Applied Computing (MAC)

Full-time Coursework Option

In the full-time coursework option, you will complete nine courses. It is anticipated that it will take four terms (16 months) to complete this degree.

Required courses include:

• CP600: Practical Algorithm Design (in person)
• CP683: Graduate Project
• Seven elective courses at the 600 level from those offered by the program.
  • Sample electives include:
    • CP610: Data Analysis
    • CP640: Machine Learning
    • CP685: Cyber Attacks and Defense
    • CP669: iPhone Application Programming

A description of each course can be found on the MAC course offerings list.

Part-time Coursework Option

In the part-time coursework option, you will complete nine courses. It is anticipated it will take five to nine terms (20 to 36 months) to complete this degree.

Required courses include:

• CP600: Practical Algorithm Design (required, in person)
• CP638: Graduate Project (required)
• Seven elective courses at the 600 level from those offered by the program.
  • Sample electives include:
    • CP610: Data Analysis
    • CP640: Machine Learning
    • CP685: Cyber Attacks & Defense
    • CP669: iPhone Application Programming

A description of each required course can be found on the MAC course offerings list.

With the approval of the graduate coordinator and the AVP/dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, you may choose some of your electives from courses offered in other master’s programs at Laurier. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the graduate coordinator.

In the full-time thesis option, you will complete four courses along with your thesis. It is anticipated that it will take five terms (20 months) to complete this degree.

Required courses include:

• CP600: Practical Algorithm Design (in person)
• CP699: Master’s Thesis
• Three additional courses at the 600 level from those offered by the program.
  • Sample electives include:
    • CP614: Applied Cryptography
    • CP630: Enterprise Computing
    • CP670: Android Application Programming

A description of each required course can be found on the MAC course offerings list.

In the full-time co-op option, you will complete seven courses as well as a paid co-op placement in terms three and four. It is anticipated that it will take five terms (20 months) to complete this degree.

After completing two terms of coursework, you will complete your co-op placement. After your co-op placement, you will return for one final academic term to complete your capstone project.

Required courses include:

• CP600: Practical Algorithm Design (in person)
• An eight-month paid co-op placement.
• CP680: Capstone Project
• Five additional courses at the 600 level from those offered by the program.
  • Sample electives include:
    • CP614: Applied Cryptography
    • CP630: Enterprise Computing
    • CP670: Android Application Programming

A description of each required course can be found on the MAC course offerings list.

In the part-time coursework option, you will complete nine courses. It is anticipated you will take one to two courses per term and take five to nine terms (20 to 36 months) to complete the degree.

Required courses include:

• CP600: Practical Algorithm Design (in person or online)i
• CP638: Graduate Project
• Seven elective courses at the 600 level from those offered by the program.
  • Sample electives include:
    • CP610: Data Analysis
    • CP640: Machine Learning
    • CP669: iPhone Application Programming

A description of each required course can be found on the MAC course offerings list..

With the approval of the graduate coordinator and the AVP/dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, you may choose some of your electives from courses offered in other master’s programs at Laurier. You can also be considered for CP680: Capstone Project if you are interested. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the graduate coordinator.

To be as flexible as possible, in-person exams can be written at Laurier’s Brantford, Milton or Waterloo campuses. If you are located more than 100 kilometres from a Laurier campus, you can arrange for an in-person proctor close to your location. More details can be found here.

• A 4-year honours degree in Computer Science or a closely related area.
• Your degree must clearly include courses in data structures, object-oriented language, programming and software engineering.
• A final year grade point average of at least B+.
• A cumulative average of at least B+ in all computer science courses.
• If you do not satisfy the above requirements, you have the option to complete our Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science. Students who achieve a B+ average grade in the certificate program and have a four-year honours degree not in computer science, will be considered for admission to the MAC program.

Applications are assessed until the application deadline or until the program is full. Admission assessments begin as soon as a complete application is received so you are encouraged to apply early. Only complete applications (which includes the OUAC application and all required documents) will be assessed.

Additional Thesis Option Requirements

To increase your chance of acceptance, identify a thesis supervisor before applying. You can review the theses of previous Laurier MAC students to help guide your choice.

• Two letters of reference (may be professional and/or academic references).
• A resume of your academic and relevant work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee. 
• Applications are reviewed by the graduate program committee, which considers all prior university grades, a statement of your research interests and letters of reference.
• All applications will be ranked and offers will be made after the application deadline.

Additional Co-op Option Requirements

Students interested in completing a co-op placement must apply for the co-op option. There is no option to switch to the co-op stream after admission.

• Two letters of reference (may be professional and/or academic references).
• A resume of your academic and relevant work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee. 
• Applications are reviewed by the graduate program committee, which considers all prior university grades, a statement of your research interests and letters of reference.
• All applications will be ranked and offers will be made after the application deadline.

After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to your applicant portal.

An application for admission to our Master of Applied Computing coursework program must include:

• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. This includes transcripts for all past and current postsecondary education for which academic credit was earned, including transfer credits and exchange programs.
• Applicants that do not meet the minimum admission requirements for an offer of admission may still be considered for admission and may be required to provide a resumé and additional information about their interest and fit for the program.

International Applicants

Tuition Deposits

As an international applicant, a tuition deposit is required after you have accepted your offer of admission to the MAC program. Once you pay your tuition deposit, we will request a provincial attestation letter (PAL) on your behalf. Please do not pay your tuition deposit until you have accepted your offer.

After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).

An application for admission to our Master of Applied Computing co-op or thesis program must include:

• The Application Summary, which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
• Transcripts:
  • All postsecondary educational institutions must be declared on your OUAC application. This includes transcripts of all past and current degree(s), diploma(s), postsecondary studies for which academic credit was earned (including on letter of permission or exchange), in-progress courses, incomplete postsecondary education and transfer credit courses. 
  • Documents must be dated within the past six months. 
  • Ensure that each transcript indicates all courses, grades, credit hours, awarding of degree/diploma/degree certificate (if applicable), your full name, student ID number, and full name of the institution. 
  • Include the degree certificate/provisional certificate for any completed degrees. 
  • Include the grading scale/legend as part of your transcript upload.
  • Transcripts must be uploaded as one .pdf file per institution attended. 
  • Transcripts must be in the original language and include a certified translation if the transcript is not in English. 
  • We do not accept WES transcripts. 
• A completed statement of research intent.
• A resumé of your academic and relevant work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
• Completed reference forms. Two academic or professional references are required.
  • Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded.
• A completed Authorization of Information Release (AIR) form is required if you have engaged the services of an education agent/agency. Upload it to your application checklist when you identify your agent in the OUAC application. Visit Step 2 for more information about the AIR.

Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.

International Applicants

Tuition Deposits

As an international applicant, a tuition deposit is required after you have accepted your offer of admission to the MAC program. Once you pay your tuition deposit, we will request a provincial attestation letter (PAL) on your behalf. Please do not pay your tuition deposit until you have accepted your offer.

Coursework Option

Applications are assessed until the application deadline or until the program is full. Admission assessments begin as soon as a complete application is received so you are encouraged to apply early. Only complete applications (which includes the OUAC application and all required documents) will be assessed.

Thesis and Coop Options

• Co-op: All applications will be ranked and offers will be made after the application deadline.
• Thesis: All applications will be ranked and offers will be made after the application deadline.

Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not English must submit evidence of proficiency in English.

Students applying to the coursework option who need to submit proof of English proficiency can submit their test scores through their applicant portal.

Students applying to the thesis or co-op options who need to submit proof of English proficiency can submit their test scores through LORIS.