Computer Science

Hello, iSci people.
I was just wondering whether computer science is a part of the iSci curriculum.
I looked at the McMaster iSci page, and I don't see any faculty members/staff that are in charge of computer science, and your curriculum doesn't seem to mention it, but the brochure from the Faculty of Science does say "iSci integrates knowledge and skills from biology, chemistry, COMPUTER SCIENCE, etc."
Your forum also doesn't seem to have anything related to comp sci.

So, as someone interested in computer science as well as other sciences, I was wondering whether it was a part of the integrated sciences program or not.

Thank you,
Tom

there isn't any computer science unfortuantely...compsci got moved to the engineering faculty which complicated everything...i was pretty disapointed too, isci isn't exaclty teh best choice if u want to do a lot of compsci becuase we dont have hte elective time to take too many compsci courses either esp. in first year, and the upper year compsci courses probably need the 1st year compsci courses as prereqs.

nick

Yeah, that was what I pretty much guessed from all of the stuff I was looking at on the website. Seems a little surprising, though.
Tom

Yeah. I guess there's not enough space to explore EVERYTHING. However, we do use some computer software in labs. If you're really into Computer Science, there will be space in your electives for the class, I believe 5 iSci students this year are all taking the course as one of their electives.

Computer science was originally a part of the isci curriculum, which is why it is mentioned on the website and in publications. Just before isci began, computer science moved from the faculty of science to the faculty of engineering. Unfortunately, as isci is a program within the faculty of science, it can't really have anything to do with the faculty of engineering. University politics are complicated and inhibiting, but that's how it works. Certain professors, however, still make an effort to incorporate computer science into isci, and multiple students (myself included) have written computer programs as part of the research projects. That being said, actual computer sicence courses would also be an option for your electives.

So, it looks like you guys are saying that I can sort of inject computer science by myself if I want to, but as a person interested in computer science mixed with other sciences (my other uni applications were for programs like bioinformatics), do you guys think that this is a good program?
Would I be able to take enough of these comp sci electives to still be somewhat computer science-oriented while still being a part of the iSci program, which I still think is awesome for a whole bunch of reasons?

Sorry if I'm sounding a little confused, but I guess I am a little. Is there any chance that comp sci will come back in this relatively young program?
Tom

I think they want to include it somehow, but I don't know how long it will take for that to happen. Also, the only comp sci elective that was available to us, as far as I know, was math for comp sci (1FC3), and I don't know if that would cover enough actual comp sci for you. Check it out in the undergraduate calendar.

if you want to major/specialize in Comp Sci, iSci might not be for you due to the political BS going on with the engineering faculty. however if you are content to take a few electives in comp sci than iSci may be an option. I would recommend Mac Eng, Waterloo Eng, and bioinformatics programs if computer science is your passion. it may be possible to get a minor in comp sci in iSci, but nothing beyond that, and even then it would be tricky because of the engineering faculty's structure. I would talk to iTeach if you would like to get more info regarding comp sci.