School of Engineering
Department of Computer Science

M.S. in Cybersecurity

The Department of Computer Science offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree, which can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. The degree requires a minimum of 30 credits and the fulfillment of at least 10 courses; all courses must be at the 100 level or above.

The program places an emphasis on the technical core of cybersecurity—the approaches, techniques, and tools that make systems secure. Students build expertise in security algorithms, vulnerability assessment, and defensive technologies, while gaining advanced knowledge of computing system design and implementation. Students will also develop an understanding of the underlying ethical and social contexts of cybersecurity.

Curriculum

    • CS 114 (Network Security)
    • CS 116 (Intro to Security)
    • CS 124 (Privacy, Security, and Data)
    • CS 165 (Cryptography)

    • CS 113 (Usable Security)
    • EE 141 (Trusted and Responsible AI)
    • CS 150 (Special Topics - Anonymous Communication Theory)
    • A fourth course from the Security Core

    • CS xxx (Cybersecurity and Society)
    • DHP P236/CS 182 (Cyber in the Civil Sector)
    • DHP P237/CS 183 (Privacy in the Digital Age)
    • DHP P249 (International Cyber Conflict)

  • The crux of cybersecurity is understanding secure systems and reasoning about whether systems are secure. Doing so requires also understanding how systems, applications, and protocols fail. 

    • CS 105 (Programming Languages)
    • CS 107 (Compilers)
    • CS 110 (Debugging Cloud Computing)
    • CS 111 (Operating Systems)
    • CS 112 (Networks and Protocols)
    • CS 115 (Database Systems)
    • CS 117 (Internet Scale Distributed Systems)
    • CS 118 (Cloud Computing)
    • CS 119 (Big Data)
    • CS 121 (Software Engineering)
    • EE 155/CS 122 (Parallel Computing)
    • EE 126/CS 140 (Computer Architecture)
    • EE 157 (Emerging Memory Systems)

    Note: Students may satisfy the Systems Electives with up to 3 courses they have taken elsewhere, in which case they replace these courses with other electives.

    • One course CS 100-199 or CS 203 and above, excluding CS 155 (Social Context Special Topic), 182-188 (Social Context), 191-194 (Research / Directed Study), CS 291-294.
    • One CS or ECE course, any number 100-199 or above CS 203, or another social context of cybersecurity course listed above.

     

    For example, students could:

    • Take two more classes.
    • Participate in the Cybersecurity Clinic (CS 195, 196) for two semesters.
    • Complete an M.S. project (CS 293).
    • Write an M.S. thesis (CS 295, 296).

Pathway to Cybersecurity

If you're new to cybersecurity, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science prepares you to earn a certificate or an M.S. in Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, or Computer Science. It is offered on-campus or 100% online, with the rigor and flexibility working professionals need.

Learning Objectives

A student who completes the M.S. in Cybersecurity will be capable of understanding, implementing, and deploying a wide range of security technologies, while possessing an appreciation of the underlying ethical and social contexts. Graduates will be poised to go directly into technical roles in industry, government, or continue on to do advanced research at a doctoral level.

General program learning objectives are as follows:

  1. Mastery of central concepts of secure systems, including fundamental security properties, algorithms, and techniques; security threats and vulnerabilities; and defensive technologies.
  2. Advanced knowledge of the practical use and design of a range of cybersecurity approaches, techniques, and tools.
  3. Knowledge of the societal context and implications of cybersecurity
  4. Mastery of the design and implementation of computing systems, to provide an understanding of how current systems work and fail.

In addition, students have the option to further advance their competency either by completing an M.S. thesis or participating in the cybersecurity clinic.