Department of Computer Science

Study Computer Science at USM

The Department of Computer Science at USM offers both undergraduate (BS) and graduate (MS) degrees designed to prepare students for high-impact careers in today’s tech-driven world. Our curriculum emphasizes core computing principles, including algorithms, data structures, and operating systems, while also exploring advanced fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and scientific computing.

Located in Portland, Maine, USM provides a student-centered environment where theory meets real-world application. You’ll gain hands-on experience in software development, databases, and theory of computation, graduating with a strong foundation in mathematics, problem-solving, and programming.

At USM, our motto, “student-focused every day“, drives a collaborative, inclusive learning experience. Whether your interests lie in AI, cybersecurity, data analysis, or software engineering, a computer science degree from USM equips you with the transferable skills and technical expertise to succeed in diverse, evolving industries.

CS student Tyler LaBerge talks about how he has learned to problem-solve, think sequentially, and work effectively in teams to create innovative solutions.

Speaker 1, Dr. Bruce Macleod: The computer science field is obviously one that changes quite quickly and there’s a lot of excitement and energy behind those changes. One of the challenges we have in the computer science department is how do you get ready for those changes. I believe, and the rest of the department believes, that there’s a core set of principles behind computer science and we actually teach to those principles using the most recent technologies. And if… if you understand those principles well, when you see a technology change, you can understand it in the context of those principles.

Speaker 2: Tyler LaBerge: When I first came to USM I was interested in getting into music education, but I took Structured Problem Solving in Java, which is the introductory course to computer science. I really enjoyed the problem solving that came about from it, and the sequential thinking sort of matched the way I think and ever since then I’ve been just taking more CS classes and have liked every one of them.

Speaker 1: One of the things I get excited about is developing health information systems in low and middle-income countries. A lot of this work is actually started when I was a graduate student. One of the things that interested me was how when teams of people got together certain teams were effective and actually could produce things that were greater than the sum of the parts. In the capstone course what I try to do is bring that energy of a team to the students and have them understand how that process can work.

Speaker 2: It’s been a really cool project as you get experience working as a team, you get experience learning the development process, you get experience talking between other teams
which is really hard because they write in their own code, you’re writing your own code you have to combine it and that can be very difficult but it’s a very good experience we’re learning a lot about object-oriented design and software development and yeah, it’s great.

The 4+1 Bachelor’s/Master’s Accelerated Pathway in Computer Science offers motivated and high-achieving Computer Science majors an opportunity to accelerate their academic journey by earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in just five years.

Students in this combined program will build on their solid foundation in computer science by seamlessly transitioning into graduate-level coursework during their senior year. With just one additional year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree, students can complete the Master of Science in Computer Science, enhancing their expertise and expanding their career opportunities.

This accelerated pathway is ideal for students seeking advanced knowledge, research experience, or a competitive edge in the tech industry.

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We offer both undergraduate and graduate programs in Computer Science.

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Launch Your Career with a Computer Science Degree

A Bachelor’s in Computer Science is your gateway to one of today’s most in-demand and dynamic fields. As technology continues to shape every aspect of our world, the need for professionals skilled in software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence is rapidly growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in computer and information technology are expected to add over 375,000 new jobs each year, making this one of the fastest-growing career sectors nationwide.

Studying computer science not only opens the door to high-paying, future-proof careers, but it also gives you the skills to solve complex problems, build innovative solutions, and understand the digital systems that power our daily lives.

Whether you’re driven by a passion for programming, curious about machine learning, or eager to secure digital systems, earning a computer science degree is the foundation for a successful tech career. Start your journey today and prepare for a future in AI, software engineering, computational science, or data science.