Sample Plan of Studies for Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering

(MS‑CYBE)

Program Requirements

An MS‑CYBE student will take a total of 33 credit hours, which includes a foundational course (COMP 7500), 18 credit hours of required courses, and a 3‑hour capstone engineering project. In most cases, a graduate student should take 9 credit hours each semester. The student is also allowed to take a 3‑credit hour directed study (COMP 7930).

Foundational Course
  • COMP 7500: Advanced Operating Systems – 3 Credit Hours (Spring)
Required Courses
  • COMP 6350: Digital Forensics – 3 Credit Hours (Fall)
  • COMP 6370: Computer and Network Security – 3 Credit Hours (Fall)
  • COMP 6530: Secure Cloud Computing – 3 Credit Hours (Spring)
  • COMP 6830: Cybersecurity Threats and Countermeasures – 3 Credit Hours (Spring)
  • COMP 7370: Advanced Computer and Network Security – 3 Credit Hours (Spring)
  • COMP 7720: Software Re‑Engineering – 3 Credit Hours (Fall)
Electives

  • Approved 6000/7000/8000‑level course 1 relevant to cybersecurity (Fall or Spring)
  • Approved 6000/7000/8000‑level course 2 relevant to cybersecurity (Fall or Spring)
  • Approved 6000/7000/8000‑level course 3 relevant to cybersecurity (Fall or Spring)
Capstone Experience
  • COMP 7980: Capstone Engineering Project – 3 Credit Hours (Fall, Spring, or Summer)

Total Credit Hours: 33

Course Offerings and Syllabi

For course offerings and syllabi, please refer to the Course Offerings and Syllabi page.

Sample Course Schedules

  • 1st Semester (Fall):
    • COMP 6350 Digital Forensics – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 6370 Computer and Network Security – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • Approved MS‑CYBE Elective 1* – 3 Credit Hours
  • 2nd Semester (Spring):
    • COMP 6530 Secure Cloud Computing – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 6830 Cybersecurity Threats and Countermeasures – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 7500 Advanced Operating Systems – 3 Credit Hours (Foundational)
  • 3rd Semester (Fall):
    • COMP 7720 Software Re‑Engineering – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • Approved MS‑CYBE Elective 2* – 3 Credit Hours
    • Approved MS‑CYBE Elective 3* – 3 Credit Hours
  • 4th Semester (Spring):
    • COMP 7370 Advanced Computer and Network Security – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 7980 Capstone Engineering Project – 3 Credit Hours (Capstone)

  • 1st Semester (Spring):
    • COMP 6530 Secure Cloud Computing – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 6830 Cybersecurity Threats and Countermeasures – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 7500 Advanced Operating Systems – 3 Credit Hours (Foundational)
  • 2nd Semester (Fall):
    • COMP 6350 Digital Forensics – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 6370 Computer and Network Security – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • Approved MS‑CYBE Elective 1* – 3 Credit Hours
  • 3rd Semester (Spring):
    • COMP 7370 Advanced Computer and Network Security – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • Approved MS‑CYBE Elective 2* – 3 Credit Hours
    • Approved MS‑CYBE Elective 3* – 3 Credit Hours
  • 4th Semester (Fall):
    • COMP 7720 Software Re‑Engineering – 3 Credit Hours (Required)
    • COMP 7980 Capstone Engineering Project – 3 Credit Hours (Capstone)

Department‑prescribed MS‑CYBE technical electives.

  • COMP 6700: Secure Software Process
  • COMP 6800: Artificial Intelligence for Security: Foundations (currently COMP 7970)
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Cyber‑Physical Security
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Security in Wireless Networks
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Binary Program Analysis
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Distributed Systems Security
  • COMP 7800: Artificial Intelligence for Security: R & D
  • COMP 7930: Directed Study (with Cybersecurity focus, approval required)
  • COMP 7970: Special Topics: Additive Manufacturing Security
  • MATH 6180: Cryptography
  • ELEC 6210: Hardware Security
  • ELEC 6290: Hardware Security II
  • Or other 6000‑ or 7000‑level CYBE electives (with approval)