Graduate Degree Programs

Computer Science offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in computer science. The M.S. degree provides an intensive course of study in areas of faculty research interest. It provides the student with an excellent understanding of computer science that provides a solid foundation for many advanced jobs in the field.

The Ph.D. is granted to highly-qualified students who have completed a rigorous course of study and research training resulting in the preparation and defense of a dissertation describing original computer science research. The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree. It confers the right to be addressed as doctor and opens the door to rewarding and fulfilling careers in academia and industry.

The doctoral student will obtain a broad and deep graduate-level background in computer science, with particular depth in a chosen area of specialization. The student will engage in research from almost the beginning of the program and will receive extensive training in computer science research over the course of the program under the direction of a faculty advisor as well as other faculty on the five-member PhD committee..

Computer Science M.S. Program

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 – 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 master’s thesis, completing an applied master’s project, or pursuing a course-only option. If the student chooses to write a Master’s thesis they will work closely with other faculty on their three-member M.S. Advisory Committee.

M.S. Program Requirements

The M.S. program totals 30 credit hours in an approved program of coursework. The credit hours are divided as follows:

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.
Six additional credit hours:

EITHER

An M.S. thesis is usually a research effort executed under six (6) thesis research credit hours of COS 699.

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).

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 and these suggested materials: 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.

Advisor and M.S. Advisory Committee

The Advisor and M.S. Advisory Committee are critical to the success of the M.S. student. It is normally the case that an Advisor will be a tenured/tenure-track faculty member from within COS. However, a qualified faculty member from outside of COS may serve as advisor under one of two circumstances:

The non-COS faculty advisor is approved by 2/3 vote of the COS tenured/tenure-track faculty.
A COS faculty member agrees to serve as a co-advisor for the student.

The M.S. Advisory Committee is composed of a minimum of three members of the graduate faculty, at least two of whom are from within COS. The M.S. committee should be chosen as early as possible in the student’s course of study. The student’s M.S. advisor chairs the student’s advisory committee. The advisory committee guides the student on course work and the thesis and serves as the examining committee for the student’s final thesis defense.

Program of Study

A program of study is planned by the student in consultation with their Advisor or M.S. Advisory Committee as early as possible. The program shall consist of an outline of courses to be passed and research to be undertaken. Students holding a Bachelor’s degree should submit the Program of Study within the first three semesters.

Transfer Credits

A Master of Science student can transfer no more than six (6) hours of credit for work taken beyond the bachelor’s degree at other institutions prior to being admitted to the program. The Computer Science Graduate Program Committee shall determine, on a case-by-case basis at the time of admission, the credits that will be transferred into the program and the course requirements such transfers will satisfy. Under no circumstances will research credits be transferred.

Other Policies

The Computer Science M.S. Program is inherently part of the UMaine Graduate School and is governed under its rules and policies. For the resolution of any policies, procedures, or rules not covered here, students and faculty are referred to the UMaine Graduate School Policies and Regulations.

CS Masters and PhD Curriculum-Table

Computer Science Ph.D. Program

The doctoral student will obtain a broad and deep graduate-level background in computer science, with particular depth in a chosen area of specialization. The student will receive extensive training in computer science research over the course of the program under the direction of a faculty advisor as well as other faculty on the five-member PhD committee.

Ph.D. Program Requirements

The Ph.D. program totals 40/43 credit hours in an approved program of course work. The credit hours are divided are divided into two components as follows:

The Computer Science Primary Doctoral Curriculum includes:

Professional Communications in Computer Science (public speaking, professional writing, online resource development). These will be offered as three one-credit courses. (3 hours) (SIE 501, SIE 502, SIE 693)
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 selected from four Breadth categories (at least three categories must be selected). (9 hours)
- AI
- Systems
- Data and Information
- Applications
EITHER:
2 COS course electives (6 credit hours) AND a COS Master’s Thesis. 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.

3 COS course electives (9 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.

The Computer Science Dissertation Doctoral Curriculum includes an additional:

2 Electives approved by the student’s Ph.D. committee. It is expected that these electives will be directly related to the Ph.D. dissertation research. (6 hours).
A minimum of 12 credit hours of Ph.D. research credits (COS 699).

Note that these are the minimum requirements, and the student’s Ph.D. committee may require additional course work deemed necessary for completion of dissertation research. https://umaine.edu/cs/graduate-degree-programs/?preview=true

Additions to the COS Graduate Curriculum

Advisor and Ph.D. Advisory Committee

The Advisor and Ph.D. Advisory Committee are critical to the success of the Ph.D. student. It is normally the case that an Advisor will be a tenured/tenure-track faculty member from within COS. However, a qualified faculty member from outside of COS may serve as an advisor under one of two circumstances:

The non-COS faculty advisor is approved by 2/3 vote of the COS tenured/tenure-track faculty.
A COS faculty member agrees to serve as a co-advisor for the student.

The Ph.D. (or Graduate) Advisory Committee is composed of a minimum of five members of the graduate faculty, at least three of whom are from within COS. The Ph.D. committee should be chosen as early as possible in the student’s course of study. The student’s thesis advisor chairs the student’s advisory committee. The advisory committee guides the student on course work and the thesis and serves as the examining committee for the student’s final dissertation defense.

Program of Study

A program of study is planned by the student in consultation with their Advisor or Ph.D. Advisory Committee as early as possible. The program shall consist of an outline of courses to be passed and research to be undertaken. Students holding a Bachelor’s degree should submit the Program of Study within the first three semesters and those holding a Master’s degree in computer science within the first year.

Progress toward the Dissertation Defense

The dissertation is a major written work that describes the student’s original, publishable contribution to the field of computer science research. The research is performed in close consultation with the student’s advisor and Ph.D. committee. There are three key points of interaction between the Ph.D. committee and the student.

Proposal defense and Oral Comprehensive Examination – First, somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 years after entering the program, the student provides to the committee a written dissertation proposal describing the proposed research topic, the research performed to date, a complete review of relevant literature, and plans for carrying out the proposed research. The student’s proposal will then be subject to examination by the Ph.D. committee during an oral defense. This oral examination constitutes the student’s Ph.D. Comprehensive examination and the committee can pass the student, ask for modifications, or require a new proposal presentation (see Admission to Candidacy below).

Pre-defense – Next, the student will present a pre-defense presentation to the committee somewhere between 6 and 12 months before the final dissertation defense. It is expected that a draft of the thesis will be largely completed at this time.

The pre-defense dissertation presentation is an oral presentation and interview attended by the Ph.D. advisory committee and is not open to the public.

Dissertation Defense – The final interaction occurs at the student’s Ph.D. dissertation defense. The candidate will present their research and be subjected to cross-examination not only by their advisory committee but also by the members of the audience. The Ph.D. dissertation defense is open to the public.

The Ph.D. Advisory Committee will confer and vote in private on the results of the Ph.D. dissertation defense. At its discretion, the committee may also invite other non-voting members into the conference including but not limited to the COS Graduate Program Coordinator, members of the COS Graduate Program Committee, and the SCIS Director. For the candidate to successfully pass their examination, only one dissenting vote of the advisory committee is allowed. The Ph.D. Advisory Committee can pass the student, ask for modifications to the dissertation, or require a new presentation of the dissertation defense.

If the candidate should not pass their Ph.D. dissertation defense, they are permitted a second attempt of their Ph.D. dissertation defense no sooner than 3 months but not more than 1 year after the initial defense.

Admission to Candidacy

To be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy, the student must complete all required course work outlined in the Computer Science Primary Doctoral Curriculum and pass the Ph.D. proposal defense. As stated above, this oral examination constitutes the student’s Ph.D. Comprehensive examination, and will include both a review of the topic, groundwork and planning of the dissertation as well as an examination of the student’s preparation to embark on the proposed research program. The committee can pass the student, ask for modifications, or require a new proposal presentation.

The combined proposal defense and candidacy exam is an oral presentation and interview attended by the Ph.D. advisory committee and is not open to the public.

If the student should not pass their combined proposal defense and candidacy exam, they are permitted a second attempt at this Ph.D. Comprehensive examination no sooner than 3 months but not more than 1 year after the initial exam.

Transfer Credits

A student can transfer no more than 50% of the credits required for the Ph.D. for graduate work performed before being admitted to the program. The COS Graduate Program Committee shall determine, on a case-by-case basis, the credits that will be transferred into the program and the course requirements such transfers will satisfy. Under no circumstances will research credits be transferred.

Petitions

In order to request an exception to the limitation of two attempts at an oral examination or defense, or other rules outlined here, the student (or candidate) should petition the COS Graduate Program Committee by submitting a written explanation of their request to the COS Graduate Program Coordinator with justifications of why such an exception should be granted. The petition should be endorsed by at least three members of their Ph.D. Advisory committee.

Other Policies

The Computer Science Ph.D. Program is inherently part of the UMaine Graduate School and is governed under its rules and policies. For the resolution of any policies, procedures, or rules not covered here, students and faculty are referred to the UMaine Graduate School Policies and Regulations.

CS Masters and PhD Curriculum-Table