Cybersecurity and Networks, M.S.

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Graduate Coordinator: Amir Esmailpour, Ph.D.

Program Outcomes

Apply computer forensic techniques to investigate a computer related event.
Develop security defenses for a computer system based on an understanding of the standard techniques used to attack systems and networks.
Write script programs to automate various system tasks.
Employ advanced techniques in a focus area related to computer security, cyber forensics, wireless networking or system administration.

Admission Policy

This program is designed to accommodate students with no prior programming experience as well as those who already hold an undergraduate degree in computer science or information technology. All applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have completed a baccalaureate degree prior to enrolling in the program. International applicants are urged to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be considered for admission. GRE scores are required for international applicants who wish to be considered for scholarships. The GRE is optional for graduates of regionally accredited United States colleges and universities.

Students coming in with an adequate background in computing must complete 30 credit hours of coursework consisting of 9 credit hours of required courses, 15 credit hours of cybersecurity and network electives, and 6 credit hours of computer science electives for a total of 30 credits. In addition, within these 30 credit hours of coursework, students must satisfy a project requirement.

Students with a background other than computer science or information technology may need to complete up to 12 additional credits of required core courses. Any of the four core courses listed below may be waived on the basis of appropriate undergraduate or graduate courses, subject to the approval of the Computer Science Graduate Admissions Coordinator. Only courses with grades of B or better may be used for waiver purposes.

CSCI 6604 - Introduction to Programming/C
CSCI 6610 - Intermediate Programming/C
CSCI 6642 - Computer Networks and Data Communication
CSCI 6643 - Operating Systems

Students with deficiencies in these areas will be required to take one or more of courses listed above, in addition to the regular courses for the MS Cybersecurity and Network degree.

Required Courses (9 credits)

CSCI 6637 - Introduction to Cyber Forensic Science
CSCI 6646 - Introduction to Computer Security
CSCI 6651 - Introduction to Script Programming/Python
These three required courses cannot be waived. However, a student with prior knowledge may substitute
another CSCI course with the permission of the Graduate Coordinator.

Cybersecurity and Networks Electives (15 credits)

Students may choose five courses from the following:

CSCI 6634 - Cryptography and Data Security
CSCI 6638 - Small-Scale Digital Forensic Science
CSCI 6639 - Enterprise Network Administration/Windows
CSCI 6645 - Unix Network Administration
CSCI 6648 - Cyber Security and Forensics Research Topics
CSCI 6649 - Enterprise Network Design
CSCI 6652 - Script Programming for Network Administration
CSCI 6682 - Wireless Networks
CSCI 6683 - Long Range Wireless Network Technologies
CSCI 6690 - Master's Project
CSCI 6698 - Thesis I
CSCI 6699 - Thesis II
CSCI 6692 - Internship I
and
CSCI 6693 - Internship II
and
CSCI 6694 - Internship III
Internship courses CSCI 6692, 6693 and 6694 are 1- credit courses, so all threee must be
completed to be equivalent to a 3-credit course.

Computer Science Electives (6 credits)

The two computer science electives can be any CSCI course (including the cybersecurity and network electives listed above) other than the four core courses: CSCI 6604 , CSCI 6610 , CSCI 6642 , CSCI 6643 .

Project Requirement

Each student must complete a substantial project. There are three different ways to satisfy the project requirement.

Completing a project course. The student must choose one from this list:

CSCI 6626 - C++/OOPP
CSCI 6639 - Enterprise Network Administration/Windows
CSCI 6645 - Unix Network Administration
CSCI 6648 - Topics in Cyber Security and Forensics
CSCI 6649 - Enterprise Network Design

2. CSCI 6690 Master's Project course. Student who plan to complete CSCI 6690 Project must find a project advisor, prepare a project
proposal, and obtain written approval for the project prior to registration.

3. CSCI 6698 Thesis I and CSCI 6699 Thesis II. Students who plan to complete a thesis should start in their first or second term at
the university to find a thesis advisor, prepare a thesis proposal, and obtain written approval for the thesis prior to registration.

Focus Area

If a student wishes to do so, the 21 credits of cybersecurity and networks electives and computer science electives can be used to pursue one of these four focus areas: cyber forensics, cyber security, wireless networking, or enterprise networking. The Graduate Advisor will assist each student in choosing courses that best match future goals.

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