Computer Science (M.S.)

About

The M.S. degree is a program of graduate study that provides students with intensive preparation for advanced work and leadership in a variety of fields in computing. Helping students without computer science experience enter careers in technology โ€“ The University of Maine accepts qualified students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer science by providing them with a track to join the mainstream graduate program within one year of being admitted.  Students are expected to have had at least one university-level programming course (with a minimum grade of B or better) when applying. The Master of Science student will explore topics in computer science more deeply than before, extending their undergraduate education and acquiring skills and expertise to further their careers.  Their studies will be conducted under the direction of a faculty advisor who will help guide the student.  An M.S. student can finish their studies by preparing and defending a Masterโ€™s thesis, completing an applied Masterโ€™s project, or pursuing a course-only option.  If the student chooses to write a Masterโ€™s thesis they will work closely with other faculty on their three-member M.S. Advisory Committee. 

Program Highlights

  • Small classes and lots of interaction with faculty

Requirements

  • Professional Communications in Computer Science (public speaking, professional writing, online resource development). These will be offered as two one-credit courses. (2 hours)  (SIE 501, SIE 502)
  • Research Ethics (one credit hour seminar). (1 hour) (INT 601)
  • One graduate-level Computer Science Theory course. (3 hours) 
  • Three graduate-level Computer Science breadth courses were selected from four Breadth categories (at least three categories must be selected). (9 hours) AI, Systems, Data and Information, Applications 
  • Two COS course electives (6 credit hours).  This requirement represents formal COS or COS cross-listed courses at the 500 level or above and cannot be satisfied with research credits or independent study
  • One additional elective course (3 credit hours) approved by the M.S. Advisory Committee, not limited to computer science, however, the course must be at the 400 level or above and cannot be satisfied with research credits or independent study

An M.S. thesis is usually a research effort executed under six (6) thesis research credit hours of COS 699. OR An applied M.S. project executed under three (3) project credit hours of COS 599 and a COS course elective (3 credit hours) of a formal COS or COS cross-listed course at the 500 level or above (cannot be satisfied with research credits or independent study). OR A course-only option:  a COS course elective (3 credit hours) of a formal COS or COS cross-listed course at the 500 level or above (cannot be satisfied with research credits or independent study) and an elective course (3 credit hours) approved by the M.S. Advisory Committee, not limited to computer science, however, the course must be at the 400 level or above (cannot be satisfied with research credits or independent study).

Additions to the COS Graduate Curriculum

Courses without a COS designation may be added to the Computer Science (CS) graduate curriculum by the CS Graduate Faculty.  To initiate a petition, a student must submit a letter to the CS Graduate Program Coordinator requesting the course be added to the CS graduate curriculum.  The letter of request must be accompanied by the syllabus of the course in question. Additional suggested materials include a copy of a previous exam from the course, and a description of past projects and homework assignments.

The CS Graduate Program Committee will then review the petition and make its recommendation, and it can by a majority vote of the committee members bring the petition to the full Computer Science Graduate Faculty for a vote.  The CS Graduate Faculty has the final authority on these matters.  The CS Graduate Faculty can by a 2/3rds majority vote approve the requested course as partial fulfillment of the program requirements, including fulfilling the COS theory or the COS breadth (AI, Systems, Data and Information, or Applications) or the COS elective requirements.

If approved by a 2/3rds majority of the CS Graduate Faculty and unless otherwise stipulated by them, the requested course will then be accepted to fulfill one of the requirements for any student in the program as well as the petitioner.  Notice of the acceptance will be publicized via relevant documents and websites pertaining to the CS Graduate Programs.

The CS Graduate Faculty may revisit decisions about courses so approved at any time with the manner of oversight to be determined, but no such decision will invalidate any credit or fulfillment of a requirement previously obtained by a student having taken the course.

Accelerated Program

The School of Computing and Information Science, in conjunction with the University of Maine Graduate School, offers the opportunity for Computer Science majors to begin taking graduate courses during the second semester of their third year and during their final undergraduate year, double-counting up to nine (9) credits toward the BS and the MS. Enterprising students will then be able to get a non-thesis MS by staying one extra year during which they will complete the remaining 21 credits required by the MS.

Admission Process

Students must be provisionally admitted into the 4+1 non-thesis or 4+2 thesis MS programs during their junior year.  To qualify for provisional admission, students must satisfy the following requirements

  • Students have completed at least 60 but no more than 100 credit hours applicable towards graduation
  • Students have an average GPA of 3.5 or higher

In the junior year, students must submit the following materials to the Computer Science Graduate Program Coordinator by November 15

  • Undergraduate transcript (unofficial transcript is acceptable)
  • A completed application to the COS 4+1 program, including three letters of recommendation
  • A plan of study that leads to graduation within 15 months after receiving the bachelors degree (Students must work with the graduate coordinator and their undergraduate faculty advisor to develop this study plan)

The graduate committee will make decisions on provisional admission for each applicant by January 15.  The Computer Science Graduate Program Committee will forward its admission recommendation directly to the Graduate School.

In the final undergraduate year, provisionally admitted students must submit the formal application to the Graduate School (including payment of the application fee) by January 15.  While submission of GRE scores is optional for such students, the GRE is highly recommended if the students wish to be considered for assistantships or scholarships; however, because of concerns arising from the public health crisis that began in early 2020, this recommendation is currently waived for the academic years for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

Beginning in the Spring semester of the third year and continuing through their final undergraduate year, provisionally admitted students would take up to 9 credits toward the MS degree (required classes listed below).  These courses would also count towards the BS degree (joint credits satisfying the two COS electives required of the BS), but must be part of the Masterโ€™s Program of Study.

Upon graduation with a BS degree, and with satisfactory performance in courses taken as an undergraduate (defined as 3.5 cumulative GPA and no grade below โ€œBโ€ in the courses to be double-counted for the MS degree), the student may be formally matriculated into the MS program. Students who meet these requirements must matriculate in their MS program within one semester/term after receiving their BS degree in order to use the joint credits. 

To receive the degree of Master of Science in Computer Science, in years 4 and 5 the successful Computer Science 4+1 student is expected to complete any remaining requirements outlined in the UMaine Master of Science in Computer Science Curriculum.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium.
  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium.

Careers

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus.

Career Title Goes Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in.

Median Salary: $00,000

Career Title Goes Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in.

Median Salary: $00,000

Career Title Goes Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in.

Median Salary: $00,000

At a Glance

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Maine College of Engineering & Computing

School of Computing & Information Sciences


Degree Level

Master

Degree Earned

Master of Science in Computer Science

Mode of Study

In-Person

time to Complete Degree

30 credits

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Maine College of Engineering & Computing

School of Computing & Information Sciences


Degree Level

Master

Degree Earned

Master of Science in Computer Science

Mode of Study

In-Person

time to Complete Degree

30 Credits

Featured Courses

XXX 101

A really, really, really Long course title goes here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus. Integer porttitor ligula dui. Nam feugiat magna nibh. Ut id velit eu velit vehicula pharetra ut eget justo. Proin dignissim non mauris a condimentum. Vivamus semper sem sodales, elementum mi eget, pulvinar ipsum. Proin lacinia condimentum pulvinar. Praesent elit risus, aliquet at blandit a, tempor vehicula enim. Phasellus euismod sem eu lorem vulputate dignissim. Fusce commodo tempus ex, non varius.

XXX 101

A really, really, really Long course title goes here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus. Integer porttitor ligula dui. Nam feugiat magna nibh. Ut id velit eu velit vehicula pharetra ut eget justo. Proin dignissim non mauris a condimentum. Vivamus semper sem sodales, elementum mi eget, pulvinar ipsum. Proin lacinia condimentum pulvinar. Praesent elit risus, aliquet at blandit a, tempor vehicula enim. Phasellus euismod sem eu lorem vulputate dignissim. Fusce commodo tempus ex, non varius.

XXX 101

Research Learning Experience

A really, really, really Long course title goes here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut placerat quam in neque ornare faucibus. Integer porttitor ligula dui. Nam feugiat magna nibh. Ut id velit eu velit vehicula pharetra ut eget justo. Proin dignissim non mauris a condimentum. Vivamus semper sem sodales, elementum mi eget, pulvinar ipsum. Proin lacinia condimentum pulvinar. Praesent elit risus, aliquet at blandit a, tempor.

Learn More about RLE Courses

Scholarships

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus.

Learn More about Scholarships

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc pharetra orci sit amet arcu mattis pretium. Donec suscipit sapien elit, sit amet vehicula nibh semper in. In malesuada porta pharetra. Donec commodo arcu eget orci iaculis, auctor scelerisque diam faucibus. Aenean rhoncus, ex a lacinia vestibulum, nisl nunc eleifend sapien, vitae eleifend risus ex non turpis. Duis iaculis mi vel sollicitudin euismod. Aliquam blandit neque id pharetra fringilla. Nam leo ligula, tristique at suscipit at, euismod in libero. Proin tincidunt porta scelerisque. Maecenas a arcu sit amet ipsum tincidunt sollicitudin. Donec elit lorem, vehicula vel pretium sed, varius sed sem.

Contact

School of Computing & INformation Science

Penny Rheingans

Boardman Hall, Room 348

mcec.umaine.edu/scis/

P

207.581.2188

Admissions

Graduate

5775 Stodder Hall

umaine.edu/graduate/apply

P

207.581.3291

International

Chadbourne Hall, Room 122

go.umaine.edu/international-undergraduate-admissions

P

207.581.3437

F

207.581.2920