Program overview
This two-year, thesis-based program designed for students who want to contribute to the advancement of computing through original research. Students complete four graduate-level courses and a thesis, working closely with a supervisory committee to define and pursue a research question aligned with faculty expertise. The curriculum supports both theoretical depth and practical application, with opportunities to integrate one course from Trent’s Applied Modelling & Quantitative Methods program to broaden interdisciplinary insight.
Experiential learning
- Hands-on learning is embedded throughout the MSc in Computer Science, with opportunities to apply advanced concepts to real-world problems. Students engage directly with current research through project-based coursework, literature reviews, and supervised thesis work. Courses emphasize practical skill development in areas such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing, including the use of large language models like GPT and BERT.
- Throughout the program, students present research findings, participate in collaborative workshops, and build technical portfolios that reflect their evolving expertise. This experience not only strengthens academic and professional communication skills but also prepares graduates for careers in computing, research, and technology-focused industries
Admissions
The Computer Science graduate program has a Fall intake only. The admissions process runs between October and February. Candidates interested in applying are encouraged to review admission requirements for the program before applying.
Contact
Please contact coisgrad@trentu.ca for inquiries.
Course Listing
Please visit the Academic Timetable to see which courses are presently being offered and in which location(s). Not all courses listed below run every term or in all locations. For specific details about program requirements and degree regulations, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
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COIS-5210H: Advanced Topics in Software Engineering
Offered:
- Peterborough
This course delves into advanced software engineering topics, such as software modeling, mining software repositories, empirical methods in software engineering, AI for Software Engineering (AI4SE), software testing, and quality assurance. The course will involve reading the latest research papers, delivering presentations, and hands-on work on software engineering projects.
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COIS-5250H: Topics in Artificial Intelligence
Offered:
- Peterborough
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COIS-5901H: Reading Course I
Offered:
- Peterborough
This course will provide area-specific content offered by the research supervisor in a reading/project course format.