Awesome Electives

The following courses may be of special interest to Computer Science majors and are confirmed to carry Arts credits for B.A. students.

Philosophy

PHIL_V 220 (3) Symbolic Logic

Sentential and predicate logic. Translation from natural language; truth tables and interpretations; systems of natural deduction up to relational predicate logic with identity; alternative proof methods. Some sections may use computer-based materials and tests. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 220 and PHIL 222. Equivalency: PHIL 222

PHIL_V 222 (3) Enriched Symbolic Logic

Naïve set theory, relations and functions, recursion and induction; Propositional and predicate logic; Symbolizations, semantics, and formal proof theory; Metatheory for propositional logic. Recommended for students interested in pursuing upper-level courses in logic or formal philosophy. Credit will be granted for only one of PHIL 220 and PHIL 222.

PHIL_V 250 (3) Minds and Machines

Philosophical and theoretical issues that pertain to how mental phenomena fit into the material world. Examine questions such as whether a sophisticated enough computer should be deemed a conscious intelligent being. Focus on philosophical literature on consciousness, intelligence, animal minds, and the mind-body relation.

PHIL_V 320 (3) Logic: Metatheory and Computability

Continuation of PHIL 220. A system of deduction for predicate logic is selected for further study. Completeness of this system and other metatheoretic results are proved. Other topics include computability, recursive function theory, incompleteness and decidability. Recommended pre-requisite: one of PHIL 220, PHIL 222. PHIL 222 is recommended.

PHIL_V 321 (3) Induction, Decision and Game Theory

Formal methods relevant to probabilistic and inductive reasoning. Decision theory, game theory, axiomatic probability theory and its interpretations, belief dynamics, simulation and modelling. Recommended pre-requisite: one of PHIL125, PHIL 220, PHIL 222 or instructor permission.

Logic of the modal operators It is necessary that and It is possible that. Possible-world semantics and a method of derivation for this logic. Recommended pre-requisite: one of PHIL 220, PHIL 222. PHIL 222 is recommended.

PHIL_V 323 (3) Non-Classical Logics

One or more of conditional logic, deontic logic, epistemic logic, many-valued logic, systems of belief dynamics. Recommended pre-requisite: one of PHIL 220, PHIL 222. PHIL 222 is recommended.

PHIL_V 336 (3) Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Ethics

Survey of the main ethical questions and challenges from mass data collection and analysis, automated decision making, and artificial intelligence. Some prior study of philosophical ethics and data analysis is helpful but not required. Recommended for both Major in Philosophy students and other students interested in this topic. Credit will only be granted for one of PHIL_V 336 or CPSC_V 430.

PHIL_V 427 (3) Philosophy of Mathematics

Logicism, formalism and constructivism, implications of metatheorems such as those of Gödel and Church, mathematical truth, mathematics and mental construction, mathematics and the physical world. Prerequisite: Philosophy or mathematics courses totaling 9 credits at the 200-level or above.

Linguistics

LING_V 142 (3) Language in the Age of AI

Examines the impact of generative AI, large language models, and virtual assistants on human communication. Includes evolving language trends, ethics, and applications like speech recognition, text-to-speech, and machine translation. No computational or programming background required.

LING_V 242 (3) Computational Tools for Linguistic Analysis

Practical skills for analyzing language using the Python programming language and relevant packages. Prerequisite: One of LING 100, LING 101, LING 140, LING 170, LING 200, LING 201, ENGL 330, ENGL 331. Recommended: LING 201 and CPSC 103 or CPSC 110 (or other programming experience).

LING_V 342 (3) Computational Models of Language

A re-examination of major areas of linguistics from a computational perspective, including popular formalisms and algorithms associated with morphology, syntax, semantics, and discourse. Prerequisite: LING 242 and one of LING 201, ENGL 331 and one of STAT 200, STAT 203, STAT 251, STAT 302, MATH 302, PSYC 218.

Informatics

INFO_V 100 (3) (De)coding Information and Why it Matters

Information and data as concepts and aspects of everyday experience. Creation, sharing, authorization, and valuing of information with implications for society. Critical perspectives and practices to engage with data, information, and technologies for personal productivity, scholarly inquiry, and civic engagement.

INFO_V 200 (3) Foundations of Informatics

Theory, methods, and approaches for the analysis, design, and evaluation of information objects, activities, systems, and infrastructures in contemporary societies.

INFO_V 250 (3) Networks, Crowds, and Communities

Introduces network concepts and methods for exploring social and organizational connectivity for work, socializing, and knowledge production. Examines impact of social media on connections that span space and place; peer production on authority structures; ubiquitous mobile connectivity on daily life.

INFO_V 300 (3) Information and Data Design

Design of interactive information systems informed by human capabilities and behavior. Application of contemporary information design principles and practices to the conceptualization, creation, and testing of real-world prototypes of information objects and applications. Recommended pre-requisite: INFO 100. Prerequisite: INFO 200.

INFO_V 301 (3) Digital Cultural Collections

Design, construction and critique of digital collections from a cultural informatics perspective.

INFO_V 302 (3) Sociotechnical Perspectives for Information Systems Design

Interdisciplinary approaches to theorizing, evaluating, envisioning, and designing information systems as assemblages of society and technology that can favor historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized groups and communities.

INFO_V 303 (3) Search Engines and Society

Aspects of technical implementation and societal impact of search engines. Explores how Google and other Internet search engines are powerful, global, and non-neutral tools that drive economies and shape our views of the world. Recommended pre-requisite: INFO 200.

INFO_V 304 (3) Memory and Identity in the Digital Age

Personal and collective constructions of the past from collections of digital artefacts. Emphasis on history, social movements, lived experience, and public life.

INFO_V 419 (3) Information Visualization

Basic theory and practice required to visually represent information. Introduces design principles and practical skills to create effective information visualizations. Examines effect of different visual representations on understanding and meaning.

INFO_V 456 (3) Information Policy and Society

Develops capabilities required to assess the need for information policies in professional contexts, evaluate relevant socio-technical dimensions and envision likely implications for specific communities and practice settings.

Visual Arts

VISA_V 110 (3) Foundation Studio: Digital Media

Foundation instruction in techniques and approaches to digital practice. The nature of digital technologies and their role in contemporary culture will be examined. (This course is open to all UBC students, regardless of prior experience.)

Music

MUSC_V 119 (3) Introduction to Music Technology

Practical and theoretical training in technologies that support current artistic and academic practice, such as MIDI, podcasts/videocasts, websites, social media, and software for score notation, music education, and basic audio/video editing. [2-0-1]

MUSC_V 320 (3) Computer Music

The study of computer applications to music, focusing on digital synthesis techniques and languages, methods of algorithmic composition, and the design of music editors. Prerequisite: [MUSC319] or permission of instructor.

Sociology

SOCI_V 280 (3) Data and Society

Impacts of changing information and communication technologies on societies and social interactions.

Media Studies

MDIA_V 100 (3) AI and Media Creation

Investigation of media objects shaped by algorithms, through a balance of foundational concepts and hands-on experimentation. Examines perspectives on aesthetics, the impact of technology on media, and ethics.

Creative Writing

CRWR_V 208 (3) Introduction to Writing for Graphic Forms

Techniques of and practice in creating, developing, and writing the graphic novel, manga, and other forms of illustrated writing. The ability to draw is not required. Manuscript submission is not required for admission.

CRWR_V 213 (3) Introduction to Writing for the New Media

An exploration of and practice in writing for new media, including podcasting, blogging, and writing for websites, games, and online environments. Manuscript submission is not required for admission.

CRWR_V 310 (3) Video Game Writing and Narrative

Narrative design and writing for video games. Prerequisite: CRWR 200.

CRWR_V 312 (3) Interactive Storytelling

Origin, theory and practice of interactive story forms. Exploring structural links between interactive theatre, gaming, and extended (virtual, mixed, and augmented) reality. Prerequisite: One of CRWR 213 or B.M.S. student with 3rd year standing or higher.