Program Overview

Cybersecurity (M.S.)

The Cybersecurity Master's program curriculum consists of 10 courses (30 credits) that can be completed over 12 months, following a hybrid (on-campus and online) delivery model. Students who track with their entry cohort can complete the program in three semesters (fall, spring, summer). Students may select to complete a thesis through two courses instead of a capstone project and fifth elective. Classes will be offered in the evenings and during the weekends.

Prerequisites

All undergraduate majors are welcomed. Professional knowledge or experience equivalent to the following four courses is required:

1. Computer Programming with basic algorithms (in C, C++, Java, R or Python)
2. Applied Statistics and Probability or Discrete Mathematics

Bridging courses are available for students who are missing one or more of the aforementioned prerequisites. With the permission of the Program Director, these courses can be taken concurrently with the cybersecurity courses.

CIP Code

11.1003 - Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance.

Course List

The following courses are required:

• CISC 5009: Network Essentials 1 (3 credits)
• CISC 5650: Cybersecurity Essentials 1 (3 credits)
• CISC 5750: Information Security and Ethics (3 credits)
• Five elective courses drawn from one or more thematic clusters (15 credits)
• One selection from the following:
  • Master's Thesis (CISC 6095 and CISC 6096) (6 credits)
  • Capstone and Elective (CISC 6090 and one additional elective) (6 credits)

Total Credits: 30

Elective Course Thematic Clusters

Cyber Operations

Students choosing electives from the cyber operations thematic cluster should be comfortable with hands-on technical activities. Courses in this group include:

• CISC 5728: Security of e-Systems and Networks (3 credits)
• CISC 6070: Red Teaming (3 credits)
• CISC 6600: Cloud Computing Security (3 credits)
• CISC 6630: Wireless Security (3 credits)
• CISC 6660: Applied Cryptography (3 credits)
• CISC 6680: Intrusion Detection and Network Forensics (3 credits)
• CISC 6750: IOT Forensics and Security (3 credits)
• CISC 6800: Malware Analytics and Software Security (3 credits)
• CISC 6880: Blockchain Technology (3 credits)
• CISC 7050: Penetration Testing (3 credits)

Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

Students enrolling in courses from the artificial intelligence in cybersecurity thematic cluster should have knowledge of discrete math, probability and statistics, including permutations, combinations, descriptive statistics, and basic probabilities concepts. Courses in this group include:

• CISC 5450: Mathematics for Data Science (3 credits)
• CISC 5550: Cloud Computing (3 credits)
• CISC 5660: Data Science for Cybersecurity (3 credits)
• CISC 5710: Introduction to Behavioral and Physical Biometrics (3 credits)
• CISC 6600: Cloud Computing Security (3 credits)
• CISC 6640: Privacy and Security in Big Data (3 credits)
• CISC 6660: Applied Cryptography (3 credits)
• CISC 6670: Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity (3 credits)
• CISC 6800: Malware Analytics and Software Security (3 credits)

Cybersecurity Management, Policy, and Intelligence

Courses in this group include:

• CISC 5770: Intelligence in Cybersecurity (3 credits)
• CISC 5850: The Social Network (3 credits)
• CISC 6650: Forensic Computing (3 credits)
• CISC 6675: Secure AI (3 credits)
• CISC 6690: Cybersecurity in Business (3 credits)
• CISC 6850: Leadership and Management in Cybersecurity (3 credits)
• CISC 6860: Cybersecurity: Technology, Policy, and Law (3 credits)
• CISC 6880: Blockchain Technology (3 credits)
• CISC 6920: Incident Response and Risk Management (3 credits)

Other Electives

Students may choose any of the following electives with the program director's approval:

• CISC 6091: Cybersecurity Practicum (3 credits)
• CISC 8150: Special Topics in Cybersecurity (3 credits)