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

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!