The admissibility of applicants to the Master's program in Computer Science is partially based on a sufficient background preparation in Computer Science, which includes all of, but is not limited to, the areas listed below. In exceptional circumstances it is possible to make up a deficiency in certain areas by taking additional courses in those areas during the Master's program. In such cases, the undergraduate courses must be passed with a minimum grade of "B" on the first attempt.
The BCS/MCS
& BScCS/MCS
Accelerated Schedule
offers
an opportunity for undergraduate students in the BCS Honours program to
follow a planned streamlined path to the MCS degree program and allow
for a faster completion of the MCS program.
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PhD
Program
The minimum entry requirements for the PhD
program are a
research-based Master's degree in Computer Science or related area with
first class
standing from a recognized University. Students must have a supervisor
at UNB before being accepted into the PhD program. In exceptional
circumstances
students enrolled in a Master's program in Computer Science may
transfer into the PhD program. Students with a course-based Master's
degree will need to demonstrate their research potential before being
accepted into the PhD program.
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Proficiency
in the English Language -
TOEFL
English is both the working language and the primary language of
instruction and examination at The University of New Brunswick (UNB).
Hence it is essential that all students be able to function
effectively, both orally and in written form, in English. All
International applicants to the School of Graduate Studies whose mother
tongue is not English are required to demonstrate that they have a
sufficiently good command of the English language to enable them to
participate fully in the academic life of the University. This includes
International applicants who are Landed Immigrants or residents in
Canada.
Proficiency in English MUST be demonstrated by one of the means listed below; this proficiency requirement will NOT be waived. The School of Graduate Studies will not issue the final "Certificate of Acceptance" until the English proficiency requirement is met.
TOEFL
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) results, including verbal and written TWE (Test of Written English) scores. Computer Science requires minimum scores of 580 for the TOEFL test (237 for the computer-based TOEFL test and 92 for the Internet-based TOEFL test) and 4.5 for the TWE test. Please consult the Requirements for International Applicants of the School of Graduate Studies for equivalent tests, exemption and more details.
Information concerning the TOEFL & TWE is available at United States embassies and consulates, offices of the U.S. Information Service, or directly from: Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA., or their web site http://www.toefl.org
Other Equivalent English Language Tests
Proficiency
in
English may also be demonstrated through completion of one of the
following tests, and must include any written components of that test
battery:
the British Council English Language Test - ELTS (minimum score of band 7);
the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery - MELAB (minimum score of 85); or
the Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees - CanTest (minimum score of band 4.5).
Please NOTE:
Applicants for any of the graduate programs in Computer Science are not required to submit GRE scores. However, if the applicant's academic background is from a non-Canadian university and cannot be adequately assessed (usually due to our lack of familiarity with the university), we may require that the General GRE be written and scores submitted. Applicants who want to ensure that their application is complete by the deadline, and can be considered for the coming academic year, should submit GRE scores (or contact us in advance to discuss his or her academic background). Good GRE scores can also strengthen an application, and we encourage students who have GRE scores to submit them. We consider the GRE scores together with other documented evidence of academic strengths, such as transcripts and letters of reference, and normally want a minimum score of 600 for the Quantitative Section and a minimum score of 3.5 for the Analytical Writing Section. GRE test scores must be received by the University of New Brunswick directly from the Testing Agency.
Acceptance
Conditions
The admission to the Master's and PhD programs is a competitive
process. The above mentioned minimum entry requirements are necessary
but not sufficient. The Graduate Academic Unit (GAU) of Computer
Science determines the admissibility of an applicant for a Computer
Science degree program and recommends the acceptance to the School of
Graduate Studies. This acceptance can be unconditional, conditional
(e.g., on completion of the current degree program) or probationary.
Once accepted, the School of Graduate Studies issues a Letter
of
Admission
to the applicant. Please note that admission to a
graduate study program does not imply an offer of financial assistance.
On the application form a desired research area can be specified. The Faculty of Computer Science makes every effort to accommodate this request. However, due to overcrowding of popular areas, changing research directions and the occasional non-availability of supervisors, it cannot be guaranteed that all requests can be met. If work in a particular research area is a condition of studies, the applicant must make arrangements with a faculty member for supervision prior to commencing graduate studies at the university.
Graduate studies can be pursued either by full-time or part-time attendance at university. Because part-time studies normally mean long-term obligations on part of the student and the university in carrying out research or making available course, research and supervision resources, respectively, special regulations apply in these cases. Applicants for a part-time PhD program need to adhere strictly to the regulations set out by the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants for a part-time Master's program need to have arranged for a supervisor and need to submit a study plan prior to admission. The study plan must clearly indicate the time and effort the student will invest in the graduate program. It must also include the expected course program (by course names) and details of the research work to be carried out. A time schedule of the courses to be taken and milestones towards the completion of the research work are also required. The study plan must be approved by the prospective supervisor. The time limit for part-time Master's studies is normally 4 years, but can be approved for a longer period at admission time. The time limit for part-time PhD studies is limited to 7 years.
Accepted MCS students usually
enter the program at the beginning
of the academic year (i.e., September). Students will normally
have their course program completed, and be ready for research, by the
Summer term of the following year. MCS appplicants can potentially
start at other times of year if they have a supervisor and are ready to
do research. PhD students may start at other
times, upon consultation with their supervisor.
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How
to apply for graduate studies in
Computer Science
Online and PDF format Graduate Application Forms are available here.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as
early as possible as it can take several months before admission can be
considered. Early submission is particularly important if a request for
financial assistance is made (see important
dates).
All Graduate Applications will
be considered by the Graduate
Committee
of Computer Science only after they are complete, i.e. all required
documents have been received and validated, such as transcripts,
TOEFL/TWE and GRE (if required) and three letters of recommendation,
and the
application fee has been paid. This can be a lengthy process taking
several months, and potential graduate students are advised to apply
sufficiently in advance of the desired entry date for the graduate
program. A Letter
of Admission
from the School of
Graduate Studies constitutes
the sole admission to a graduate
program at the University of New Brunswick. Admission to a graduate
study program does not imply an offer of financial assistance.
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Important
Dates
| Dec. 15 | Early application deadline: applications received by this date will be assessed by January 31. |
| Feb. 28 | Applications
from visa students must be
complete, in order to be considered for GRA/GTA funding.
Applications that are complete earlier
will be considered for admission earlier. Applications completed after
this date may still be eligible for funding from individual research
projects. |
| Mar. 31 | Decisions (admission and funding) are made for all complete applications received by Feb. 28. |
| May 31 |
Applications from
non-visa students must be complete. |
| June 30 | Decisions are made for all remaining complete applications. |
Some students accepted to the graduate program will receive offers of funding. These offers will generally include some contribution from the supervisor.
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