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"
- Not a CS degree: You won't have access to:
🧭 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!