Graduate Orientation

General Questions for all Graduate Programs in the CSEE Department:

  1. What tests are required for admission into the MS and PhD programs? Applicants must submit results of the GRE verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning tests. No subject area test is required, but good subject area test scores will greatly strengthen an application. In addition, students who graduated from foreign undergraduate institutions (even from English-speaking countries) must submit a TOEFL score which meets the graduate school’s minimum requirements (for the internet-based test the minimum is 80).
  2. What are the department codes for CSEE? You do not need to use a department code, as TOEFL and GRE score reports must be sent directly to the graduate school, NOT the department. Leave the department code section blank, if possible. If you are unable to leave the program code blank, then use the following:
    Computer Science = 78
    Computer Engineering = 99
    Electrical Engineering = 66
    Keep in mind that when scores are sent to the department, they will need to be forwarded to the graduate school and this takes time, so your file will be processed faster if your scores are sent directly to the graduate school.
  3. What are the expectations for admission? Admissions is a complex process in which we consider the entire application folder, including research potential, prior accomplishments, motivation, prior course work, GRE scores, communication skills, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, character, and areas of research interest.
    • For the MS program, we expect the successful applicant to have completed an undergraduate degree comparable to a BS degree in field of study either at UMBC or elsewhere. We expect a grade point average well above 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) and strong GREs. We expect strong letters from previous professors documenting research experience and potential. UMBC undergraduates are expected to include letters from full-time UMBC faculty. Your statement of purpose should indicate interest in a specific area of the graduate program that you applied for.
    • For the PhD program, we expect the successful applicant to have completed an MS degree comparable to the MS degree at UMBC, or to have a strong undergraduate record in the program applied for. We expect a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 and very strong GREs. We expect strong letters from previous professors documenting research experience and potential. Your statement of purpose should indicate interest in a specific area of the graduate program and discuss research issues of interest to you.
  4. I have completed a BS/MS degree in a closely-related field to Computer Science, and I have some computer experience. Can I be admitted into the MS program? For admission as a degree-seeking student in the MS program for CS, we expect each applicant to have completed a BS program (or equivalent) in computer science. We expect the successful applicant to have completed equivalents to each of the following eight courses:
    • CMSC 203 Discrete Structure (note that calculus is a prerequisite)
    • CMSC 313 Computer Organization and Assembly Language
    • CMSC 331 Principles of Programming Languages
    • CMSC 341 Data Structures (note that Computer Science I and II are prerequisites)
    • CMSC 411 Computer Architecture
    • CMSC 421 Operating Systems
    • CMSC 441 Algorithm Analysis

    At least one course from the following list:

    • CMSC 435  Computer Graphics
    • CMSC 451 Theory of Computing and Formal Languages
    • CMSC 455 Numerical Computations
    • CMSC 461 Database Management Systems
    • CMSC 471 Artificial Intelligence
    • CMSC 481 Computer Networks
  5. I have a degree in a field not related to CS, but have some experience with computers. Can I be admitted to the MS program in CS? An applicant who has not completed substantially all of the courses listed in response to the previous question will generally not be accepted as a degree-seeking student in our graduate program. However, such a student is invited to take these courses as a “special student” and to reapply after taking them.
  6. I am currently enrolled in an MS degree program at CSEE. How do I apply for the Ph.D. program? You need to submit a new application to the department. Since you are an “internal” applicant, your application does not need to be sent to the Graduate School and you do NOT have to pay a fee. Do NOT use the online system to apply since it will require payment. Simply print out the application form and complete it and submit it to the Graduate Program Coordinator at the department. You must, submit the following documents along with your application: new statement of purpose, and at least three new letters of recommendation from UMBC faculty, an unofficial copy of your most recent transcript. Preferably, these new letters should come from regular faculty who know you well, including your research advisor and any professors with whom you intend to work. In your new statement of purpose, you should explain why you wish to change status, and you should discuss what research you plan to undertake and with whom you intend to carry out this research.

Further details can be found by following these links:

Online Graduate Orientation      UMBC Graduate School Website