- Home
- MICS Prerequisite Prep Resources
MICS Prerequisite Prep Resources
The references below are provided to help you prepare for the math and programming requirements of the Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) program delivered online by the UC Berkeley School of Information (I School).
Math
Programming
- *C
- *Python
- UNIX and Shell Scripting
- Java
- C++
- ISO C++
* Highest priority
College Algebra
This math self-study guide focuses on concepts used in the MICS first semester Cryptography course.
Provider: UC Berkeley
Cost: Free
Availability: Self-Paced
More Information: Math Self-Study Guide
Statistics
The following chapters on Probability Theory will be helpful preparation for Privacy Engineering, Applied Machine Learning and Usable Privacy and Security:
- Note on the Use of the Book.
- Introduction.
- Chapter I, The Sample Space.
- Chapter V, Conditional Probability; Stochastic Independence, Sections 1–4.
- Chapter IX, Random Variables; Expectation, Sections 1–5 and 9.
- Chapter VI, The Binomial and the Poisson Distributions.
Provider: Archive.org
Cost: Free
Availability: Self-Paced
More Information: An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications
C
Knowing the C programming language is important for understanding exploitable vulnerabilities in low-level infrastructure (i.e., machine and system processes). It is used extensively in the Software Security course and is also useful for the Operating System Security class and for implementing cryptography protocols.
Provider: Steve Summit
Cost: Free
Availability: Self-Paced
More Information: Steve Summit C Programming Course
Additional Resources: C-Programming Self-Study Guide for MICS, Berkeley C for Programmers Guide, Pointers and Memory from Stanford CS Library
Python
Python will get you started writing programs more quickly than other languages as it allows you to focus on your development task rather than programming language syntax. The MICS Cryptography, Network Security and Applied Machine Learning courses use Python.
Provider: JetBrains
Cost: Free
Availability: Self-Paced
More Information: PyCharm Edu by JetBrains, Python Self-Study Guide for MICS and Python Self-Study Guide Solutions for Jupyter Notebooks (instructions to download this self-study guide are in the self-assessment)
Additional Resources: Introduction to Python by Udacity, Learn Python, Think Python
UNIX and Shell Scripting
The basics of UNIX programming, shell scripting, and using the command line (not the Graphical User Interface) are necessary for working with Operating Systems.
Provider: LinuxCommand.org
Cost: Free
Availability: Self-Paced
More Information: Learning the Shell
Additional Resources: UNIX Tutorial for Beginners
Java
The MICS Software Security course makes some use of Java. (It is not essential that you know Java for the MICS program.)
Provider: UC Berkeley
Cost: Free
Availability: Self-Paced
More Information: Java for Programmers
Additional Resources: Java Concurrency by Vogella, Concurrency by Oracle
C++
The MICS Software Security course makes some use of C++. (It is not essential that you know C++ for the MICS program.)
Provider: cppreference.com
Cost: Free
Availability: Self-Paced
More Information: C++ Reference
Additional Resources: C++ FAQ by ISOCPP.org
{"admissionsEmail": "admissions@datascience.berkeley.edu", "degreeOffering": "ucb-mids", "fields": [{"hidden": false, "label": "Which program most interests you?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "degree", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "Data Science", "value": "MIDS"}, {"label": "Cybersecurity", "value": "CYB"}]}}, {"hidden": true, "label": "", "name": "no_klondike_gdpr_only_consent", "required": true, "type": 9, "value": {"gdprOnly": "false"}}, {"hidden": false, "mountPoint": 2, "name": "", "type": 7, "value": {"text": "Your personal data will be used as described in our [--link:https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/legal/privacy-policy/ target:blank]privacy policy[link--]. You may opt out of receiving communications at any time."}}], "grouping": "ucb-umt", "id": 893, "inferredFields": {}, "published": "2020-07-17T13:00:11.395Z", "screens": [{"allFields": [0, 1], "conditional": {}, "out": {"0": ["$next", [{"data": "$valid"}]]}}], "version": "1.0.1"}
{"admissionsEmail": "admissions@datascience.berkeley.edu", "degreeOffering": "ucb-mids", "fields": [{"hidden": false, "label": "First Name", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "first_name", "required": true, "type": 0, "value": {"text": ""}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "Last Name", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "last_name", "required": true, "type": 0, "value": {"text": ""}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "Email", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "email", "required": true, "type": 0, "value": {"text": ""}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "US Marketing Consent \u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00ba\u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00b8 - MIDS", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "lead_share_opt_in", "required": true, "type": 11, "value": {"checkboxText": "Please contact me about these educational programs.", "defaultChecked": true, "defaultRadio": "none", "disclaimer": "datascience@berkeley\u0027s technology partner, 2U, Inc., and its family of companies, work with multiple universities to offer educational programs in data science and other fields.", "format": "checkbox", "optInValue": "UCB-MIDS Marketing", "smsHiddenConsent": false}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "GDPR Marketing Consent \u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00aa\u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00ba - MIDS", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "lead_share_opt_in", "required": true, "type": 8, "value": {"disclaimer": "This personal data is collected and processed by [--link:https://2u.com/ target:blank]2U, Inc.[link--], datascience@berkeley\u0027s technology partner.", "leadShareOptIn": {"email": "Please email me about these educational programs.", "leadShareValue": "UCB-MIDS Marketing", "phone": "", "sms": "", "text": "datascience@berkeley\u0027s technology partner, [--link:https://2u.com/ target:blank]2U, Inc., and the 2U family of companies[link--], work with multiple universities to offer educational programs in data science and other fields."}, "retailOptIn": {"email": "Email", "phone": "Phone", "sms": "", "text": "Yes, I want to receive additional information about datascience@berkeley. Please contact me via:"}}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "State", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "state", "required": false, "type": 5, "value": {}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "Zip/Postal Code", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "zip_code", "required": false, "type": 0, "value": {"text": ""}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "Country of Residence", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "country", "required": true, "type": 6, "value": {}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "Which program most interests you?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "degree", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "Data Science", "value": "MIDS"}, {"label": "Cybersecurity", "value": "CYB"}]}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": true, "label": "Degree Offering: ucb-mids", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "degree_offering", "required": false, "type": 12, "value": {"degreeOffering": "ucb-mids", "programId": "400"}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": true, "label": "Degree Offering: ucb-cyb", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "degree_offering", "required": false, "type": 12, "value": {"degreeOffering": "ucb-cyb", "programId": "399"}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "What is your highest level of education completed?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "level_of_education", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "High School", "value": "High School"}, {"label": "Associate\u0027s", "value": "Associates"}, {"label": "Bachelor\u0027s in progress", "value": "Bachelors in progress"}, {"label": "Bachelor\u0027s", "value": "Bachelors"}, {"label": "Master\u0027s in progress", "value": "Masters in progress"}, {"label": "Master\u0027s", "value": "Masters"}, {"label": "Doctorate", "value": "Doctorate"}]}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "What was your undergraduate GPA?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "stated_gpa_range", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "4.00 and above", "value": "4.00 and above"}, {"label": "3.99 - 3.50", "value": "3.99-3.50"}, {"label": "3.49 - 3.00", "value": "3.49-3.00"}, {"label": "2.99 - 2.50", "value": "2.99-2.50"}, {"label": "2.49 and below", "value": "2.49 and below"}]}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "What is your educational background?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "educational_background", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "Business/Economics", "value": "Business/Economics"}, {"label": "Computer Science", "value": "Computer Science"}, {"label": "Education/Teaching", "value": "Education/Teaching"}, {"label": "English/Writing", "value": "English/Writing"}, {"label": "Engineering", "value": "Engineering"}, {"label": "History/Government", "value": "History/Government"}, {"label": "Math/Statistics", "value": "Math/Statistics"}, {"label": "Physical Science", "value": "Physical Science"}, {"label": "Other", "value": "Other"}]}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "What category best describes your undergraduate major?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "undergraduate_major", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "Computer Engineering", "value": "Computer Engineering"}, {"label": "Computer Science", "value": "Computer Science"}, {"label": "Electrical Engineering", "value": "Electrical Engineering"}, {"label": "Mathematics", "value": "Mathematics"}, {"label": "Mechanical Engineering", "value": "Mechanical Engineering"}, {"label": "Physics", "value": "Physics"}, {"label": "Information Technology", "value": "Information Technology"}, {"label": "Other", "value": "Other"}]}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "Have you taken the GRE or GMAT?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "test_taken", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "Yes", "value": "Yes"}, {"label": "No", "value": "No"}, {"label": "Registered but not taken", "value": "Registered but not taken"}]}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "How many years of programming experience do you have?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "years_of_programming_experience", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "0", "value": "0"}, {"label": "1", "value": "1"}, {"label": "2", "value": "2"}, {"label": "3", "value": "3"}, {"label": "4", "value": "4"}, {"label": "5", "value": "5"}, {"label": "6", "value": "6"}, {"label": "7", "value": "7"}, {"label": "8", "value": "8"}, {"label": "9", "value": "9"}, {"label": "10+", "value": "10+"}]}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "Why are you interested in the Master of Information and Data Science?", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "why_are_you_interested_in_earning_a_mids", "required": true, "type": 3, "value": {"defaultOption": "", "options": [{"label": "Advance my career", "value": "Advance my career"}, {"label": "Switch to a new career", "value": "Switch to a new career"}]}}, {"hidden": false, "label": "Country of Citizenship", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "country_of_citizenship", "required": true, "type": 6, "value": {}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "Phone", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "phone", "required": true, "type": 0, "value": {"text": ""}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "US Marketing Consent \u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00ba\u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00b8 - CYB", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "lead_share_opt_in", "required": true, "type": 11, "value": {"checkboxText": "Please contact me about these educational programs.", "defaultChecked": true, "defaultRadio": "none", "disclaimer": "cybersecurity@berkeley\u0027s technology partner, 2U, Inc., and its family of companies, work with multiple universities to offer educational programs in cybersecurity and other fields.", "format": "checkbox", "optInValue": "UCB-CYB Marketing", "smsHiddenConsent": false}}, {"conditionallyRendered": true, "hidden": false, "label": "GDPR Marketing Consent \u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00aa\u00f0\u009f\u0087\u00ba - CYB", "mountPoint": 1, "name": "lead_share_opt_in", "required": true, "type": 8, "value": {"disclaimer": "This personal data is collected and processed by [--link:https://2u.com/ target:blank]2U, Inc.[link--], cybersecurity@berkeley\u0027s technology partner.", "leadShareOptIn": {"email": "Please email me about these educational programs.", "leadShareValue": "UCB-CYB Marketing", "phone": "", "sms": "", "text": "cybersecurity@berkeley\u0027s technology partner, [--link:https://2u.com/ target:blank]2U, Inc., and its family of companies[link--], work with multiple universities to offer educational programs in cybersecurity and other fields."}, "retailOptIn": {"email": "Email", "phone": "Phone", "sms": "", "text": "Yes, I want to receive additional information about cybersecurity@berkeley. Please contact me via:"}}}, {"hidden": true, "label": "", "name": "no_klondike_gdpr_only_consent", "required": true, "type": 9, "value": {"gdprOnly": "false"}}, {"hidden": false, "mountPoint": 2, "name": "", "type": 7, "value": {"text": "Your personal data will be used as described in our [--link:https://ischoolonline.berkeley.edu/legal/privacy-policy/ target:blank]privacy policy[link--]. You may opt out of receiving communications at any time."}}], "grouping": "ucb-umt", "id": 893, "inferredFields": {}, "published": "2020-07-17T13:00:11.395Z", "screens": [{"allFields": [8, 22], "conditional": {}, "out": {"1": ["$next", [{"data": "$valid"}]]}}, {"allFields": [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17], "conditional": {"10": [1, "", [{"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "CYB"}, {"op": 0}]], "13": [1, "", [{"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "MIDS"}, {"op": 0}]], "14": [1, "", [{"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "CYB"}, {"op": 0}]], "17": [1, "", [{"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "MIDS"}, {"op": 0}]], "9": [1, "", [{"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "MIDS"}, {"op": 0}]]}, "out": {"2": ["$next", [{"data": "$valid"}]]}}, {"allFields": [0, 1, 2], "conditional": {}, "out": {"3": ["$next", [{"data": "$valid"}]]}}, {"allFields": [5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 3, 20, 4, 21, 23], "conditional": {"19": [3, "", [{"data": "state.no_klondike_gdpr_only_consent"}, {"data": "true"}, {"op": 0}, {"data": "state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"}, {"data": "eu"}, {"op": 0}, {"op": 8}]], "20": [1, "", [{"data": "state.no_klondike_gdpr_only_consent"}, {"data": "true"}, {"op": 1}, {"data": "state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"}, {"data": "eu"}, {"op": 1}, {"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "CYB"}, {"op": 0}, {"op": 7}, {"op": 7}]], "21": [1, "", [{"data": "state.no_klondike_gdpr_only_consent"}, {"data": "true"}, {"op": 0}, {"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "CYB"}, {"op": 0}, {"op": 7}, {"data": "state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"}, {"data": "eu"}, {"op": 0}, {"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "CYB"}, {"op": 0}, {"op": 7}, {"op": 8}]], "3": [1, "", [{"data": "state.no_klondike_gdpr_only_consent"}, {"data": "true"}, {"op": 1}, {"data": "state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"}, {"data": "eu"}, {"op": 1}, {"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "MIDS"}, {"op": 0}, {"op": 7}, {"op": 7}]], "4": [1, "", [{"data": "state.no_klondike_gdpr_only_consent"}, {"data": "true"}, {"op": 0}, {"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "MIDS"}, {"op": 0}, {"op": 7}, {"data": "state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"}, {"data": "eu"}, {"op": 0}, {"data": "state.degree"}, {"data": "MIDS"}, {"op": 0}, {"op": 7}, {"op": 8}]]}, "out": {"-1": ["$next", [{"data": "$valid"}]]}}], "version": "1.0.1"}