School of Undergraduate Studies

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Cybersecurity

Students may seek an academic major in cybersecurity.

Major in Cybersecurity

The major in cybersecurity prepares graduates to be leaders in the protection of data assets. The curriculum focuses on the techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies that secure and defend information and information systems, in local as well as more broadly based domains. The availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation of data is examined. The major prepares students for careers as information systems security professionals, senior system managers, and system administrators responsible for information systems and the security of those systems.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a degree in cybersecurity will be able to

Protect an organization’s critical information and assets by ethically integrating cybersecurity best practices and risk management throughout an enterprise.
Implement continuous network monitoring and provide real-time security solutions.
Analyze advanced persistent threats and deploy counter-measures.
Conduct risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems.
Investigate cyber crimes and assist in recovery of operations.
Formulate, update, and communicate short- and long-term organizational cybersecurity strategies and policies.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in cybersecurity requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Cybersecurity Major

Coursework for a major in cybersecurity includes the following:

Required foundation courses (9 credits): CSIA 301, CSIA 302 (or CMIT 265), and IFSM 304
Required core courses (12 credits): CSIA 303, 412, and 413 and CMIT 320
Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Chosen from CCJS 421; CMIT 321 and 425; CSIA 454, 457, and 459; and IFSM 432 and 433
Required capstone course (3 credits): CSIA 485

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in cybersecurity. Since some recommended courses fulfi ll more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

Cybersecurity Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
NOTE: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) (prerequisite to later courses)
CMIS 102 Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design (3) (fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement; prerequisite to later courses)
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama or other course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
Both NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1)or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
GVPT 170 American Government (3)or other course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

CCJS 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) or CCJS 105 Introduction to Criminology or other course to fulfi ll the second behavioral and
social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
‡ CSIA 301 Information Systems Architecture (3)
‡ IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other course(s) to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must diff er from other humanities course)
IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3) (prerequisite to later courses)
ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) or a foreign language course (recommended elective)
‡ CSIA 302 Telecommunications in Information Systems (3) or CMIT 265 Networking Essentials
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/writing or speech requirement

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 393/393X Advanced Technical Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level advanced writing requirement
‡ CSIA 303 Foundations of Information System Security (3)
‡ CSIA 412 Senior System Managers and Security (3)
‡ CSIA 413 System Administrators and Information Security (3)
‡ CMIT 320 Network Security (3)
‡ CCJS 421 Computer Forensics (3) or other supplemental major course
‡ CSIA 457 Cyber Crime and Cyber Terrorism (3) or other supplemental major course
‡ IFSM 433 Information Security Needs Assessment and Planning (3) or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course for the Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

‡ CSIA 485 Trends and Projects in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (37)

Recommended Electives

Students should note prerequisites.

Courses related to security and cyber crime:

BMGT 366 Global Public Management
CCJS 462 Protection of Business Assets
CCJS 496 Cyber Crime and Security
GVPT 409 Terrorism, Antiterrorism, and Homeland Security
HMLS 408 Infrastructure Security Issues
HMLS 414 International Security Issues

Courses related to psychological and sociological concerns:

CCJS 461 Psychology of Criminal Behavior
PSYC 370 Foundations of Forensics Psychology
SOCY 313 Th e Individual and Society
SOCY 427 Deviant Behavior

Courses related to computing:

CMIS 141 Introductory Programming
CMIS 330 Software Engineering Principles and Techniques