Cybersecurity
Logical Reasoning & Structured Analytic Techniques
The overall objective of this class is to enable students to critically think about their analysis and what they are tasked to analyze. A secondary objective is to provide students with a set of analytic tools to be used in future analytic scenarios. At the end of the course, students will be equipped with a “toolbox” of analytic methodologies and skills and have honed their critical thinking skills.
On completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Use critical thinking techniques to provide structure to their analytic reasoning
- Apply Logical Reasoning fundamentals
- Identify, describe, and effectively employ multiple methods for structured reasoning
- Demonstrate proficiency in the above-noted skills through classroom participation and various exercises
- Complete a final capstone assignment using a minimum of 3 structured analytic methods
High quality thinking comes with routine practice in internalizing and applying theoretical structures. This typically requires a three-pronged approach in which students need routine practice in: internalizing concepts, applying those concepts, and evaluating their work. Thinking analytically is a skill like carpentry or driving a car. It can be taught, it can be learned, and it can improve with practice. But like many other skills, such as riding a bike, it is not learned by sitting in a classroom and being told how to do it. Analysts learn by doing. Regular running enhances endurance but does not improve technique without expert guidance. Similarly, expert guidance may be required to modify long-established analytical habits to achieve an optimal level of analytic performance. As such, the below modules should be not viewed as lectures, but more guided training sessions.
TOPICS
- Introduction to Logic
- Argument Analysis
- Fallacies
- Deductive Logic
- Attacking Logical Reasoning Tests
- Basic Critical Thinking Concepts
- Cognitive Biases
- Point of View
- Inferences
- Formulating Hypotheses
- Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH)
- Devil’s Advocacy
- Pros-Cons-Fixes
Is there a discount available for current students?
UMBC students and alumni, as well as students who have previously taken a public training course with UMBC Training Centers are eligible for a 10% discount, capped at $250. Please provide a copy of your UMBC student ID or an unofficial transcript or the name of the UMBC Training Centers course you have completed. Asynchronous courses are excluded from this offer.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Student will receive a refund of paid registration fees only if UMBC Training Centers receives a notice of cancellation at least 10 business days prior to the class start date for classes or the exam date for exams.