
Our Computer Science Program
As part of the School of Computer Science & Technology, our Computer Science program delivers an innovative and cutting-edge education in two unique locations, Sault Ste. Marie and Brampton.
Learn about the School of Computer Science & Technology
Are you a college student? Visit the ONTransfer website to view more of our pathway agreements.
Students studying Computer Science will gain a strong theoretical and practical foundation in the study of algorithms, programming languages, hardware architecture, systems software, application software, and tools. They will also develop a solid foundation in data structure, programming, assembly language programming, computer organization, operating systems, theory, software engineering, and computer networking. Students also have the opportunity to explore their individual interests and take courses in artificial intelligence, human-computer interactions, and web data management, among others!
Above all, our computer science program values and encourages creativity and innovation. Students are given the opportunity to create new designs and explore their creative and unique ideas with faculty who are excited and equipped to guide students in the process of exploration.
Our students explore how Computer Science reaches far beyond theory and practice, driving innovation in the sciences, with examples such as the Human Genome Project and AIDs vaccine research, and leading developments in engineering, business, entertainment, and education. Wherever your passions and creativity lead, studies in Computer Science will take you there!
What is particularly unique about studies in Computer Science is that experiments can be carried out in a simulated virtual laboratory. Your creativity needs no limits because even ideas that, for now, exist outside of the realm of physical possibility, can be carried out in a computer lab. Computer scientists can simulate outcomes before they happen, including mapping out natural disasters and population growth under a variety of different circumstances.
What You Can Expect
Hands-on learning, a close-knit campus community, and caring faculty.
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Turn your passion for video gaming into a profitable career
Our Computer Science program is known internationally for having one of the most advanced computer games technology specializations. Students will learn how to develop video games, including developing their plot, music, and graphics.
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Learn how to code and program
Students in our computer science program will learn how to program and code using SQL, HTML, ANSI, C++, Java, and Javascript, C and Python.
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Work in state-of-the-art computer lab
Our computer science students learn and grow in state-of-the-art computer labs. Students and researchers from all over the world come to study and utilize our labs to get working, hands-on knowledge of computer systems and gaming technology.
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Brown Bag Meetings
Throughout the year, the Department of Computer Science hosts Brown Bag Meetings, which provide an informal forum for learning and discussing hot topics in computing, such as cloud computing, brain computer interfacing, and serious games. The meetings consist of short talks on current research or developments followed by open discussion. The meetings are open to all interested students and faculty.
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Fourth-Year Thesis
Our program adequately prepares students for higher education. Students in their fourth year of study can undertake a research project or thesis, which provides them with in-depth expertise in a specific area of interest.
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Interuniversity Relationships
The School of Computer Science and Technology has developed lasting relationships with international universities, granting students opportunities to study abroad and gain credits!
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Programming Competitions
The School of Computer Science and Technology sends several teams of students to compete in the Northern Michigan University (NMU) Invitation Programming Contest and the prestigious Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) International Collegiate Programming Contest. These competitions expose students to real life computer programming problems and the reality of working around tight deadlines.
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Career Options
For those who choose to enter the workforce upon graduation, career path options for computer science graduates include computer programmer, computer support specialist, computer trainer, database developer, video game developer, web developer, mobile application developer, business systems analyst, management consultant, project manager, software analyst, systems architect or analyst, information specialist, among others.








Our Courses
For more detailed information on our courses, please visit our courses schedule section
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Accelerated Degree
You could earn a computer science degree in as little as 12 months at Algoma University.
For students who hold a degree in any discipline, earn a Computer Science Degree in as little as 12 months at Algoma University’s computer science program, and fill the need and high demand for Computer Scientists in today’s technologically advanced society. With a background in Computer Science, you have access to some of the highest starting salaries in today’s workplace!

Minors / Specializations
Customize your degree to include something you love
Students enrolled in the four-year Bachelor of Computer Science (B.Cosc.) program can further enhance the quality of their degree by specializing in one of three minors: computer game technology; computer game technology and creative arts; or mobile software engineering.
Learn more
Collaborative Online Bridging Program
College graduates could earn a Bachelor of Computer Science in as little 12 months by entering this innovative pathway program.
The collaborative online Bridging Program consists of six online courses to be taken between May and September. Upon successful completion of the Bridging Program, students receive advance standing to transition directly to Algoma University’s Bachelor of Computer Science in Sault Ste. Marie.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BACHELOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE?
The required Computer Science courses are identical in each degree, however the Bachelor of Computer Science (BCOSC) has less rigorous requirements in Mathematics and Sciences than the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSc).
Many students will likely prefer to earn the BCOSC degree since it is an easier degree having reduced math and science courses. For stronger students who are more well prepared, it is highly recommended that they take the more rigorous BSc in Computer Science as it is a stronger degree.
Both degrees provide students with the necessary skills to be successful in the computing and information technology industries. However, the BSc provides students with additional skills that will open opportunities in high-end scientific and mathematical research institutions.
Graduate Certificates
Add a Graduate Certificate to complement your existing degree or diploma

Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
Gain essential skills in programming, software development, object-oriented analysis and design, web technologies and databases, e-business strategy, and project management, which complements your existing critical thinking and communication abilities.

Graduate Certificate in Mobile Software Development
Apply the foundational skills of computer science to the development of applications and systems that implement the use of mobile devices in modern computer systems.

Graduate Certificate in Computing
Gain a thorough understanding of the theories and technologies of computer operating systems, computer networks, system analysis and design, web development, mobile application development as well as database management.
Meet our Faculty
Our Computer Science faculty are experts in the field. Get to know them!
Dr. Simon Xu
Director, School of Computer Science & Technology, Full Professor

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
simon.xu@algomau.ca
705-949-2301, ext. 4346
Office: WW105F
Credentials: BSc, MSc (Peking University), MSc (University of Windsor), PhD (Université de Liège), PhD (Wayne State University)
Areas of Expertise: Software engineering and evolution, program analysis and understanding, cognitive models of software development processes.
To learn more about Dr. Simon Xu, visit his his website! http://people.auc.ca/xu/
Calyssa Skeggs
Administrative Assistant, School of Computer Science & Technology

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
calyssa.skeggs@algomau.ca
Office: WW105
Dr. Yi Feng
Associate Professor

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
yi.feng@algomau.ca
705-949-2301, ext. 4315
Office: WW105
Credentials: BE (Anhui University), ME (Chinese Academy of Sciences), PhD (Université de Montréal)
Areas of Expertise: Formal hardware verification, computer system design.
Dr. Miguel Garcia-Ruiz
Associate Professor

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
miguel.garcia@algomau.ca
705-949-2301, ext. 4312
Office: WW 105G
Credentials: BSc (University of Colima), MSc (University of Colima), PhD (University of Sussex)
Areas of Expertise: Human-computer interaction, usability, computer graphics, olfactory interfaces, multi modal interfaces, virtual reality and games user research.
Dr. George Townsend
Full Professor

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
george.townsend@algomau.ca
705-949-2301, ext. 4359/4517 BCI Lab
Office: WW105
Credentials: BSc (Lake Superior State University), MSc (University of Waterloo), PhD (Technishe Universitat Graz)
Areas of Expertise: Dr. Townsend is currently collaborating on a research project with the New York State Department of Health in Brain-Computer Interfaces with the Wadsworth Research Center, Albany, New York. This research provides technology that allows completely paralyzed patients to communicate with the outside world using only their thoughts.
Dr. Edna James
Assistant Professor

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
Credentials: Bachelor of Science (University of Texas at Arlington), PhD (Iowa State University)
Areas of Expertise: Applied Mathematics
I hold a BS in Mathematics with a Minor in Physics from the University of Texas at Arlington and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa. I held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Saskatchewan and at the University of Toronto. My research area was stochastic modelling. Since then, I have focussed mainly on teaching.
I’ve been a math professor at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario since 2003. I’ve taught: Discrete Math, Univariate and Multivariate Calculus, Probability, Real and Complex Analysis, Linear and Abstract Algebra, and Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations.
Dr. Yujie Tang
Assistant Professor

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
yujie.tang@algomau.ca
Office: WW105E
Credentials: BSc (Lanzhou Jiaotong University), MSc (Harbin Institute Technology), PhD
(University of Waterloo)
Areas of Expertise: Wireless networks, internet of vehicles, artificial intelligence
Dr. Saneeha Ahmed
Assistant Professor

Brampton Campus
Credentials: PhD Electrical Engineering (University of Windsor);
Post Doctorate- Electrical and Computer engineering (University of Windsor)
Area of Expertise: Security of Ad hoc Networks and IoT
Dr. Bin Wei
Assistant Professor

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
bin.wei@algomau.ca
705-949-2301, ext. 4270
Office: WW105D
Credentials: Bachelor of Engineering (Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology), Master of Engineering (Hebei University of Engineering), PhD (UOIT)
Areas of Expertise: Robotics, Control Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Neuroscience, Human-Robot Interaction, Complex Dynamical Systems
For more information on Dr. Bin Wei, visit his website.
Dr. Zamilur Rahman
Assistant Professor

Sault Ste. Marie campus
Credentials: BSc, MS (Jahangirnagar University), MSc (University of Lethbridge), PhD (University of Windsor)
Areas of Expertise: Graph theory and its applications, big graph data and data science, software engineering, web applications, reversible logic synthesis
Sofia A. Silberberg
Adjunct Professor

Dr. Joe Ganczarski
Part Time Contract Faculty

Brampton Campus
Credentials:
- B.Sc. University of The State of New York – Excelsior College
- M.Sc. in Information Technology – Aspen University
- MBA – Northcentral University
- PhD – Northcentral University
Area of Expertise: Relational database design and development, systems analysis and design, data warehousing, and business information systems
Dr. Kiddnan Kobindarajah
Part Time Contract Faculty

Brampton Campus
kiddnan.kobindarajah@algomau.ca
Academic Credentials:
- Ph.D., University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
- M.Sc., University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
- B.Ed., York University, Canada
- B.Sc. (Honours), Eastern University, Sri Lanka
Area of Expertise: Approximation Theory and Harmonic Analysis
Subjects of Expertise: Discrete Mathematics, Finite Mathematics, Calculus, Advanced Engineering Mathematics, Advanced Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Analysis, Real Analysis, Probability and Statistics, Business Mathematics, Technical Mathematics, Operational Research, Mathematics Logic and Set Theory.
Dr. Mike Biocchi
Part Time Contract Faculty

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
mike.biocchi@algomau.ca
705-949-2301, ext. 4111
Office: NW 303
Credentials: BSc (Algoma/Laurentian University), MSc (University of Abertay Dundee), PhD (Northcentral)
Areas of Expertise: Computer and Information Security, Education Technology, Software Development.
Dr. Mark Defazio
Part Time Contract Faculty

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
mathlab@algomau.ca
705-949-2301, ext. 4239
Office: EW 201
Credentials: BSc Hons (Brock University), MA, PhD (York University)
Areas of Expertise: Mathematical analysis, special functions and orthogonal polynomials, mathematical modeling.
The Math Lab is open to all students requiring one-on-one or small group tutorials in mathematics. Dr. DeFazio is available during office hours to assist you with your math related needs. Office hours are posted at the beginning of each semester.
Michael Lajoie
Part Time Contract Faculty

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
michael.lajoie@algomau.ca
Telephone: 705-949-2301, ext. 4255
Office: WW 105
Credentials: BA (Algoma/Laurentian University), BCOSC (Hons) (Algoma/Laurentian University), MSc (Colorado State University)
Areas of Expertise: Mobile and web development, e-learning/online course delivery, computer graphics, and programming.
Dr. Haider Amir
Part Time Contract Faculty

Brampton Campus
haider.amir@algomau.ca
905-451-0100 ext. 3521
Credentials: (Ph.D.) GadjahMada University, Indonesia, Secondment; Osaka University, Japan, (M.Sc.) GadjahMada University, Indonesia, (B.Sc. First Class Hons.), University of Baghdad, Iraq. M.Sc. and Ph.D. have been accredited by World Education Services, Toronto –Canada.
Area of Expertise: Engineering Physics
Vinay Yarlagadda
Part Time Contract Faculty

Brampton campus
Vinay had 7 years of experience as a full stack developer on .NET Stack. His experience ranges from Video Games Industry to Steel Manufacturing Industry since 2010. He is a PMI certified Project Management Professional and is currently heading Sales and Marketing for a Salesforce Partner, WestSpark. He holds an International MBA from Schulich School of Business and enjoys teaching.
Dr. Khalil Abuosba
Part Time Contract Faculty

khalil.abuosba@algomau.ca
Cellphone No.: 647-962-7942
Credentials: Ph.D. (Computer Information Systems), M.S. (Computer Science), B.Sc. (Industrial Technology)
Area of Expertise: artificial intelligence, knowledge representation and reasoning, information systems, quantitative methods, distributed systems security, and management science.
Current Research:
– Secure Software Design Patterns.
– Knowledge Representation Design Patterns.
Credentials by Institution:
Credentials: Ph.D. (Arab Academy for Management, Banking and Financial Sciences), M.S. (Jackson State University), B.Sc. (Jackson State University)
Klaus Peltsch
Part Time Contract Faculty

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
klaus.peltsch@algomau.ca
Telephone: 705-949-2301, ext. 4255
Office: WW 105
Credentials: BMath(hons) Waterloo, Msc Waterloo, MBA Lake Superior State
Areas of Expertise: Information Technology, Systems Analysis and Design, Software Engineering, Operating Systems, Architecture, Physics and Astronomy
Years Teaching: 1983 – present
Anthony Pagnotta
Part-Time Contract Faculty

Sault Ste. Marie Campus
Email: anthony.pagnotta@algomau.ca
Credentials: BCOSC (Hons) (Algoma/Laurentian University), MSc (University of Western Ontario)
Areas of Expertise: Cloud Computing, Quality Assurance and Release Management, Agile Software Development
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“Algoma University did a great job of preparing me for grad school. Since the Computer Science department offers an undergraduate thesis option (not all schools do), I was able to gain research and thesis writing experience that have been extremely valuable to me in grad school. Actually, in completing my undergraduate thesis, I realized that I love research. I might not have chosen the path of graduate studies otherwise.”
Sarah D’Ettore
BSc, MSc