Computer Security B.S.

Is computer security a career path for me?

Career Potential

  • Network Administrator
  • Security Administrator
  • Information Assurance Specialist
  • Security Application Developer
  • Information Security Officer

Career Settings

  • Major corporations
  • Defense industry
  • Law Enforcement
  • Software houses
  • IT and E-commerce industries
  • Homeland Security industry
  • Research/Technology Centers

    More detailed career information is available from the department.

    Program Features

    60 credits

    Required courses:

    CPSC 130GN: Introduction to Computer Programming I

    3 credits

    CPSC 131Introduction to Computer Programming II

    3 credits

    CPSC 141Introduction to Computer Organization

    3 credits

    CPSC 230Programming Principles and Practice

    3 credits

    CPSC 232Introduction to Assembler Programming

    3 credits

    CPSC 250Data Structures and Algorithms

    3 credits

    CPSC 270Computer Security I: Computer and Application Security

    4 credits

    CPSC 340Operating System Concept and Design

    4 credits

    CPSC 370Introduction to Computer Cryptology

    4 credits

    CPSC 445/CPSC 545Networking and Data Communications

    3 credits

    CPSC 453/CPSC 553Database Systems

    3 credits

    CPSC 470Computer Security II: Operating System and Network Security

    4 credits

    CPSC 475Computer Security: Administration and Policy

    4 credits

    CPSC 487Security Engineering Internship

    Semester Hours Arranged

    three credits of Computer Science electives numbered 220 and above.

    Co-requisite courses:

    MATH 140GN: Calculus I

    4 credits

    MATH 141GN: Calculus II

    4 credits

    MATH 220Discrete Mathematical Structures

    3 credits

    MATH 311Statistics I

    3 credits

    ENGL 203GN: Advanced Composition

    3 credits

    CMST 111GN: Introduction to Communication

    3 credits

    and one year of science courses that include laboratories:

    BIOL 114GN: Introductory Biology I

    4 credits

    BIOL 115Introductory Biology II

    4 credits

     

    OR

    CHEM 121GN: General Chemistry I

    3 credits

    CHEM 123GN: General Chemistry I Laboratory

    1 credit

    CHEM 124GE: General Chemistry II

    3 credits

    CHEM 126GE: General Chemistry II Laboratory

    1 credit

     

    OR

    PHYS 161GN: Physics I

    4 credits

    PHYS 162Physics II

    4 credits

     

    OR

    PHYS 161GN: Physics I

    4 credits

    PHYS 240Basic Electronics

    4 credits

    Additional requirements:

    1. All CPSC and MATH courses must be completed with a “C” grade or better.
    2. At least 50% of the courses required for the major must be taken at ESU.
    3. In a programming intensive course, each student will be given a variety of assignments where he or she must create extensive, original and executable computer programs. The instructor will rigorously review each student’s source code to determine its correctness, efficiency, originality, and adherence to documentation and style guidelines.
    4. Students who have an interest in one of the following areas are strongly advised to include the listed courses in their program of studies:

    Scientific Computing –

    CHEM 121GN: General Chemistry I

    3 credits

    CHEM 123GN: General Chemistry I Laboratory

    1 credit

    CHEM 124GE: General Chemistry II

    3 credits

    CHEM 126GE: General Chemistry II Laboratory

    1 credit

    PHYS 161GN: Physics I

    4 credits

    PHYS 162Physics II

    4 credits

    Business and Economics –

    ECON 111GN: Principles of Macroeconomics

    3 credits

    ECON 112GN: Principles of Microeconomics

    3 credits

    and Accounting courses.

    Graduate Studies –

    MATH 421Abstract Algebra

    3 credits

    Entrance requirements:

    New Students

    1. For entrance into the Computer Security major, a new student is required to have a Math SAT score of 550 or higher.
    2. A new student who has a Math SAT score lower than 550 may enter as a Pre-Computer Security major. This student must then complete CPSC 130, CPSC 131, CPSC 141 and MATH 140 with a “C” grade or higher to enter the Computer Security major.

    Transfer Students

    1. If a transfer student has completed the equivalent of CPSC 130, CPSC 131, CPSC 141 and MATH 140 with a “C” grade or better, or if a transfer student has a Math SAT score of 550 or higher, then the student may enter the Computer Security major.
    2. A transfer student who does not meet either of these requirements may enter as a Pre-Computer Security major. This student must then complete CPSC 130, CPSC 131, CPSC 141 and MATH 140 with a “C” grade or higher to enter the Computer Security major.

    4 Year Curriculum Program Plan

    (Subject to change by the university without notice)

    Freshman Year

    Fall

    CPSC 130GN: Introduction to Computer Programming I

    3 credits

    ENGL 103English Composition

    3 credits

    MATH 140GN: Calculus I

    4 credits

    FYE 100University Studies

    3 credits

    GenEd ____General Education Elective

    3 credits

    Total Credit Hours:16

    Spring

    CPSC 131Introduction to Computer Programming II

    3 credits

    CPSC 141Introduction to Computer Organization

    3 credits

    MATH 141GN: Calculus II

    4 credits

    CMST 111GN: Introduction to Communication

    3 credits

    HPLW 105Health Promotion and Lifetime Wellness

    3 credits

    Total Credit Hours:16

    Sophomore Year

    Fall

    CPSC 230Programming Principles and Practice

    3 credits

    CPSC 232Introduction to Assembler Programming

    3 credits

    MATH 220Discrete Mathematical Structures

    3 credits

    XXXX ____Science Sequence

    4 credits

    GenEd ____General Education Elective

    3 credits

    Total Credit Hours:16

    Spring

    CPSC 250Data Structures and Algorithms

    3 credits

    CPSC 270Computer Security I: Computer and Application Security

    4 credits

    MATH 311Statistics I

    3 credits

    ENGL 203GN: Advanced Composition

    3 credits

    XXXX ____Science Sequence

    4 credits

    Total Credit Hours:17

    Junior Year

    Fall

    CPSC 340Operating System Concept and Design

    4 credits

    CPSC 370Introduction to Computer Cryptology

    4 credits

    CPSC XXXComputer Science Elective

    3 credits

    GenEd ____General Education Elective

    3 credits

    GenEd ___General Education Elective

    3 credits

    Total Credit Hours:14

    Spring

    CPSC 475Computer Security: Administration and Policy

    4 credits

    CPSC 445/CPSC 545Networking and Data Communications

    3 credits

    CPSC 453/CPSC 553Database Systems

    3 credits

    GenEd ___General Education Elective

    3 credits

    GenEd ___General Education Elective

    3 credits

    Total Credit Hours:16

    Senior Year

    Fall

    CPSC 470Computer Security II: Operating System and Network Security

    4 credits

    GenEd ___General Education Elective

    3 credits

    XXXX ___Elective

    3 credits

    XXXX ___Elective

    3 credits

    Total Credit Hours:13

    Spring

    CPSC 487Security Engineering Internship

    Semester Hours Arranged

    GenEd ____General Education Elective

    3 credits

    XXXX ___Elective

    3 credits

    XXXX ___Elective

    3 credits

    Total Credit Hours:12