• Overview
• Undergraduate
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biomedical Computation
  • Computing and the Creative Arts
  • Computing and Mathematics
  • Data Analytics
  • Fundamental Computation
  • Game Development
  • Software Design
  • Admission Requirements
• Graduate
• Testimonials
• Student Life
• Why Computing

A Computing major in Fundamental Computation explores the science and the principles that underlie all of computing. It provides broad training with the opportunity to focus on specific areas such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, computing theory, and programming languages. From software developer to systems analyst, information architect to database administrator, graduates are well-prepared for any number of careers in the technology industry and beyond.

Degree Outline

What follows is a list of the required unit credits for the Fundamental Computation program. This is a Computing Major stream and can be taken with a Minor in another subject. This information is meant as a guide and is subject to change. The precise and up-to-date requirements for Computing degree plans can be found online in the Arts and Science Calendar. In case of discrepancies, the calendar should be considered as the official definition.

Typical 4-years honours programs consist of 120 unit credits. A one-term course is worth 3 units, while a full year (two-term) course is worth 6 units. All courses listed below are 3 units unless specified with a /6.0 after the course code.

• CISC 121Introduction to Computing Science I
• CISC 124Introduction to Computing Science II
• One of the following Linear Algebra options:
  1. MATH 112Linear Algebra
     and
     CISC 102Discrete Mathematics for Computing Science I
  2. MATH 111/6.0Linear Algebra
     and
     CISC 102Discrete Mathematics for Computing Science I
  3. MATH 110/6.0Linear Algebra
• One of the following Calculus options:
  1. MATH 120/6.0Differential and Integral Calculus
  2. MATH 121/6.0Differential and Integral Calculus
  3. MATH 123Differential and Integral Calculus I
     and
     MATH 124Differential and Integral Calculus II
• CISC 203Discrete Mathematics for Computing Science II
• CISC 204Logic for Computing Science
• CISC 221Computer Architecture
• CISC 223Software Specifications
• CISC 235Information Structures
• STAT 263Introduction to Statistics
• One of the following 2 courses:
  • CISC 322Software Architecture
  • CISC 326Game Architecture
• CISC 360Programming Paradigms
• One of the following courses:
  • CISC 422Formal Methods in Software Engineering
  • CISC 462Computability and Complexity
  • CISC 465Foundations of Programming Languages
  • CISC 466Algorithms II
  • CISC 467Fuzzy Logic
• CISC 497Social, Ethical and Legal Issues in Computing
• One of the following 2 courses:
  • CISC 499Advanced Undergraduate Project
  • CISC 500Advanced Research Project
• 6.0 units in CISC (or equivalent) are 400-level and above.
• 6.0 units in CISC (or equivalent) are 300-level and above.
• 3.0 units in CISC (or equivalent) are 200-level and above.

Admission Requirements

Admission to a degree program in the Faculty of Arts and Science from an Ontario Secondary School is based on the completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Please see Admissions for details.

How to Apply

Apply at the Ontario Universities Application Centre using the program code QD (Queen's University, Computing).

Upon completion of second year, students must declare that they are entering a Computing Major, but will not need to specify Fundamental Computation.

More Info

More information may be obtained by sending mail to undergrad@cs.queensu.ca or by contacting the Fundamental Computation advisor:

• J. Dingel (dingel@cs.queensu.ca)

For information about our Computer Science Subject of Specification, click here.