Cybersecurity B.S.

The BS program in cybersecurity provides a strong foundation in both networking and computer science and is based on faculty, facilities, and research resources in both the Department of Computer Electronics and Graphics Technology and the Department of Computer Science, as well as, support by the Department of Political Science and the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Students can choose the general option which requires a minor, or pursue one of the in depth concentrations aligned with the content focus areas recommended by the National Security Agency (NSA). This interdepartmental program is designed to prepare students for careers as cybersecurity experts in identifying system vulnerabilities, detecting cyber-attacks, and securing information assets. Students in the program are expected to

1. Understand the up-to-date concepts, technologies, design issues, and tools in cybersecurity

2. Understand cybersecurity policies and laws and exhibit ethical and legal responsibilities

3. Demonstrate the capability of software tools utilization and development including operating system, database, and application. Be able to analyze threats, identify vulnerabilities, and develop security solutions.

4. Demonstrate the capability of hardware development and system administration to design, implement, and analyze electronic, network and server systems. Be able to assess, implement, and manage security needs to defend the systems.

5. Apply the knowledge and skills of information assurance and penetration testing to conduct risk and liability assessments and test the effectiveness of security measures.

6. Apply the knowledge and skills of digital investigation to identify and preserve the digital evidence.

7. Recognize the need for and demonstrate the ability to engage in lifelong learning in cybersecurity careers.

This program requires 6 credits in Study Area II.

General Education Related Requirements

Study Area II (6 credits)

PS 110	American Government & Politics	3
	or
PS 210	The International and Domestic Legal Environment of Cybersecurity	3

Skill Area II (6 credits)

MATH 152	Calculus I	4
MATH 217	Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science	4

Cybersecurity Core

Cybersecurity Core (51-52 credits)

CET 229	Computer Hardware Architecture	3
CET 249	Introduction to Networking Technology	3
CYS 227	Introduction to Cybersecurity	3
CET 339	Computer System Administration	3
CET 349	Network Design and Implementation	3
CYS 459/CET 459	Network Security Technologies	3
CYS 467	Security System Management	3
CYS 477	Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing	3
CS 151	Computer Science I	3
CS 152	Computer Science II	3
CS 253	Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms	3
CS 355	Systems Programming	3
CYS 492/CS 492	Computer Security	3
CYS 493/CS 493	Secure Software Designs	3
CYS 494/CS 494	Cryptographic Systems	3
CRM 414	Cybercrime	4
	or
PS 210	The International and Domestic Legal Environment of Cybersecurity	3
CYS 400	Internship & Senior Seminar	1-3

Concentrations (students select one from three concentrations)

General Concentration (25-26 credits)

Cybersecurity Core and free electives to meet 120 credits, including a required minor.

Cyber Defense Concentration (25-26 credits)

CET 113	Introduction to Information Processing	3
CET 439	Enterprise Messaging Systems	3
CET 449	Advanced Networking	3
CET 479	Network Administration	3
CS 460	Database Concepts	3
CS 481	Operating Systems Design	3

Free electives to meet 120 credits

Cyber Operations Concentration (25-26 credits)

CET 223	Basic Electrical Circuits	3
CET 363	Digital Circuits	3
CET 466	Logic Design	3
CS 254	Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming	3
CS 481	Operating Systems Design	3
CET 469	Wireless Networks and Security	3
CYS 291/CS 291	Introduction to Computer Forensics	3
	or
CYS 487	Network Forensics	3
CYS 419/CS 419	Usable Security and Privacy	3
	or
CYS 455/CS 455	Principles of Secure Software Development	3

Free electives to meet 120 credits

1. Accelerate Central Program in Cybersecurity to Software Engineering MS

Eligibility

Students apply in the Spring of their third year of full-time study and must meet the requirements specified below:

Successful completion of 60 or more credit hours; of which, at least 12 credit hours must be completed at CCSU.
Completed CS 253 and two 400 level CS classes with at least a B.
Have at least a 2.7 cumulative grade point average.
Have at least a 2.7 grade point average in Computer Science courses.

Eligible students can apply for admission to the Accelerate Central B.S./M.S. in their third year of full-time study. Students admitted to this program may complete both the B.S. in Cybersecurity and M.S. in Software Engineering in as few as five years on a full-time basis. For students who are officially admitted to the Accelerate Central B.S. Cybersecurity / M.S. Software Engineering Program, two graduate courses will double-count as courses in the undergraduate program for a total of 6 credits double-counted. In addition, students may take two additional courses before matriculation as a graduate student; these courses will be excluded from the student’s B.S. program and transferred into the student’s M.S. program.

How to Apply

Students will submit Change of Major form, a resume, and the name of two professors from the Computer Science department who could serve as a references to the Chair of the Computer Science department by February 10 (for Fall) or October 1 (for Spring). The documents will go through the proper parties for review and approval, including the Graduate Program Director. Once the form has been approved by all required parties, the Registrar’s Office will change the student’s undergraduate curriculum to note the Accelerate Central program.

After acceptance, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Total Credit Hours: 120