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Dr. Yifeng Zhu is the Norman Stetson Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maine. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, high-performance computing, distributed systems, and computer architecture.
Dr. Zhu’s work emphasizes developing trustworthy and explainable AI systems for applications ranging from cancer diagnostics and intelligent manufacturing to large-scale scientific computing. He has led or co-led numerous federally funded research projects supported by agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA, securing more than $30 million in research funding. He earned his PhD and master’s degrees in computer science and engineering from the University of Nebraska and his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What is something you wish the public understood about online engineering education in Maine?
Jones: You can get an excellent engineering education from many of our institutions, and you can complete some of the foundational coursework through the technical college system. People don’t always realize how accessible that pathway is. Engineering is also one of the few four-year degrees where you can graduate and immediately step into a well-paying job. You don’t need a master’s degree to start building a solid career.
Onlineengineeringprograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring engineering students in South Carolina?
Dr. Zhu: I wish the public understood that online engineering education is not simply a convenient substitute for in-person education. When designed well, it can be rigorous, applied, and closely connected to real engineering needs. This is especially important in Maine, where many students and working professionals may not be able to relocate or attend classes on campus full-time.
At UMaine, we are working to make online engineering education practical and relevant. One example is our engineering applications of artificial intelligence certificate program. It is designed to help students build knowledge in AI methods and apply modern tools such as Python and MATLAB to real engineering problems. The goal is not just to teach AI in theory, but to help students use AI for data analysis, design, testing, validation, robotics, optimization, and other engineering applications.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online engineering students in Maine?
Dr. Zhu: My advice is to build a strong foundation first. Online students should be comfortable with college-level calculus, probability and statistics, and programming. These fundamentals matter, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, optimization, and data-driven engineering.
I would also encourage students to be disciplined and project-focused. Online learning gives students flexibility, but it also requires initiative. The most successful students do not just watch lectures or complete assignments. They apply what they learn to real problems. They build projects. They practice coding. They ask questions. They connect the technical material to engineering applications they care about.
Finally, I would encourage students in Maine to look closely at emerging areas such as AI in engineering. These skills are becoming increasingly important across many fields, including energy, manufacturing, robotics, transportation, infrastructure, and healthcare. Online programs can provide a strong pathway for students and working professionals to gain these skills while staying in Maine.
BS in Surveying Engineering Technology – University of Maine
The University of Maine’s online Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering Technology is the flagship undergraduate engineering program of UMaine Online, and one of the few ABET-accredited online surveying degrees in the country. The program is built around the full spectrum of professional land surveying, combining rigorous technical coursework with practical fieldwork conducted locally through a mentor-based model. Students are paired with a licensed surveyor in their area who assists with hands-on lab requirements. This structure makes the degree accessible to working professionals and students in rural or remote locations without sacrificing the applied learning central to the discipline.
The curriculum covers plane surveying, construction surveying, photogrammetry, remote sensing, boundary law, cadastral surveying, global positioning systems, land development design, and geographic information systems, among other topics. The program also includes coursework in business and communications, preparing graduates to be well-rounded professionals suited for both private practice and government roles. UMaine’s surveying faculty hold professional licenses across multiple states, and several have received national recognition for excellence in surveying education.
Graduates pursue careers as professional land surveyors, GIS specialists, and survey project managers, and are well positioned to pursue licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). The degree also serves as a natural pathway into UMaine’s graduate-level surveying and engineering technology programs.
The University of Maine offers four distinct online master’s-level engineering programs, each designed with working professionals in mind. All feature rolling admissions and no GRE or GMAT requirement.
MS in Engineering Technology – University of Maine
Geared toward engineers looking to deepen their applied expertise, this 30-credit program focuses on product management, industrial practices, and engineering operations. Students choose one of two concentrations: surveying engineering technology or electrical engineering technology. The program includes required coursework in advanced project management and a graduate engineering internship, grounding the degree in real-world professional practice. It is structured around the schedules of working professionals, with synchronous sessions held in the evenings.
MS in Data Science and Engineering – University of Maine
The first program of its kind in Maine, this 30-credit degree takes an interdisciplinary approach to one of the fastest-growing fields in engineering. Drawing on faculty from across the UMaine system, it trains students to acquire, process, analyze, and visualize large and complex datasets, with options to specialize in areas such as spatial informatics, bioinformatics, engineering analytics, and social and behavioral data science.
The program is open to students from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds, making it an accessible entry point for those transitioning into data-intensive engineering roles.
MS in Spatial Computing – University of Maine
This program sits at the intersection of geographic information science, computer science, and spatial data systems. Designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds, it builds the technical foundations needed for careers in GIS, remote sensing, spatial database development, and information systems design.
Coursework covers topics such as geographic information systems, ontology engineering, database systems, and information systems programming. The degree is a strong fit for surveyors, planners, environmental professionals, and others who work with location-based data.
Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Engineering and Business – University of Maine
Unlike a traditional M.S., the PSM blends advanced engineering coursework with graduate-level business training, making it a practical choice for engineers who want to move into leadership, consulting, or management roles.
The 30-credit program includes 15 credits in engineering, nine in business topics such as management, data analysis, and accounting, and six credits of applied field experience. Concentrations are available in surveying engineering technology, among others. No thesis is required.
Maine offers one fully online engineering doctoral program, through the University of Maine. It is the terminal degree in UMaine’s engineering technology pathway, designed for experienced practitioners aiming for the highest levels of expertise and leadership in their field.
EngD in Engineering Technology – University of Maine
The doctor of engineering in engineering technology is UMaine’s premier practice-based doctoral program, built for senior professionals who want to reach the leading edge of their discipline without stepping away from their careers. Unlike a traditional research-focused PhD, the EngD is oriented toward applied expertise and professional leadership.
The 42-credit program is completed entirely online and offers two concentration options: surveying engineering technology, for those pursuing mastery in the surveying and geospatial professions, and an individualized concentration for students whose goals span multiple engineering technology disciplines. Rolling admissions and no GRE requirement make it accessible to working professionals at any point in the year.
The University of Maine offers six online graduate certificates in engineering and related technical fields. All are fully online and designed for working professionals looking to build specialized skills or create a pathway toward a graduate degree.
Graduate Certificate in Surveying Engineering Technology – University of Maine
This 12-14 credit certificate is tailored for licensed surveyors and related professionals who want to deepen their technical expertise at the graduate level. Coursework spans advanced topics including geodetic survey computations, boundary law, digital photogrammetry, and lidar strategies. Credits earned count toward UMaine’s M.S. in Engineering Technology and PSM in Engineering and Business, making it a natural stepping stone for those considering a full master’s degree down the road.
Graduate Certificate in Electrical Engineering Technology – University of Maine
Aimed at industry professionals in electrical and electronics fields, this 15- to 16-credit certificate is designed to enhance technical and management knowledge for those already working in today’s demanding engineering environments. Topics include applied circuit design, printed circuit board technology, and advanced electrical systems. The program is structured around the schedules of working engineers, with coursework that can be customized to align with specific career goals.
Graduate Certificate in Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence – University of Maine
One of UMaine’s newest offerings, this certificate addresses the growing demand for engineers who can apply AI methods to real-world technical problems. It is designed for engineers and technical professionals who want to deepen their expertise in AI tools and techniques without committing to a full degree program.
The program reflects UMaine’s expanding focus on emerging technologies within its engineering portfolio.
Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management – University of Maine
Built in response to demand identified by UMaine’s College of Engineering Advisory Council, this 15-credit certificate equips engineers with the business and leadership skills needed to move into management roles. Coursework focuses on project management, data-based decision-making, and the organizational dynamics of engineering teams. It is a practical option for engineers who want targeted professional development without pursuing a full MBA or master’s degree.
Graduate Certificate in Data Science and Engineering – University of Maine
This 15-credit certificate provides a focused entry point into the data science field for engineers and technical professionals. It covers data acquisition, processing, analysis, machine learning, and visualization, drawing from the same curriculum as UMaine’s MS in data science and engineering. Credits earned can count toward the full master’s degree, making it a low-risk way to test the waters before committing to a graduate program.
Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems – University of Maine
This certificate provides a solid foundation in the core principles and applications of GIS, covering spatial data management, analysis, and visualization. It is well suited for surveyors, environmental professionals, planners, and others who work with location-based data and want formal graduate-level credentials in the field. The program draws on UMaine’s nationally recognized strength in spatial science and geomatics.
UMaine also offers three online undergraduate certificates in engineering, each serving as either a standalone credential or a pathway into the B.S. in Surveying Engineering Technology.
Undergraduate Certificate in Surveying Engineering Technology – University of Maine
This certificate provides the core surveying competencies most commonly required for state licensure, making it a practical credential for working surveyors who need to meet specific educational requirements without committing to a full bachelor’s degree. It covers plane surveying, GPS, cadastral surveying, and boundary law, and can serve as a direct entry point into the B.S. in Surveying Engineering Technology for students who decide to continue.
Undergraduate Certificate in Electrical Engineering Technology – University of Maine
Designed for students and working professionals in electrical and electronics fields, this certificate builds foundational knowledge in electrical engineering technology principles and applied systems. It offers a flexible, shorter path to credentials for those entering the field or looking to formalize skills developed on the job, and can serve as a stepping stone toward further study in UMaine’s engineering technology programs.
Undergraduate Certificate in Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence – University of Maine
The undergraduate companion to UMaine’s new graduate AI certificate, this program introduces students to artificial intelligence tools and methods in an engineering context at the undergraduate level. It is designed for students earlier in their academic or professional journey who want to build relevant AI fluency as the technology becomes increasingly central to engineering practice across industries.
There are several factors to weigh when considering pursuing an online engineering degree. These include the quality of the education offered, the total cost of the program, the institution’s reputation, the time required to complete the degree, admissions rates, and other variables.
Since online learning requires substantially more independence than traditional, on-campus degree programs, students considering a distance-based engineering program should ask:
In addition to the above questions, aspiring students should determine their program’s accreditation and state authorization statuses before making a decision.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, “Accreditation is the recognition that an institution maintains standards requisite for its graduates to gain admission to other reputable institutions of higher learning or to achieve credentials for professional practice.”
To receive accreditation, a school must meet a number of criteria outlined by the accrediting agency. Accreditation is an indicator of academic quality. As a student, it is important to know that having completed an accredited degree may be required to qualify for certain graduate programs, certifications, or employment opportunities.
Not all accrediting organizations are the same, however, as some carry more weight than others. Aspiring students should seek out programs that are accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition, aspiring students should understand that accreditation is available through different organizations at the programmatic, national, and regional levels. Here is a list of prominent organizations that accredit online engineering programs in Maine:
Students in Maine are only eligible to enroll in online engineering programs that have been authorized to operate in the state. Also, some online engineering programs in other states may not admit non-resident students. This information is usually available on program websites. All online students should carefully examine state policies before applying to any programs. Be sure to contact program coordinators to ensure out-of-state eligibility.
Admission requirements differ from school to school and program to program. Be sure to contact program administrators to find out the exact requirements and application deadlines for that program. Here are some typical admissions requirements for online engineering programs:
With a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education, Kimmy Gustafson regularly contributes insightful articles to OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com, providing readers with a comprehensive view on the evolving landscape of engineering education since 2019. She has intervi...
After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepr...