Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

at Mount Allison University Canada

Commerce provides a solid foundation in the key disciplines of business, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management.
At Mount Allison, Commerce provides you with an experiential and personal approach to business studies. You'll benefit from small class sizes, one-on-one time with your professors, frequent interaction with fellow students, opportunities to gain real-world experience, and Mount Allison’s strong links to the business world.

You'll study a variety of business areas, such as:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Management

The program is designed to give all students, regardless of their areas of concentration, a strong undergraduate foundation in the key disciplines of management education. Students will be challenged both inside and outside the classroom to develop the problem-solving and decision-making skills that are essential to successful business enterprises.

Biopsychology is the scientific study of the brain and nervous system and how they influence human behaviour — combining studies in biology and psychology.

At Mount Allison, Biopsychology is an interdisciplinary program with students required to take courses in both biology and psychology.
There is some flexibility to allow you to focus more heavily on one of the two disciplines, should you choose to do so.

Course options in this program may include:

• Genetics and evolution
• Human physiology
• Animal behaviour
• Neurophysiology
• Sensation and perception
• Behavioural neuroscience

Cognitive Science is the scientific study of the mind and its processes. It seeks to understand how the mind works through interdisciplinary studies in psychology, computer science, and philosophy.

Within the Department of Psychology, the Cognitive Science program incorporates perspectives from a variety of fields.

In first and second year you'll take introductory courses, plus courses such as:

• cognitive processes
• biopsychology
• systems programming
• philosophy of science

In third and fourth year you'll add courses in linguistics, while pursuing courses such as:

• sensation and perception
• behavioural neuroscience
• philosophy of mind
• artificial intelligence
• medical physics

You'll also be encouraged to pursue independent summer research projects, directed studies projects, or to contribute to faculty research projects as a research assistant.

Mathematics is the foundation of most modern quantitative and qualitative studies. It has many faces, from practical uses of its statistical tools to theoretical studies of abstract relationships.

At Mount Allison, the Mathematics program aims to provide an appreciation of the historical, theoretical, and applied nature of mathematics.

All courses in the curriculum offer a blend of theory and practical applications. The program includes lectures supplemented by weekly labs where you can gain hands-on experience.

Introductory courses* may introduce students to the applications to which calculus may be applied or the practical uses of statistics.
Upper-year courses deal with topics ranging from geometry to game theory.

You will be introduced to mathematical concepts such as:

• The practical uses of statistical tools
• Theoretical studies of abstract relationships
• The applications of calculus
• The use of number theory in modern cryptography

Many of the courses offered include a substantial computational component and students are encouraged to use the mathematical software tools available. You are also encouraged to conduct independent summer research projects or to contribute to faculty research projects as a research assistant.

Mount Allison’s American studies program helps students gain new perspective on Canada’s closest neighbour and ally.

The program examines not only the history, economy, and government of the United States, but delves into its literature, music, and art — painting a complete picture of the country’s governance, society, and culture, as well as its place in history and its impact on the world.

This interdisciplinary program draws from courses in a number of different subject areas, giving students the opportunity to explore many fields of study with a unifying theme, and introducing them to accomplished professors in economics, English, Fine Arts, geography, history, international relations, Music, political science, religious studies, and sociology.

The study of Fine Arts helps you develop your artistic and creative abilities, and your ability to think critically, write, and speak about works of art.

At Mount Allison, Fine Arts offers a unique approach for students looking to obtain professional training — combining studio work and instruction with the freedom of an immersive liberal arts and sciences curriculum.
The Fine Arts program gives you the opportunity to develop your creative and critical ability through studio courses in:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography (analog and digital)
• Printmaking (lithography, silkscreen, intaglio, relief, and letterpress)
• Sculpture and installation
• open media

The first year studio courses give you a broad knowledge and skill base. Second and third years courses build on this foundation and focus on selected studio areas. In your final year, you create a body of work through independent study. In addition to studio classes, you'll undertake courses and seminars that foster an understanding of art history and visual culture.

A Bachelor of Arts student with a major in Fine Arts, you'll also take a combination of studio work and art history. As a BA student, you'll have more flexibility to combine your Fine Arts courses with courses in other disciplines.

Computer Science
At Mount Allison, computer science courses are designed to address the needs of a wide variety of users, from the casual to the professional. Whether you want to learn more about certain software or to develop advanced programming skills, Mount Allison has a computer science course for you.

Introductory computer science courses offer an overview of programming skills, the use and application of popular software, and the essentials of computing. More advanced courses deal with topics ranging from artificial intelligence and the role of computers in society to the design and implementation of advanced hardware or software systems.

Specialized areas include:

• theory of computation
• cryptography
• artificial intelligence
• databases
• computer graphics
• networks
• software and hardware design

All courses in the computing curriculum offer a blend of theory and practical application, with many of the offerings having a significant project component in which students are given the opportunity to apply the classroom material to real-world problems.

Physics
At Mount Allison, a key feature of Physics is the experiential learning approach used in many courses — students learn through collaborative, hands-on activities. In the Physics program, the development of fundamental concepts and mathematical formulation proceeds simultaneously in a selected series of courses in physics and mathematics.

Physics also prepares you for more advanced study in applied areas such as photonics, materials science, or biomedical engineering; or for a career in such fields as astronomy, space research, or oceanography. Introductory physics involves a combination of mini-lectures, lab work, and collaborative learning experiences.

While in upper years you may choose to pursue studies in subjects like:

• astrophysics
• quantum mechanics
• electricity and magnetism
• statistical mechanics
• advanced physical chemistry
• electronics
• medical physics
• thermodynamics
• nuclei and fundamental particles
• solid state physics
• energy production and the environment
• modern optics

Interdisciplinary Health Studies will allow students the opportunity to engage with health from biological, behavioural, social, environmental, ethical, historical, cultural and population perspectives.

At Mount Allison, the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) in Interdisciplinary Health Studies draws on concepts from across the life sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Students develop the critical thinking, analytic, and communication skills needed to engage in complex and nuanced issues such as:

• Health care for an aging population
• Confronting global pandemics
• Building healthy communities
• Working for justice in health-care delivery and outcomes

Students in Interdisciplinary Health Studies take courses in:

• Health and life sciences (biology, biochemistry, psychology)
• Ethics and philosophy
• Social issues and culture

Environmental Science provides a strong but diverse scientific foundation required to understand environmental issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Environmental Science is an ideal discipline if you have both a strong interest in science and a concern for the environment. This interdisciplinary program is science intensive and provides you with the foundation necessary to understand environmental issues from many different perspectives.

At Mount Allison, Environmental Science students study issues like:

• the mechanics of weather and climate
• the biological consequences of climate change
• the impacts of environmental degradation
• the effects of climate on the distribution of animals and plants
• the impact of environmental change on freshwater systems

In upper years, you will compliment your major with an in-depth concentration of courses to provide you with a scientific specialty when you graduate.

Concentrations include:

• Aquatic environments
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental modelling
• Environmental monitoring and management

You also have the opportunity to investigate issues you are passionate about through independent research (honours).

The Women's and Gender Studies program teaches with a focus on anti-racism, feminist theory, queer and trans studies, and social justice. 

At Mount Allison, Women's and Gender Studies promotes student engagement, with one another as well as with social justice issues, and fosters communication and writing skills.

Courses focus on issues of:

• Gender
• Ability
• Religion
• Sexuality
• Race
• Class
• Ethnicity
• Age
• Colonialism

The program includes several core courses which provide an introduction to the principles of Women’s and Gender Studies as well as more advanced study of approaches to feminism.
In upper years you'll focus on issues of gender, identity, and culture; theories of gender and power in society; gender, science, and research; and contemporary issues in feminism and gender studies.