Program Overview
Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis
Overview
For an exciting career in cybersecurity, study in a program that the National Security Agency has designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations. Students seeking their Bachelor of Applied Science with an emphasis in Cyber Operations through the College of Applied Science and Technology select one of two degree tracks. The Engineering track is a security-focused computer science program. The Defense and Forensics track is a cyber-education program. Both tracks are available in person or fully online. A state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE) called Cyberapolis provides students from both tracks with a virtual city complete with businesses and residents. The VLE allows Cyber Operations majors to attack and counterattack systems to learn about cyber vulnerabilities and how they can be exploited and defended. Graduates land cybersecurity roles in both public and private sectors.
Learning Outcomes
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving; Demonstrate understanding of how variability affects outcomes; how to identify anomalous events; how to integrate and differentiate continuous functions of multiple variables; and how to solve complex problems using computation and scripting languages.
- Cyber Threat Intelligence; Describe and demonstrate how knowledge about an adversary's motivation, intentions, and methods are collected, analyzed, and disseminated to help security personnel and business staff to align resources and protect critical assets within an enterprise architecture.
- Defensive Cyber Operations; Describe, evaluate, and operate a defensive network architecture employing multiple layers of protection using technologies appropriate to meet mission security goals.
- Forensics; Demonstrate and explain how to acquire a forensically sound image; understand user activity; determine the manner in which an operating system or application has been subverted; identify forensic artifacts left by attacks; and recover deleted and/or intentionally hidden information.
- Law, Ethics, & Policy; Describe and explain the relationship between cyber ethics and law; criminal penalties related to unethical hacking; and apply the notion of Gray Areas to articulate where the law has not yet caught up to technology innovation.
- Malware Reverse Engineering; Safely perform static and dynamic analysis of unknown software, including obfuscated malware, to fully understand the software's functionality.
- Networking; Demonstrate a thorough understanding of how networks work at the infrastructure, network and applications layers; how they transfer data; how network protocols work to enable communication; and Networkinghow the lower-level network layers support the upper ones.
- Offensive Cyber Operations; Explain and demonstrate the phases of offensive cyber operations; what each phase entails; who has the authorities to conduct each phase; and how operations are assessed after completion.
- Operating Systems & Low Level Programming; Demonstrate a thorough understanding of various operating systems and be able to develop low level applications with the required complexity and sophistication to implement exploits for discovered vulnerabilities.
- Security Principles & Vulnerabilities; Demonstrate and explain the various types of vulnerabilities and their underlying causes; how security principles interrelate and are typically employee to achieve assured solutions; and explain how failures in fundamental security design principles can lead to system vulnerabilities that can be exploited as part of an offensive cyber operation.
Program Details
Sample Courses
- CYBV 454: Malware Threats and Analysis
- CYBV 472: Secure Software Development and Analysis
- CYBV 480: Cyber Warfare
Career Fields
- Government agencies
- Military
- Defense
- Law enforcement
- Consulting
Level of Math
- General Knowledge
This strand involves the general understanding and appreciation of how mathematics is used to solve problems in everyday life. The G-strand does not prepare a student for any further work grounded in mathematics and assumes the student will not proceed beyond the basic Foundations level noted above. Thus only those students whose major requires the most general knowledge of mathematics should take this strand.
Level of Second Language
- 2nd Semester Proficiency
Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.
Pre-major Required?
- No
Additional Admissions Requirements
- This program qualifies for AAS to BAS 75/45 Block Transfer or can be completed as a 2+2 in partnership with community colleges. Please see the CAST website for more information.
This Major's College
- College of Applied Science and Technology
Degree
- Bachelor of Applied Science
Sample Plans
2025, Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis
- 4-Year Sample Plan
- Map Transfer Coursework
- Plan Ahead with a Transfer PathwayTransfer Pathway
First Year
- 1st Semester
- AAS to BAS or Transfer Pathway or Below 4 Year Sequence
- ENGL 101
- Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course)
- Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives
- Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives
- General Elective
- 2nd Semester
- ENGL 102
- Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives
- Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives
- General Elective
- General Elective
Second Year
- 3rd Semester
- Gen Ed: Building Connections
- Gen Ed: Building Connections
- 1st Semester Second Language
- General Elective
- General Elective
- 4th Semester
- 2nd Semester Second Language
- Gen Ed: Building Connections
- CYBV 301: Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
- MATH 112
- General Elective
Third Year
- 5th Semester
- CYBV 385: Intro to Cyber Operations
- CYBV 312: Intro to Security Scripting
- CYBV 326: Intro to Network Analysis
- CYBV 329: Cyber Ethics
- ENGV 306: Advanced Composition
- General Education Portfolio (Exit Course)
- 6th Semester
- CYBV 310: Security Programming I
- CYBV 311: Security Programming Ii
- CYBV 400: Active Cyber Defense
- CYBV 473: Violent Python
- NETV 379: Cloud Computing
Fourth Year
- 7th Semester
- CYBV 470: C Programming for Security Professionals
- BASV 300: Intro to Mathematical Reasoning for Security Professionals
- BASV 376: Mathematics for Applied Technology
- CYBV 471: Assembly Language Programming for Security Professionals
- CYBV 480: Cyber Warfare
- 8th Semester
- CYBV 388: Cyber Investigations and Forensics (recommended if completing CYBRCRTU)
- CYBV 454: Malware Threat and Analysis
- CYBV 489: Operating Systems for Security Professionals
- CYBV 479: Wireless Networking
- CYBV 498: Senior Capstone
Map Transfer Coursework
- Enter your coursework from Arizona universities or community colleges to see how they can map to this major.
- Connect with The University of Arizona Academic Advisors to validate how your coursework will transfer.
About the Transfer Mapping Categories
- Maps to One Requirement
- Can Map in Multiple Ways
- Ask an Advisor
Pathways
- See the pathway agreement in place between Arizona in-state community colleges and The University of Arizona.
- To see a pathway, select an Arizona college: Select an Arizona community collegeArizona Western CollegeCentral Arizona CollegeChandler-Gilbert Community CollegeCochise CollegeCoconino Community CollegeDiné CollegeEastern Arizona CollegeEstrella Mountain Community CollegeGateway Community CollegeGlendale Community CollegeMesa Community CollegeMohave Community CollegeNorthland Pioneer CollegeParadise Valley Community CollegePhoenix CollegePima Community CollegeRio Salado CollegeScottsdale Community CollegeSouth Mountain Community CollegeTohono O'odham Community CollegeYavapai College
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis program at the University of Arizona is a Bachelor of Applied Science degree that prepares students for careers in cybersecurity. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in computer science, cybersecurity, and engineering principles. Graduates of the program will be able to design, implement, and manage secure cyber systems.
Objectives:
- To provide students with a strong foundation in computer science, cybersecurity, and engineering principles.
- To prepare students for careers in cybersecurity.
- To enable graduates to design, implement, and manage secure cyber systems.
Outline:
The Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis program consists of 120 credit hours of coursework.
- Second Year: Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Networks, Calculus II, Physics II, English Composition II
- Third Year: Software Engineering, Database Management Systems, Computer Security, Cryptography, Network Security, Digital Forensics, Technical Writing
- Second Year: Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Networks, Calculus II, Physics II, English Composition II
- Third Year: Software Engineering, Database Management Systems, Computer Security, Cryptography, Network Security, Digital Forensics, Technical Writing
- Fourth Year: Capstone Project, Senior Seminar, Elective Courses
Assessment:
Students in the Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Exams
- Quizzes
- Projects
- Presentations
- Papers
Teaching:
The Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Labs
- Projects
Careers:
Graduates of the Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis program are prepared for careers in a variety of fields, including:
- Cybersecurity
- Network security
- Digital forensics
- Computer engineering
- Software engineering
Other:
The Cyber Operations: Cyber Engineering Emphasis program is a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations by the National Security Agency. The program is also a member of the National CyberWatch Center.
University of Arizona
Overview:
The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, is the state's land-grant institution and its first university. It is known for its world-changing research and discovery, with a focus on innovation and impact. The university boasts a diverse student body and offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines.
Services Offered:
The University of Arizona provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Academic Resources:
Libraries, class registration, academic advising, and international engagement opportunities.Student Life:
Housing, dining, student clubs and organizations, athletics, and campus amenities.Financial Aid:
Scholarships and financial aid for undergraduate and graduate students.Research Opportunities:
Hands-on research experiences for students across various fields.Campus Safety:
Emergency information, Title IX resources, and annual security reports.Accessibility:
Resources and support for students with disabilities.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Students at the University of Arizona can expect a vibrant and engaging campus experience. The university fosters a strong sense of community through its numerous student clubs and organizations, athletic events, and traditions. The campus is located in Tucson, a city known for its rich culture, diverse cuisine, and proximity to the Sonoran Desert.
Key Reasons to Study There:
World-Class Research:
The University of Arizona is a top-ranking research institution with a strong focus on innovation and discovery.Diverse Academic Programs:
Students can choose from over 150 majors and programs of study across 21 colleges and schools.Engaging Campus Life:
The university offers a vibrant student life with numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic events.Tucson Location:
The campus is located in a vibrant city with a rich culture and diverse amenities.Strong Alumni Network:
The University of Arizona has a large and active alumni network that provides support and opportunities for graduates.Academic Programs:
The University of Arizona offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Undergraduate Majors:
Over 150 majors across various disciplines, including business, engineering, science, humanities, and the arts.Graduate Programs:
A variety of graduate programs, including master's and doctoral degrees.Professional Education & Certification:
Programs for professional development and certification in various fields.Other:
The University of Arizona is committed to diversity and inclusion, and it strives to build sustainable relationships with Native Nations and Indigenous communities. The university also has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
