Computer Science

  • Degrees Offered: MCS, MACSec, MCSC & PhD
  • Application Deadlines: Dec. 15 (Early Fall application for MCS and PhD only, applications in by this date will be reviewed for early acceptance), Jan. 15 for Fall term (MACSec, MCSC, MCS, PhD), April 30 for Winter term (MCS, PhD Only)
  • Study Options: Thesis (MCS, PhD), Report (MCS), Coursework (MACSec, MCSC), Co-op (MCS, MCSC)
  • Program Length: 12-24 months Masters, 3-4 years (PhD, Dissertation) 
  • Entry Terms: Fall (MCS, MACSec, MCSC, PhD), Winter (MCS, PhD), Summer (PhD)

At UNB you will enjoy learning from cutting-edge expert Computer Scientists in a long-standing program; the Faculty of Computer Science (FCS) at the UNB’s Fredericton Campus was the first computer science faculty in Canada. Our students enjoy working and collaborating with top faculty who are nationally and internationally renowned in their field. Our recent graduates have gone on to work at companies such as IBM, Ciena, Alcatel-Lucent and Ernst & Young, as well as to careers in academia.

Research Programs (MCS, PhD)

Research students take some courses, but primarily focus on original research. Potential supervision for research students includes the following areas:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Bioinformatics and Computational Science
  • Cloud Computing
  • Cybersecurity and Privacy
  • Data Management, Analytics, and Mining
  • Embedded Systems
  • High Performance Computing
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Networking, Data Communications, and Wireless
  • Optimization and Algorithmics
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems and Architecture

Course-based Programs (MCSC, MACSec)

  • MCSC (Masters of Computer Science by Coursework)- 10 courses from a broad range of Computer Science graduate courses and can include 2 co-op terms, subject to availability.
  • MACSec (Masters of Applied Cybersecurity)- 1-year premium program focusing on cybersecurity, taught by top experts. Concludes with an industry-focused capstone project.

Current faculty research

We have a growing number of full-time research faculty in Fredericton including a Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity. The Faculty has more than 20 laboratories, used for research and instruction in many areas of computer science, and we also have one Research Centre: the IBM Centre for Advanced Studies – Atlantic, and two Institutes: Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity & Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RIDSAI).

Researchers in the Department of Computer Science at the Saint John campus also participate in the UNB CS graduate programs. At present the total research funding for the Faculty of Computer Science is approximately $10 million from NSERC, CFI, AIF, NBIF and other sources.

Application requirements

  • For Master’s Programs: An undergraduate degree in Computer Science (or equivalent), with a minimum GPA of B+. Students must have a confirmed supervisor at UNB before being accepted into the MCS program.
  • All Master's applicants should have studied the following core areas of computer science: software engineering, data structures, operating systems, algorithm design and computer architecture.
  • For PhD: A research-based Master's degree in Computer Science or related area with first class standing from a recognized University. Students must have a confirmed supervisor at UNB before being accepted into the PhD program.
  • Required application documents:
    1. Official transcripts and degree confirmation
    2. Three letters of recommendation (at least 2 academic)
    3. CV
    4. Complete application form
    5. Applicants to MCS and PhD programs need to submit a supervisor-student agreement. Applicants looking for a supervisor may start their application and add this agreement later.
    6. International applicants whose first language is not English will be required to submit language scores. Examples of minimum acceptable scores include: 
      • IELTS (Academic) score of band 7.0 overall and in written
      • TOEFL iBT 94 with 23 in written
      • MELAB minimum score of 85%
      • CanTest minimum score of band 4.5 
      • Pearson Test of English (Academic) minimum score of 65

Contact us

For more information, contact Dr. Patricia Evans, Director of Graduate Studies.

Office: Computer Science ITC, Rm. ITC315

Phone: 1-506-458-7285

Related: Computer Science Graduate Studies