Learn about the technology requirements you must meet to navigate your cyber and IT coursework.
To be successful in online courses at University of Maryland Global Campus, you must have reliable internet access and a current email address. Some academic disciplines may require you to download and install software to complete your coursework. These expectations will be outlined on individual program pages.
For your convenience, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ has outlined the standard technology requirements that should prepare you for most cybersecurity and information technology courses.
We also have information available for our interactive online classroom requirements, which are separate from the requirements listed below.
Cyber & IT Technology Requirements
If you are taking upper-level undergraduate coursework (beyond general education requirements) or graduate-level coursework in a cybersecurity and information technology field, you will need equipment that meets the following specifications.
Note:Â Tablets, Chromebooks, and cell phones are not compatible with the virtual learning environment.
Hardware Requirements
- CPU: Intel core i-5, AMD Ryzen 5, or Apple M1 or higher
- Cores: 4 cores or higher
- Storage: 512 GB or higher
- RAM: 16 GB or higher
- Display/monitor: 13" or higher
- Graphics: 1280×720 (HD) or higher
- Accessories: Keyboard, mouse/trackpad, camera, microphone and speakers
- Ports: USB-C, HDMI
- High-speed Internet connection: Ethernet or Wi-Fi
Operating System
- Windows 11
- MacOS 15 or higher
Software Requirements
- Microsoft 365 or equivalent
- Current web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)
- Antivirus software
- Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader
Computing-Intensive or Graphics-Intensive Technology (for WDDE & XRDE Courses)
The following courses require higher-performance computing and graphics capabilities than the technology requirements described above. Students enrolled in these courses may need more powerful hardware and specialized technology to support coursework and software demands.
Please note: This list may be updated as new courses are developed:
Computer Science:
- (3 Credits, CMSC 325)
- WDDE 308
- (3 Credits, WDDE 310)
- WDDE 311
- (3 Credits, WDDE 320)
- (3 Credits, WDDE 325)
- WDDE 341
- WDDE 351
- (3 Credits, WDDE 385)
- WDDE 386
- WDDE 387
- WDDE 388
- (3 Credits, WDDE 425)
- WDDE 488
- (3 Credits, WDDE 495)
- (3 Credits, XRDE 315)
- (3 Credits, XRDE 330)
- XRDE 331
- XRDE 390
- (3 Credits, XRDE 490)
- (3 Credits, XRDE 495)
These recommendations apply to undergraduate major coursework or graduate-level coursework in computing-intensive or graphics-intensive subject areas.
Hardware Requirements
- CPU: Intel core i-7, AMD Ryzen 7, or Apple M2 or higher
- Cores: 8 cores or higher
- Storage: 512 GB or higher
- RAM: 32 GB or higher
- Display/monitor: 13" or higher
- Graphics: 1080p or higher
- Accessories: Keyboard, mouse/trackpad, camera, microphone and speakers
- Ports: USB-C, HDMI
- High-speed Internet connection: Ethernet or Wi-Fi
Operating System
- Windows 11
- MacOS 15 or higher
Software Requirements
- Microsoft 365 or equivalent
- Current web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)
- Antivirus software
- Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader