In the ever-evolving fields of data and computer science education, faculty play a pivotal role beyond classroom instruction. They serve as mentors, guides, and advocates, shaping their students’ learning experiences and helping them integrate what they learn into their professional lives.
Students in the online graduate data science and computer science programs at the Tufts University School of Engineering work with many esteemed faculty members. They include:
- Marty Allen, associate teaching professor and director of online programs; Allen specializes in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and reinforcement learning.
- Ming Chow, associate teaching professor; Chow’s work focuses on cyber security and web engineering.
- Lisa Diorio, part-time lecturer; Diorio’s teaching parlays her experience in software, hardware, VLSI integrated circuit design, and entrepreneurship.
This article digs into these faculty members’ passion for teaching, views on online education, emphasis on foundational knowledge, and guidance for students.
Practical Skills for Real-World Impact
Tufts’ Curriculum Equips You With Industry-Relevant Tools
Engines for Good: How Tufts Professors Pair Experience with a Passion for Teaching
Faculty lies at the heart of the School of Engineering, bringing expertise and dedication to both on-campus and online programs. Professors blend extensive experience with a passion for teaching to create an engaging and impactful learning environment for online students.
Marty Allen emphasizes the importance of adaptability in teaching and designing courses that challenge and support online students. He puts a lot of thought and intention into creating lectures that optimize online content delivery.
He explains: “I have to be more intentional about [the teaching process]. I think it’s made me a better teacher because it has allowed me to really sit down outside the hustle and bustle of [in-person] classes and say, okay, my job now is to just think through this class and create the best possible version of it and get that on tape.”
Online students, Allen believes, “probably get better engagement [with course material] because they can kind of jump in and out. And then, when it’s actually time to meet with the students, I’m doing all the stuff that normally a TA would do, like labs and recitation exercises,” allowing him to engage students more directly.
Ming Chow’s experience as a cybersecurity expert shapes his online teaching philosophy, which focuses on hands-on, real-world learning and collaboration. He says, “For all my courses, you learn by doing. … And you’re encouraged … almost to a point where you’re forced, where you’ve got to learn by asking questions. And when you ask questions, you’ll get an answer.” He elaborates that the answers come from not just him but also other students, reinforcing their learning.
His desire to connect the academic side of things with real-world applications also influences Chow. As he puts it: “One of the big reasons why I’m still teaching here is to bridge that gap and also to give back.”
Return on Learning: The Value of an Online Degree in 2025
Earning a degree online confers many benefits, including accessibility and the flexibility to balance work and personal commitments. Of course, it’s essential for the online program to provide equivalent content with the same academic rigor as its on-campus counterpart.
At Tufts, the focus has always been on teaching, regardless of whether instruction is delivered in person or online. When the School of Engineering began to offer online education, the goal wasn’t to scale up or do things completely differently. Instead, Allen explains, “We tried to figure out how do we take what we like to do, which is to interact with our students, and just move that online. And that’s what we did.”
Chow has “always been a proponent of online education” and believes the accessibility that online education provides breaks down barriers. He believes online study “gives people access to education that they may not have.” Whether students live outside a school’s geographic area, have disabilities that prevent them from attending on campus, or simply prefer to learn from home, online learning provides access to higher education and a more inclusive environment.
Online students in the School of Engineering also benefit from a diverse peer group with real-world experiences that enrich the learning environment. Chow mentions that the demographics of online graduate students are very different. “People are professional, they’re more mature, they have a motivation for why they want to be in the program.” Lisa Diorio agrees, saying, “There’s a level of maturity that we see (with online students) just because they’ve had some outside-of-school experience. … they are a little bit better equipped and more motivated to learn.”
Allen adds that students also share their job market experience and bring “those perspectives of different industries [and] roles.” Personal experience adds value to student input; potential networking connections can be beneficial as well.
Why Foundational Concepts Matter in Fast-Changing Fields
A strong foundation in computing and technology helps professionals adapt to changes in this rapidly evolving field. School of Engineering faculty emphasize the importance of mastering the basics to ensure students understand how things work so they know how to fix them and can move between technologies. As Chow observes, “When you have a solid foundation, you can figure out what happened in a bug [and] what went wrong. In fact, a lot of times, you can even fix the problem yourself.”
Diorio agrees, “I think that the fundamentals are super-important. … [If you can] understand what underlies everything, then you can move from technology to technology… Getting the principles down and getting the fundamentals down will help you to adapt and flow with the technology wherever it goes.”
The School of Engineering curricula encourage students to explore and understand data science and computer science principles behind the tools required for advanced career pathways. In addition to technical skills, the curricula focus on developing students’ non-technical skills like critical thinking to help them understand how and why things function as they do.
What Online Learners Need to Succeed in the Classroom
Tufts faculty understand that success in the online classroom requires more than just the technology to access course materials. It also requires students to navigate challenges such as preparation, time management, and engagement with a virtual environment.
It is essential that students arrive in their intended program with the requisite foundational knowledge and skills. Allen explains that Tufts offers bridge programs “designed to give the background to get people in the master’s.”
Students are encouraged to create a schedule that allows them to dedicate sustained blocks of time to focused work like coding and mathematical problems. Students can also tailor their course load to fit their lifestyles, whether they take a single course a semester, take courses over the summer, or even take a semester off. Effective time management throughout the program helps online learners succeed.
Faculty also recommend that students take advantage of all the opportunities available in the program. Diorio advises students to go beyond expectations and capitalize on the wealth of knowledge and experience available at Tufts, adding that “the rewards will be tenfold what you put into it.” She also encourages students to “Get to know the professors… we’re very welcoming. We’re very accessible,” adding that “professors have things to offer you besides just the topic that you’re learning.” Building these connections can transform the experience and provide invaluable insights.
The online learning experience can be transformational with the right preparation and mindset, helping graduates build a strong foundation in technology and computing sciences. Chow explains, “After you come out of here, there is absolutely no excuse for you to not learn something quickly. That’s a skill that will take you very far,” characterizing the ability to learn and adapt quickly as “probably the most important skill in life,” especially in today’s rapidly changing world. This adaptability and a strong technical foundation equip graduates from the School of Engineering to thrive in an increasingly interconnected global community.
Beyond the Classroom: How Faculty Can Help Shape Student Careers
Mentorship plays an important role in students’ academic journeys and throughout their careers. Tufts faculty members recognize the importance of forming long-term relationships with students that extend beyond graduation, offering guidance as they navigate their careers.
Allen notes the availability of office hours through video conferencing, which allows faculty to get to know students and “develop relationships with them.” Chow highlights the value of these connections, commenting, “Life is about people … . Communities are important. They’re going to give you far more opportunities in life than you can ever imagine.” Recognizing the impact his community had on his career, he helps students make industry connections to continue learning and growing.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Computer Science and Data Science Education
The online programs at Tufts were developed before the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning them well to adapt to the sudden shift to online learning. The programs have improved since then as students and faculty have become more familiar with digital tools and teaching methods.
The curricula have also evolved to reflect the latest industry trends and technologies. As the field continues to advance, curricula are updated to reflect the latest advances and trends. Faculty provide a rich learning experience by tailoring course material to reflect the most current industry needs and their own field experience to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive.
Diorio shares, “Knowing what they’re going to encounter in the real world, I can express that to them. And I think that that really makes a difference in getting their skills at a whole other level.” This focus on the future and practical application prepares students for today’s challenges and empowers them to inspire new technologies and innovations in the future.
Study Data and Computer Science Online at Tufts University
Online education offers a flexible and accessible way to advance your education. By pursuing a graduate degree at Tufts, you’ll gain a strong foundation in computing and technology to help you adapt to changes, industry-relevant skills, and practical knowledge to propel your career. You will also benefit from the mentorship of Tufts faculty, who will offer support and guidance during your program and beyond. As Allen explains, “If what you want is to interact with your instructors and your fellow students—if that’s an important part of the educational process for you, along with networking and the human connection and the ability to learn things through conversation, then this could be the right program for you.”
Online graduate programs like those offered at Tufts prepare future leaders and innovators to impact the future of technology. If you’re ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of pursuing an online Master of Science in Data Science or an online Master of Science in Computer Science, contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the programs or start your application.