Bachelor of Informatics (BInf)

Students taking the Bachelor of Informatics Degree study the applications and use of computer systems within organizations. As an Informatics student you will participate in extensive project work using information technology to build real systems for real clients. In today's world computer systems are becoming more and more complex yet clients are requiring that the systems also become simpler to use. Your strengths will include key areas of computer-user interaction to enable you to design and construct modern complex computer systems that clients will find intuitive and efficient to use and operate. This combination of real world training and experience with core co-op placements ensure that the Informatics student is highly valued in the modern workplace.

Teams, Projects and the BInf Degree

In the first two years of the BInf Degree you learn the fundamentals of computers, databases, building websites, information on the web and social networking. You will also take courses that will improve your writing, communication and math skills. In the second you also become a junior member of a project team with duties that are simpler. You work on a real project for real clients. You are supervised by the senior students on the team.

In third year you will have more responsibilities that will include liaising with clients and building solutions to simpler sections of the projects. When you reach fourth year you will be expected to take a leading role in the project design and in the supervision of the second and third year students.

By the time you graduate you will have three years experience working in project teams on real projects on increasingly challenging tasks.

Co-op Education and the BInf Degree

As a student in the BInf program you are required to participate in the co-op education program. In the summer of the second year you will take the first of your three co-op work terms. You will have employment in the computing field (and will be paid for it!). Your program includes two further co-op work terms giving you further opportunity to put your learning to work (and earn money) while still at university.

BInf Degree Requirements and Courses

See the Dalhousie Informatics Undergraduate Calendar for detailed course information and degree requirements, as administered by the Registrar's office.

Suggested Courses for First Year BInf Students

First year Informatics students may find the following example registrations helpful. Many other course combinations are possible. See below for a full listing of course requirements.

Students applying to enter the first year are encouraged to email inquiries@cs.dal.ca if they have questions

Bachelor of Informatics degree requirements

In the table below, a course means a one-semester (four-month) course, typically with three lecture hours per week. The normal load is five courses per semester. Also, a notation such as 3000+ indicates that the class chosen must be numbered 3000 or higher.

The second column indicates the number of 1-term (0.5 credit) courses that you are required to take.