Master of Science (MSc), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
| Program | Components | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science (MSc) | Coursework and thesis | 24 months |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Coursework and dissertation | 48 months |
Why study the Program at UBC Okanagan?
The computer science graduate program at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC offers tier-one research-based degrees to students in a collegial, close-knit setting.
Our dynamic faculty and students are engaged in a variety of research projects, many in collaboration with partners in government, non-profit agencies or industry.
Our research-based MSc and PhD degrees in computer science provide students with theoretical, practical and analytical expertise, as well as experience in the application of scientific results to real-world problems.
An Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) program option is also available for doctoral students who are interested in computer science and another discipline; it is an individualized option that is flexible and responsive to student interests.
The MSc degree is centred on conducting research in computer science for the thesis-based option or on completing a significant project for the project-based option.
The MSc in computer science has three clusters, including: general computer science, data science and optimization.
Research interests of computing science faculty members and associates include:
- general computer science topics (algorithms, artificial intelligence, computer science education, databases, human-computer interaction, social networks models, etc.)
- optimization (nonlinear programming, convex, non-convex and variational analysis, modelling, numerical simulations)
- data science (computational statistics, databases, design and analysis of experiments)
Graduates of the MSc program are prepared for positions in industry, government, education, consulting or for PhD research.
Program Milestones
- Establishing a faculty supervisory committee
- Completing coursework
- Preparing, presenting, and defending a thesis research proposal (thesis-based option)
- Preparing, implementing, and reporting on a project (project-based option)
Coursework & Thesis Requirements
- Thesis option: 18 credits of coursework; 12-credit MSc thesis (COSC 549)
- Project option: 24 credits of coursework; 6-credit MSc project (COSC 550)
Exceptional MSc students can transfer to the PhD program if they meet program requirements. Most MSc students also complete teaching assistantships (TA) for at least one semester.
The PhD is an advanced research degree that requires original and substantive contributions to the advancement of our understanding of computer science. Graduates of the PhD program are prepared for careers that involve conducting independent research and teaching in academia, government and industry, as well as for careers in a wide range of fields, in roles such as programmers, software developers, software engineers, business analysts, data scientists, big data developers or data engineers. PhD students may focus their research in:
- Artificial Intelligence: machine learning, reasoning and algorithmic decision making, intelligent user interfaces, computer vision
- Network Science: graph theory, network analytics, social network analysis, and applications in social media, computational biology, and brain science
- Data analytics, data science, big data: business intelligence, data integration, data management, data mining, databases, health analytics, health informatics, learning analytics
- Human-centered technologies: human computer interaction (HCI), visual, haptic and multimodal interfaces, visual analytics, immersive analytics
- Optimization, scientific computing: numerical methods and software, modeling, visualization
- Software Engineering: development tools, software engineering analytics
Program milestones
- establishing a faculty supervisory committee
- completing a research proficiency evaluation (COSC 690), involving carrying out a small research project and defending the results
- completing 24 credits of coursework requirements
- preparing, presenting, and defending a dissertation research proposal
- completing dissertation research and writing and defending the work
Research and Supervisors
Research Areas
Graduate students can pursue these and other faculty research and teaching interests:
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Supervisors
Please connect with a faculty supervisor before you start the application process. We look forward to hearing about your research interests and career goals.
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Labs and Centres
- Centre for Optimization, Convex Analysis and Non-Smooth Analysis (COCANA)
- Distributed Database Laboratory
Learn more about research in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics and find descriptions of the the centres, institutes and labs that form the foundation of our research efforts.
Students and Alumni
Meet our students
See what our students are up to—find them in our Contact page for their research interests, supervisors, alma maters and info.
Connect with your peers
The Quantitative Sciences Course Union (QSCU) is a student union dedicated to connecting students with each other, the university and the community in order to enhance their research, learning and overall experience at UBC Okanagan.
Theses and Dissertations
Find all UBC Okanagan student publications on the University’s digital repository for research and teaching materials.
EXPLORE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Tuition and Funding
Tuition
Tuition amounts presented here are estimates only and all fees are subject to change. For official tuition and fee information, visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.
| Program | Schedule | Domestic (per year) | International (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Full-time | $5,407.56 | $9,500.19 |
| PhD | Full-time | $5,407.56 | $9,500.19 |
Tuition is paid three times a year, on the first day of each term: Winter Term 1 (September), Winter Term 2 (January), and Summer Term (May).
Funding Opportunities
Graduate student stipends are funded through a combination of internal and external funding awards, Teaching Assistantships, and Research Assistantships.
Although funding and stipend amounts are not guaranteed, the computer science program has a number of assistantships available for qualified students. Talk to your potential supervisor about funding opportunities.
Students are expected whenever possible to apply for relevant scholarships and fellowships, including Canadian Tri-Council scholarships and other University Awards.
If students wish to hold off-campus (external) employment, they should discuss with their supervisor, particularly if the student is a grant-holder, as restrictions on hours of work may apply.
Graduate Entrance Award
The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science offers a $15,000 merit-based entrance scholarship to three exceptional individuals entering their first year of thesis-based graduate studies under a supervisor from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, or an Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program with a supervisor who is a member of the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science.
All applicants to Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science graduate programs who have submitted an application by January 31 will be automatically considered for the award. No additional application is required. Successful applicants will be notified by March 15.
Assistantships
The Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics has funding opportunities and assistantships available for qualified students.
| Program | Minimum funding | Duration |
| MSc | $24,000 per year | 2 years |
| PhD | $26,000 per year | 4 years |
Teaching Assistantships (TA)
Paid TA positions allow graduate students to develop skills in teaching, supervision, facilitation, and student assessment. Teaching assistants may lead seminars, help teach undergraduate courses, or assist in student evaluations and marking.
- MSc students are eligible for paid TA positions for up to two years.
- PhD students are eligible for paid TA positions for up to four years.
- TA positions usually occur September to April. TA hours and wages are governed by the British Columbia Government Employees Union (BCGEU).
Teaching assistants are mentored by their supervisor and via the Centre for Teaching and Learning. To learn more or apply for a position, see our Careers page.
Research Assistantships (RA)
As paid research assistants, graduate students assist their supervisor or other researchers in conducting high-level research. RAs are typically funded by a supervisor’s external grants, contracts or other sources of funding, and, therefore, are not guaranteed.
Research Assistantships are wholly dependent upon individual research supervisor’s funding. RA positions may take place at any time during the school year and wages and hours will vary. RA positions are not guaranteed. Talk to your potential supervisor about RA opportunities.
Scholarships and awards
UBC Awards
The College of Graduate Studies administers merit-based graduate awards at the Okanagan campus. The College manages a number of award competitions each year and administers payment of all internal awards and selected external awards.
External Awards
All prospective graduate students (Domestic and International) should explore and apply for external awards and fellowships, including awards offered by Canada’s three research councils: CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.
Graduate scholarships and awards may also be available from foundations, private organizations or foreign governments (check with your country’s education authority).
Global and Close-Knit
At UBC Okanagan, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 5% university while studying in a close-knit learning community. 50% of graduates, from all across the globe, choose to stay in the region.
Discover the Okanagan
A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards, orchards and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or outdoor adventure.
UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in Canada.