As information technology continues to become ingrained in society, there are real-world impacts whenever the security or privacy of these systems fail.

The Undergraduate Track in Security teaches students the skills necessary to build, analyze, and reason about secure and private systems beyond the security coverage in the core curriculum. Topics include both an overview of computer and network security and a variety of more in-depth topics, including systems security, network security, software security, privacy, and cryptography. This track is open to all undergraduate CSC students who are not part of the Cybersecurity concentration.

SECURITY TRACK CURRICULUM

The Security Track curriculum provides guidance on three (3) of the four (4) CSC Restricted Electives that students are expected to take as part of their degree requirements, for a total of 9 credit hours. The track suggests related courses and minors that students may be interested in taking for their remaining CSC Restricted Elective or Other Restricted Electives.

Required Courses

• CSC 405 - Computer Security
• CSC 474 (or CSC 574) - Network Security
• One of the following:
  
  • CSC/MA 414 (CSC/MA 514) - Cryptography
  • CSC 415 (or CSC 515) - Software Security
  • CSC 433 (or CSC 533) - Privacy
  • CSC 471 - Modern Topics in Cybersecurity
  • CSC 498 or 499 as approved by Dr. Enck and Dr. Heckman

Only students who are pursuing the CSC Honors or ABM programs may take the Graduate (500 level) versions of the courses.

Related Courses

• CSC Restricted Electives
  
  • CSC 401 - Data and Computer Communication Networks
  • CSC 422 - Automated Learning and Data Analysis
  • CSC 440 - Database Management Systems
  • CSC 454 - Human-Computer Interactions
• Other Restricted Electives
  
  • ACC 450 - Auditing and Assurance Services
  • ACC 540 - IT Risks and Controls
  • ECE 470 - Internetworking
• Other Courses
  
  • SOC 306 - Criminology
  • PS 507 - Civil Liberties in the United States
  • PS 314 - Science, Technology, and Public Policy
  • PS 437 - U.S. National Security Policy

Related Minors

Students may want to minor in subjects related to security. Some possible minors are:

• Criminology
• Ethics
• Law and Justice
• Science, Technology, and Society

LETTER OF COMPLETION

Upon completion of all degree requirements and Security Track required courses, students with a major GPA of 2.5 or higher may request an official letter of track completion. The letter will be on department letterhead, signed by the Director of Undergraduate Programs, and will mention you by name, your degree program, and that you have successfully completed the Undergraduate Track in Security. Please contact Dr. B. Jasmine Adams with CSC Advising here to request a letter of completion.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For questions about the Security Track and entrepreneurial opportunities, please contact Dr. William Enck and Dr. Sarah Heckman.