Courses to get into Waterloo Uni for comp sci

[Rahul]

Hey I am in Grade 12, and these are the courses I picked. English 4U, Chemistry 4U, Physics 4U, Advance Functions 4U, Calculus and Vectors, Grade 12 M Computer and Information Science and Comp Engineering grade 12 M and a spare. I know that universities look at top 6 marks. Right now i am doing really bad in physics but my other marks are really good. Can my top 6 marks be English 4U, Chemistry 4U, Advance Functions 4U, Calculus and Vectors, Grade 12 M Computer and Information Science and Comp Engineering grade 12 M. Not physics and still get into waterloo comp sci???? Please let me know. Thanks.

[[Gandalf]]

Yes, AFAIK specifically physics isn't required for any computer science program. Some universities recommend it, some just require a single science credit, some don't care what your 6 courses are as long as they're university courses.

The most important courses for admission purposes are English, Calculus, Functions, and Computer Science.

[Tony]

You should check the latest up-to-date info on UW calendar, but last year (2008 admissions) the only required courses were English, Functions, and Calculus. The other 3 (towards your top 6) will be any other top courses. (at least one of which has to be any 4U or be CS 4M).

That is, Physics are not required.

Keep in mind that English gets viewed with special attention, when your individual marks are examined.

[StealthArcher]

I always hated that. ^

I hate english.

[syntax_error]

StealthArcher @ Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:11 pm wrote:

I always hated that. ^

I hate english.

Yet, you use it. Sophism much?

[Rahul]

So say these were my finals marks, Waterloo won't count my physics mark as my top 6 right??

English 4U: 84
Chemistry 4U:88%
Physics 4U:65%
Advance Functions 4U:90%
Calculus and Vectors:85%
Grade 12 M Computer and Information Science:90%
Comp Engineering grade 12 M: 90%
spare: -

[chrisbrown]

Correct. And if those are the kind of mark you are capable of, you should have no problem getting in to CS, since I got in with less.

[Rahul]

Thanks everyone! Wish me luck

[CodeMonkey2000]

Good luck! I too am in grade 12 and am planning to go in CS at waterloo next year. Hope to see you there! Boy am I stressed out

[Roman]

No need to be stressed ^^
If you're in a normal high school (especially with a spare), all you need to get 80+ is to finish your projects and (arguably) attend class. I did both, and had no trouble getting in ^^

-RZ

[chili5]

Those are great marks, you should have no problem getting into UofW. Physics really is a tough course, I've given up on the idea of even going to UofW. I can barely do 4C physics. :\

Good luck with applying for UofW.

[nike52]

Since when did you need physics and if you don't mind me asking, why have you given up ?

[amacfie]

I have the _exact_ same year now as you, Rahul (except G courses)

4U physics is not very hard, it's all simplified and formulaic - almost memory work. no hard math, straightforward work.

waterloo doesn't care which courses, except for the number of university-prep level ones you took, and any prerequisites (for cs i suppose it's just math and english?)

syntax_error @ Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:22 am wrote:

StealthArcher @ Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:11 pm wrote:

I always hated that. ^

I hate english.

Yet, you use it. Sophism much?

high school english classes, obviously. not english the language

[chili5]

nike52 @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:55 pm wrote:

Since when did you need physics and if you don't mind me asking, why have you given up ?

My math marks are no where near good enough.

and 4U physics ain't hard? I'm struggling with 4C physics. I don't think that I need it for any computer science program though?

[jbking]

Nah, you can get by without physics. Course as I remember if you do go towards Applied Mathematics, then physics could become more important with things like Fluid Dynamics and Partial Differential Equations to model them as an example.