Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students Minor

Prince Frederick Hall
Phone: 301-314-7414
aces@umd.edu
http://aces.umd.edu 

Director: Michel Cukier, Ph.D.

The ACES (Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students) Minor is housed in the Honors College but is open to all undergraduate students in all majors. This minor takes a multidisciplinary approach to cybersecurity education in that students gain knowledge about many of the fields that intersect in cybersecurity (e.g., legal and public policy aspects, criminal justice, journalism, and computer science and engineering). With an emphasis on hands-on experiences, students will gain practical skills through coursework, seminars, group projects, internships, and research, both on and off campus.

Students in the ACES Minor will also have opportunities to engage in the larger ACES community, including participating in educational events. ACES Minor students will also have regular interactions with corporate and governmental leaders in cybersecurity, who will serve as both mentors and professional contacts.

This minor program requires a minimum of 16 credits. 

These credits are earned in the following ways:

  • Foundation classes: 1-3 credits, depending on student background
  • Electives classes: 9-12 credits, depending on student background
  • Experiential Learning class: 3 credits

The students will earn their 16 minor credits through one of three pathways, depending on their prior academic background. 

Pathways:

1. Computer Science/Computer Engineering Pathway (for students who have taken CMSC216)

Course Title Credits
Foundations Courses
HACS202Group Project in Cybersecurity3
HACS318Cybersecurity Professionals Colloquium Series (HACS318A)1
Electives Courses9
HACS408 seminars and/or substitution courses
Experiential Learning Courses3
HACS479
Undergraduate Research in Cybersecurity
HACS498
Cybersecurity Group Problem Solving
HACS497
Cybersecurity Experience Reflection
Total Credits16

2. ACES Living-Learning Pathway (for students who have taken HACS100, HACS101, and HACS200)

Course Title Credits
Foundations Courses
HACS318Cybersecurity Professionals Colloquium Series (HACS318A)1
Electives Courses12
HACS408 seminars and/or substitution courses
Experiential Learning Courses3
HACS479
Undergraduate Research in Cybersecurity
HACS498
Cybersecurity Group Problem Solving
HACS497
Cybersecurity Experience Reflection
Total Credits16

3. Pathway for Students not in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or the ACES Living-Learning Program 

Course Title Credits
Foundations Courses
HACS201Introduction to UNIX1
HACS202Group Project in Cybersecurity3
HACS318Cybersecurity Professionals Colloquium Series (HACS318A)1
Electives Courses9
HACS408 seminars and/or substitution classes
Experiential Learning Course3
HACS479
Undergraduate Research in Cybersecurity
HACS498
Cybersecurity Group Problem Solving
HACS497
Cybersecurity Experience Reflection
Total Credits17
1

Students may substitute one or two electives from courses including:   BUDT758D, CCJS318I, CMSC412,  CMSC414, CMSC417, CMSC456, ENEE447, ENEE456, ENEE457, ENEE459B, ENME442, ENME442, INST464, INST467, and PLCY388C.

Notes:

  • At the time of application students must have 30 university credits completed (including transfer credit, and excluding AP, IB, and dual enrolled credits), a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.2, and at least 3 semesters remaining prior to graduation
  • Upon admission to the minor students will become part of the Honors College and are subject to its policies
  • Students must maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA to remain in good standing in the minor per Honors College requirements
  • All courses used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better
  • A maximum of 2 courses may be used to satisfy the requirements of both a major and a minor