Cybersecurity - Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program prepares students to assess security needs of computer and network systems, recommend safeguard solutions, and manage the implementation and maintenance of security devices, systems, and procedures. The program includes instruction in computer architecture, programming, and systems analysis; networking; telecommunications; cryptography; security system design; applicable law and regulations; risk assessment and policy analysis; contingency planning; user access issues; investigation techniques; and troubleshooting.

Students work in the Cybersecurity classroom.

Students in this Major

  • Develop management skills, communication skills, and other skills in order to meet their challenging career.
  • Are taught by qualified faculty in small classes.
  • Gain hands-on experience on security and risk management, asset security, security engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.
  • Are encouraged to pursue Cybersecurity internships during their senior year.

Admission Requirements

  • Refer to the table of high school course prerequisites for admission.
  • Students must be qualified to enter at least College Algebra (MATH 121) and Composition and the Spoken Word (ENGL 101).
  • Computer or technology courses are strongly recommended.
  • Transfers into this program must have a 2.0 GPA for admission. Students from other institutions and majors may have to complete certain bridge courses that could extend their graduation date.

Students who do not meet necessary prerequisites may be admitted to the College. However, completing the program may require more than four years.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS* (Curriculum 2698)

The following shows the typical course sequence and program requirements.

Semester I Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
CITA/CYBR 152 Computer Logic 3
CYBR 165 Survey of Cybersecurity 3
ENGL 101 Composition and the Spoken Word (GER 1/2) 3
  Mathematics Elective1 (GER 4) 3-4
  Natural Science Elective (GER 5) 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 15-16

Semester II Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
CITA/CYBR 170 Computer Concepts & Operation Systems 3
CITA/CYBR 171 Operating System Fundamentals 3
MATH 141 Statistics (GER 4) 3
  Liberal Arts Elective (GER 3) 3
  Liberal Arts Elective (GER 6, 8, 9, 10, 11) 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 16

Semester III Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
CITA/CYBR 180 Introduction to Programming 4
CITA/CYBR 215 Database Concepts & Applications 3
CITA/CYBR 220 Data Communications & Network Technology 3
  Liberal Arts Elective (GER 7) 3
  Liberal Arts Elective (GER 6, 8, 9, 10, 11) 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 17

Semester IV Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
CITA/CYBR 204 Systems Analysis and Design (WI)** 3
CITA/CYBR 250 Information Security 3
  Program Elective* 3
  Liberal Arts Elective (Any GER) 3
  Liberal Arts Elective (Any GER) 3
  Liberal Arts Elective 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 18

Semester V Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
MATH 351 Discrete Mathematics 3
  Data Security Elective4 3
  Network Security Elective3 3
  General Elective 3
  Liberal Arts Elective 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 15

Semester VI Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
CITA/CYBR 352 Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing 3
  Data Security Elective4 3
  Network Security Elective3 3
  General Elective 3
  Liberal Arts Elective 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 15

Semester VII Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
CYBR 450 Cybersecurity Body of Knowledge 3
  U/L Liberal Arts Elective 3
  U/L Liberal Arts Elective 3
  U/L Liberal Arts Elective 3
  Liberal Arts Elective 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 15

Semester VIII Credits

Prefix Course Name Credits
CYBR 485 Cybersecurity Practice OR
U/L Program Elective2
U/L Program Elective2
6
  U/L General Elective 3
  U/L Liberal Arts Elective 3
  U/L Liberal Arts Elective 3
  TOTAL CREDITS 15

 

* Students may have the option to replace CITA 175, CITA 221 and CITA 441 with a program elective.

** Fulfills writing intensive requirement.

U/L = Upper Level Courses (300/400)
GER = General Education Requirement
LA = Liberal Arts and Sciences

1 MATH 121 College Algebra or higher.
2 Program elective - CYBR, CITA, JUST.
3 Network Security Elective - CYBR 354, CYBR 356, CITA 440/441.
4 Data Security Elective - CYBR 360, CYBR 365, CYBR 455.

Students in this program must take at least 45 UD credits and a minimum of 60 LA credits.

Seven of ten SUNY GER academic areas (including mathematics and basic communication) and 30 credits of SUNY GER courses must be completed within the first two years of full-time study of the program.

Review the Index of Course Descriptions

Cybersecurity Department Chair & NSA Point of Contact
Kambiz Ghazinour
Associate Professor
ghazinourk@canton.edu

Minhua Wang
Lecturer
wang@canton.edu