Computer Science

Get a degree that computes.

Study at one of the world’s best schools for computer science, where more than 80 professors are pushing the boundaries of the field.

With 70+ computer science courses, plus no end of options and electives, you can create a degree tailored to your specific interests. After first year, you can choose to major in Data Science.

You can also gain 2 years of paid work experience through our co-op program, the largest of its kind in North America, or fast track your degree by choosing the regular system of study.

Your degree is your ticket to career success. Our graduates go on to work in leading technology companies and at top universities around the world.

Meanwhile, Waterloo professors and graduates have created 300 spin-off companies, including leaders like OpenText, Canada’s largest software company.

The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science is largest academic computer science research centre in Canada, ranking 10th in North America and 31st in the world.  

About the Computer Science program

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Computer Science admission requirements

• Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
  • Advanced Functions
  • Calculus and Vectors
  • Any Grade 12 U English
  • One other 4U course
  • Recommended: Grade 11 U Introduction to Computer Science
• An Admission Information Form is required for admission
• Admission averages: Individual selection from the low 90s
• Not an Ontario high school student?  Search our admission requirements

We strongly encourage you to participate in the Canadian Computing Competition and/or the Euclid Mathematics Contest to enhance your admissions status. 

To be considered for entrance scholarships in the Faculty of Mathematics, you must write one or both of the contests. If you complete both contests, we'll use the results of the contest in which you performed best.

First-year Computer Science courses

You can choose advanced-stream courses for algebra, calculus, and computer science if you meet the requirements.

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Customize your Bachelor of Computer Science degree

You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor(s) as part of your degree.​

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Gain relevant work experience through co-op

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve. You can choose from 4 different co-op sequences.

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What can you do with a degree in Computer Science?

Waterloo Computer Science graduates typically pursue careers in technology such as software development and game development. They often work for software companies, technology companies, and more.

Recent graduates

• Financial Software Developer – Bloomberg
• Software Developer – Pinterest
• Data Scientist – Facebook
• Software Engineer – Google
• Engineer, Relevancy – Wish
• Software Developer – Palantir Technologies
• Software Engineer - Dropbox

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Learn more about Computer Science

• Visit the Computer Science website
• Related programs: Business Administration/Computer Science double degree, Computer Engineering, Geomatics, Software Engineering
• Email our Mathematics recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about Computer Science