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Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science

UVic’s Department of Computer Science Announces Sweeping Curriculum Overhaul to Prepare Students for an AI-Driven Future

May 12, 2026

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Victoria is launching a comprehensive revision of its undergraduate curriculum—the most significant update to the program in recent memory. The changes, developed over an extended period of deliberate planning and broad consultation, are designed to ensure UVic Computer Science graduates are equipped not just to work alongside artificial intelligence, but to shape its future responsibly.

We are living in an era of unprecedented technological transformation. The rapid advancement of computing technology, particularly the emergence of sophisticated artificial intelligence, is profoundly reshaping the global job market and the fabric of our daily lives. These changing times present a unique challenge for computer science education: how do we best prepare the next generation of innovators to not only adapt to these shifts, but to lead them responsibly?

The revised curriculum reflects a proactive, innovative approach to modern computer science, built around several key enhancements:

  • A Graduated Integration of AI: Rather than isolating AI into a single track, we are thoughtfully weaving it throughout the degree. Students will begin with foundational concepts in their early years, gradually transitioning to full, complex AI integration by their fourth year.
  • Prioritizing Ethics Early: To ensure that our students possess the social sophistication to match their technical sophistication, we are introducing a required ethics course in the second term of the first year. This foundational course will equip students to navigate the moral and societal implications of the technologies they build.
  • Streamlined Third-Year Core: We are transitioning the third year to a new 7 of 9 course model. Students will have the flexibility to choose seven courses from a curated list of nine core offerings. This not only provides greater personalization for the student but also allows the department to guarantee that all nine courses will be offered at least once per term, easing scheduling bottlenecks.
  • Elevated AI Offerings: By moving our Introductory AI course to the third year, we ensure students approach the topic with a stronger foundation in core computer science principles. This shift creates the necessary space to offer more sophisticated, advanced courses in AI and Machine Learning during their fourth year.
  • Interdisciplinary Reach: We remain deeply committed to our interdisciplinary degrees. The revised curriculum enhances students’ ability to explore how AI-powered computer science can inform, accelerate, and revolutionize fields such as art, music, geography, health, and mathematics.

Read the full article here.

We recognize that curriculum changes require careful academic planning. Please note the following details regarding the transition:

  • Current Students: All students registered prior to Fall 2026 have the option to graduate under either the previous program or the newly revised curriculum. By default, existing students will remain in the pre-Fall 2026 program. If you are a current student interested in switching to the new program, please schedule an appointment to speak with an academic advisor.
  • Incoming Students: Students entering the department on or after Fall 2026 will be automatically enrolled in the new program. We encourage new students with questions to reach out to an academic advisor or attend our upcoming departmental information session.
  • Parents and Families: We value your partnership in your student’s education. Parents of incoming students are warmly encouraged to join one of our parent outreach sessions, which will be held in person at the start of the term and virtually via Zoom.

This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our academic community. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Celina Berg for her exceptional leadership in chairing this effort. We also thank the members of the curriculum review committee, as well as all the faculty, staff, and students who generously contributed their time, insights, and feedback throughout the review process.

The new curriculum takes effect for incoming students beginning Fall 2026. The department expresses deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to this process, and remains incredibly optimistic about the future of the program, the trajectory of the discipline, and the remarkable things its students will achieve.

— Kevin Stanley, Chair, Department of Computer Science, University of Victoria