About the School of Computer Science
Welcome to the School of Computer Science (SOCS) in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Guelph.
From artificial intelligence and data science to cybersecurity, our community is engaging in multidisciplinary research and learning. Our students gain hands-on experience in leading edge technology, problem solving and software development, preparing them with an applied academic foundation. According to CSrankings.org, in 2024, the University of Guelph ranked 13th of 31 universities in Canada for computer science programs.
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Our Programs
We’re proud to offer both undergraduate and graduate degree programs with engaging teaching methodologies so that our students are prepared for dynamic careers in computer science and software engineering.
Explore our Undergraduate and Graduate Programs.
Our History
The School of Computer Science (SOCS) at the University of Guelph was founded in 1971, originally called the Department of Computing and Information Sciences, though data processing began at the University decades earlier.
- The department supported the University as a primarily computing services unit throughout the 1970s, housed first in Animal Sciences and then moved into what is now known as the Reynolds building on campus. The first official computing courses were taught on campus in 1984, though there are some records of courses being offered earlier.
- In 1985, the M.Sc. in Computer Science received preliminary approval from U of G’s Senate, and in 1987, the CIS Department received accreditation from the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS). The University of Guelph was one of 12 universities to receive this accreditation, given to institutions that had achieved the level of professionalism needed by industry and support computer education in Canada.
- In the early 1990s, U of G established an intensive computing facility and a supercomputing system to allow scientists and students to do large-scale research computations for complex problems.
- The University introduced its own Bachelor of Computing, including the Software Engineering major, in 2010. The Department was also renamed the School of Computer Science. The Reynolds building that has housed computing programs at Guelph since the 1970s was fully renovated in 2018 in one of the University’s largest-ever infrastructure projects to provide state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces for computer science.
SOCS’s reputation in modern has continued to grow, including through the establishment of its unique Master of Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence program and PhD in Computational Sciences.
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Student Resources
The University provides many resources to SOCS students to support them through their academic journeys at U of G from program counselling to meaningful co-op opportunities.
Go CODE Girl
Go CODE Girl provides an opportunity for girls and gender-diverse youth to learn about the world of coding and software development, and discover opportunities in computing.
Our Research Strengths
For more than 50 years, we have been contributing the University’s research-intensive activities through multidisciplinary and applied research in computer science.
Dr. Minglun Gong
Director, School of Computer Science
Dr. Minglun Gong is a Professor and the Director for U of G’s School of Computer Science since 2019, prior to which he was at Memorial University Newfoundland. Gong obtained his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Alberta in 2003. His research interests cover various topics in the broad area of visual computing, including computer graphics, computer vision, visualization, image processing, and pattern recognition.
Life at Guelph
I chose computer science to pursue my passion for technology.... My co-op jobs at places like Canada Life (insurance company) as an Associate Software Developer have provided me with valuable skills and experiences. The people in the department are so knowledgeable and supportive, I have no doubt anyone would fall in love with the university's culture like I did.
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U of G resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We offer our respect to our Indigenous neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them. Today, this land is home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. Acknowledging this reminds us of our important connection to this land where we learn and work. We affirm our commitment to an inclusive campus and workplace that respects, acknowledges and celebrates every member of our community.
About
The University of Guelph's School of Computer Science (SOCS), instituted in 1971, has a long history of interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research and providing hands-on learning experiences to our students.
Contact
School of Computer Science
Reynolds Building
University of Guelph
474 Gordon St.
Guelph ON, Canada N1G 1Y4