Cybersecurity, Network Security Concentration, B.S.

STEM Designation: This program is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)-designated by the Department of Homeland Security. For more information, please see https://www.newhaven.edu/admissions/stem-designated-programs.php

The goals of the bachelor's degree program in Cybersecurity is 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:

Work effectively in a variety of contexts, systems, and environments.

Develop or help develop a project related to information security that meets professional standards.

Continue to independently learn and master new tools of the profession and deal with the rapid changes and advances in the field.

Program Outcomes

1. Explain a solid body of knowledge of computer hardware, including digital circuits, basic computer architecture, and instruction sets, networking devices and protocols, and network security.
2. Program at an intermediate level, and database program at an introductory level.
3. Explain a solid body of knowledge of how computer systems are managed, including the major subsystems of an operating system: scheduling, resource allocation, file storage, and security.
4. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
5. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
6. Design usable and effective IT-based solutions and integrate them into a client's environment.
7. Conduct a forensic investigation on a computer using common forensic tools.
8.  Apply the technologies and methods utilized to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, and defend systems and networks.

The Bachelor's degree program in Cybersecurity with a concentration in Network Security consists of a common core that exposes students to a wide range of computing and technology topics, including the study of security, networks, hardware, programming, databases, and cyber forensics. Concentration requirements and electives allow students to select advanced courses and a capstone project with a focus in areas such as secure network design, vulnerability testing and mitigation, cyber forensics, or network administration and security.

There are three concentrations the student can choose from: Cyber Operations, Network Security, and a general concentration that allows the student to customize their program.

Areas of application include network development, computer system and network administration, and investigation of computer crime.  Typical initial job titles might be information technology specialist, information security analyst, cybersecurity specialist, incident and intrusion analyst, network security analyst, network security consultant, Information security consultant, network engineer, and network security technician. With several years of experience, job titles might be cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity analyst, network administrator, sytems administrator, or information 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.