Planning began for the University of Maryland Baltimore County in the 1950s as World War II veterans took advantage of the G.I. Bill and the population growth in the Baltimore-Washington area. At the time, the University of Maryland College Park was the main higher education institution in the area, prompting the decision to consider a branch campus in the Baltimore area. In 1958, the Advisory Committee on Higher Education in the State of Maryland proposed the establishment of a two-year college as a subsidiary to the University of Maryland College Park. In 1963, the Maryland legislature had authorized the creation of several new universities throughout Maryland, including the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus.

The university purchased 435 acres from the Spring Grove State Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Catonsville. This would place the new university in Southwestern Baltimore, easily accessed from the Baltimore Beltway and Interstate 95. Classes began in 1966 with 750 students in three buildings. During the 1980s, Jim Henson, a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, funded the Imaging Research Center at UMBC. In 1988, the Board of Regents considered merging UMBC with the University of Baltimore, but the board eventually voted down the merger. Another merger between UMBC and the University of Maryland Baltimore was also voted down in 1991.

Today, there are more than 13,800 students enrolled at UMBC with almost 11,000 of those students attending full-time. UMBC is tied with Yale on the U.S. News & World Report ranking of schools with strong commitment to undergraduate education. The publication also ranks UMBC as fourth in the country on their list of “Most Innovative Schools.”

University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Accreditation Details

UMBC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Accreditation demonstrates that the school meets or exceeds criteria set forth by the accrediting agency that indicates excellence in education. In addition, industry-specific organizations also accredit programs throughout the university.

University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Application Requirements

Freshman applicants who have not earned college credit must have completed a program of study that includes the following:

  • English – Four years
  • Math – Four years and must include Algebra I and II as well as Geometry I
  • Social Science/History – Three years
  • Science – Three years
  • Language other than English – Two years

Students must submit the Common Application along with the applicable fee. Students must provide an official high school transcript as well as official SAT or ACT scores. Students must also provide two recommendations as well.

Students who have earned college credit may apply to UMBC as a transfer student. Applicants must complete the Common Application and pay the applicable fee. An official transcript from each college or university attended must be submitted. Letters of recommendation may be submitted but are optional for transfer students. Applicants with less than 30 hours of college credit must submit an official high school diploma as well.

Graduate students who wish to attend UMBC must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA on undergraduate coursework. Some programs require applicants to supply official GRE or GMAT scores as well. An official transcript from all colleges or universities attended must be submitted.

University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition for Maryland residents is $335 per credit hour and $864 per credit hour for non-residents. Graduate tuition is $585 per credit hour for Maryland residents and $968 per credit hour for non-residents. The Information Systems online program is $839 per credit hour for both residents and non-residents.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for financial aid.

University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Degree(s) Available

Computer Science

UMBC offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science that provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the world of technology. Students develop an understanding of software engineering that includes performance analysis, human factors and software development tools. Students develop strong problem-solving skills that can be used in both the academic and industrial setting.

Students must complete a series of General Education and Major Requirements to earn the degree. Students may choose either the Game Development or Information Assurance track. Students may also pursue a combined BS/MS degree that allows them to complete their master’s degree while earning their bachelor’s degree.

Master of Science in Computer Science

The Master of Science in Computer Science allows students to choose between a thesis and non-thesis option. Students who choose the thesis option must complete and defend a thesis that has been approved by their master’s thesis. Thesis students must complete 30 credit hours that includes three core classes, one breadth course and six credit hours of research. Students who enter the non-thesis option must complete a scholarly paper and must complete 33 credit hours of courses that includes three core courses as well as three courses that will be used to assist in the completion of their scholarly paper. Students must complete the degree within five years and maintain a GPA of 3.0.

Ph.D. in Computer Science

UMBC offers a Doctorate of Philosophy in Computer Science that requires 11 courses, including three core courses, one breadth course and 18 credit hours of doctoral dissertation research. Students must not only complete and defend their dissertation, they must pass the comprehensive portfolio and preliminary examination. Students must complete a minimum of three years of full-time graduate study with at least one year completed at UMBC. Students must complete the program within four years and maintain a GPA of 3.0.

Research areas for the dissertation may include:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine Learning and Data Mining
  • Multi-Agent Systems
  • Wireless Sensor Networks
  • Web 2.0
  • Graphics and Visualization
  • Game Development

UMBC offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in Computer Science. Although the entire program is not offered in an online format, some courses required to complete the degrees may be taken online with the permission of the student’s advisor. The University of Maryland Baltimore Campus provides flexible options for students who may have work, family or social obligations that prevent them from attending traditional classes.

Another excellent resource:

The Top 10 Best Online Computer Science Degree Programs