Combined Major in Business and Computer Science
Interested in applying to the Combined Major in Business and Computer Science (BUCS)?
The 2022 Winter Session application to the Combined Major in Business and Computer Science (BUCS) is now closed. The 2023 Winter Session application will open on May 1, 2023 to current and newly admitted BCom students. Students hoping to transfer to Year 2 or Year 3 of the BUCS program should make every effort to complete CPSC 110, 121, 210 and/or MATH 101/105 before applying. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed these courses by May 1, 2023.
The BCom Combined Major in Business and Computer Science is a specialization program within the larger Bachelor of Commerce Major. Also referred to as BUCS, this program will give you the technical background and understanding you need to apply IT solutions in a business context and use them to develop opportunities for growth.
Program requirements
Your specific degree requirements will depend on when you were admitted. Be sure to refer to the correct requirements that apply to you by selecting the session in which you entered the program. Keep in mind that you have six years to finish your requirements from the date that you were first admitted to the BCom program.
To see your program requirements, select the tab with the year level and session that you entered the programYour specific degree requirements will depend on when you were admitted. Be sure to refer to the correct requirements that apply to you by selecting the year level and session in which you entered the program. Keep in mind that you have six years to finish your degree requirements from the date that you were first admitted to the BCom program. |
- Year 1 entry in 2022W and onwards
- Year 1 entry in 2021W or earlier
Year 1 entry in 2022W and onwards
The following requirements apply to students who:
- entered directly to Year 1 of the BUCS program in 2022 and onwards.
- transferred to Year 2 of the BUCS program in 2023 and onwards.
Jump to: Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4
| Year 1 | ||
All of the following courses: | ||
| COMM 1011 | Business Fundamentals | 3 |
| COMM 105 | Values, Ethics, and Community | 3 |
| COMM 1922 | Management and Organizational Behaviour | 3 |
| COMM 1963 | Business Communications I | 3 |
| CPSC 110 | Computation, Programs, and Programming | 4 |
| CPSC 121 | Models of Computation | 4 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MATH 1004 | Differential Calculus with Applications | 3 |
| MATH 1015 | Integral Calculus with Applications | 3 |
| Total credits | 32 | |
1 If you are transferring to Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, you are not required to take COMM 101. In lieu of these credits, you will take three credits of Commerce or non-Commerce electives at any level.2 For students transferring into Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, acceptable alternatives to COMM 192 include COMR 329.3 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in COMM 196.4 Acceptable alternatives are MATH 104/184, MATH 110, MATH 120 or MATH 180. Students planning to specialize in Economics or Computer Science must take MATH 100 and 101 (or equivalents). Students should make themselves aware of elective courses for which MATH 100 and 101 are prerequisites and plan accordingly.5 Acceptable alternatives to MATH 101 are MATH 103 or MATH 105. Students planning to specialize in Economics or Computer Science must take MATH 100 and 101 (or equivalents). Students should make themselves aware of elective courses for which MATH 100 and 101 are prerequisites and plan accordingly. | ||
Continuation in the BCom program
A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades.
If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.
Promotion to Year 2
You will be promoted to Year 2 if you have met all of the following requirements:
- successful completion of 24 credits including:
- all of COMM 101, COMM 105, ECON 101, ECON 102, MATH 100 (or accepted Math equivalent), and CPSC 110, and
- at least one6 of COMM 192, COMM 1967, CPSC 121
6 While a minimum of one of COMM 192, COMM 196, CPSC 121 are required for promotion to Year 2, all three courses must be completed to be eligible for promotion to Year 3. All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.
7 If you have not successfully completed COMM 196 in Year 1, you must complete it in Year 2. A minimum grade of 60% in the course is required to fulfill this requirement, however, a passing grade of 50% or greater may be used for the purpose of promotion to Year 2. In such cases, COMM 196 must be retaken to achieve a grade of 60% or greater.
| Year 2 | ||
All of the following COMM and CPSC courses: | ||
| COMM 190 | Introduction to Quantitative Decision Analysis | 3 |
| COMM 1918 | Application of Statistics in Business | 3 |
| COMM 202 | Career Fundamentals | 1 |
| COMM 205 | Introduction to Management Information Systems | 3 |
| COMM 293 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| COMM 294 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| COMM 2959 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| COMM 298 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| CPSC 210 | Software Construction | 4 |
| CPSC 213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 4 |
| CPSC 221 | Basic Algorithms and Data Structures | 4 |
| Total credits | 34 | |
8 For students transferring into Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, an acceptable alternative to COMM 191 include UBC STAT 200.9 You may take ECON 301 and ECON 303 (both must be completed) instead of COMM 295 to fulfill this requirement. Six credits will apply to your electives requirement. | ||
Continuation in the BCom program
A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades.
If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.
Promotion to Year 3
You will be promoted to Year 3 if you have met all of the following requirements:
- successful completion of 51 credits of the first and second year BUCS program including:
- all Year 1 required courses, and
- all of COMM 190, COMM 202, COMM 205, and CPSC 210
| Year 3 | ||
All of the following COMM and CPSC courses: | ||
| COMM 203 | Managing the Employee Relationship | 3 |
| COMM 296 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| COMM 39610 | Business Communications II | 3 |
| COMM 438 | Management of Information Systems | 3 |
| CPSC 30411 | Introduction to Relational Databases | 3 |
| CPSC 310 | Introduction of Software Engineering | 4 |
| CPSC 32012 | Intermediate Algorithm Design and Analysis | 3 |
| One of COMM 204 and COMM 39313: | ||
| COMM 204 | Logistics and Operations Management | 3 |
| COMM 393 | Commercial Law | 3 |
One of the following CPSC courses: | ||
| CPSC 313 | Computer Hardware and Operating Systems | 3 |
| CPSC 317 | Internet Computing | 3 |
| CPSC 319 | Software Engineering | 4 |
| CPSC 322 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CPSC 330 | Applied Machine Learning | 3 |
| CPSC 344 | Introduction to Human Computer Interaction Methods | 3 |
| Three credits of electives14 | 3 | |
Total credits | 31/32 | |
10 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in COMM 396.11 Credit will be granted for only one of COMM 437, COEC 437, or CPSC 304. BUCS students must complete CPSC 304.12 Although CPSC 320 is a Year 3 requirement, we recommend that you take the course in Year 4 and instead take COMM 335 in Year 3; COMM 335 is a prerequisite to many of the optional Business Technology Management courses you can choose from to fulfill other Year 4 requirements.13 Remaining course taken in Year 4.14 BUCS students may complete both COMM and non-COMM electives at any level to meet this requirement. Please see the electives page for specific elective restrictions. | ||
Continuation in the BCom program
A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. If you participate in a study abroad and exchange program during the winter session, grades earned on exchange will be included in the calculation.
If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.
Promotion to Year 4
You will be promoted to Year 4 if you have met all of the following requirements:
- successful completion of 82 credits including:
- all Year 1 and Year 2 required courses
- at least one15 of CPSC 304, CPSC 310
- all of COMM 203, COMM 296
- at least two15 of COMM 204, COMM 393, COMM 39616.
15 While a minimum of two of COMM 204, COMM 393, COMM 396 are required for promotion to Year 4, all courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements. All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.
16 A minimum grade of 60% in COMM 396 is required.
| Year 4 | ||
| All of the following COMM courses: | ||
| COMM 33517 | Information Systems Technology and Development | 3 |
| COMM 394 | Environment, Society, and Government | 3 |
| COMM 400 | Capstone Experience | 1 |
| COMM 436 | Information Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| COMM 491 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| One of COMM 204 and COMM 39318: | ||
| COMM 204 | Logistics and Operations Management | 3 |
| COMM 393 | Commercial Law | 3 |
| One of the following COMM courses: | ||
| COMM 336 | Introduction to Digital Business | 3 |
| COMM 435 | CIO Strategies | 3 |
| COMM 439 | Business Telecommunications | 3 |
| COMM 456 | Information Technology, Risks, Protection, and Audit | 3 |
| COMM 400-level19 | Business Technology Management course (400-level) | 3 |
Three credits from 300-level or above CPSC courses20 | 3 | |
Six credits from 400-level or above CPSC courses20 | 6 | |
| Three credits of electives21 | 3 | |
| Total credits | 31 | |
17 Although COMM 335 is a Year 4 requirement, we recommend that you take the course in Year 3 and instead take CPSC 320 in Year 4; COMM 335 is a prerequisite to many of the optional Business Technology Management courses you can choose from to fulfill other Year 4 requirements.18 Choose course not taken in Year 3.19 Excludes COMM 437. See list of Business Technology Management courses available to fulfill this requirement.20 CPSC student directed seminars (CPSC 490) cannot be used to satisfy the CPSC 300 and 400-level course requirements.21 BUCS students may complete both COMM and non-COMM electives at any level to meet this requirement. Please see the electives page for specific elective restrictions. | ||
Graduation
Once you have fulfilled your BCom degree requirements, it’s time to apply to graduate. Note that if you achieve a winter session average below 60% in your final year, you will be permitted to graduate, however, a notation of ‘Failed Year’ will appear on your academic transcript for that session.
Continuation in the BCom program
If you have not completed all of your requirements for graduation, you may still continue in the next winter session, remaining in Year 4, provided your winter session average is greater than or equal to 60% on all courses attempted from September to April. You must achieve the minimum 60% continuation requirement by the end of the current winter session in April. When planning your studies, keep in mind that you must complete all of your degree requirements within six years of entering the program to be conferred a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC.
Year 1 entry in 2021W or earlier
The following requirements apply to students who:
- entered directly to Year 1 of the BUCS program in 2021 or earlier
- transferred to Year 2 of the BUCS program in 2022 or earlier.
Jump to: Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4
Note that required CPSC courses may not be taken for Credit/D/Fail.
| Year 1 | ||
| All of the following courses: | ||
| COMM 1011 | Business Fundamentals | 3 |
| COMM 186E2 | Values, Ethics, and Community | 3 |
| COMM 292 | Management and Organizational Behaviour | 3 |
| CPSC 110 | Computation, Programs, and Programming | 4 |
| CPSC 121 | Models of Computation | 4 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MATH 1043 | Differential Calculus with Applications to Commerce and Social Sciences | 3 |
| MATH 1054 | Integral Calculus with Applications to Commerce and Social Sciences | 3 |
| WRDS 150B5 | Writing and Research in the Disciplines | 3 |
| Total credits | 32 | |
1 If you are transferring to Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, you are not required to take COMM 101. In lieu of these credits, you will take three credits of Commerce or non-Commerce electives at any level.2 COMM 186E has been approved by the UBC Sauder School of Business as a new requirement for the Bachelor of Commerce degree. It is currently pending UBC Senate approval for addition to the curriculum in 2022W. The course will count toward Commerce elective requirements in 2021W.3 All BCom students in 2021W will take MATH 104 regardless of whether or not they completed Calculus 12 (or an equivalent course) in secondary school. The Mathematics Department has adjusted delivery of MATH 104 such that students without any previous instruction in Calculus will have the same opportunity for review and tutorial support from instructors and teaching assistants in small, synchronous activities as they traditionally would in the equivalent MATH 184 course.4 Acceptable equivalents to MATH 105 include MATH 101 and MATH 103.5 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in your first year writing course. ENGL 120, ENGL 121, and ENGL 112 (as of 2020W, ENGL 112 is no longer offered at UBC) can also be used to satisfy this requirement. | ||
Continuation in the BCom program
A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades.
If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.
Promotion to Year 2
You will be promoted to Year 2 if you have met all of the following requirements:
- successful completion of 24 credits including:
- all of COMM 101, ECON 101, ECON 102, MATH 104 (or accepted Math equivalent), and CPSC 110
- at least one6 of WRDS 150B (or accepted English equivalent)7, COMM 292, CPSC 121
6 While a minimum of one of COMM 292, WRDS 150B, CPSC 121 are required for promotion to Year 2, all three courses must be completed to be eligible for promotion to Year 3. All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.
7 If you have not successfully completed WRDS 150B in Year 1, you must complete it in Year 2. A minimum grade of 60% in the course is required to fulfill this requirement, however, a passing grade of 50% or greater may be used for the purpose of promotion to Year 2. In such cases, WRDS 150B must be retaken to achieve a grade of 60% or greater.
Note that required CPSC courses may not be taken for Credit/D/Fail.
| Year 2 | ||
| All of the following COMM and CPSC courses: | ||
| COMM 202 | Career Fundamentals | 1 |
| COMM 205 | Introduction to Management Information Systems | 3 |
| COMM 290 | Introduction to Quantitative Decision Analysis | 3 |
| COMM 291 | Application of Statistics in Business | 3 |
| COMM 293 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| COMM 294 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| COMM 2958 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| COMM 298 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| CPSC 210 | Software Construction | 4 |
| CPSC 213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 4 |
| CPSC 221 | Basic Algorithms and Data Structures | 4 |
| Total credits | 34 | |
8 You may take ECON 301 and ECON 303 (both must be completed) instead of COMM 295 to fulfill this requirement. Three of the six credits will apply to your non-Commerce electives requirement. | ||
Continuation in the BCom program
A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades.
If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.
Promotion to Year 3
You will be promoted to Year 3 if you have met all of the following requirements:
- successful completion of 50 credits of the first and second year BUCS program including:
- all required courses from first year
- COMM 205, COMM 290, and CPSC 210
Note that required CPSC courses may not be taken for Credit/D/Fail.
| Year 3 | ||
| All of the following COMM and CPSC courses: | ||
| COMM 203 | Managing the Employee Relationship | 3 |
| COMM 296 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| COMM 3909 | Business Writing | 3 |
| COMM 39410 | Environment, Society, and Government | 3 |
| COMM 438 | Management of Information Systems | 3 |
| CPSC 30411 | Introduction to Relational Databases | 3 |
| CPSC 310 | Introduction of Software Engineering | 4 |
| CPSC 32012 | Intermediate Algorithm Design and Analysis | 3 |
| One of COMM 204 and COMM 39313: | ||
| COMM 204 | Logistics and Operations Management | 3 |
| COMM 393 | Commercial Law | 3 |
| One of the following CPSC courses: | ||
| CPSC 313 | Computer Hardware and Operating Systems | 3 |
| CPSC 31714 | Internet Computing | 3 |
| CPSC 319 | Software Engineering | 4 |
| CPSC 322 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CPSC 330 | Applied Machine Learning | 3 |
| CPSC 344 | Introduction to Human Computer Interaction Methods | 3 |
| Total credits | 31/32 | |
9 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in your Business Writing course. Starting in 2023 Summer, COMM 390 Business Writing will be replaced by COMM 396 Business Communications II.10 Formerly named Government and Business. Name change effective 2021W.11 Credit will be granted for only one of COMM 437, COEC 437, or CPSC 304. BUCS students must complete CPSC 304.12 Although CPSC 320 is a Year 3 requirement, we recommend that you take the course in Year 4 and instead take COMM 335 in Year 3; COMM 335 is a prerequisite to many of the optional Business Technology Management courses you can choose from to fulfill other Year 4 requirements.13 Remaining course taken in Year 4.14 As of May 2021, credit will be granted for only one of COMM 439 or CPSC 317. | ||
Continuation in the BCom program
A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. If you participate in a study abroad and exchange program during the winter session, grades earned on exchange will be included in the calculation.
If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.
Promotion to Year 4
You will be promoted to Year 4 if you have met all of the following requirements:
- successful completion of 81 credits including:
- all required courses from first and second year
- at least one15 of CPSC 304, CPSC 310
- all of COMM 203, COMM 296
- at least two15 of COMM 204, COMM 390/396, COMM 393, COMM 395.
15 All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.
Note that required CPSC courses may not be taken for Credit/D/Fail.
| Year 4 | ||
| All of the following COMM and CPSC courses: | ||
| COMM 395 | Business Communications | 3 |
| COMM 33516 | Information Systems Technology and Development | 3 |
| COMM 436 | Information Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| One of COMM 204 and COMM 39317: | ||
| COMM 204 | Logistics and Operations Management | 3 |
| COMM 393 | Commercial Law | 3 |
| One of the following COMM courses: | ||
| COMM 336 | Introduction to Digital Business | 3 |
| COMM 43518 | CIO Strategies | 3 |
| COMM 43919 | Business Telecommunications | 3 |
| COMM 456 | Information Technology, Risks, Protection, and Audit | 3 |
| COMM 46620,21 | New Venture Design | 6 |
| One of the following capstone courses: | ||
| COMM 46621 | New Venture Design | 6 |
| COMM 48321 | Leadership and General Management | 6 |
| COMM 486M | Strategy and Integrated Decision Making | 3 |
| COMM 491 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| COMM 492 | Management Simulation | 3 |
| COMM 497 | New Enterprise Development | 3 |
| COMM 498 | International Business | 3 |
| Three credits from 300-level or above CPSC courses22 | 3 | |
| Six credits from 400-level or above CPSC courses22 | 6 | |
| Three credits of electives23 | 3 | |
| Total credits | 30 | |
16 Although COMM 335 is a Year 4 requirement, we recommend that you take the course in Year 3 and instead take CPSC 320 in Year 4; COMM 335 is a prerequisite to many of the optional Business Technology Management courses you can choose from to fulfill other Year 4 requirements.17 Choose course not taken in Year 3.18 Formerly numbered COMM 486N.19 As of May 2021, credit will be granted for only one of COMM 439 or CPSC 317.20 As COMM 466 is a six-credit course, the additional three credits may be applied toward general elective requirements, or the COMM 49x requirement (three credits equivalent to COMM 497).21 Admission to COMM 483 and COMM 466 are by application only. Three of the six credits from COMM 483 or COMM 466 may be used to satisfy the capstone requirement. Note, you may receive credit for only one of COMM 466 and COMM 497.22 CPSC student directed seminars (CPSC 490) cannot be used to satisfy the CPSC 300 and 400-level course requirements.23 See electives page for restrictions. | ||
Graduation
Once you have fulfilled your BCom degree requirements, it’s time to apply to graduate. Note that if you achieve a winter session average below 60% in your final year, you will be permitted to graduate, however, a notation of ‘Failed Year’ will appear on your academic transcript for that session.
Continuation in the BCom program
If you have not completed all of your requirements for graduation, you may still continue in the next winter session, remaining in Year 4, provided your winter session average is greater than or equal to 60% on all courses attempted from September to April. You must achieve the minimum 60% continuation requirement by the end of the current winter session in April. When planning your studies, keep in mind that you must complete all of your degree requirements within six years of entering the program to be conferred a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC.