Graduate Calendar Archives: 2001 / 2002

Information and Systems Science

See the School of Mathematics and Statistics; Department of Systems and Computer Engineering; or the School of Computer Science

The Committee

Chair of the Committee, John Chinneck

The program of graduate study and research leading to the degree of Master of Science in Information and Systems Science is offered by the Committee with the cooperation of the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, the School of Mathematics and Statistics, and the School of Computer Science.

The purpose of the program is to provide training in the use and application of computers, to those who have not studied extensively in this field at the undergraduate level. The process of using the computer in problem-solving is stressed. The program is flexible, though individual concentrations are usually in one of three broad areas:

* computer applications in a particular field (e.g., communications, energy systems)

* algorithms and methodologies for solution of complex problems by computer (e.g., graph theory, operations research, optimization, simulation and modelling)

* computer methods and technologies (e.g., databases, software engineering, computer languages)

Close links are maintained with the scientific, industrial, and technological communities, and an effort is made to direct students to project work of current practical significance.

Qualifying-Year Program

Applicants who have a general (3 year) bachelor's degree, or who otherwise lack the required undergraduate preparation, may be admitted to a qualifying-year program. Refer to the General Regulations section of this Calendar for regulations governing the qualifying year.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have an Honours bachelor's degree, or equivalent, with at least high honours standing, in mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, operations research, experimental psychology, econometrics, management science, or a related discipline. Undergraduate preparation should include at least 2.0 credits in computing and a minimum of 3.0 credits in mathematics, at least one of which is at the third-year level or higher. In addition, the student is required to have some knowledge of quantitative applications, such as numerical analysis, simulation, operations research, etc.

Admission to the program will be made through one of the three participating departments. Since space and laboratory facilities will be provided by one of the departments, students should apply through the department with which they wish to be most closely associated.

Program Requirements

The normal program comprises 4.0 credits and a 1.5 credit thesis; additional requirements may also be stipulated, depending upon the individual student's background. With the approval of the Committee, students who have substantial work experience may be permitted to substitute, in place of the thesis, 1.5 credit courses, one of which must be a graduate project course.

Students must take at least 1.0 credit from the department in which they are registered, and at least 0.5 credit from each of the other two participating departments. Students must also take course Information and Systems Science 93.582.

Each student should consult with his/her faculty adviser in the selection of a course pattern related to his/her principal area of interest.

Each candidate submitting a thesis will be required to undertake an oral examination on the subject of his/her thesis.

Course work may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Thesis research normally requires full-time residence at the University; however, a candidate may be permitted to carry out thesis work off campus provided that suitable arrangements are made for supervision and experimental work, and prior approval is given by the Committee.

Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree

Full-time students in the M.Sc. in Information and Systems Science will normally complete the degree requirements in two years and part-time students within four years. In order to meet this goal, full-time students should arrange a thesis supervisor within the first term of study, and should try to complete the course requirements as quickly as possible.

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for 2001-2002, please consult the Registration Instructions and Class Schedule booklet published in the summer.

F,W,S indicates term of offering. Courses offered in the fall and winter are followed by T. The number following the letter indicates the credit weight of the course: 1 denotes 0.5 credit, 2 denotes 1.0 credit.