Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

While cryptographers strive for the best possible solution to a security issue, the implementation of their work is too often restricted by technological limitations, cost restraints and human factors that were not considered as part of the original design process. For effective solutions to gain practical relevance, the end users must be willing and able to use the technology, and the solution must provide a significant economic benefit.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program is structured to provide students with security expertise within the context of a broad education. A solid education in security requires not only a strong focus in science and computer science in particular but must also incorporate some aspects of engineering and technology management. The program culminates with a project-oriented, two-semester senior capstone course through which you will develop the client-facing and project management skills expected of the modern IT professional.

Program Objectives and Outcomes

These are the professional accomplishments that students are expected to have achieved three years after graduation:

Be able to acquire new skills and knowledge on one's own (Skills Development)
Be able to create solutions to complex problems in secure system design (Skills Application)
Be proficient in both oral and written technical communication (Communication)
Be effective as either a member or a leader of a small team (Teamwork)
Be able to evaluate the impact of one's work on the intended users and on society (Impact)

Student Objectives and Outcomes

Student outcomes are measurable goals for the learning that takes place during a student's time in the program. These narrow statements describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation, relating to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire in the program:

An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline (Apply)
An ability to analyze a problem and identify and define the cybersecurity requirements appropriate to its solution (Analyze)
An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired cybersecurity needs in the face of current, emerging, and potential threats (Define)
An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal (Teamwork)
An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities (Responsibility)
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences (Communication)
An ability to analyze the local and global impact of cybersecurity on individuals, organizations and society (Impact)
Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development (Professional Development)
An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for cybersecurity practice (Currency)
An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of secure computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices (Tradeoffs)
An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of secure software systems of varying complexity (Construction)

Not only do outcome goals exist for the overall program, but each course has its own outcomes.

Cybersecurity Curriculum

The program requires the following courses:

Mathematics

MA 121	Differential Calculus	2
MA 122	Integral Calculus	2
MA 125	Vectors and Matrices	2
MA 126	Multivariable Calculus I	2
MA 222	Probability and Statistics	3

MA 232	Linear Algebra	3
	Or
MA 236	Introduction Mathematical Logic	3

CS 135	Discrete Structures	4
CS 334	Theory of Computation	3

Computer Science

CS 115	Introduction to Computer Science	4
CS 284	Data Structures	4
CS 146	Introduction to Web Programming and Project Development	3
CS 347	Software Development Process	3
CS 382	Computer Architecture and Organization	4
CS 385	Algorithms	4
CS 392	Systems Programming	3
CS 442	Database Management Systems	3
CS 485	Societal Impact of Information Technologies	1
CS 488	Computer Architecture	3
CS 492	Operating Systems	3
CS 496	Principles of Programming Languages	3
CS 511	Concurrent Programming	3
CS 521	TCP/IP Networking	3
CS 595	Information Security and the Law	3

Cybersecurity

CS 503	Discrete Mathematics for Cryptography	3
	Or
MA 503	Discrete Mathematics for Cryptography	3

CS 306	Introduction to IT Security	4
CS 425	Cybersecurity Capstone I	3
CS 426	Cybersecurity Capstone II	3
CS 576	Systems Security	4
CS 578	Privacy in a Networked World	3
CS 579	Foundations of Cryptography	3

Other Cybersecurity electives may be approved at the discretion of the program director.

Sample Study Plan

Term I

HASS 103	Writing and Communications Colloquium	3
CS 115	Introduction to Computer Science	4
CS 146	Introduction to Web Programming and Project Development	3
MA 121	Differential Calculus	2
MA 122	Integral Calculus	2
	Science I	3
PRV 101	First Year Experience	1

Term II

HASS 105	Knowledge, Nature, Culture	3
CS 135	Discrete Structures	4
CS 284	Data Structures	4
MA 125	Vectors and Matrices	2
MA 126	Multivariable Calculus I	2
	Science II	3
	Science Lab	1

Term III

CS 306	Introduction to IT Security	4
CS 334	Theory of Computation	3
CS 382	Computer Architecture and Organization	4
CS 385	Algorithms	4
MGT 103	Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking	2

Term IV

CS 392	Systems Programming	3
CS 496	Principles of Programming Languages	3
CS 347	Software Development Process	3
MA 222	Probability and Statistics	3
MA 232	Linear Algebra	3
	Or
MA 236	Introduction Mathematical Logic	3
PRV 20X	Frontiers of Technology	1

Term V

CS 503	Discrete Mathematics for Cryptography	3
CS 442	Database Management Systems	3
CS 578	Privacy in a Networked World	3
CS 576	Systems Security	4
HSSC 371	Computers and Society	3
	Or
HPL 455	Ethical Issues in Science and Technology	3
PRV 20X	Frontiers of Technology	1

Term VI

CS 488	Computer Architecture	3
CS 492	Operating Systems	3
CS 579	Foundations of Cryptography	3
CS 595	Information Security and the Law	3
	Humanities	3
PRV 20X	Frontiers of Technology	1

Term VII

CS 425	Cybersecurity Capstone I	3
CS 511	Concurrent Programming	3
CS 485	Societal Impact of Information Technologies	1
CS	Cybsersecurity Elective	3
CS	CS Elective	3
	Humanities	3

Term VIII

CS 426	Cybersecurity Capstone II	3
CS 521	TCP/IP Networking	3
CS	Cybsersecurity Elective	3
CS	Cybsersecurity Elective	3
	General Elective	3

Note:
SUCCESS Core Curriculum: Students must complete requirements including PRV 101, and three (3) courses from PRV 201, PRV 202, PRV 203, PRV 204, PRV 205.
Humanities and HSSC 371 or HPL 455: The Humanities courses must have your advisor’s approval prior to enrolling. For details on Humanities courses and requirements please visit Humanities Requirements.
Science I, Science II, and Science Lab: Science Electives: Undergraduate Programs Requirements.

Electives

The program includes one CS electives, two Cybersecurity electives, and one general elective. Students must obtain their advisor’s approval before enrolling in a course to count as CS or general elective. The following courses are approved as Cybersecurity electives. Note that undergraduate students must meet a minimum GPA requirement in order to be allowed to enroll in 600-level courses.

These courses must each be 3 or more credits. No course may duplicate another; specifically, students may not count toward the minor CS 501, CS 515, CS 550, CS 556, CS 570, or CS 590. Also, students may not count toward the minor both courses in each of the following pairs: CS 382 and CS 550, CS 488 and CS 514, CS 492 and CS 520, CS 496 and CS 510, CS 442 and CS 561, SSW 540 and CS 347.

CS 577	Reverse Engineering and Application Analysis	4
CS 594	Enterprise and Cloud Security	3
CS 665	Forensic Analysis	3
CS 693	Cryptographic Protocols	3
CS 676	Advanced Topics in Systems and Security	3
CS 696	Database Security	3
CPE 592	Computer and Multimedia Network Security	3
EE 584	Wireless Systems Security	3
FIN 545	Risk Management for Financial Cybersecurity	3
CS 643	Formal Verification of Software	3
MA 564	Mathematics of Post-Quantum Cryptography	3
MA 565	Quantum Algorithms	3