Computing Studies
This program provides both part-time and full-time students with an opportunity to understand the fundamentals of computers and programming without necessarily specializing in computing science. Current ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Computing Science students in Major or Honours programs (or related joint programs) may not apply to this program.
Prerequisite Grade Requirement
Computing science course entry requires a grade of C- or better in each prerequisite course. A minimum 2.40 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is required for 200, 300 and 400 division computing courses.
Program Requirements
A 2.00 grade point average is required on the CMPT courses that are used for graduation. Only courses completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV are used in this calculation.
Required Courses
Students complete at least 18 units of CMPT or MACM courses including:
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 ((CMPT 125 and 127), CMPT 129 or CMPT 135)) or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252). Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ramesh Krishnamurti |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
3 credits of upper division CMPT courses chosen from the following list.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Provides a unified discussion of the fundamental approaches to the problems in artificial intelligence. The topics considered are: representational typology and search methods; game playing, heuristic programming; pattern recognition and classification; theorem-proving; question-answering systems; natural language understanding; computer vision. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (MACM 101 or ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)). Students with credit for CMPT 410 may not take this course for further credit.
The principles involved in using computers for data acquisition, real-time processing, pattern recognition and experimental control in biology and medicine will be developed. The use of large data bases and simulation will be explored. Prerequisite: Completion of 60 units including one of CMPT 125, 126, 128, 135 or (102 with a grade of B or higher).
Formal and foundational issues dealing with the representation of knowledge in artificial intelligence systems are covered. Questions of semantics, incompleteness, non-monotonicity and others will be examined. As well, particular approaches, such as procedural or semantic network, may be discussed. Prerequisite: Completion of nine units in Computing Science upper division courses or, in exceptional cases, permission of the instructor.
Computational approaches to image understanding will be discussed in relation to theories about the operation of the human visual system and with respect to practical applications in robotics. Topics will include edge detection, shape from shading, stereopsis, optical flow, Fourier methods, gradient space, three-dimensional object representation and constraint satisfaction. Prerequisite: MATH 152, and nine units in Computing upper division courses or permission of the instructor.
This course examines the theoretical and applied problems of constructing and modelling systems, which aim to extract and represent the meaning of natural language sentences or of whole discourses, but drawing on contributions from the fields of linguistics, cognitive psychology, artificial intelligence and computing science. Prerequisite: Completion of nine units in Computing Science upper division courses or, in exceptional cases, permission of the instructor.
This course covers various topics in computer vision with the emphasis on the model-based approach. Main subjects include 2-D and 3-D representations, matching, constraint relaxation, model-based vision systems. State-of-the-art robot vision systems will be used extensively as study cases. The solid modelling and CAD aspects of this course should also interest students of computer graphics. Prerequisite: MATH 152 and nine units in CMPT upper division courses, or permission of the instructor.
Intelligent Systems using modern constraint programming and heuristic search methods. A survey of this rapidly advancing technology as applied to scheduling, planning, design and configuration. An introduction to constraint programming, heuristic search, constructive (backtrack) search, iterative improvement (local) search, mixed-initiative systems and combinatorial optimization. Prerequisite: CMPT 225.
Current topics in artificial intelligence depending on faculty and student interest.
COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of computer graphics. Topics include graphics display and interaction hardware, basic algorithms for 2D primitives, anti-aliasing, 2D and 3D geometrical transformations, 3D projections/viewing, Polygonal and hierarchical models, hidden-surface removal, basic rendering techniques (color, shading, raytracing, radiosity), and interaction techniques. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and MATH 232 or 240.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Thomas Shermer |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
This course provides a comprehensive study of user interface design. Topics include: goals and principles of UI design (systems engineering and human factors), historical perspective, current paradigms (widget-based, mental model, graphic design, ergonomics, metaphor, constructivist/iterative approach, and visual languages) and their evaluation, existing tools and packages (dialogue models, event-based systems, prototyping), future paradigms, and the social impact of UI. Prerequisite: CMPT 225.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Multimedia systems design, multimedia hardware and software, issues in effectively representing, processing, and retrieving multimedia data such as text, graphics, sound and music, image and video. Prerequisite: CMPT 225.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Jiangchuan Liu |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Covers advanced topics and techniques in computer graphics with a focus on image synthesis. Topics include photorealistic rendering, advanced ray tracing, Monte Carlo methods, photon maps, radiosity, light fields, participating media, as well as tone reproduction. Prerequisite: CMPT 361, MACM 201 and 316. Students with credit for CMPT 451 may not take this course for further credit.
Covers advanced topics in geometric modelling and processing for computer graphics, such as Bezier and B-spline techniques, subdivision curves and surfaces, solid modelling, implicit representation, surface reconstruction, multi-resolution modelling, digital geometry processing (e.g. mesh smoothing, compression, and parameterization), point-based representation, and procedural modelling. Prerequisite: CMPT 361, MACM 316. Students with credit for CMPT 469 between 2003 and 2007 or equivalent may not take this course for further credit.
Topics and techniques in animation, including: The history of animation, computers in animation, traditional animation approaches, and computer animation techniques such as geometric modelling, interpolation, camera controls, kinematics, dynamics, constraint-based animation, realistic motion, temporal aliasing, digital effects and post production. Prerequisite: CMPT 361 and MACM 316 or permission of the instructor.
Current topics in computer graphics depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 361.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ping Tan |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
COMPUTING SYSTEMS
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 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)).
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Kai Bu |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
This course is an introduction to the modelling, analysis, and computer simulation of complex systems. Topics include analytic modelling, discrete event simulation, experimental design, random number generation, and statistical analysis. Prerequisite: CMPT 225, (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)) and STAT 270.
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 150, ENSC 150 or CMPT 295) and MATH 151 (MATH 150). MATH 154 or 157 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted for MATH 151 (MATH 150).
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Janice Regan |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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, CMPT 295 or ENSC 215) and CMPT 225.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Apala Guha |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
An introduction to distributed systems: systems consisting of multiple physical components connected over a network. Architectures of such systems, ranging from client-server to peer-to-peer. Distributed systems are analyzed via case studies of real network file systems, replicated systems, sensor networks and peer-to-peer systems. Hands-on experience designing and implementing a complex distributed system. Prerequisite: CMPT 300, 371. Students with credit for CMPT 401 before September 2008 may not take this course for further credit.
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 or CMPT 295) and CMPT 300.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Brian Fraser |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Janice Regan |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Current topics in computing systems depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 300.
Current topics in computer hardware depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT/ENSC 250.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Basic concepts and programming tools for handling and processing data. Includes data acquisition, cleaning data sources, application of machine learning techniques and data analysis techniques, large-scale computation on a computing cluster. Prerequisite: CMPT 225 and (STAT 101, STAT 270, BUEC 232, ENSC 280, or MSE 210).
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Gregory Baker |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
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, and (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)).
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
This course introduces students to the computing science principles underlying computational biology. The emphasis is on the design, analysis and implementation of computational techniques. Possible topics include algorithms for sequence alignment, database searching, gene finding, phylogeny and structure analysis. Prerequisite: CMPT 307. Students with credit for CMPT 341 may not take this course for further credit.
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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
Introduction to the essentials of information retrieval and the applications of information retrieval in web search and web information systems. Topics include the major models of information retrieval, similarity search, text content search, link structures and web graphics, web mining and applications, crawling, search engines, and some advanced topics such as spam detection, online advertisement, and fraud detection in online auctions. Prerequisite: CMPT 354.
Current topics in database and information systems depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 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 275 or CMPT 276) and CMPT 354.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Thu, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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.
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES AND SOFTWARE
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 213 and (CMPT 276 or 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, and (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)).
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Gregory Baker |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
Gregory Baker |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
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, and (MACM 101 or ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)).
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.
Software succeeds when it is well-matched to its intended purpose. Requirements engineering is the process of discovering that purpose by making requirements explicit and documenting them in a form amenable to analysis, reasoning, and validation, establishing the key attributes of a system prior to its construction. Students will learn methodical approaches to requirements analysis and design specification in early systems development phases, along with best practices and common principles to cope with notoriously changing requirements. Prerequisite: CMPT 275 or 276, MACM 201 and 15 units of upper division courses. Recommended: co-op experience.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Janice Regan |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Tue, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Evgenia Ternovska |
May 7 – Jun 18, 2018: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
May 7 – Jun 18, 2018: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Current topics in programming languages depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 383.
THEORETICAL COMPUTING SCIENCE
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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ramesh Krishnamurti |
May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Mon, Wed, Fri, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
This course introduces students to formal models of computations such as Turing machines and RAMs. Notions of tractability and intractability are discusses both with respect to computability and resource requirements. The relationship of these concepts to logic is also covered. Prerequisite: MACM 201.
The main cryptographic tools and primitives, their use in cryptographic applications; security and weaknesses of the current protocols. The notion of security, standard encryption schemes, digital signatures, zero-knowledge, selected other topics. Prerequisite: MACM 201. CMPT 307 and 308 are recommended.
Models of computation, methods of algorithm design; complexity of algorithms; algorithms on graphs, NP-completeness, approximation algorithms, selected topics. Prerequisite: CMPT 307.
Machine models and their equivalences, complexity classes, separation theorems, reductions, Cook's theorem, NP-completeness, the polynomial time hierarchy, boolean circuit models and parallel complexity theory, other topics of interest to the students and instructor. Prerequisite: CMPT 307.
Current topics in theoretical computing science depending on faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: CMPT 307.
* Students are responsible for meeting the prerequisites for this course: introductory computer science ( (CMPT 125 and 127), CMPT 126 or CMPT 135) and discrete math (MACM 101) or their equivalents. Note that completion of these courses counts towards the 18 units required for the certificate.
Co-operative Education and Work Experience
All computing science students are strongly encouraged to explore the opportunities that Work Integrated Learning (WIL) can offer them. Please contact an 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.
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- 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.
Please see Faculty of Applied Sciences Residency Requirements for further information.