Honors Living-Learning Programs at a Glance

ACES

Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students

Challenging Courses, Unique Opportunities, Engaged Community

Theme: Cybersecurity
Cohort size: 85-90 students
2-year program with option to apply to minor
Credits required to citation: 15
Residence hall: Prince Frederick Hall (ACES students required to live on campus for two years)
Distinguishing features: Technical and non-technical cybersecurity courses taught by industry leaders, professional development and leadership opportunities, connections with corporate partners, and applied experiences such as internships, research and group problem solving within a tight-knit community of diverse students.

Students interested in the ACES minor can learn more here.

Design Cultures & Creativity

Makers and Thinkers Transforming Society

Theme: Creating better worlds
Cohort size: 60-70 students
2-year program
Credits required to citation: 16
Residence hall: Prince Frederick Hall
Distinguishing features: DCC offers hands-on courses that emphasize experimentation and self-directed learning; activities and coursework that encourage your creativity and artistic spirit to thrive; classes and facilities that introduce you to emerging technologies and tools; and a calendar of events to help you form and maintain close bonds in a dynamic community.

Gemstone

Impact and Inquiry

Theme: Multidisciplinary four-year research
Cohort size: ~120 students
4-year program
Credits required to citation: 18
Residence hall: Ellicott Hall (students are strongly encouraged to live in Ellicott for their first year)
Distinguishing features: In Gemstone, students of all majors come together in teams to design, direct and conduct significant research under the guidance of faculty mentors and Gemstone staff, advancing knowledge and exploring society’s urgent questions. The student research teams present their research in the form of a thesis to experts during spring semester of their senior year. Gemstone challenges and supports student growth and learning in a community that values leadership, mentoring and relationship building.

Honors Global Communities

Global Connections, Global Impact

Theme: Understanding global issues by harnessing the power of data science
Cohort size: 75 students
2-year program
Credits required to citation: 16
Residence hall: Dorchester Hall (HGLO students are strongly encouraged to live in Dorchester for their first year)
Distinguishing features: HGLO offers a rare hybrid of training in data science and learning about global issues. Students complete this program with a better handle on the problems facing the world along with the analytical skills to contribute to solutions. With specialized courses conducted in close contact with distinguished faculty, HGLO students can pursue original research on specific global topics, as well as internship and study abroad experiences connected with global public service and unique opportunities of the nation’s capital area. The program has a strong emphasis on inclusive community-building within the program, across campus, throughout the Maryland/DC region and in national and global spheres.

Honors Humanities

Think Outside the Shell

Theme: Arts and humanities
Cohort size: 65-70 students
2-year program
Credits required to citation: 15
Residence hall: Anne Arundel Hall
Distinguishing features: A tight-knit community of people who love the arts and humanities and who want to use what they learn in the program about law, religion, literature, history, food, dance, philosophy, and more to find success in their careers, to live a fulfilling life, and to do good in the world.

Integrated Life Sciences

Community, Academics, Research and Service

Theme: Life Sciences
Cohort size: 75-95 students
2-year program
Credits required to citation: 16
Prerequisites: ILS starts with sophomore-level biology courses so candidates must be able to transfer in credits for the freshman biology sequence. Students must have already received credit for BSCI 170 through any combination of AP bio scores (4 or 5), IB HL exam (5 or 6), or college transfer credit.
Residence hall: La Plata Hall (ILS students are required to live on campus for one year)
Distinguishing features: Accelerated life science courses, service-learning and research internship requirements in a supportive and fun environment that will help prepare students for whatever career path they choose.

Interdisciplinary Business Honors

Incubating Future Leaders

Theme: Connecting Disciplines Through Business
Cohort size: 65 students
2-year program
Credits required to citation: 15
Residence hall: Prince Frederick Hall (IBH students are required to live on campus for their first year)
Distinguishing features: Students combine access to cutting-edge professional and technical business skills with broader thinking about the role of business in the world and in relation to multiple academic fields. They apply this knowledge to thinking critically about the great challenges of our time, including social, environmental, public health and human rights topics.

University Honors

Depth of Insight Requires Breadth of Vision

Theme: Choose your own
Cohort size: 480 students
2-year program
Credits required to citation: 15
Residence hall: Pyon-Chen Hall and Johnson-Whittle Hall (Heritage Community)
Distinguishing features: Debate the challenges of our time with passionate faculty from an array of disciplines and backgrounds. Chart your own path by selecting from over a dozen themes and 25 distinct courses every semester. Represent one of four UH “houses,” compete in our annual House Cup competition and hone your leadership skills. Live and learn in the newest residential community at UMD.