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Admission Snapshot
Typical admitted student: Bachelor's degree in computer science or related quantitative field required. Minimum 3.0 GPA required. Prerequisites include undergraduate-level algorithms or theory of computation, data structures, calculus, and programming. GRE General Test: verify current requirement; department has historically recommended but not always required it. International applicants: TOEFL 79 iBT or IELTS 6.5 minimum. Application deadline: February 1 for fall admission (verify at grad.umt.edu).
About This Program
The University of Montana's MS in Computer Science is a focused, research-oriented program in Missoula, MT. Its small cohort structure and active research faculty create a high faculty-to-student ratio uncommon in larger programs. Faculty research areas include AI and machine learning, computational biology, software engineering, and human-computer interaction. Graduates typically enter software development, research, and data science roles in Montana's growing technology sector or move to metropolitan technology markets in Seattle, Denver, and Portland.
Career Outcomes
Small-cohort 30-credit thesis or 36-credit non-thesis MSCS at University of Montana in Missoula with faculty research strengths in AI, computational biology, software engineering, and human-computer interaction—tight faculty-student mentorship in a research-active department.
- 1. Software Engineer
- 2. Data Scientist
- 3. Research Scientist
- 4. ML / AI Engineer
- 5. Computational Biologist
What You'll Learn
- Complete core requirements in algorithms (CS 535) and theory of computing (CS 536) as the analytical foundation.
- Specialize through electives in AI, machine learning, computational biology, graphics, or software engineering.
- Conduct original research (thesis track, 10 credits) or complete broad coursework (non-thesis, 36 credits).
- Benefit from close mentorship with faculty who publish in AI, bioinformatics, and software engineering venues.
Curriculum Highlights
The MS in Computer Science at the University of Montana is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Humanities and Sciences in Missoula, MT. The thesis track requires 30 credit hours including at least 15 graded CS credits at the 500-level or above, plus 10 credits of thesis research (CS 599). The non-thesis track requires 36 credit hours of graded coursework including at least 24 CS credits at the 500-level. Core requirements include CS 535 (Analysis of Algorithms) and CS 536 (Computing Theory). Breadth electives span artificial intelligence (CS 546), machine learning, databases, graphics, software engineering, parallel and distributed computing, and computational biology. The program's small cohort size (typically 15–25 students per year) allows for close faculty-student collaboration. Catalog: catalog.umt.edu.
Top Employers
Montana state government technology agencies, Regional healthcare technology (Providence, Logan Health), Submittable (Missoula-based startup), RightNow Technologies alumni network (now Oracle), Pacific Northwest technology firms in Seattle and Portland; verify current career outcomes through UM Career Services.
Admissions
Bachelor's degree in computer science or related quantitative field required. Minimum 3.0 GPA required. Prerequisites include undergraduate-level algorithms or theory of computation, data structures, calculus, and programming. GRE General Test: verify current requirement; department has historically recommended but not always required it. International applicants: TOEFL 79 iBT or IELTS 6.5 minimum. Application deadline: February 1 for fall admission (verify at grad.umt.edu).
Application Materials
- Official Transcripts: Required
- Statement of Purpose: Required
- Letters of Recommendation: Three required
- CV/Resume: Required
- GRE General: Verify current policy with UM CS department
- English Proficiency: TOEFL 79+ iBT or IELTS 6.5+ for international applicants
- Application: Via UM Graduate School portal
Academic Requirements
- Degree Required: Bachelor's in CS or related quantitative field; 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisites: Algorithms, data structures, calculus, programming
- GRE/GMAT: Verify current policy with department
- TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international applicants (TOEFL 79+ iBT)
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