Program Requirements
The Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity and Cyber Systems requires three courses from three key areas that will ascertain an understanding of fundamentals and help build a solid foundation for the remainder of the program. These courses are listed below.
- Fundamentals in computer security. This requirement will be completed by either CS 410 or ECE 434. Only one of these courses will count towards the degree.
- Fundamentals in systems programming. This requirement will be completed by either CS 407 or ECE 536. Only one of these courses will count towards the degree.
- Fundamentals in network systems. This requirement will be completed by either CS 440 or ECE 553. Only one of these courses will count towards the degree.
A student should then seek a concentration either in cybersecurity or in cyber systems by selecting at least 5 elective courses in cybersecurity or in cyber systems. The lists of these courses are given below. A maximum of six credit hours from academic units outside of Computer Science or Electrical and Computer Engineering could be applied towards the degree.
In cybersecurity concentration, students must complete 4 courses in cybersecurity and 1 course in cyber systems. In cyber systems concentration, students must complete 4 courses in cyber systems and 1 course in cybersecurity. A fundamental area may be satisfied by a course that was taken prior to admission or a documented record of accomplishment in the subject matter content. In this case, the student must select an additional elective course either in cybersecurity or in cyber systems for each satisfied fundamental area. Students must take at least two CS/ECE five hundred level courses not cross-listed to a four hundred level course. Students must take at least three ECE and at least three CS courses. Only three credit hours of ECE 592 or CS 598 can count towards the degree.
MS Thesis option: 6 credit hours of thesis in ECE or CS (ECE 599 or CS 599) may substitute for 6 credit hours in a concentration area.
Students who entered the MS Cybersecurity and Cyber Systems program Fall 2020 or later:
Thesis Option
| Hours | Courses |
|---|---|
| 3 | Fundamentals in computer security CS 410 or ECE 434 |
| 3 | Fundamentals in systems programming CS 407 or ECE 536 |
| 3 | Fundamentals in network systems CS 440 or ECE 553 (ECE 422 is the equivalent 400 level course to ECE 553 and includes Laboratory for a total of 4 credit hours. Graduate students are encouraged to register for ECE 553 and not ECE 422.) |
| 15 | 400 or 500-level elective lecture approved courses* At least two CS/ECE five hundred level courses not cross-listed to a four hundred level course.** *** |
| 6 | 6 CS 599 Thesis taken in two 3-hour segments over two semesters or 6 ECE 599 Thesis taken in two 3-hour segments over two semesters |
| 30 | TOTAL credit hours***** |
Non-Thesis Option
| Hours | Courses |
|---|---|
| 3 | Fundamentals in computer security CS 410 or ECE 434 |
| 3 | Fundamentals in systems programming CS 407 or ECE 536 |
| 3 | Fundamentals in network systems CS 440 or ECE 553 (ECE 422 is the equivalent 400 level course to ECE 553 and includes Laboratory for a total of 4 credit hours. Graduate students are encouraged to register for ECE 553 and not ECE 422.) |
| 18 | 400 or 500-level elective lecture approved courses* At least two CS/ECE five hundred level courses not cross-listed to a four hundred level course.** *** |
| 3 | CS 598 Graduate Project or ECE 592**** |
| 30 | TOTAL credit hours***** |
* At least 6 hours of coursework (other than CS 598/599 ECE 599) must be CS/ECE five hundred level courses not cross-listed to a four hundred level course.
** A maximum of six credit hours from academic units outside the Electrical and Computer Engineering or the Computer Science could be applied towards the degree.
*** In cybersecurity concentration, students must complete four courses in cybersecurity and one course in cyber systems. In cyber systems concentration, students must complete four courses in cyber systems and one course in cybersecurity.
**** Both the Thesis and Project Options require students to select a CS/ECE faculty member to supervise their work and form a faculty committee to review and approve the student's Thesis or Project work.
***** Students must take at least three ECE and at least three CS courses.