Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective students
Can I defer my admission start date?
Students may request a one-time deferral of one, two or three terms from their original start date. Please send an email request to graduate@cs.dal.ca, stating the term you wish to defer your admission and the reason why you are deferring your admission.
Where can I find information on tuition fees?
For information on tuition fees, please visit Money Matters.
When will I know the status of my application?
Usually within two months of receipt of the completed application package.
I am currently in a university programme, which I will not have completed before the application deadline. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can apply and if you are accepted, a condition of your acceptance will be to complete the current programme (with a minimum B average) and submit a final transcript as proof.
On Part B of the Graduate Studies application, it asks me to list all courses for the current academic year (if presently enrolled). What does this mean?
If you are enrolled in courses during the current academic year (from September 1st to August 31st) at a post-secondary institution, list the courses you are taking.
Current students
How do I apply for a leave of absence from my program?
If you require a leave of absence from your program please fill out the "Request for Leave of Absence" form which can be found on the .
If I move, whom do I need to inform about my address change?
When you change your address you need to update your information at .
I've been told to register for "REGN 9999." What is it and why?
REGN 9999 is the Registration Course that students in programme fee degrees are required to register for each term (in addition to all required courses including their thesis). Scholarship funds can not be processed unless you have registered for REGN 9999. CRNs are available in the .
How to find courses like all AI courses?
CSCI course numbers group related courses using a digit in the course number. It is the 鈥渉undreds鈥� digit in graduate courses: the position of the topic T digit in CSCI 5Txx and CSCI 6Txx.
The subject groupings occur as follows, relating to the T digit:
- 0 鈥� generally accessible or broad CS topics
- 1 鈥� theory, algorithms, data structures, and math-like topics
- 2 鈥� computer organization and architecture, operating systems, platforms
- 3 鈥揹evelopment of software like software engineering, programming languages, architectures, and frameworks
- 4 鈥� data management, databases, big data, and data-centred topics
- 5 鈥� artificial intelligence and machine learning
- 6 鈥� human computer interaction, graphics, and visualization topics
- 7 鈥� computer networks, network security topics, web and mobile development
- 8 鈥� cross-Faculty courses, notably bioinformatics
- 9 鈥� unclassified topics, including administrative courses
If I defend my thesis during the summer months and present my approved copies to FGS by the September deadline for submission, do I have to register for the fall term?
If all of your degree requirements have been met, then you do not need to register for the fall term.
Where do I find the formatting requirements for my masters or doctoral thesis?
For formatting requirements please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Who requires a Progress Report? What happens if I do not submit a progress report form?
Every graduate student in a thesis programme is required to submit an Annual Progress Report to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, through their supervisor, graduate coordinator, and head/chair/director. The report is due on an annual basis, one month prior to the anniversary of the student's admission date.
If you do not submit the necessary progress report form, your registration will be suspended until you have completed and submitted the form.
I am a MACS student and I would like to transfer to the MCS program. What do I need to do?
Students wishing to transfer from the MACS to MCS program need a minimum average grade of A- for at least four CSCI graduate courses (excluding CSCI 6901 Direct Studies and CSCI5100 Communication Skills), and two recommendation letters from CS faculty. The four CSCI graduate classes can be a combination of CSCI5xxx and CSCI6xxx level classes (note the exclusions). A formal application should then be submitted to the FCS Graduate Office, including 1) a letter of request for transferring from MACS to MCS signed by both the student and the supervisor, 2) a copy of the transcript, 3) the two recommendation letters.
Once submitted, your application & background will then be considered.
I am a MCS student and I would like to transfer to the MACS program. What do I need to do?
Students wishing to transfer from the Master of Computer Science to the Master of Applied Computer Science program will be evaluated on an individual basis.
The decision will be made based on both the suitability of the student for the MACS program, as well as the capacity within the program.
I am a MACS student. Can I audit courses?
No. Course audits are only allowed for MACS students if they are approved by MACS administration prior to the audit.
If MACS students take courses on audit, without prior approval, they will be charged an additional fee for the course.
What is the condition for scheduling a thesis defense, and what is a required timeline for student to submit thesis to supervisor before submit to Defense Committee?
The condition for scheduling a thesis defence is that the supervisor has read the first draft of the thesis, approved the core chapters of the thesis and made recommendations for a refined draft. The timeline for a final supervisor approved version before submitting to the Defence Committee should be based on the agreement of both the supervisor and the student, it is recommended to have two weeks for the supervisor to read and provide recommendations, and two weeks for the student to make changes for submitting to the Defence Committee.
If a question hasn't been answered, email聽graduate@cs.dal.ca.