Cybersecurity concentration

Cybersecurity Concentration

Students earning the Bachelor of Science in computer science may elect to complete a concentration in cybersecurity.  As a formal discipline, cybersecurity incorporates related technical and non-technical disciplines, including but not limited to software development, information systems and technology (IS/IT), mathematics, ethics and compliance, policy and governance, forensics, personnel, incident response, and risk management.  Our daily lives are connected to the extent that nearly every crime includes a digital component.  Malicious actors compromise data and violate privacy, manipulating the lives of individuals and entire user populations.  Cybersecurity professionals possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) to protect and defend digital systems and data, to detect and identify malicious activities, to preserve and analyze digital evidence, to mitigate related impacts, and to ensure accountability and justice. 

This concentration prepares students for entry-level cybersecurity roles in the workplace, advanced studies and research in this discipline, and industry certifications now required for many lucrative job opportunities.  Nine credits of core requirements are completed with three courses: CSC 220 Introduction to Cybersecurity, CSC 343 Digital Forensics, and CSC 365 Systems Security.  In addition, students identify a specialty focus and engage six (6) credits of elective options to complete the concentration.  A specialty focus may include traditional or emerging interests such as advanced forensics, incident handling, penetration testing, encryption, ethics and compliance, or a general preparation for industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA CySA+, SANS Security Essentials). 

The requirements to complete the concentration in cybersecurity include the three core courses shown below.  In addition to the required courses, six credit hours of elective studies related to a cybersecurity focus must be completed using any of the listed options.

Notes: In order to successfully complete the cybersecurity concentration students must earn a grade of C or higher in each course.

Required Courses (9 Credits)

Electives Options (6 Credits or more)

Examples of selected topics are: Information Security, Ethical Hacking, Web-based Security, Penetration Testing, Cryptography, and Malware Analysis.