Overview
By pursuing a major or minor in computer science at UMN Morris, you’ll learn the fundamental skills and practices that will prepare you for the ever-changing tech careers of the 21st century. In addition to teaching the core principles of computer science, such as algorithm development, software design, and hardware principles, the UMN Morris computer science program combines a strong theoretical basis with extensive hands-on experience to teach the long-term concepts and skills you’ll need, regardless of your career path. In your third and fourth years as a computer science major, you’ll be able to select from a variety of courses to further pursue your computer science interests or goals.
As a computer science student, you’ll benefit from the strong sense of community that is vital to the computer science program here, whether it’s with faculty, other students, or alumni. Managed by students and faculty, our computer science labs are key spaces, not only for classwork but to collaborate with other students on projects and to study together. In addition, we make it a priority to stay connected with our computer science alumni, welcoming them back to campus in person or virtually to participate in classes, give talks, meet with or recruit students for internships or jobs, and to keep us abreast of modern technology and industry needs.
You’ll graduate with the ability to understand and employ new technologies, communicate technical ideas to both colleagues and those without technological knowledge, and effectively use industry standard collaboration tools.
Degree Requirements
Graduate in Four Years
If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in computer science, there are certain requirements you must meet to ensure that you graduate in four years. If minoring in computer science, a different set of requirements apply.
Student Learning Outcomes
By completing a degree in computer science you will be able to
- apply the fundamental principles of computer science to solve problems in all core areas of computer science;
- demonstrate technological flexibility through the ability to employ new sets of tools effectively;
- effectively communicate technical ideas both orally and in written form;
- demonstrate your ability to work in groups as part of an effective team; and
- identify and analyze ethical implications involving technology.
General Education Requirements
The University of Minnesota and its faculty are committed to providing an education that invites you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner. The University’s general education requirements are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Transferring Credit
Put your credits to work for you at UMN Morris, where you’ll earn a degree from a highly ranked public liberal arts university.
Careers & Graduate School
Careers
UMN Morris computer science graduates have gone on to pursue a variety of computer science-related careers. Examples of occupations include:
- Software developer
- IT professional
- UX designer
- Systems architect
- Web developer
- Data analyst
- Game programmer
- High school teacher
Many UMN Morris computer science alumni seek full-time employment directly following graduation and are employed at a variety of well-known companies like the following:
- IBM
- Alliance Technical Systems
- Hewlett-Packard
- Sun Microsystems
- US Bank
- Anderson Consulting
- Mayo Clinic
- Secure Computing
- West Publishing
UMN Morris graduates often acquire these jobs through summer internships and through our network of very active alumni.
Graduate School
About one-third of UMN Morris graduates continue their education pursuing graduate degrees. Recent graduates have gone on to PhD programs at well known, renowned universities, such as:
- Carnegie Mellon
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Brown University
- Georgia Tech
- University of California at San Diego
- University of Colorado
Costs & Aid
The University of Minnesota Morris is a national public liberal arts college committed to making a high-quality education available to students from across the country. Expenses for housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenditures can vary.
Learn more about the cost of attendance
Use our net price calculator to estimate your cost of attendance
Research & Engagement
Research
As a computer science student, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in research projects with faculty and present at conferences.
Many projects are funded through the universitywide Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and local Morris Academic Partnership (MAP) program.
Opportunities
For opportunities outside the classroom, UMN Morris computer science students are strongly encouraged to take part in internships. The Morris Campus Career Center is your source for more information about internships and other career-related opportunities. Handshake is the University of Minnesota's professional job, internship, and volunteer database connecting students with employment opportunities throughout the world.
UMN Morris offers a wide range of opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in the field of computer science. Examples include:
- Software design: You may be able to participate in team-based software development for a real customer.
- Senior seminar: You may be able to write and present a paper on recent CSci developments (presentations are a one-day conference open to all students, often visited by alumni).
- Elective courses: A variety of electives, including those based on students’ and alumni suggestions occasionally are taught by guest experts (for example, an alum recently taught a Game Design and Development class).
- Competition: A competition to write the fastest sorting program in the algorithms and computability class is open to all students and alumni.
Engagement
There’s always a lot happening on the UMN Morris campus to keep you engaged and entertained, even in the field of computer science. Beyond reading, programming, group projects, research, and hours in the labs, there’s always something to get involved in and enjoy.
Many of the computer science non-class-related events are spontaneous, with students often deciding to get together and do something. There are also a large number of actively organized computer science activities provided by the two student organizations that support the computer science discipline at UMN Morris.
Computer Science Club
Founded in 1947, the International Association for Computing Machiner (ACM) is a major force in advancing the skills of information technology professionals and students worldwide. The ACM maintains hundreds of student chapters around the world to promote advancement and excellence in computer science.
The UMN Morris Computer Science Club is an ACM club. The group plans field trips to local companies (IBM in Rochester is a particular favorite), has internship information sessions, and organizes other activities to increase the competitiveness of UMN Morris students in the workforce. It isn’t all about work though. The group also hosts movie nights, LAN gaming parties, the year-end “ByteBash” picnic, and other activities to entertain and strengthen the UMN Morris computer science community.
Women in Computer Science
The Women in Computer Science organization on campus includes women who take and teach computer science classes at UMN Morris. The group gathers a few times during the year for a fun evening and informal conversation. This is a chance for you, as a new computer science student, to meet juniors and seniors who can give advice about classes, student life, starting research, and whatever else you may be concerned about.
With the number of women in CSci classes still noticeably fewer than the number of men, Women in Computer Science provides friendly support for young women who are starting out in CSci. To find out more, contact Elena Machkasova or Kristin Lamberty.
Leadership Opportunities
Many people who aren’t part of the university’s full-time staff contribute extra time and energy toward the UMN Morris computer science discipline. The roles that are filled by those people provide valuable leadership opportunities you may be open to as a computer science student.
Dungeon Masters
The programming labs (affectionately termed "the dungeon") that house the discipline servers are supervised and maintained by computer science students, or “dungeon masters,” who work tirelessly to ensure that the computers are always running the latest stable software and that the servers are online. Typically there are two dungeon masters.
Teaching Assistants and Tutors
Teacher assistants (TAs) are students who perform a range of tasks like grading, grade reporting, lab preparation, “lab hours,” and developing and testing course software. The work load depends on the class. For example, a TA for a 1000-level course is most likely going to help with grading and paperwork. TAs for 2000- and 3000-level courses may help with grading and lab setup and may be asked to attend labs to answer student questions. TAs for 4000-level courses usually help with course set-up, test tools, and assignments for class. Every effort is made to match TAs with courses and instructors that will lead to a successful experience.
Computer science tutors help students individually. They are matched with students on a case-by-case basis. Those who serve as TAs may also be included on the list of eligible tutors.
Student Representatives
As a student majoring in computer science, you’ll be given the chance to vote each year for a student that you’d like to represent your interests to the rest of the discipline. For every 30 votes (or part thereof) cast, a student is elected and given full voting rights to all discipline and division meetings.
Computer Science Club Officers
The Computer Science Club officers are responsible for promoting the computer science discipline to new students, as well as organizing special sessions and events ranging from from career planning to programming contests.
