Computer, Data and Information Sciences

A. James Clark School of Engineering

The Biocomputational Engineering program, offered by the A. James Clark School of Engineering, is designed to train students in the fundamentals of engineering and life sciences with strong skills in computational methods and data science. Through combining the growing fields of bioengineering, life sciences and data science, the Biocomputational Engineering program is poised to have a significant impact on society. The objective of this program is to provide a breadth of fundamentals in the field of bioengineering, a discipline grounded in physics, chemistry and biology, with quantitative problem solving. Students will develop skills in computation and data science that can be applied to the modeling of complex biological systems and the analysis of complex biological data sets in order to create new knowledge from the molecular to organ to system levels, and to develop innovative processes for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

*This is a Limited Enrollment Program. Speak with your advisor to learn more about gateway requirements and enrollment in this program.

A. James Clark School of Engineering

In the last 30 years, advances in computer hardware, wireless communications, internet, and software have transformed the way we live and connect with one another. Computer engineers design and implement the hardware and software systems that comprise these society-changing inventions. Among the computer and information-related programs on campus, Computer Engineering is the only major that teaches hardware design, covering electrical circuits, signal analysis, digital logic design, and computer organization. At the same time, the computer engineering program also teaches software topics such as programming, algorithms, and operating systems, as well as, how software interacts with hardware. Equipped with this holistic understanding of computing, computer engineering graduates are capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including designing microprocessors and supercomputers, building robots and other smart devices, fabricating integrated circuits, developing network protocols, programming computer vision algorithms, and creating secure cryptographic systems. Computer engineering graduates would have the foundation necessary to cope with and advance the state of the art in computing and communications.

*This is a Limited Enrollment Program. Speak with your advisor to learn more about gateway requirements and enrollment in this program. 

College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

Computer science is the study of computers and computational systems.  Computer scientists deal mostly with software and software systems, including their theory, design, development, and application. Computer science students have diverse and varying interests ranging from systems to programming languages, from algorithms to design and from VR to Robotics. While you are an undergraduate here, you will study fundamentals in computing including programming languages and theory, which will help you later in a variety of courses we offer in artificial intelligence, systems and networks, security, database systems, human-computer interaction, vision and graphics, numerical analysis, programming languages, software engineering, bioinformatics, and theory of computing.  Programming is only one element of the computer science field, and this major requires high acuity in mathematics. After taking classes, perhaps doing research, participating in our honors program, or studying abroad, and completing internships, our students go on to some of the best graduate programs in the world or join start-ups, small and large tech companies, consulting firms, or government organizations.

*This is a Limited Enrollment Program. Speak with your advisor to learn more about gateway requirements and enrollment in this program. 

A. James Clark School of Engineering

With the rapid pace of growth in Internet of Things (IoT) products and applications, there is a pressing need for engineers with special skills in hardware and software design. The Bachelor of Science in Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering offered at the Universities at Shady Grove trains future engineers who are aware of the latest trends in circuits and hardware-oriented software, and who are capable of immediate contribution to the private and public sector institutions in which they will work. The unique curriculum provides rigorous training in hardware and software with specializations in networks, cybersecurity and machine learning. Our students develop foundational knowledge in analog circuits, discrete mathematics, computer organization, networks and microelectronics, and also C, Python, Java and Verilog coding. Coursework also includes a focus on firmware development, real-time operating systems, network security, hardware security, machine learning focused on embedded systems, and a year-long culminating capstone design project.

*This is a Limited Enrollment Program. Speak with your advisor to learn more about gateway requirements and enrollment in this program.

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Students specializing in Geographical Sciences gain the technical skills needed to acquire, manage and analyze large amounts of geographic data. Students will get computer training in the digital processing of remote sensing observations and cartographic vector data, spatial analysis and creating geovisualizations with GIS software. The curriculum provides students with the necessary background to use remote sensing in various fields such as military analysis and intelligence, environmental monitoring, counter-narcotics, disaster assessments, law enforcement and other related fields. This track goes beyond the techniques for gathering and analyzing data and requires an understanding of the environmental and social processes represented by the data. These tools are essential to the education and future of global citizens.

College of Arts and Humanities and the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

The Immersive Media Design major prepares students to excel in creativity and innovation using the latest digital tools and technologies. It is the first undergraduate program in the country that blends art with computer science to encompass a wide range of immersive media applications. The major represents a unique collaboration at the University of Maryland between the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) and the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU). Students focus in either computing or art to graduate with a B.S. or B.A., respectively.

*This is a Limited Enrollment Program. Speak with your advisor to learn more about gateway requirements and enrollment in this program. 

College of Information Studies

The Information Science (InfoSci) program prepares you to create innovative systems and information resources that meet individual, organizational, and societal needs. Human-centered design and information analysis will enable you to identify critical needs and innovative approaches. Using technical skills, such as database design, information architecture, web and mobile development, data analysis, and visualization, you will create robust and usable technological solutions. Through teamwork, leadership, and project management you will mobilize resources and people to implement products, processes, and services that solve problems on a large scale. As an InfoSci student, you will learn to work with, design, and create the complex combinations of information, technology, and people that are the basis for success in government, corporate, and entrepreneurial careers.

Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Information Systems (IS) major offered by the Robert H. Smith School of Business prepares students to be effective planners, users, and managers of information technologies and systems in technology-enabled business firms. The IS major focuses on system design and implementation skills, including database and web design. It also builds analytical skills for both the strategic planning of IT and performance evaluation and the managerial and organizational knowledge required to manage information systems and applications based on business and customer requirements. Like all Smith School of Business majors, IS majors obtain a broad grounding in the key functional areas of business, including marketing, operations, accounting, and finance. These core concepts provide an excellent foundation to ground the IS major’s key concepts of systems analysis and design and the strategic use of information systems.

*This is a Limited Enrollment Program. Speak with your advisor to learn more about gateway requirements and enrollment in this program. 

Philip Merrill College of Journalism

Majoring in Journalism prepares you for the real world. Students in this program report from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis and College Park through our Capital News Service. They investigate issues of national importance at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and learn to look beyond the box score at The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism. Data reporting is weaved through every inch of the curriculum and practiced in our signature programs. Merrill College students — who enjoy small classes but also have access to the resources and opportunities available at one of the nation's top public universities — leave UMD with strong writing and visual skills, a command of technology and a nuanced understanding of data analysis and audience engagement. Graduates are hired and desired by the top news outlets in the country.