Applicants with a variety of backgrounds in computing science will be considered. A fully qualified student should have knowledge at the undergraduate level equivalent to having completed the required courses in the B.Sc. program with a major in Computing by Queen's.

The School encourages the enrolment of students from other disciplines in the M.Sc. program. They must have an honours bachelor or equivalent degree with high standing and some computing science or equivalent experience. Such a student is accepted as a preparatory student and undertakes a preliminary year of study that fulfills the background requirements. This is an intensive year of study designed for first- class students who are highly motivated to learn a second discipline. On successful completion of the preliminary year a student may undertake either the research or non-research pattern degree program described below. Applicants whose background is lacking only some of the above-mentioned material will be assigned a program of study on an individual basis.

The degree program is based either on a research or a non-research pattern. The requirements for the research pattern degree are: CISC 897 Research Methods in Computer Science and four half-courses at the 800 level (excluding CISC 810 and CISC 885 ), together with a thesis which is considered to constitute one half of the work for the degree. 

The non-research M.Sc. program is based either on a project pattern or a course work pattern. Under the project pattern program, a student is required to complete six half course credits at the 800 level (excluding CISC 810 ), one of which may be CISC 897 Research Methods in Computer Science, and a project (CISC 898 Master's Project). At least one course must be chosen from each of the following areas: Computer Systems, Theory of Computation, and Applications. The courses currently offered in these areas are listed below. The project culminates in a written report which will be examined by a board consisting of the supervisor, one other member of the department and the head of the department (or delegate).

TThe requirements for the course work pattern program are eight half course credits at the 800 level (excluding CISC 810 and CISC 897 Research Methods in Computer Science). At least one course must be chosen from each of the following areas: Computer Systems, Theory of Computation, and Applications.

The selection of courses is subject to School approval and at the beginning of the program the student is required to submit a plan of study to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.

Programs will be selected in consultation with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.

Double Numbered Courses

Graduate courses may be offered  jointly with senior undergraduate courses. Consult with the graduate program for a list of such courses and for more information.