Program Overview

Cyber Security, Thesis Option, M.S.

The Cyber Security M.S. program (Thesis option) is currently offered only as an online program.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates from the Master of Science program in cyber security will:

• Possess a comprehensive understanding of the foundational concepts of cyber security;
• Obtain and refine the skills necessary to improve an organization’s cyber security posture;
• Apply theoretical concepts to the practice of cyber security;
• Demonstrate professional skills and behavior.

Admission

Requirements for admission to the Graduate School, including English language proficiency, may be found in the Admission section of this bulletin. In addition, the following requirements must be met:

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• At least nine hours of mathematics and statistics at the level of calculus and above.

Upon the recommendation of the Graduate Dean, students who fail to meet the above requirements may be admitted conditionally pending removal of deficiencies.

Curriculum (30 hours)

Students must complete at least 21 hours in cyber security courses at the graduate level including the cyber security core and electives.

Cyber Security Core (12 hours)

• Introductory Cyber Security (3 hours): One of the following courses:
  • CYB 7153 Foundations of Cyber Security
  • Another 7000-level cyber security course chosen with approval of advisor if the student has already completed an introductory cyber security course such as CS 3073 as an undergraduate at TU or at another institution.
• Cyber Security Technology Management (3 hours): One of the following courses:
  • CYB 7173 Information Security Program Management
  • BIS 6073 Information Security
• Network Security (3 hours): One of the following courses:
  • CYB 7223 Network Security Concepts and Applications
• Applied Cryptography and System Security (3 hours): One of the following courses:
  • CYB 7373 System Security and Cryptography
  • CS 6153 Computer Security

Cyber Security Electives (9 hours)

The list of cyber security electives below is not all-inclusive, and courses in the list may not be offered online on a regular basis. Students are required to consult the Director of Cyber Security Professional Program each semester when selecting electives.

• CYB 6013 Secure Electronic Commerce
• CYB 6123 Security+ Cert Prep
• CYB 6163 Cybersecurity Law and Policy or LAW 6163 Cybersecurity Law and Policy
• CS 7083 Security Auditing and Penetration Testing or CYB 7083 Penetration Testing I
• CYB 7143 Security Economics
• CYB 7163 Cyber Security Practicum
• CYB 7193 Blockchain Fintech Sec
• CYB 7443 Information System Assurance
• CS 7483 Computer and Network Forensics or CYB 7483 Computer and Network Forensics
• CYB 7493 Secure System Administration
• CS 7863 Special Topics in Computer Science or CYB 7863 Special Topics in Cyber Studies

Electives (9 hours)

Courses selected to fulfill this requirement may include up to six credit hours of CS 7981-6 Research and Thesis. Electives may include up to six hours of non-computer science graduate courses subject to the approval of the graduate advisor.

Oral Examination

Each student producing a master’s thesis must pass an oral examination, including presentation of the research results, upon completion of all other degree requirements.

Notes

• Students who have taken CS 3073 may not take CYB 7153 for credit toward the degree.
• Students may not take both CIS 4073/BIS 6073 and CYB 7173 for credit toward the degree.
• Students may not take both CS 7473 and CYB 7223 for credit toward the degree.
• Students may not take both CS 6153 and CYB 7373 for credit toward the degree.