OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: Must obtain a grade of “C” or better in COS 125, COS 140, COS 225, MAT 126, MAT 127, ENG 101 and ENG 317.
Other GPA requirements to graduate: Required GPA in Major: 2.0
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: COS 397 and COS 497 or COS 495 or COS 499
Contact Information: George Markowsky, Chair of the Computer Science department, 237 Neville Hall, 581-3941
Computer science is the foundation of computing and information technology. Computer scientists study the theory, design, implementation, and performance of computers and computer software, including the study of computability and computation itself. Computer scientists bring their breadth and depth of knowledge to bear to efficiently solve computing problems. They design and implement software systems. They devise new uses for computers, both to solve new problems and to provide novel, innovative capabilities and services.
Core areas of computer science include databases, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, computer networks, computer graphics, software engineering, operating systems, programming languages, cybersecurity and computer organization and architecture. Computer science intersects other sciences to form such fields as computational biology and bioinformatics, medical informatics, computational chemistry, cognitive science, robotics, and computational linguistics. Knowledge of computer science, beyond simply what is needed to implement and use information systems, is increasingly important in medicine, business, law, and science, as well as being important for making informed decisions about technology.
The required course work in computer science provides the student with an understanding of the basic areas of computer science: structure of programming languages, operating systems, software engineering, algorithms and data structures, computer architecture, and the theory of computer science. Electives allow students to study additional topics such as database, high performance computing, networks, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. A capstone experience allows students to use their accumulated knowledge of the field either through field experience, independent study, or as an undergraduate researcher in one of our laboratories.
Minimum hours needed for graduation: 120 degree hours. Required GPA: 2.00. Required Major GPA: 2.00. At least 18 hours of computer science courses numbered 300 or above must be taken at Orono. All students must satisfy the general education requirements of both the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University. A University of Maine student who wishes to take a course elsewhere for the degree must have the course approved in advance by the department and the college.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is our traditional computer science undergraduate degree. It prepares students to work in the computer industry or to study computer science in graduate school. The B. S. degree is also appropriate for students who wish to contribute a strong computer science background to an interdisciplinary team, such as one in bioinformatics. The B.S. degree is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission (CSAC) of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board (CSAB), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA).
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree gives the student a strong foundation in computer science while providing more flexibility in coursework outside the major. It also prepares the student for a rewarding career in computing or for graduate work.
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