FAQs
UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How do I contact UMD CPSE with Questions? What resources are available for me to learn more about the program?
You can contact the University of Maryland Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program at Shady Grove by emailing es-sg@umd.edu or calling 240-665-6531. Interested students can also enroll in our UMD CPSE VIRTUAL WEBINAR to gain a better understanding of our undergraduate major.
2) Is the UMD CPSE B.S. Degree Program Accredited?
Yes! The Bachelor of Science in Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering degree program at the University of Maryland is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria.
This accreditation makes it the first undergraduate program in the United States to receive ABET accreditation for CPSE.
3) Is the UMD CPSE Degree Program within the A. James Clark School of Engineering?
Yes! The University of Maryland (UMD) Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) degree program is part of the A. James Clark School of Engineering. It is specifically offered through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
4) Where will my classes be held?
UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) classes are held exclusively at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) campus in Rockville, MD, specifically within the state-of-the-art Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (BSE) building. Check out our virtual lab tour!
5) Will my diploma say "The Universities at Shady Grove" since I will be earning my degree and taking classes in Rockville, MD?
No. Upon successfully fulfilling all program requirements, your diploma will state that you earned a degree in Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. You will receive a degree from UMD, not from the USG campus.
6) I am a Dual Enrollment (Early College/Middle College) student and expect to earn an AS/AA degree. How can I transfer to CPSE?
Attending a pre-transfer advising appointment is the best way to ensure you are properly prepared to transfer to our CPSE Program. If you are interested in majoring in CPSE at the University of Maryland, please contact us at es-sg@umd.edu. Meet Alim, a former Dual Enrollment student who graduated with a UMD CPSE B.S. degree. Alim currently works full-time as an Engineer!
7) What jobs have your past graduates gone into?
Jobs have included roles across software development, hardware verification, product management, data science, research, and more. Our alumni have been hired at companies such as Ford, N5 sensors, LogiCircuit, Verint, Euclid Techlabs, Leonardo DRS, among others.
8) Does the Universities at Shady Grove campus offer scholarships? Where can I apply for USG/UMD scholarships?
Yes! The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) provide a variety of scholarships for students enrolled in programs at their campus. You can apply for these scholarships through the USG Scholarship Application, which runs for both fall and spring semesters. Additionally, scholarship opportunities are also offered by the University of Maryland and the A. James Clark School of Engineering for students.
9) Are the tuition/fees the same as in College Park if you go to UMD CPSE?
Tuition rates for University of Maryland (UMD) students/programs at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) are the same as those at the College Park campus. However, mandatory fees differ between the two locations (Shady Grove fees are typically less). Differential tuition for specific majors (business, engineering, computer science) still applies at Shady Grove.
10) I am very software-focused. Is UMD CPSE a good choice as a potential major?
The UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program is excellent if you want to apply software to physical systems (IoT, robotics, embedded systems). It is heavily hands-on, ABET-accredited, and focused on software-hardware co-design. Students use programming languages such as C/C++, Python, and more.
11) Are projects in ENEB (CPSE) courses directly relevant to industry needs?
Yes, projects in the University of Maryland’s Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program at Shady Grove (often associated with ENEB course titles) are directly designed to meet industry needs. Projects focus on practical, real-world design challenges in areas like embedded systems, hardware/software security, and digital system design using industry-standard tools. In ENEB456, instructors partnered with startups and industry organizations, allowing students to build full machine learning pipelines and present their work in professional settings. One such success includes a co-published paper with Ryan’s Place Foundation titled Multimodal Clinical Prediction Framework for Health Outcomes of Patients with Cerebral Palsy: A Machine Learning Approach, in which machine learning models were developed to help healthcare workers predict outcomes for cerebral palsy patients.
12) Does CPSE have clubs and/or alumni networks?
Yes, the UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program at Shady Grove has featured the Innovators of New Age Tech student club. CPSE students also access networking through alumni listservs and broader A. James Clark School of Engineering alumni groups.
13) What are the main differences between College Park campus-based majors and CPSE?
The main difference between CP-based majors and CPSE (Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering) lies in CPSE's specialization, cohort structure, and location. Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) provides emphasis on embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) and is designed to integrate physical processes with software and hardware components. This leads to a significantly more hands-on environment than traditional engineering majors. Also, CPSE is a two-year, cohort-based program primarily for juniors and seniors, located at the Shady Grove campus rather than the main College Park campus.
14) Are students given close mentoring at UMD CPSE?
Yes, students in the UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program at the Universities at Shady Grove receive close, hands-on mentoring. Faculty and TA's are present in labs to guide students through project development, focusing on hands-on, experiential learning. Faculty collaborate with students throughout CPSE's curriculum and provide individualized support across projects. The program has been described by students as having a close-knit, supportive environment.
15) Are there opportunities available at College Park that CPSE students can take advantage of?
Yes, students are encouraged to visit UMD College Park to immerse themselves in opportunities, including career fairs, computing resources, expo competitions, and specialized scholarship programs.
16) I am a cybersecurity major. Can I transfer into this program?
While it is still possible to transfer into UMD CPSE with a background in cybersecurity, students studying cybersecurity may be missing certain transfer requirements. Pre-transfer students are expected to complete all lower-level General Education requirements (usually satisfied by earning an associate's degree from a community college within the State of Maryland) and possess at least 60 transferable credits to UMD. All students must complete program-required courses MATH140 (Calculus I), PHYS260/261 (Physics II), ENES100 (Intro to Engineering Design), one of the following (MATH246: Differential Equations, or MATH241: Calculus III, or MATH240: Linear Algebra), and an introductory programming course. All students must also meet the Clark School of Engineering's Limited Enrollment Program requirements, including a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (from all previous institutions), completion of MATH141 (Calculus II) with a minimum grade of a B-, completion of PHYS161 (Physics I) with a minimum grade of B-, and completion of either CHEM 135, CHEM 271 or CHEM134* with a minimum grade of C-. Students must adhere to all LEP Admissions policies outlined in the University's LEP Website.
*Students who take an equivalent to CHEM134 must also have completed an equivalent to CHEM131 with a minimum grade of C-.