The combined Computer Science/JD program is administered on behalf of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Law by the two Program Directors, one of whom is appointed by the Department of Computer Science and the other by the Faculty of Law. The combined program allows students to complete both the JD and BSc Honors Specialization in Computer Science degrees in six academic years instead of the seven years required if the degrees were taken separately.

Successful applicants to the combined program will enter first-year Law after completing three years of Computer Science at Western. After one year in the Faculty of Law, students in the combined program will take a combination of Computer Science and Law courses in Years Five and Six.

Admission to the Combined Program
Students applying to the combined program will apply in the third year of Computer Science to the Undergraduate Chair of Computer Science. A separate application must also be submitted to the Faculty of Law in accordance with the submission deadlines advertised in The University of Western Ontario Academic Calendar, indicating the student's intention to pursue the combined program. To be eligible for the combined program, students must have a cumulative, weighted average of 80% or stand in the top 10% of their class in the first three years of Computer Science. In addition, candidates must meet the minimum LSAT requirement established by the Law School's Admissions Committee.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a position in the combined program.

Structure of the Program
In Years One, Two and Three, students are registered in the Faculty of Science. In Years Four, Five and Six, students are registered in the combined program. In Year Four, students will take Law courses only. In Years Five and Six, students will take a combination of approved Computer Science and Law courses. Upon completion of the combined program, students will receive both a BSc Honors Specialization in Computer Science and a JD.

Year One
Principal Courses:

Subsidiary Courses:

Years Two and Three
Students must take 10.0 courses:

Note: Students who wish to pursue the Software Engineering Minor or the Game Development Minor must obtain Special Permission from the Program Directors.

Year Four
Students must take first-year Law. No courses outside of Law may be taken during this year.

Years Five and Six
Students will take, as approved, required and elective courses from both the Faculty of Law and the Department of Computer Science. Students must take:

Progression Requirements
In Years One to Three, students must meet the progression requirements of the Department of Computer Science. Once admitted to the combined program, students must obtain a B average in their Law courses and a 75% average in their Computer Science courses.

A student who fails to meet the combined program progression standards in any year must withdraw from the combined program. However, if that student has met the progression standards of either the Computer Science or JD program, he or she will be allowed to proceed to the next year of that program. If that student has satisfied the progression standards of both individual programs, he or she may continue in either program and may petition the Faculty whose program was not selected for permission to complete that program at a later date.

A student who is required to withdraw from the combined program and continues with either or both of the individual programs must complete all the degree requirements of the individual program or programs in order to graduate from that program or those programs.

Breadth and Essay Requirements
Students enrolled in this program are required to complete the normal breadth and essay requirements for an Honors Specialization in Computer Science. These requirements, however, are largely satisfied through the completion of the courses above, depending on choice of non-required courses. Students should consult the Department of Computer Science to ensure completion of breadth and essay requirements.

Exchange Programs
Students enrolled in the combined program may be eligible in Years Five or Six for an exchange program offered only through the Faculty of Law. This will require advanced planning with both Faculties.

Dean's Honor List
Students are considered for the Dean's Honor List in their home faculty in Years One, Two and Three. In Year Four, they are considered for the Dean's Honor List in the Faculty of Law. A student who takes Law courses totaling at least 12 credit hours in each of Years Five and Six of the program is considered for the Dean's Honor List in the Faculty of Law in each of those years on the basis of those courses. Dean's Honor List eligibility for Computer Science in Years Five and Six will be determined by the Faculty of Science.

Graduation with Distinction
Eligibility to graduate with distinction for each degree is determined by each Faculty.

Gold Medal
Students in the combined program are eligible to be considered for the Gold Medal in either or both degree programs, along with other eligible graduating students in those programs, as determined by the requirements in each Faculty.

Fees
Tuition fees for the combined programs are set by the University. Contact the Office of the Registrar, Western Student Services Building, Room 1120 (519) 661-2100, or at www.registrar.uwo.ca for details.

 

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