2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Dec 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Cybersecurity and Networks, M.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 Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Networks program is designed to prepare students for opportunities and challenges in the field of cybersecurity and networking. The program offers a strong foundation in  networking and Enterprise networks, with special interest in securing and protecting those networks. Possible specialized focus areas include, but are not limited to: ethical hacking, cyber forensics, cryptography,  Enterprise networks, ISP networks, wireless networks, and Cloud computing. This program offers opportunities to gain subject matter expertise in a wide range of cross-disciplinary fields such as engineering and data analytics. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits to earn this degree.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to perform the following:

  • 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 who are admitted 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.

Based on students' prior academic backgrounds, students may be required to complete up to an additional 12 credits of prerequisite core courses.  Students will be notified about any additional coursework requirements at the time of admission.

Students may need to complete up to 12 additional credits of core courses (see section below) in addition to the 30 other credits; at the time of admission, students will be notified which courses have been waived for them and which need to be completed by them after joining the program. Students are expected to complete the core courses as soon as possible after joining the program.  Students who choose to enroll at the institution accept these prerequisite coursework requirements as a condition of their admission.

Core Courses (12 credits - waivable)


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

Required Courses (9 credits)


The following three courses must be completed by every student in the program and are not waivable:

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 bridge courses: CSCI 6604  , CSCI 6610  , CSCI 6642  , CSCI 6643 . The following DSCI courses will also satisfy the two computer science electives:  

Project Requirement


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

  1. 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.  Students 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 Areas


There are four focus areas for students to choose from, based on their strength and interest in one of the sub-specializations: cyber forensics, cyber security, wireless networking, or enterprise networking.  Depending on which focus area a student selects, the elective courses should be focused in that area.  The Graduate Advisor will assist each student in choosing courses that best match future goals.

Total Credits: 30