remote procedure/object calls, name/address resolution, network file systems, network security and high speed connectivity/bridging/switching. Prerequisite: CMPT 300 and 371.
Fundamentals Requirements
Students complete at least 27 units, including all of
The course teaches fundamentals of informative and persuasive communication for professional engineers and computer scientists in order to assist students in thinking critically about various contemporary technical, social, and ethical issues. It focuses on communicating technical information clearly and concisely, managing issues of persuasion when communicating with diverse audiences, presentation skills, and teamwork. Prerequisite: Corequisite: CMPT 106 or MSE 102. Students with credit for ENSC 102, ENSC 105W or MSE 101W may not take CMPT 105W for further credit. Writing.
The course teaches fundamentals of informative and persuasive communication for professional engineers and computer scientists in order to assist students in thinking critically about various contemporary technical, social, and ethical issues. It focuses on communicating technical information clearly and concisely, managing issues of persuasion when communicating with diverse audiences, presentation skills, and teamwork. Corequisite: CMPT 106, ENSC 100 or ENSC 106. Students with credit for CMPT 105W, ENSC 102 or MSE 101W may not take ENSC 105W for further credit. Writing.
Reviews the different modes of thought characteristic of science, engineering and computing. Examines the histories and chief current research issues in these fields. Considers the ethical and social responsibilities of engineering and computing work. Prerequisite: Corequisite: CMPT 105W or MSE 101W. Students with credit for ENSC 100, ENSC 106 or MSE 102 cannot take this course for further credit.
Analysis and design of data structures for lists, sets, trees, dictionaries, and priority queues. A selection of topics chosen from sorting, memory management, graphs and graph algorithms. Prerequisite: CMPT 225, MACM 201, MATH 151 (or MATH 150), and MATH 232 or 240.
The theory and practice of computer ethics. The basis for ethical decision-making and the methodology for reaching ethical decisions concerning computing matters will be studied. Writing as a means to understand and reason about complex ethical issues will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Three CMPT units, 30 total units, and any lower division W course. Students with credit for CMPT 322 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Introduction to counting, induction, automata theory, formal reasoning, modular arithmetic. Prerequisite: BC Math 12 (or equivalent, or any of MATH 100, 150, 151, 154, 157. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
A continuation of MACM 101. Topics covered include graph theory, trees, inclusion-exclusion, generating functions, recurrence relations, and optimization and matching. Prerequisite: MACM 101. Quantitative.
Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of Differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, related rates, Newton's method. Antiderivatives and applications. Conic sections, polar coordinates, parametric curves. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least A, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 151 for further credit. Quantitative.
Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Introduction to vector spaces and linear transformations and bases. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. An emphasis on applications involving matrix and vector calculations. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MACM 101; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 240 make not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
and one of
The collection, description, analysis and summary of data, including the concepts of frequency distribution, parameter estimation and hypothesis testing. To receive credit for both STAT 100 and STAT 101, STAT 100 must be taken first. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Prerequisite: REQ-Students w/ credit for ARCH 376, BUEC 232 (prev. 332) or STAT 270 (prev. MATH 272 & 371) cannot subsequently rec.cred. for STAT 101.Students w/ credit for STAT 102, 203 (prev. STAT 103), 201 or 301, MATH 101 or 102 cannot take STAT 101 for credit. Students with credit for ARCH 376, BUEC 232 (formerly 332) or STAT 270 (formerly MATH 272 and 371) may not subsequently receive credit for STAT 101-3. Students with credit for STAT 102, 201, 203 (formerly STAT 103), 301, MATH 101 or 102 may not take STAT 101 for further credit. Quantitative.
Basic laws of probability, sample distributions. Introduction to statistical inference and applications. Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 or 158. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Quantitative. Prerequisite: COREQ-MATH 152 or 155 or 158. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Equivalent Courses: STAT102 STAT103 STAT201 STAT203 STAT301. Quantitative.
Software Engineering Requirements
Students complete at least 27 units including all of
An introduction to computing science and computer programming, using a systems oriented language, such as C or C++. This course introduces basic computing science concepts. Topics will include: elementary data types, control structures, functions, arrays and strings, fundamental algorithms, computer organization and memory management. Prerequisite: BC Math 12 (or equivalent, or any of MATH 100, 150, 151, 154, or 157). Students with credit for CMPT 102, 120, 126, or 128 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
A second course in systems-oriented programming and computing science that builds upon the foundation set in CMPT 130 using a systems-oriented language such as C or C++. Topics: a review of the basic elements of programming; introduction to object-oriented programming (OOP); techniques for designing and testing programs; use and implementation of elementary data structures and algorithms; introduction to embedded systems programming. Prerequisite: CMPT 130. Students with credit for CMPT 125, 126, or 128 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
An introduction to object oriented design using Java. The Java programming language is introduced, with an emphasis on its advanced features. The course covers the building blocks of object oriented design including inheritance, polymorphism, interfaces and abstract classes. A number of object oriented design patterns are presented, such as observer, iterator, and singleton. The course also teaches best-practices in code construction. It includes a basic introduction to programming event driven graphical user interfaces. Prerequisite: CMPT 225: Data Structures and Programming. Students with credit for CMPT 212 cannot take this course for further credit.
Introduction to a variety of practical and important data structures and methods for implementation and for experimental and analytical evaluation. Topics include: stacks, queues and lists; search trees; hash tables and algorithms; efficient sorting; object-oriented programming; time and space efficiency analysis; and experimental evaluation. Prerequisite: MACM 101 and one of CMPT 125, 126 or 128; or CMPT 128 and approval as a Biomedical Engineering Major. Students with credit for CMPT 201 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
An overview of various techniques used for software development and software project management. Major tasks and phases in modern software development, including requirements, analysis, documentation, design, implementation, testing, installation, support, and maintenance. Project management issues are also introduced. Prerequisite: One W course, CMPT 225, MACM 101, MATH 151 (or MATH 150). MATH 154/157 with at least B+ may substitute for MATH 151 (or MATH 150). Students with credit for CMPT 275 may not take this course for further credit.
Survey of modern software development methodology. Several software development process models will be examined, as will the general principles behind such models. Provides experience with different programming paradigms and their advantages and disadvantages during software development. Prerequisite: CMPT 276 or 275. Students with credit for CMPT 475 may not complete this course for further credit.
This course covers the key components of a compiler for a high level programming language. Topics include lexical analysis, parsing, type checking, code generation and optimization. Students will work in teams to design and implement an actual compiler making use of tools such as lex and yacc. Prerequisite: MACM 201, (CMPT 150 or ENSC 215) and CMPT 225.
Factors in software quality include functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, and portability. Techniques for assessing the quality of software with respect to such factors, and methods for improving the quality of both software products and software development processes. Prerequisite: CMPT 373.
and one of
Abstraction principles and formalization techniques for modelling software systems in early design phases. Design is a creative activity calling for abstract models that facilitate reasoning about the key system attributes to ensure that these attributes are properly established prior to actually building a system. The focus is on specification and validation techniques rather than on formal verification. Prerequisite: MACM 101, 201. Recommended: CMPT 275.
Various concepts and principles underlying the design and use of modern programming languages are considered in the context of procedural, object-oriented, functional and logic programming languages. Topics include data and control structuring constructs, facilities for modularity and data abstraction, polymorphism, syntax, and formal semantics. Prerequisite: CMPT 225, MACM 101.
This course considers modelling and programming techniques appropriate for symbolic data domains such as mathematical expressions, logical formulas, grammars and programming languages. Topics include recursive and functional programming style, grammar-based data abstraction, simplification and reduction transformations, conversions to canonical form, environment data structures and interpreters, metaprogramming, pattern matching and theorem proving. Prerequisite: CMPT 225; MACM 101.
Web service based systems are fundamentally different from traditional software systems. The conceptual and methodological differences between a standard software development process and the development of a web service based information system. The technology involved during the construction of their own web service based application in an extensive project. Prerequisite: CMPT 371.
Introduces, at an accessible level, a formal framework for symbolic model checking, one of the most important verification methods. The techniques are illustrated with examples of verification of reactive systems and communication protocols. Students learn to work with a model checking tool. Prerequisite: CMPT 275 or 276.
Specialization Requirements
Students are required to take a "specialization" consisting of nine additional CMPT or MACM credits at the 300- or 400-level. This specialization must be approved by the School. See a Faculty of Applied Sciences advisor for more information.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
Depth Requirement
Students must complete at least nine CMPT or MACM units at the 400 division.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 units as upper division work.
- At least half of the program’s total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study
- At least two thirds of the program’s total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study
- At least two thirds of the upper division units in the courses of a school offering (or joint offering) a program must be earned through that school at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
For information regarding transfer, consult an Applied Sciences Advisor.
Co-operative Education and Work Experience
All computing science students are strongly encouraged to explore the opportunities that Work Integrated Learning (WIL) can offer. Please contact a computing science co-op advisor during your first year of studies to ensure that you have all of the necessary courses and information to help plan for a successful co-op experience. For more information, visit www.cs.sfu.ca/undergrad/coop.html.
For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections