About the Program
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 modeling)
- 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.
Academic Regulations
- See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
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 a minimum of four half-credit courses in computing (at least one of which is at the third year level or higher), and a minimum of six half-credit courses in mathematics (at least two of which are 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 units. Since space, laboratory facilities and supervision will be provided by one of the units, students should apply through the unit 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 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 units. Students must also take course ISYS 5802.
- 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.
Course Selection
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of ISS, a student will, in some cases, benefit by taking an undergraduate course at the 3000- or 4000-level as part of his/her program. Where a 3000-level course is to be taken, it will be extra to the degree requirements; or else arrangements will be made to enrich the subject matter, normally through a directed study course with the professor. Students may include 1.0 credit at the 4000-level in their program without penalty, with the approval of the unit.
Note: students in this program are prohibited from taking COMP 3804 Design and Analysis of Algorithms due to overlap of course material with ISYS 5802.