Syntax, systems and specializations: Inside Computer Science with Coordinator El Sayed Mahmoud

Launched in 2021, Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Computer Science degree provides a unique blend of theoretical and hands-on training that includes specialized courses in emerging fields. 

Students are exposed to cloud computing, data analytics, data engineering and game engineering in their first year of studies, then choose which area to specialize in during their final three years of the program. Courses in those specializations teach niche skills that aren’t taught in traditional diploma and degree programs.

We recently sat down with Honours Bachelor of Computer Science coordinator El Sayed Mahmoud to learn more about the program, why it was built to include specializations, how it prepares graduates for industry and more.

What is the biggest thing that sets Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Computer Science degree apart from similar postsecondary programs?

When Sheridan began planning this program in 2015, we conducted a survey of many universities across the world to determine the best architecture. That survey showed us that it was important to provide a common foundation of courses that prepare students to work in the industry as software developers or software engineers, similar to computer science programs at other institutions.

But that survey also showed us that we needed to have a flexible or adaptive component — here at Sheridan, we call it a specialization — that allows students to explore their strengths and find the career that they love through a deeper understanding and skillset required to work in a specific area of computer science. Examples of these areas include artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing, data engineering, mobile computing and cybersecurity.

What is so unique about the specializations offered by Sheridan's program?

Most computer science bachelor's degree programs will have one course or two courses in these areas of specialization. At Sheridan, we have eight courses for each specialization, from introductory to intermediate to advanced skills that enable graduates to go directly into industry and meet requirements of that specific field.

The introductory courses may be introductory for the specialization, but they're still an advanced level of computer science. Each of the courses involves a project, and students also need complete an internship or co-op placement with a company and a capstone project that involves working with a domain expert. All of these experiences will help confirm that they’ve acquired the skills needed to work in this specialization.

How do I know which specialization is best for me?

The first year of this program is a common year, teaching core concepts of computer science in general. It also includes a course called Computer Science as a Field of Work and Study, which is designed to help you identify your strengths and interests by exposing you to projects that represent different areas of computer science.

“Because the first year includes project-based learning, you'll be able to explore and investigate what it looks like to be a data analyst or date engineer or game developer.”

Some areas of computer science are more artistic, like user interfaces and mobile, and others are more technical, like software engineering and cloud computing and data science. Because the first year includes project-based learning, you'll be able to explore and investigate what it looks like to be a data analyst or data engineer or game developer. This will help you make a well-informed decision about what you might want to do for the rest of your career.

Will I be able to change specializations after I start the program? If I do change specializations midway through the program, is it hard to catch up?

The program's architecture is designed to provide maximum flexibility so that you can shape the program in a way that fits you best as an individual. That includes being able to switch specializations after one year without needing to take any extra courses.

In fact, because there are only two specialization courses in the second year, you can even switch specializations after your second year and only have to take two additional courses to catch up.

Am I able to enter Year 2 or Year 3 of the program if I have previous computer science education?

Yes, our program recognizes prior levels of education. If you have completed one year of computer science in any accredited institution, regardless of if it's here in Canada or anywhere else in the world, you can start here in second year. If you have completed two years somewhere else, you can come into our program in the third year.

Students must spend at least two years here at Sheridan to get our degree, but there's great opportunity for students who earned a diploma somewhere else to be recognized for their prior education and come in at a higher entry point.

How much hands-on learning is involved in this program and why are those experiences so valuable?

A big feature of our program is the number of hands-on experiences. Every concept we present in class is reinforced by something deliverable or practical.

Our program is guided by a Professional Advisory Council that is filled with CEOs from across Canada. Their recommendations are why we made it mandatory for all students to complete a four-month internship with an industry partner, and also why we allow you to extend your co-op placement to eight or even 16 months depending on what opportunities are in the industry.

In your fourth year, you'll choose between a capstone project or a thesis. These projects are modern, useful and helpful to society, and we only approve them if you're able to demonstrate a unique innovation or a gap that you're addressing. Past capstones in this program have supported local fire departments, healthcare, business and real estate.

Are courses about artificial intelligence — particularly generative AI — included in this program?

Here at Sheridan, we are training our students to become AI-supported workers who will lead the next phase of the world in computer science.

“(Industry is) looking for efficiency, for more productive developers, and this will not happen without an understanding of generative AI.”

By building this program with so many separate components, it's easier for us to continually update our curriculum, and the most recent updates we made were to involve generative AI in the learning outcomes. Based on our conversations with industry, they are looking for efficiency, for more productive developers, and this will not happen without an understanding of generative AI. In fact, Sheridan has built a complete set of guidelines on how to use generative AI responsibly as a tool to increase efficiency and productivity.

While AI can increase efficiency and production, it will not completely replace human beings. For example, think about the autopilot. Why have we not seen an airplane fly alone? We still need a pilot to be there, even if we have the autopilot assisting them.

Will this degree qualify me to work in computer science anywhere in the world? What other options might I have after completing this program?

Computer science is generally a global science. Our degree is built to meet standards provided by various organizations throughout the world, and we also meet the requirement of higher education organizations in Canada.

Since this is an honours degree, you can apply to graduate studies at a broad range of institutions in Canada and internationally. In fact, we recently signed an agreement with Algoma University that enables our graduates to go directly into their Master of Computer Science without taking additional courses.

Due to the high pace of change in computer science, we've also designed this program to build skillsets in critical thinking and problem solving. This way, graduates will know how to continue to upgrade their knowledge independently without needing further education.

Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Computer Science develops fundamental skills and concepts that are applicable in all areas of computer science while also offering specialized courses in cloud computing, data analytics, data engineering and game engineering. The Post-Graduate Work Permit-eligible program includes opportunities for internships and paid co-op placements, and fourth-year students can choose between a capstone or thesis research project.