Cybersecurity and Networks, B.S.

Program Coordinator: Liberty Page, M.S.

The goals of the bachelor's degree program in Cybersecurity and Networks are to inform, challenge, and train our diverse student body for a constantly changing world of technology. At graduation, every student should be able to demonstrate the following qualities and attributes:

• Knowledge and understanding of current technical concepts and practices in the core information technologies
• Ability to design effective and usable IT-based solutions and integrate them into a user's environment, both individually and as part of a team
• Ability to assist in the creation of an effective project plan
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with clients, users, and peers, both orally and in writing
• Independent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge and understanding of computer hardware, software, networks, and security
• Awareness of the legal and ethical issues that confront the field of computing
• Knowledge of the rights and obligations of the practicing computing professional

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of a solid body of knowledge of computer hardware, including digital circuits, basic computer architecture, and instruction sets, networking devices and protocols.
2. Program at an intermediate level and of database programming at an introductory level.
3. Manage computer systems, including the major subsystems of an operating system: scheduling, resource allocation, file storage, and security.
4. Use a command shell and make system calls.
5. Demonstrate skill in using common forensic tools.
6. Communicate effectively with clients and peers, in writing, orally and graphically through written material and presentations.
7. Design usable and effective IT-based solutions and integrate them into a client's environment.
8. Explain the choices and trade-offs involved in doing business: ethical, financial, environmental, personal, and social.

The program consists of a common core that exposes students to a wide range of computing and technology topics, including the study of databases, hardware, networks, programming, security, and cyber forensics. Electives allow the student to select advanced courses and a senior design project from one of three focus areas: cyber forensics and security, network administration and security, or wireless networking.

Areas of application include network development, computer system and network administration, and investigation of computer crime.  Typical initial job titles might be cybersecurity analyst, security specialist, penetration tester, IS Security Engineer, network security analyst, network designer, network security technician, and forensic analyst. With several years of experience, job titles might be application security engineer, network administrator or IS security manager.

Internship Requirement

An internship enriches the academic experience of the student, providing exposure to a working computing environment and the interpersonal relationships of a workplace. Each internship is a partnership between the student and an employer or organization, with oversight by the academic advisor. Students must complete 60 credits toward the bachelor's degree before an internship is attempted.  To complete the internship, a student must perform at least 200 hours of work related to the major, submit an essay about the experience, and submit evaluations completed by both student and work supervisor.

The internship requirement may be satisfied through employment, community service, or some other activity that is approved by the student's advisor.

UPE Honor Society

The university has a chapter of the national honor society for computer science, Upsilon Pi Epsilon.  Outstanding juniors and seniors are invited by the chapter to join this organization and participate in its service projects.