The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary program jointly provided by the departments of Information Systems and Technology (College of Business Administration) and Computer Science (College of Arts and Science).
Given cybersecurity is both a technical as well as a management issue facing organizations, the program is designed to be multi-disciplinary in its curriculum and espouses to remain nimble given the rapid pace of change in this field.
In this challenging and multi-faceted program, students develop both theoretical foundations and applied skills through hands-on labs, workshops, competitions, projects, and internships.
This degree is a STEM designated, CIP Code 11.1003 (Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance).
At the time of application for admission, students choose either a:
-
- Computer Science emphasis (120 credit hours) or
- Information Systems and Technology emphasis (126 credit hours)
Students complete general education requirements and a set of courses common across both emphasis areas as well as specific Computer Science or Information Systems and Technology emphasis courses.
Both emphasis areas provide a blend of technical- and business-oriented skills designed to prepare students for a variety of cybersecurity and IT related careers. The Computer Science Emphasis provides enhanced technical depth whereas the Information Systems and Technology Emphasis offers stronger preparation for business and management aspects of cybersecurity.
| Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Emphasis Areas | |
|---|---|
| Information Systems and Technology Emphasis | Computer Science Emphasis |
| The Information Systems and Technology emphasis provides both technical and business skills. It focuses on applied aspects of cybersecurity and is suitable for students interested in pursuing cybersecurity management and analyst roles in industry and government. | The Computer Science emphasis provides deeper technical and mathematical focus. It is suitable for students interested in technical cybersecurity roles in industry and government. |
Degree Requirements
Students must choose one of the following emphasis areas at the time of application for admission.
- Computer Science (CS) Emphasis (total 120 credit hours)
- Information Systems (IS) Emphasis (total 123 credit hours)
Degree requirements vary depending on the chosen emphasis area (see common and emphasis area required courses and credit hours below).
General Education Requirements
Students must satisfy the university general education requirements. Many of the courses for the degree may be used to fulfill general education requirements. There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option
Courses required for the major may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Required Courses
The degree requires 33 credit hours of core coursework applicable to both emphasis areas. Emphasis specific required courses are listed below. Please see 4-year degree plans for recommend course sequences within each emphasis.
| Required Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 3120 | Business Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 3130 | Technical Writing | |
| CMP SCI 1250 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| CMP SCI 2250 | Programming and Data Structures | 3 |
| CMP SCI 2261 | Object-Oriented Programming | 3 |
| CMP SCI 2700 | Computer Organization and Architecture | 3 |
| CMP SCI 2750 | Linux Environment and Programming | 3 |
| INFSYS 3848 | Introduction to Information Security | 3 |
| or CMP SCI 3702 | Introduction to Cyber Threats and Defense | |
| INFSYS 3868 | Secure Software Development | 3 |
| INFSYS 3878 | Information Security Risk Management and Business Continuity | 3 |
| CMP SCI 4700 | Computer Forensics | 3 |
| CMP SCI 4732 | Introduction to Cryptography for Computer Security | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Computer Science Emphasis
In addition to the 33 credit hours of core required coursework, the B.S. Cybersecurity degree with Computer Science emphasis requires 42-44 credit hours of emphasis specific course work. Thus, candidates for the B.S. in Cybersecurity degree with Computer Science emphasis must complete a major program of 75-77 (33 core + 42-44 emphasis specific) credit hours of required courses.
For the Computer Science emphasis all general degree requirements from the College of Arts and Science apply.
| MATH 1320 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 1100 | Basic Calculus | 3-5 |
| or MATH 1800 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| MATH 3000 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CMP SCI 3010 | Web Programming | 3 |
| CMP SCI 3130 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CMP SCI 3780 | Software Security | 3 |
| CMP SCI 4730 | Computer Networks and Communications | 3 |
| CMP SCI 4750 | Introduction to Cloud Computing | 3 |
| CMP SCI 4760 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CMP SCI 4782 | Information Security | 3 |
| CMP SCI 4794 | Introduction to Security of IoT Systems | 3 |
| Electives (choose 3 from following) | 9 | |
| Critical Thinking (MOTR PHIL 101) | ||
| Business Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Computers in Criminal Justice | ||
| Undergraduate Internship | ||
| Introduction to Android Apps: Android Fundamentals | ||
| Introduction to iOS Programming and Apps | ||
| iOS Apps | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Introduction to the Software Profession | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
| Introduction to Mobile Computing, Networking, and Security | ||
| Advanced Security and Information Systems | ||
| Seminar in Information Systems | ||
|
Other electives upon approval of Computer Science department chair
|
||
| Total Hours | 42-44 | |
Information Systems Emphasis
In addition to the 33 credit hours of core required coursework, the B.S. Cybersecurity degree with Information Systems emphasis requires 75 credit hours of emphasis specific coursework (48 general business + 27 program specific). Thus, candidates for the B.S. in Cybersecurity degree with Information Systems emphasis must complete a program of 108 (33 core + 75 emphasis specific) credit hours of required courses.
For the Information Systems emphasis all general degree requirements from the College of Business Administration apply.
| INFSYS 3820 | Introduction to Systems Administration | 3 |
| INFSYS 3842 | Data Networks and Security | 3 |
| INFSYS 3806 | Managerial Applications of Object-Oriented Programming I | 3 |
| INFSYS 3815 | Object-Oriented Applications in Business | 3 |
| INFSYS 3845 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| INFSYS 3858 | Advanced Security and Information Systems | 3 |
| SCMA 4347 | Introduction to Project Management | 3 |
| Major Specific Electives (choose 2 from following) | 6 | |
| Internship in Business Administration | ||
| Data Programming | ||
| Artificial Intelligence Applications for Business | ||
| Applied Cryptography for Business | ||
| Seminar in Information Systems 1 | ||
| Information Security | ||
| Introduction to Cloud Computing | ||
| Predictive Analytics and Data Mining | ||
| Prescriptive Analytics and Optimization | ||
| Transportation Security and Risk | ||
|
Other electives upon approval of Information Systems department chair
|
||
| Total Hours | 27 | |
| 1 |
If course is offered and topic is approved by the Information Systems department chair |