University of Maryland College Park Computer Science Degrees
University of Maryland College Park appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
The undergraduate program in Computer Science at the University of Maryland College Park provides students with a broad understanding of computer science. With an enrollment of more than 3,000, the program welcomes a diverse and talented group of students. Instruction includes programming languages, algorithms, design, virtual reality, robotics and more. Students develop an understanding of theory in computer science as well. In addition to classes, students are able to participate in many social, academic and professional events, including a hackathon, resume workshops, and career and internship fairs. Students may also choose the Computer Science Game Development Track. Students who choose the Game Development track are provided instruction in the history and theory of games, computer graphics, artificial intelligence, graphical user interface programming and robotics.
Also offered is a combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Computer Science. The program allows students to include graduate-level courses with undergraduate courses, allowing students to graduate with a Master of Science degree in less time. The program includes both entry-level and advanced information related to the world of computer science. Graduates are able to move into leadership roles more quickly. Students gain an understanding of discrete structures, computer organization, assembly language, programming and computer architecture. Instruction includes computer security, numerical computations, computer networks as well as parallel and distributed processing.
The Ph.D. in Computer Science program at the University of Maryland provides the training necessary for graduates to master their field. The program allows students to become fully immersed in research in the first year in order to develop a thesis topic by the end of their third year. The program must be completed within four years. There are six graduate-level courses required, including artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, systems, databases, scientific computing, software engineering, and programming languages theory. Students must complete an oral Ph.D. preliminary examination on a research proposal and readings. Students must develop, research and defend a thesis in order to complete the degree.
About the University of Maryland College Park
The Maryland Agricultural College, the precursor to the University of Maryland College Park, was chartered in 1856. In 1858, 428 acres of land on the Riversdale plantation, owned by Charles Benedict Calvert, son of wealthy planter George Calvert, was selected as the location for the new school and purchased for $20,000. The school officially opened in 1859 with 34 students, four of which were sons of Charles Calvert.
When the Morrill Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, the Maryland legislature agreed to accept a grant in order to designate the Maryland Agriculture College as a land-grant institution. Under the Act, the school was required to provide training in the mechanical and agricultural arts, education and to provide military training.
After the Civil War, like many institutes of higher learning in the South, the school was bankrupt. It operated as a preparatory school for two years before the Maryland legislature appropriated funding in order to take half ownership and create a state institute of higher learning. The school reopened in 1867. However, the financial difficulties did not end with state funding and only 49 students graduated from the school between 1867 and 1888.
In 1883, Augustine J. Smith took over as president and began a strong public relations campaign in order to encourage local farmers, students, and state legislators to send their children to the struggling school. His efforts were not successful and when he resigned due to ill health, the school was over $15,000 in debt. The state, however, began to use the school for various state-operated functions. From 1886 to 1916, the school took control of fighting diseases on farms, controlling the state weather bureau, inspecting feeds, a state geological survey as well as the Board of Forestry. When the Hatch Act of 1887 created federally-funded agricultural experiment stations, the Maryland Agricultural College was provided a college farm and the Rossborough Inn to create a station in Maryland. They also received an additional Morrill Act fund designed to provide technical education to all races in 1890.
In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act encouraged land-grant institutions to establish home economics programs and the state of Maryland took full control of the school in 1916. Women were admitted for the first time and the name of the school changed to the Maryland State College of Agriculture. In 1920, the College Park and Baltimore campuses combined to create the University of Maryland.
Today, the University of Maryland College Park is a highly-rated research university with an enrollment of more than 37,000 students. It is ranked 21st among public universities by U.S. News & World Report and 14th by Forbes Magazine. The Institute of Higher Education, which ranks the top universities based on research, ranks Maryland 38th in the world.
University of Maryland College Park Accreditation Details
The University of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Accreditation is a peer-review process in which the University undergoes periodic review to confirm that students continue to receive education at its highest level based on criteria set forth by the Commission. During that review, if areas are identified that need improvement, the University agrees to do so as quickly as possible. Accreditation also indicates that the school has the resources necessary to meet its stated goals and objectives. In addition to university accreditation, specific programs at the college are accredited by the following organizations:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accrediting Council on Education on Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
- American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- American Library Association (ALA)
- American Psychological Association, Committee on Accreditation
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Council on Rehabilitation Education
- Institute of Food Technologists
- Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB)
- Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
- National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
- National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Planning Accreditation Board
- Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
University of Maryland College Park Application Process
Freshmen entering the University of Maryland College Park must complete an online application. Two letters of recommendation and official high school transcripts, as well as official ACT or SAT scores, are required. A current resume detailing activities, awards, and extra-curricular activities should also be provided. Students who have earned more than 30 semester or 45 quarter hours at another college or university must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended but are not required to provide high school transcripts.
In order to apply for the combined BS/MS program, students must have an overall GPA of 3.5 and no more than 15 credits remaining in upper-level computer science credits. Applicants must complete the departmental application as well as the graduate school application. An unofficial transcript, recommendation from two faculty members, at least one of which is in the Computer Science Department, statement of purpose and a degree plan are also required. Official GRE scores are not required but official transcripts will be required once a student is accepted into the program.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program in Computer Science must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher. They must have completed the following courses in a satisfactory manner:
- Calculus I & II
- Data Structures
- Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms
- Linear Algebra
- Organization of Programming Languages
Applicants must complete a graduate application and provide transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. GRE scores, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, current resume, and any publications or presentations must also be submitted. GRE scores may be waived for students who hold a Master of Science in Computer Science.
University of Maryland College Park Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition for Maryland residents is $360 per credit hour and out-of-state is $1,387 per credit hour. Computer Science students must pay an additional $118 per credit hour. Graduate tuition for Maryland residents is $717 per credit hour and for non-residents is $1,548.
Undergraduate students may qualify for financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Graduate students may qualify for assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, assistantships or fellowships. All students may be offered loans as part of their financial aid packet. In order to qualify for any assistance, students must complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The University of Maryland College Park is the University System’s flagship school and is considered one of the best research institutions in the world. It is a global leader in entrepreneurship, research, and innovation.
Related Resources:
