Cybersecurity - Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

For information, contact the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering 262 McVey Data Science Building, 513-529-0340, e-mail cseAdvising@MiamiOH.edu, or visit http://cse.MiamiOH.edu.

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure complex and interconnected information systems in today’s digital age. This program emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationships between people, processes, and technology when safeguarding sensitive data and critical infrastructure. During the course of their degree program, students will learn how to identify security vulnerabilities, develop solutions to protect and defend assets, and respond to and recover from cyber attacks.

The first two years of the degree program include foundational sequences in both cybersecurity and programming, including courses in system and network administration. In the third year, students take courses focused in core areas of cybersecurity, including human security, network security, and software security. Courses in defensive and offensive security taken in the fourth year combine the core cybersecurity concepts and skills learned in earlier courses to build a broad perspective on how to secure systems. Multiple classes prepare students to pursue professional certifications, including the Security+ and Certified Ethical Hacker certifications. The program culminates in a capstone course where students apply everything they've learned to real-world cybersecurity challenges.

A background in computers or prior experience with programming is not necessary for students interested in pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. The Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity degree program is designed to accommodate students of all skill levels, starting with foundational courses that introduce the basics of cybersecurity, computer programming, and system and network administration. These introductory courses ensure that students have a strong footing in technical concepts while also fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills—capabilities that are equally important as technical skills for success as a cybersecurity professional.

The demand for professionals with cybersecurity skills is very high, with 457,000 unfilled job openings across the United States in 2024. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects cybersecurity analysts to be the fastest-growing employment sector with a growth rate of 31% in the next ten years. Cybersecurity graduates work in a variety of roles, including but not limited to cybersecurity analyst, security auditor, penetration tester, threat intelligence analyst, incident response analyst, security engineer, and security architect. The median wage for the most common cybersecurity role, cybersecurity analyst, is $120,000.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates from the Cybersecurity program are expected to attain or achieve the following Program Educational Objectives within a few years of graduation:

• Develop in their chosen profession and/or progress toward an advanced degree

• Provide innovative solutions using technical skills in their discipline

• Communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, and work collaboratively in diverse teams/organizations

• Act responsibly and ethically in their profession and as informed citizens

Student Outcomes

• Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed and inclusive judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

Departmental Honors

If you excel in your studies, you may qualify for the University Honors Program or the program for Honors in Computer Science and Software Engineering. As a senior in these programs, you will have the opportunity to work closely with the faculty on research projects of interest.

Credit/No-Credit Policy

All courses in mathematics, statistics and those in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC, CPB, CSE, CYB, ECE, EGM, MME, QTM) that are used to fulfill requirements of the major must be taken for a grade.

Divisional Policies

Multiple Majors: Students with two or more majors in the College of Engineering and Computing must take a minimum of 15 unique, additional credit hours in each major.

Career Foundations: The Career Foundations course sequence (CEC 190 series) is designed to equip students with the essential professional skills needed for lifelong career success. Students starting in CEC majors in fall 2025 and later are required to take CEC 190 each semester and are automatically registered. CEC 190 is zero credit hours, has a grade mode of credit/no-credit, requires 5-10 hours and awards a badge each semester. Students earn certificates for successfully completing eight badges.

Graduate Study

The department offers a combined bachelor's/master's degree program that allows students to complete bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science in an accelerated manner. Students are eligible to apply for this program in their junior year. Please contact the CSE department office for more information.

Additional information is available from the CSE department office and website http://cse.MiamiOH.edu.

Program Requirements

(74 semester hours)