Computer Science

Program Overview

The Department of Computer Science offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science. The programs consist of courses and research, conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.

Faculty in the Department of Computer Science are interested in a wide range of subjects related to computing, including programming languages and methodology, software engineering, operating systems, compilers, distributed computation, networks, numerical analysis and scientific computing, financial computation, data structures, algorithm design and analysis, computational complexity, cryptography, combinatorics, graph theory, artificial intelligence, neural networks, knowledge representation, computational linguistics, computer vision, robotics, database systems, graphics, animation, interactive computing, and human-computer interaction.

The Department of Computer Science​ also offers ​the MScAC in Applied Computing​.

Quick Facts

Master of Science

Program Description

The MSc degree program is designed for students seeking to be trained as a researcher capable of creating original, internationally recognized research in computer science.

The MSc program can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Computer Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree with a standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+. Preference is given to applicants who have studied computer science or a closely related discipline.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction is not English must achieve a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 580 on the paper-based test and 4 on the Test of Written English (TWE); 93/120 on the Internet-based test and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Completion of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) in computer science. The courses must satisfy breadth in three of the four different Methodologies of Computer Science to ensure that MSc graduates have a breadth of skills for research and problem solving throughout their careers.

• A major research paper (CSC4000Y; 1.0 FCE) demonstrating the student's ability to do independent work in organizing existing concepts and in suggesting and developing new approaches to solving problems in a research area. The standard for this paper is that it could reasonably be submitted for peer-reviewed publication.

Program Length

4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F);
8 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD degree program is designed for students seeking to be trained as a researcher capable of creating original, internationally recognized research in computer science. Research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member will constitute a significant and original contribution to computer science.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree or 2) direct entry following completion of a bachelor’s degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Computer Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of an appropriate master's degree with a standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+. Preference is given to applicants who have studied computer science or a closely related discipline.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction is not English must achieve a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 580 on the paper-based test and 4 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or 93/120 on the Internet-based test and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) and a thesis.

• The courses must satisfy breadth in four different research areas of computer science to ensure a broad and well-balanced knowledge of computer science.

• Students must meet the department's timeline for satisfactory progress as outlined in the PhD handbook.

• A meeting of the PhD supervisory committee must be held by the 16th month of the PhD program. This is typically the initial meeting with the supervisory committee and is referred to as the qualifying oral examination. After the qualifying oral, the student's PhD supervisory committee must meet at least once annually. The student must have their thesis topic approved at a PhD supervisory committee meeting within the time frame for achieving candidacy. The departmental thesis examination must be passed before the SGS Final Oral Examination can be scheduled.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Computer Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants may be admitted to this program directly from a bachelor's degree with a standing equivalent to at least a University of Toronto A–. Preference is given to applicants who have studied computer science or a closely related discipline.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction is not English must achieve a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 580 on the paper-based test and 4 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or 93/120 on the Internet-based test and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) and a thesis.

• The courses must satisfy breadth in four different research areas and three different methodologies of computer science to ensure a broad and well-balanced knowledge of computer science.

• Students must meet the department's timeline for satisfactory progress as outlined in the PhD handbook.

• A meeting of the PhD supervisory committee must be held by the 16th month of the PhD program. This is typically the initial meeting with the supervisory committee and is referred to as the qualifying oral examination. After the qualifying oral, the student's PhD supervisory committee must meet at least once annually. The student must have their thesis topic approved at a PhD supervisory committee meeting within the time frame for achieving candidacy. The departmental thesis examination must be passed before the SGS Final Oral Examination can be scheduled.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years