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What degree should I do?

What degree should I do?

What degree should I do?

What degree should I do?

What degree should I do?

Choosing your specific program path in Computer Science can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember: all these degrees unlock exciting careers in tech. Your choice should reflect your academic strengths, interests, and long-term goals — not perceived prestige. Below is a breakdown of your options:

🎓 Honours vs. Major: What’s the Difference?

  • Honours Programs (B.C.Sc. or B.Sc. Honours):
    Require a minimum 3.00 DGPA to enter and graduate. They involve more advanced courses, often include a research component, and are designed for students pursuing graduate studies (e.g., MSc or PhD). They’re essential if you’re considering academia or research-intensive roles.
  • Major Programs (B.Sc. Major):
    Require a minimum 2.00–2.50 DGPA. They offer greater flexibility for electives, minors, or co-op, and are ideal if you plan to enter industry directly after your degree. For most tech jobs, employers prioritize skills and experience over the "Honours" designation.

Key Takeaway:

Outside of grad school applications, Honours and Major degrees hold similar weight in industry. Your internships, projects, and skills matter far more than the program type.


🖥️ Pure Computer Science Paths

1. Computer Science, B.C.Sc. Honours

  • Best if: You aim for grad school, research, or you just really love taking more CS courses.
  • Requirements: 3.00 DGPA, minimum "B" in core COMP/MATH courses.
  • Perks: Priority for research assistantships, thesis option, meets requirements for competitive MSc/PhD programs.
  • Consider: Heavy theory focus; higher GPA requirements; comsiderable number of tough CS courses required to graduate.

2. Computer Science, B.Sc. Major

  • Best if: You want a normal CS degree with industry readiness and flexibility to take interdisciplinary electives.
  • Requirements: 2.50 DGPA, "C+" in core courses.
  • Perks: Easier to combine with a minor (e.g., Business, Psychology), or accelerate via co-op.
  • Consider: Less preparation for graduate-level research.

🔀 Joint Honours: The Dual-Discipline Path

For students equally passionate about Computer Science and another scientific field.

Joint Honours (Mathematics/Physics/Statistics)

  • Best if: You're deeply interested in both CS and another discipline, and aim for:
    • Academic research or PhD programs
    • Specialized industry roles at the intersection of fields (quant finance, scientific computing, ML research)
  • Common Requirements:
    • Minimum 3.00 DGPA
    • Higher grades in discipline-specific courses (e.g., "A" in MATH 1700 for CS/Math)
  • Key Advantages:
    • Earn credentials in two fields with one degree
    • Stand out in niche areas where interdisciplinary knowledge is valuable
    • Strong preparation for graduate studies in either field
  • Key Challenges:
    • Rigid structure: Very limited elective space (30-50% less than CS Major)
    • Balancing act: Requires mastery of two distinct disciplines with heavy workloads

Example pathways:

  • CS/Mathematics → Cryptography or Algorithmic Trading
  • CS/Physics → Robotics or Computational Astrophysics
  • CS/Statistics → Machine Learning Research

📊 Data Science, B.Sc. Major

The Tri-Disciplinary Approach

For students equally fascinated by Computer Science, Mathematics, AND Statistics

  • Best if: You want balanced training in all three pillars of data science:
    • Computational techniques (CS)
    • Mathematical modeling (MATH)
    • Statistical inference (STAT)
      ...with applications to real-world domains like health or environmental science
  • Requirements: 2.00 DGPA, "C+" in COMP 1020, "B" in MATH 1700
  • Benefits:
    • Lower GPA barrier than CS Honours/Joint programs
    • Integrated curriculum focused on practical data analysis
    • Science Co-op option available
  • Important Notes:
    • Not a CS degree: You won't have access to:
      • Priority for CS co-op placements at tech companies
      • CS-specific scholarships and research opportunities
    • Only offered as a Major (no Honours pathway)
    • Curriculum is distinct - don't treat it as a "CS backup"

🧭 Decision Cheat Sheet

Program Best For Flexibility Grad School Prep Industry Pathways
CS Honours Research/Academia Low ✅✅✅ ✅✅
CS Major Industry + Broad Interests High ✅✅✅
Joint Honours Niche Interdisciplinary Fields Very Low ✅✅✅ ✅✅
Data Science Major Applied Data Analysis Medium ✅✅

Final Advice:

  • Start flexible: Begin in CS Major if uncertain - you can switch later with minimal penalty.
  • Joint Honours reality check: Only commit if you're prepared to sacrifice electives for depth in two fields.
  • Data Science mindset: Choose this only if CS, MATH, and STAT equally excite you - it's a distinct discipline.
  • GPA first: A completed CS Major beats an incomplete Honours degree every time.

Need clarity? The Science Advising Team can help map your interests to programs. Remember: your first-year courses overlap significantly across all options!

Written by: Computer Science Students' Association

Last updated: July 5, 2025

Reading time: 4 min read

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