Cybersecurity

Students may seek an academic major in cybersecurity.

Major in Cybersecurity

The major in cybersecurity prepares graduates to be leaders in the protection of data assets. The curriculum focuses on the techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies that secure and defend the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation of information and information systems, in local as well as more broadly based domains. The major prepares students for careers as information systems security professionals, senior system managers, and system administrators responsible for information systems and security of those systems.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in cybersecurity will be able to

  • Protect an organization's critical information and assets by ethically integrating cybersecurity best practices and risk management throughout an enterprise.
  • Implement continuous network monitoring and provide real-time security solutions.
  • Analyze advanced persistent threats and deploy counter measures, and conduct risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems.
  • Participate in forensic analysis of cyber incidents and assist in recovery operations.
  • Formulate, update, and communicate short- and long-term organizational cybersecurity strategies and policies.
  • Assist in accessing, planning, and executing a system continuity program.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in cybersecurity requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Cybersecurity Major

Coursework for a major in cybersecurity includes the following:

  • Required foundation courses (9 credits): CSIA 301 and 302 (or CMIT 265) and IFSM 304
  • Required core courses (12 credits): CSIA 303, 412, and 413 and CMIT 320
  • Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Chosen from CCJS 421; CMIT 321, 424, and 425; CSIA 454, 457, and 459; and IFSM 432 and 433
  • Required capstone course (3 credits): CSIA 485

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in cybersecurity. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found in the General Education Requirements.

Cybersecurity Major Courses

First Courses

(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)

or MATH 107 College Algebra
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses

(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3) course to fulfill general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing; prerequisite for later courses

CMIS 102 Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design (3) course to fulfill general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing; prerequisite for later courses

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)

or ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)

and NSCI 101 Physical Science Laboratory (1)

WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

Foundation Courses

(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

CCJS 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)

or CCJS 105 Introduction to Criminology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

CSIA 301Required by major Introduction to Cybersecurity (3)
(see Requirements for the Major)

IFSM 304Required by major Ethics in Information Technology (3)
(see Requirements for the Major)

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)

or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)

or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective
(discipline must differ from other humanities course)

CSIA 302Required by major Telecommunications in Information Systems (3)

or CMIT 265 Fundamentals of Networking

SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)

or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing or speech

Additional Required Courses

(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 393 Advanced Technical Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement

CSIA 303Required by major Foundations of Information System Security (3)
(see Requirements for the Major)

CSIA 412Required by major Security Policy Analysis (3)
(see Requirements for the Major)

CSIA 413Required by major Security Policy Implementation (3)
(see Requirements for the Major)

CMIT 320Required by major Network Security (3)
(see Requirements for the Major)

CMIT 424Required by major Advanced Digital Forensics (3)
or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)

CSIA 457Required by major Cyberterrorism and Cyber Crime (3)
or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)

IFSM 433Required by major Information Security Planning and Needs Assessment (3)
or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)

Capstone Course for the Major

(to be taken in the last 15 credits)

CSIA 485Required by major Practical Applications in Cybersecurity Management (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses

(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)

Recommended electives:

CCJS 390 Cyber Crime and Security

CCJS 461 Psychology of Criminal Behavior

CMIS 141 Introductory Programming

CMIS 330 Software Engineering Principles and Techniques

GVPT 409 Terrorism, Antiterrorism, and Homeland Security

PSYC 370 Foundations of Forensics Psychology

SOCY 427 Deviant Behavior

Total credits for BS in cybersecurity 120


UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog


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Last updated: 30 June 2011