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.

Core infrastructure including financial, medical and military systems, water, gas and oil pipelines, the electrical grid, communications, weather forecasting, GPS navigation/guidance systems and other critical social systems rely heavily on software and computer systems. These computing-based systems are fundamental to modern society and are constantly under attack and stress from natural disasters and man-made malicious threats ranging from minor crimes to military-style cyberwarfare.  To preserve our way of life, it is imperative that we secure and safeguard these critical computer systems. This exigent need has accelerated the growth and advancement of Cybersecurity as a vital and indispensable aspect of our current and foreseeable computing landscape.

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree emphasizes core concepts, principles, skills, and robust practices for designing, developing, and maintaining highly-secure computing systems and protecting them from diverse threats and attacks. The program also emphasizes best practices of cybersecurity from a societal, organizational, ethical, and human-factors perspective to provide a comprehensive understanding of this multifaceted field. The courses in the degree program are carefully fine-tuned from the ground-up to provide the necessary depth and breadth to maximize opportunities for graduates to find employment in diverse industries (including hardware, software, health, finance, etc.), the government, military, and academia. Moreover, the curriculum prepares students to pursue professional certifications (such as Network+, Security+, etc.) as needed.

A high school background in computers is not necessary to major in cybersecurity because the program includes introductory courses needed for the major. However,  it is desirable to have an interest in analytical thinking and problem solving, an aptitude for mathematics, and a curiosity to delve into the workings of computers and technology.

Cybersecurity graduates are in very high demand. Their salaries are in the top three highest paying jobs in computing fields with a median salary of about $100,000 per year. The demand is so high that 40,000 jobs for security professionals go unfilled in the U.S. each year according to Forbes and employers are struggling to fill 200,000 other cybersecurity-related roles. 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. These factors collectively make Cybersecurity a lucrative and highly-fulfilling career path. Graduates with the BS in Cybersecurity work in a variety of roles such as "Security analyst", "Cyber defense analyst", "Cybersecurity Analyst", and "Data security analyst", to name a few.

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, CSE, CPB, ECE, EGM, MME) that are used to fulfill requirements of the major must be taken for a grade.

Divisional Policy

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.

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