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.
Social and academic support
Through Waterloo’s Computer Science Club, get access to high-powered hardware or get social with your fellow students.
Calling all hackers
Bring your ideas to life at Hack the North — Canada’s biggest hackathon — which attracts more than 1,000 students from around the world each year.
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
Available as a 
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of Mathematics
First Faculty of Mathematics in North America
Offered by the Faculty of Mathematics
Waterloo is an international leader in mathematics
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.
September to December
CS 135 - Designing Functional Programs
MATH 135 - Algebra
MATH 137 - Calculus 1
1 communication skills course
1 elective
January to April
CS 136 - Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction
MATH 136 - Linear Algebra 1
MATH 138 - Calculus 2
2 electives
After first year
The majority of the required courses you’ll take will be Computer Science courses, with additional courses in the Faculty of Mathematics. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View a list of all the courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year Computer Science courses
CS 341 - Algorithms
CS 480 - Introduction to Machine Learning
CS 492 - The Social Implications of Computing
CS 486 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
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.
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.
Sample co-op job titles
- Web Developer/Architect
- Mobile/Cloud Developer
- Bioinformatics Database Developer
- Data Management Officer
- Software Engineering
- Software Design
- Software Development Engineering
Sample co-op employers
- The Steele Group
- Clearbridge Associates Limited
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment
- General Dynamics Canada
- Microsoft
Careers in computer science
- Risk Modelling Analyst, TD Bank
- Business Analyst, Canadian Tire Corporation
- Agile Engineer, Pivotal Labs
- Developer Advocate, Google
- Product Manager, Dropbox
- Program Analyst, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
- Programmer, Harry Rosen Inc.
- Quality Assurance Analyst, IBM Canada
- Lead Developer, BMO Bank of Montreal
Helpful links
- Visit the Computer Science website
- Related programs: Business Administration/Computer Science double degree, Computer Engineering, Geomatics, Software Engineering
