2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Sep 30, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Cybersecurity Major, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Cybersecurity Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. From understanding the psychology behind cybersecurity to conducting threat and risk assessments, students delve into edge-systems, tools, and applications, while honing their skills in project tracking, management, and in-depth algorithmic analysis. This program goes beyond theoretical concepts by integrating top-level informational reporting and reference-based scoping and analysis, ensuring students gain practical insights into the field.

With two specialized tracks available, students can tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. Whether focusing on Cyber Risk Analysis, with a deep dive into areas such as data analytics and mining, or Offensive Cyber Operations, which covers pentesting and offensive cyber tools, students have the opportunity to specialize in areas that align with their passions and aspirations. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach to learning, incorporating case studies, role-playing, team projects, simulations, and field experiences to foster both deep domain knowledge within the major and essential communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates from the BS in Cybersecurity program at Clark University will be able to:

Differentiate forensics and bleeding edge cyber assessment (black/white/grey hat), in the following areas: threat and risk assessment, domestic/international assessment, threat hunting assessments
Apply model-based analysis and workflow in distinctly different technology teams (DevOps, PenOps, Pentesting, Systems, Networking, and Engineering) for internal and external channel handling
Communicate effectively to provide clear and concise planning and incident reporting of cyber and IT practices.
Manage reporting related to cross platform analysis (mobile, Web, OS, HW [e.g., ARM], IoT, etc.)
Describe, apply and analyze security and IT protocols (cryptographic, networking (IPsec, TCP, HTTPS, etc.) and systems (design, implementation, computing)
Determine and counter the psychology of cyber warfare in the following areas: social engineering, getting into the mind of the hacker, ethical hacking
Apply operational status and heads-up tools for real-time reporting and closure status, automation of tools and integration with cloud resources - Edge based analysis

Requirements

Program Requirements

The BS in Cybersecurity requires 32 course units. Students may transfer up to 16 units toward degree completion.

Cyber Core

CSEC 1000 - Foundations of Cybersecurity
MATH 1140 - Discrete Mathematics
MATH 1150 - Statistics
CSEC 1900 - Computer Network Security Essentials
CSEC 1090 - Python Programming
CSEC 2010 - Ethical Hacking
CSEC 2150 - Database Management
CSEC 2000 - Linux In Cybersecurity
CSEC 2810 Case Studies in Cybersecurity / Cyberterrorism

MIS/IT

CSEC 2300 - Cryptography

Business

PA 1000 - Introduction to Business
LEAD 1010 - Leadership and Decision-Making
CSEC 2330 Cybersecurity Governance
PHIL 1310 - Professional Ethics

Psychology of Cybersecurity

PSYC 1000 - Introduction to Psychology
CSEC 2340 Thinking Like a Hacker
CSEC 2350 Cyber Defense & Countermeasures

Communication

COMM 2300 - Intercultural Communications
Choose one of the following:

Select a Track or Electives:

Students may elect to complete one track in the major as defined below or complete four additional CSEC electives.

Cyber Risk Analysis Track

CSEC 1800 - Introduction to Data Analytics
CSEC 2360 - Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA)
CSEC 2320 Cyber Tracking and Reporting
CSEC 2370 Data Mining with Cyber Tools

Offensive Cyber Operations Track

CSEC 2060 - Computer Architecture Fundamentals
CSEC 2310 - Cloud Computing
CSEC 2380 Offensive Cyber Tools
CSEC 2390 Pentesting

Capstone

CSEC 2999

Distribution Requirements

Students are required to take 11 course units to meet the liberal arts distribution requirement for a bachelor of science or a bachelor of general studies degree. This requirement is designed to give students perspectives on human affairs that are essential to be contributing citizens of the world. Please note that required major courses may also satisfy a Distribution Requirement; consult with your academic advisor if you have questions. The 11 units must be distributed as follows:

English/Verbal Expression- two units - ENG 1000 - Introduction to Composition & ENG 1150 - Intermediate Composition
Humanities - three units, distributed among at least two disciplines. One unit must be met a course on ethics. Course subject prefixes that satisfy this category include: ASL, ART, ARTH, ARTS, ENG (not ENG 1000 or ENG 1150), FILM, GERM, HEBR, JAPN, MUSC, PHIL, and TA. Students may also take COMM 1210 Effective Speaking and Presenting.
Science/Mathematics - two units. One in math; one in science.
Social Sciences - three units, distributed among at least two disciplines. Course subject prefixes that satisfy this category include: CJ, COMM, ECON, GOVT, HIST, LEAD, PSYC, and SOC.
Technology - one unit. Course subject prefix that satisfies this category: CSEC

Electives

Electives may be selected from the entire spectrum of courses. Please consult your academic advisor with questions.