Computer Science in Canada

[ShadeY]

Hey all,
Not sure if this is the right place to ask all these questions, but happy to have found your site no the less. I realize this is not a university information directory, but the best information is from experience. I'm looking for assistance in finding the right university for me in Canada. I have almost no information about anything related to Canada as I'm from South Africa/Israel and currently residing in Bulgaria. I'm currently 3/4s through my 11th grade year working for the IB diploma and a American high-school diploma. Planning to apply with my IB grades since I'm hoping them to be high. Not sure why exactly, but Canada seems like the place I want to do my undergraduate in Computer Science. I have almost no computer programming experience though, since while moving, the schools I have attended were very limited.

Its really difficult to choose from the many Unis since I have almost no background information nor knowledge about Canadians Unis. Been looking at UBC, Uni of Calgary, Uni of Waterloo, and a good few others which all look "nice." But that is as far as it goes for me, if I had to make a decision it would be the Uni of Waterloo based on the Co-Op(don't know if Int. students can take it), and reputation. But, don't want to base any decision on just rep, as the experience is more important to me. Smallish courses probably would be best since the largest class size I've had is only of 10 people, for grades 8-12. Obviously not as small, but not too large. Also, want a uni that offers a large variety of courses that I would be able to choose from. Quality of Residents/Campus is life is important, as long with how academic demanding the program is. Not looking for an easy way, but defn. not pointlessly hard. Finally, tuition fees are a big factor since international students pay almost triple the normal price, but this probably can't be answered here.

I understand the University of Waterloo seems to be the best, but I'm not sure my GPA, etc, is what they're looking for. Knowing myself, I'm lazy and get about 80%s at my current school, definitely could bring up my grades.
Also, is the IB score sufficient enough or should I take the SATs. - Realize this is not CompSci related but hey

I'm really rambling and supplying pointless information, but yeah, really unsure and confused. Any information and help would be greatly appreciated, especially from another International studying in Canada or who have/is already attended a uni for Computer Science.
I will also happily take information related to US Unis since I'm open to anything.

Eish... almost wrote an essay...
In Summary
-Confused International looking for information on what Unis to choose in Computer Science that are available in Canada.
-Looking for a balanced Uni, one that isn't academically extreme

Thanks, =)
ShadeY

[haskell]

Well... There is Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland. The university has a decent Computer Science and Co-Op program for CS. Plus, St. John's has George Street, which has both the most bars per squared foot and per capita in North America.

[Dan]

Tony has reviews of some the universitys in Ontario on his blog in realtion to computer science, here is the link to the last one:

http://compsci.ca/blog/computer-science-at-carleton-university/

You can find other ones he has reviewd in the "Previously covered:" part of the box at the top of the artical.

[btiffin]

Waterloo is my alma mater so I'm biased. And my information is way old and out of date.

Waterloo is a competitive school. Good for students that may be lead astray by parties. There is fun to be had, but those around you will be disappointed if you over do it. When I was leaving in the early 80's the university was just starting to cosy up to technology business interests. A good thing.

Again, these are biased opinions from a crusty old coder.

Cheers

[jernst]

If you like small class sizes you might like to look at some of the smaller lesser known computer science universities. I went to Wilfrid Laurier which is located in the same city as the University of Waterloo. By the last year of my program many of my classes only had 10-12 people in them and the students and professors all knew each other well. There is also a co-op program at Laurier. The only downside is with the degree from Laurier is that it is much less known for computer science and many people will ask the question why you didn't just go to Waterloo.

[Vermette]

I guess I have to do my part and mention my alma mater, the University of Windsor. Computer Science isn't the flagship program of this school but we do pretty good for ourselves. You might be interested to know that we boast the largest ratio of international students of all Canadian universities, with over 10% of the student body coming from over 70 nations. In 2006 a full 35% of the students in CS hailed from outside of Canada.

Some additional links:
Prospective Students page: http://www.uwindsor.ca/futurestudents
Department of Computer Science: http://cs.uwindsor.ca/
Undergraduate Program Offerings in CS: http://www.cs.uwindsor.ca/ma_199
International Student Cente: http://uwindsor.ca/isc

Some pictures of the campus taken by a CS alumnus back in 2005:
http://www.internationalvoting.com/windsor/u.html
http://irqnine.com/photogallery/gallerydisplay.aspx?galleryid=42&pagenum=0

Co-op is definitely available to international students here, but unlike Waterloo it doesn't start until your second year (I understand that there your first placement is between first and second year).

Any other questions you may have I will try to answer or point you towards the right person here. I'm sorry I can't give you the international perspective of the school; I had the grades to choose any university I wanted but Windsor is my hometown so the advantages here were too many for me to pass up.

[jbking]

Maclean's is a Canadian magazine that has an annual listing of various Canadian universities to determine how to grade the schools and would be my suggestion for something to look at.

Waterloo is my alma mater as well and I wonder if there is still the Descartes contest that they used to have that is an annual Math contest that I'm not sure how foreigners would take it but could be useful if you want to go after some scholarships while going to university.

There were some first and second year advanced Math courses at Waterloo where the class size was considerably smaller, e.g. from 200 down to 80 initially but by second year down to 20 or so people with only 5 being left when I took Math 247 which is an advanced Calculus III.

Waterloo and Simon Fraser are big Comp Sci universities that may have some interesting research stuff if you want to get into that. The software known as Maple is developed at Waterloo just to give an example.

JB

[Pockets]

Forgive the self-promotion, but I go to UTM and I've enjoyed every minute of it. It's a satellite campus for University of Toronto, and as such it's not very big, but we have an identical curriculum to the University of Toronto. Plus, we're one of the few campuses in the country that has a Forensics major, and that's led to some interesting cross-overs. That being said, Waterloo also has a rock-solid Math & CS curriculum, so please don't think I'm trying to start a flamewar.

[ShadeY]

Heya all,

Sorry for never thanking you all for help and replies

I have made a list of Unis that seem worth applying to, for me. Any extra information about them would be appreciated, and any that I should avoid relating to Comp. Sci?
In order of my interest:
Uni of Waterloo (no brainer)
Uni of Prince Eduard Island - Would really love to find out more about their program, really like the looks, its on my top 3.
U Ontario Inst Tech
UBC
Carleton Uni
Uni of Calgary
Uni of Toronto
Memorial Uni

Thanks Any more suggestions would be nice, planning to start the applications soon.

[changturkey]

ShadeY @ Sat Nov 08, 2008 1:34 pm wrote:

Heya all,

Sorry for never thanking you all for help and replies

I have made a list of Unis that seem worth applying to, for me. Any extra information about them would be appreciated, and any that I should avoid relating to Comp. Sci?
In order of my interest:
Uni of Waterloo (no brainer)
Uni of Prince Eduard Island - Would really love to find out more about their program, really like the looks, its on my top 3.
U Ontario Inst Tech
UBC
Carleton Uni
Uni of Calgary
Uni of Toronto
Memorial Uni

Thanks Any more suggestions would be nice, planning to start the applications soon.

I am in the same position as you are. Maybe add McMaster, Mcgill to that list? Guelph/Laurier?

[ShadeY]

Also, who ever is familiar with Comp Sci admissions relating to the IB...

I chose to do Math Studies (lowest level of math for IB) realizing too late that it was the lowest level that IB offers. The IB is a two program, so there is no way I can switch out. If I had the option I would since I'm not bad at maths. The problem is most Comp Sci want higher level, and do not accept Math Studies as a form of maths, any advice? Do i have no chance of entering the program because of this? Should I ask/check with all the unis before applying? And see what they say?

[syntax_error]

First let me start off by stating IB is not an american program at all, I think it was started off in Sweden[?] a European country for sure, secondly the most recognition from an IB diploma you would get if a European country; however, Canadian Unis as well give a fair amount of recognition; the HL courses you take get you a free pass from some 101 courses.

It all matter on how high your overall points were, to get a free pass in 101 courses you might need a 6or 7 depends on the school and program et certera.

Thus for Canadian Unis you do not need to take SATs, that would be for american ones.

What you do want to take is your TOEFL for sure.

And im not expert but the math your taking is fine, but to make sure, pop in an email to them wouldnt hurt at all.

[ShadeY]

Ok thanks will do.

Well the confusion is that I'm going to get both an American Diploma and IB Diploma, but yeah, don't need the SATs if I apply using just the IB. Good to clear that up

mmm, hope the maths is fine. Sent an email to Uni of Waterloo already. They're site says they do not accept Math Studies as a form of maths for the requirements. Bit annoying, but will see...

Don't think I need to take the TOEFLs, only language I'm fluent in, and been instructed in is English. Besides, taking English A1 HL (Highest level English in the IB program) at school and doing well.

Thanks =)

[syntax_error]

O didnt know, you were taking HL English; that should be enough, but I've heard maybe im wrong but they still ask international students to take it.

Probably wrong but just check up, incase.

O and if you can take the HL cs course, its amazingly fun, and perhaps the easiest HL course you will take.

[ShadeY]

Yeah, if only my school offered it... had almost no choice on the courses I took. Pretty much 1 option per group
Would have loved to done CS HL, would have been great.