Master of Science in Cybersecurity
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree provides advanced training in cybersecurity to IT professionals who already have a background in computer science, computer engineering, or other closely related discipline in the information sciences. It is a rigorous program in the art and practice of cybersecurity, including fundamentals of cryptography, and threats and defenses for secure systems. The emphasis in this program is on deep technical skills that may be complemented with courses in security management, which emphasize broad principles and security administration. Academically inclined graduates of this program will also be well poised to pursue Ph.D. study in cybersecurity, should they so choose.
Program Objectives
The program prepares students to:
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competently apply cybersecurity skills to problems relevant to the industry.
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be a productive member of a team that creates effective solutions to complex security problems in computer system design or deployment.
Program Outcomes
By the time of graduation, students will be able to:
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define and use security models to abstractly describe security properties of computer and communication systems in the face of current, emerging, and potential threats.
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experiment with software and hardware, to explore flaws in systems; explain performance issues with a focus on the associated security trade-offs; and use standard security-related tools and packages.
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explain cryptographic techniques and primitives and use them towards providing security guarantees.
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describe and use tools for preserving the privacy of personal data, as well as explain some of the social and legal ramifications of privacy.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is a 30-credit degree program. Students are required to complete:
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7 core courses (21 credits - table below)
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3 elective courses (9 credits) in areas related to cybersecurity, as approved by their advisor
Typical pre-approved courses (which may be offered less frequently than core courses) are listed below.
Students must maintain a grade of C or above in any course and a minimum GPA of 3.000.
Core Courses
| CS 520 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
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| CS 503 | Discrete Mathematics for Cryptography | 3 |
| Or | |
| MA 503 | Discrete Mathematics for Cryptography | 3 |
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| CS 573 | Fundamentals of CyberSecurity | 3 |
| CS 578 | Privacy in a Networked World | 3 |
| CS 579 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 |
| CS 600 | Advanced Algorithm Design and Implementation | 3 |
| CS 665 | Forensic Analysis | 3 |
Note: CS 520 and CS 600 may be replaced by electives if the student already has taken these courses as an undergraduate.