Baccalaureate Degree Program

Bachelors in CIS

Based on the national contemporary information systems curriculum (IS '2002/IS2010'), the UMA curriculum provides a core of computer science and discrete mathematics, hardware and operating systems, networking, management information systems, information systems modeling, database design, applications development, Web design and development, management of information technology, and the impact of computing.

In addition to a consistent core among the associate, bachelor, and post-baccalaureate degrees, students may concentrate in a specific technology area, such as programming, data science, networking, information systems security, or Web design and development. The object-oriented paradigm and networked applications are emphasized across the curriculum, as are listening skills, oral and written communications, and teamwork.

Bachelors in Cybersecurity

The emerging field of Cybersecurity is based on an evolving discipline that involves the study of strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace. Topics include threat reduction, vulnerability reduction, deterrence, international engagement, incident response, resiliency, and recovery policies and activities, including computer network operations, information assurance, law enforcement, diplomacy, military, and intelligence missions as they relate to the security and stability of the global information and communications infrastructure (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies).

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program will prepare you for career opportunities or advanced education in the Cybersecurity field including positions in security analysis, information assurance, digital forensics, intelligence, and cyber defense to name a few.

With billions of dollars in global losses due to cybersecurity exploits, the need for trained experts is growing at an astonishing rate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting 37% growth in employment in the cybersecurity field by 2020. Graduates with a B.S. in Cybersecurity will be prepared to fill these new positions as well as a predicted gap in Maine's IT workforce significantly improving the statewide prospect for excellence in the computer-based delivery of information security services.

Available through a partnership between UMA, UMFK, UMaine, and USM, the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity incorporates a multidisciplinary perspective through a combination of courses that offer a holistic approach to cybersecurity education by providing the opportunity to take courses not only in computer science and technology but also in the humanities, social sciences and ethics (e.g. Crisis Communication, Human Communication Skills, Philosophy of Social Media, and Security).

The curriculum has been designed to meet the stringent academic standards of the NSA/DHS jointly sponsored Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (CAEIA/CD) program. The B.S. in Cybersecurity is the first ever system collaborated degree program to be recognized by the CAEIA/CD. This NSA/DHS recognition program serves as the de facto accreditation standard for Cybersecurity.

Required courses can be taken completely online, or through a combination of live, online and ITV classes. Students can enroll now in the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and classes will begin in the fall 2015 semester. Contact UMA Enrollment Services at 1-877-UMA-1234.

Bachelors in Data Science

The emerging field of Data Science is based on the essential skills necessary to perform in a data-centric society. A data scientist is naturally interdisciplinary, with the ability to interpret and communicate findings, and apply problem-solving, analytical, critical thinking and decision making skills in the workplace.

Five years ago, a bachelor’s degree in Data Science was nearly non-existent in the world. Now, the field is one of the fastest growing academic specializations, with over 70 programs nationwide in 2019. UMA’s completely online Data Science program engages students from around the world to fill the demand for data-driven decision making in all sectors and industries.

The Data Science degree at UMA is a standalone bachelor’s degree combining a critical core of computing classes with a set of core mathematics classes and a built-in outside concentration to fuel an interdisciplinary perspective.

Take courses that provide hands-on application in computer science and information systems, database design and management, statistical analysis, data transformation, data storage, information theory, digital mapping, and many others.

The Data Science major at UMA is designed to prepare students the opportunity to augment data science skills with training in a specific area. Currently, the program includes concentrations in social science and business analytics, with more concentrations anticipated for the future, including an option for students to specify their outside specialization in an appropriate manner.

A required internship experience for the bachelor’s degree extends the boundaries of academia by providing the practical dimension of real-world work experience directly related to the field.