Frequently Asked Questions

Student Information System (SIS) and enrollment

When can I apply for internal transfer to the CS programs?

You can apply for internal transfer to our program anytime after completion of 3 qualifying courses. See our SFU Student Transfer for more information.

What's the benefit of being a DECLARED Honors/Major/Minor student?

You will have access to enroll in upper-division courses via the SIS in upcoming terms. All upper division CMPT courses are restricted to students in an approved computing program for the first four weeks of enrollment. Also, the term of declaration dictates your graduation requirements. If the School changes degree requirements after you have declared your Hon/Maj/Min, you will be exempt from these future changes.

When should I see an advisor about graduation?

If you expect to be graduating in the next 2-3 terms, you are strongly recommended to meet with a CS advisor to review graduation requirements. Login to the SIS to print your unofficial advising transcript, and bring this with you when you come in for the graduation check.

How do I apply to graduate?

Application is done through the Student Information System. There are two graduation ceremonies per year, in June (Summer) and October (Fall). When you enroll in your last term, you will need to log on to the Student Information System and apply to graduate.

Please be sure to check the convocation pages for application deadlines and information on how to apply.

If I've completed all the courses I need for my CMPT major, can I graduate?

Although you may have satisfied the requirements for CMPT, you also need to satisfy the University unit hour requirement. The University requires that a student complete a minimum of 120 units (132 for the Honors degree) of which 45 (60 for Honors) must be upper division.

NOTE: You may wish to see an advisor to discuss your course schedule in your last term.

Can I use any of my CMPT units towards my Math Minor?

Lower Division Courses: Can be used to satisfy both Computing, Math, and combined Computing/Math degrees.

Those students who wish to earn a BSc degree from the Faculty of Applied Sciences will be completing MACM 316 and two additional courses that MAY be Math courses from Table III, located on the CS Major Graduation Form. These (3) courses may NOT be double-counted. Speak to an advisor about how the courses will be distributed between the major and minor.

Can I take upper level courses at the same time as I'm fulfilling my lower division requirements?

Yes, as long as you are an approved CMPT Major/Minor and you meet the course prerequisites. We do however recommend that students complete all of their lower division course work before attempting upper division course

I’d like to find a tutor for one of my CMPT, MACM, MATH classes, where can I find one?

A list of tutors is available from the CS Advisors each term. A number of MATH classes have open labs where students can simply drop in for help. See the Math department for more information on which classes are serviced by these labs.

Alternatively, many tutors post ads around campus.

What are WQB requirements and how do I know whether they apply to me?

WQB refers to Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth requirements. These requirements were put into place to ensure that all SFU students are exposed to a variety of topics and subject matter from different disciplines.

• SFU requires that all students admitted to SFU in Fall 2006 (1067) or subsequent terms complete the WQB requirements. Please refer to the WQB pages for complete WQB graduation requirements.
• Note: The upper division writing requirement must be met by taking CMPT 376 (W). Joint major students may have the option of taking an alternative course. Please refer to graduation plans for your program or speak with an advisor.
• WQB requirements do NOT apply to students admitted to SFU prior to Fall 2006 (1067). This also applies to students admitted to computing programs after Fall 2006 (1067) but who entered SFU prior to Fall 2006 (1067). Such students admitted to the Major, Honors, or Specialist Major (Multimedia & Software Eng) should speak to an advisor to ensure that they meet graduation requirements.

I’m not sure when I was admitted to SFU or CS, how can I find out?

Login to the SIS & look at your unofficial advising transcript. See the image below:

This particular student was admitted in 1061, which refers to Spring 2006. The middle 2 digits of the 4 digit code refer to the year of admission and the last digit refers to the term of admission (1 = Spring, 4 = Summer, 7 = Fall). So, for example, 1087 would refer to Fall 2008 while 1074 would refer to Summer of 2007.

Where can I find a list of courses that qualify as Writing (W), Breadth (B-Sci, B-Soc, B-Hum), or Quantitative (Q)?

You will find a complete list of all courses accepted as W, Breadth, and Q here.

I’m a second degree student. Do WQB requirements apply to me?

Second degree students admitted to SFU after fall 2006 are only required to complete one lower or upper division Quantitative (Q) course and complete CMPT 376 (W).

How/What can I appeal?

• Waive requirements (such as the number of credits needed to enter a course), or
• Appeal a Grade. Note — The first step in a grade appeal is to contact your course instructor about your concerns. If following this meeting, your concerns are still unresolved, you may file an appeal. You MUST give specific reasons why you feel you deserve a higher grade. Please READ the university policy found here BEFORE applying.

Please note the following:

• For appeals concerning Transfer Credits please submit detailed course outline(s) and a copy of calendar description(s) to the Student Services office who will then initiate re-evaluation procedures.
• For appeals concerning decisions made on applications for Withdrawals under Extenuating Circumstances (WE), please visit the Student Services General Enquiries Counter, MBC 3000. You may also refer to the Student Services page for more information on appealing a decision.
• For appeals concerning Academic Dishonesty(plagiarism), the first step is to contact your instructor. If following this meeting your concerns are unresolved, you may refer your case to the Tribunal of the University Board on Student Discipline (UBSD) in writing, stating reasons, within three weeks of the date of notification by the instructor or department Chair. The Office of Student Services Secretariat Services is available to discuss procedural issues. Students may also consult the Ombuds Office (room: 2205 Maggie Benson Student Services Center; email: ombudsoffice@sfu.ca). Please READ the university policy found here BEFORE applying.

The appeal form can be found here. Completed appeal forms must be attached to a copy of your unofficial advising transcript (which can be obtained from the SIS) and returned to the CS main office (on the Burnaby campus in room ASB 9971 or on the Surrey campus in room 4100, Galleria level 4).

Are there courses I can substitute for MATH 151?

Yes, MATH 150 can be substituted. MATH 150 is a 4 unit course that assumes students have no previous calculus experience.

MATH 154 or MATH 157 can also be substituted for MATH 151 but only as long as a grade of B+ or better is obtained

Are there courses I can substitute for MATH 152?

Yes, MATH 155 or MATH 158 can be substituted for MATH 152 as long as a grade of B+ or better is obtained.

What if I get a grade below B+ in my substitute courses for MATH 151 or MATH 152?

You will then need to repeat your substituted course. So, if you took MATH 157 in your first attempt, you will need to repeat MATH 157 in order to achieve a grade of B+ or higher. You will not be able to take MATH 151 for credit after taking either MATH 150, MATH 154 or MATH 157. Similarly, you will not be able to take MATH 152 for credit after taking either MATH 155 or MATH 158.

Are there courses I can substitute for STAT 270?

Students (except Software Systems majors) may substitute BUEC 232. If you are planning on taking CMPT 305, then you will need to take STAT 270, otherwise, either course will be accepted.

Software Systems students can substitute STAT 101. If you would like to take CMPT 305 as an elective, then you should take STAT 270.

Repeats: If you take STAT 270 and wish to repeat it, take STAT 270 again. If you take BUEC 232 and wish to repeat it, take BUEC 232 again.

I can't get to see my Teaching Assistant during his/her office hours!

TAs are only available in their lab during their appointed hours. TA office hours are established by the course instructor and announced in class. If you can't make the TA's posted hours, talk to the instructor/TA.

Can I ask my TA to fix my program/problems for me?

TAs are there to help students with their coursework, not do it for them. A TA should offer suggestions on what you can do to solve the problem yourself.

I can't understand the instructor/TA!

We encourage students to voice their concerns directly to the course instructor (or TA). If you're uncomfortable doing this, then you should meet with an advisor and discuss the situation.

I e-mailed (or telephoned) an advisor but have not received any response....

The advisors receive over a hundred e-mail messages and many telephone calls each week. As well, in-person advising is usually available for at least four hours per day. If you don't get a reply, and can't see the advisor in person, then send your request again after a reasonable amount of time has passed. Be sure to provide your student number in all e-mail correspondence! You may also follow up on your email by contacting the advising office by telephone at 778-782-9256 (Burnaby) or 778-782-8111 (Surrey).