Research Requirement

The Research Component of the Writing and Research Requirement requires that all students complete a research-intensive experience specified for their major at any point prior to their graduation.¹ To fulfill the requirement, Computer Science students may choose from one of the following options:

• CPSC_V 319 - Software Engineering Project (4 credits)
  • Students work on a large software engineering project in a group setting over 1 term, solving a real-world problem for an industry sponsor. Previous sponsors have included AWS, PwC, and HSBC.²
• CPSC_V 448 - Directed Studies in Computer Science (3 or 6 credits)
  • Students propose a research topic in Computer Science to a Faculty member who will supervise their work, typically realized in a research paper by the end of the term.³
• CPSC_V 449 - Honours Thesis (6 credits)
  • See the Honours page for details.
• CPSC_V 491 - Interactive Digital Media Practicum (6 credits)
  • Students join a team of Master in Digital Media students and spend 20 hours a week over 1 term working on a real industry-sponsored interactive media design project. Hosted at the campus of the Centre for Digital Media, a joint venture of UBC, SFU, ECU, and BCIT.⁴
• CPSC_V 410 - Advanced Software Engineering (3 credits)
• CPSC_V 444 - Advanced Methods for Human Computer Interaction (3 credits)
• CPSC_V 455⁵ - Applied Industry Practices (3 credits)

¹. Degree Requirements for students who enter the program in 2024/25 or later | UBC Academic Calendar, as of November 20 2025 ↩

². Course Description - CPSC 319, as of November 20 2025 ↩

³. Specialty Courses (Independent Studies) | Computer Science at UBC, as of November 21 2025 ↩

⁴. Digital Media Practicum: UBC Qualifications and Application | Centre for Digital Media, as of November 21 2025 ↩

⁵. Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Requirements - Faculty of Arts, as of December 2 2025 ↩