Cybersecurity, B.S.

As the Internet increasingly becomes a tool in both corporate and government arenas, the need for cybersecurity increases as well, and with it, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. One of the fastest growing job markets, demand for cybersecurity professionals over the past five years grew 3.5 times faster than demand for other IT jobs and about 12 times faster than all other jobs. According to the Department of Labor, demand for computer security specialists will grow as businesses and governments invest more heavily in cybersecurity to protect vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack.

The B.S. degree in cybersecurity (BSCS) is relevant to the rapidly changing landscape of information security. The techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies that secure and defend information systems will be covered. Furthermore, hands-on learning is an integral part of the program. This degree is designed to produce graduates with the necessary skills for employment in digital security positions. Students who earn this degree are knowledgeable in evaluating, analyzing, and posturing a secure digital network. They are practiced in network monitoring and countermeasure implementation. They are skilled in collaborative projects and communications as well as acutely aware of and abide by ethical standards. Students gain experience in defending cybersecurity attacks in a production environment through internships as well as in simulation exercises, which affords students the opportunity to develop skills that allow them to have an immediate impact in the workplace.

Program Requirements

Minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the Cybersecurity major: 99.
Minimum grade requirement for major courses listed below: D-.

Departmental Requirements: Foundational Courses (35-37 credits)

ITP 210 - Technical Writing Credits: 3
ITP 230 - Project Management Credits: 3
ITP 250 - Management Information Systems Credits: 3
ITP 350 - Leadership, Teambuilding, and Facilitation Credits: 3
ITT 460 - Capstone Credits: 3
MAT 108 - College Algebra Credits: 4
or
MAT 140 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics Credits: 3
MAT 120 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
MAT 145 - Discrete Mathematics I Credits: 3
ECO 101 - Introduction to Macroeconomics Credits: 3
or
ECO 102 - Introduction to Microeconomics Credits: 3
or
ECO 103 - Critical Thinking About Economic Issues Credits: 3
BIO 111 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 3
and
BIO 112 - Practical Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 1.5
or
BIO 131 - Our Relationship with the Living World Credits: 4
or
CHY 113 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 3
and
CHY 114 - Laboratory Techniques I Credits: 1.5
or
ESP 101 - Environmental Science and Sustainability Credits: 3
and
ESP 102 - Fundamentals of Environmental Science Laboratory Credits: 1
or
GEO 102 - Physical Geography Credits: 4
or
PHY 101 - Introduction to Physics Credits: 3
and
PHY 102 - Introduction to Physics Laboratory Credits: 1
or
PHY 111 - Elements of Physics I Credits: 4
and
PHY 114 - Introductory Physics Laboratory I Credits: 1
PHI 235 - Philosophy, Social Media, and Security Credits: 3
or
CMS 235 - Communicating Security Credits: 3

Departmental Requirements: Technical Courses (52 credits)

ITT 181 - Computing Technologies Credits: 3
ITT 200 - Introduction to Cybersecurity Credits: 3
ITT 272 - Networking I Credits: 3
ITT 362 - Operating Systems Security Credits: 3
ITT 373 - Networking II Credits: 3
ITT 376 - Network Defense Credits: 3
ITT 383 - Databases Credits: 3
ITT 385 - Integrative Programming Credits: 3
ITT 413 - Ethical Hacking Credits: 3
ITT 440 - Internship Credits: 1-6
Minimum 3 credits ITT 440 REQUIRED. Repeatable for 1-3 elective credits for a maximum of 6 total credits
ITT 451 - Cyber Laws, Policies, and Ethics Credits: 3 or CYB 551
ITT 482 - Computer Systems Forensics Credits: 3
COS 160 - Structured Problem Solving Credits: 4
COS 161 - Algorithms in Programming Credits: 4
COS 184 - Python Programming Credits: 4
COS 285 - Data Structures Credits: 4

Technical Electives: COS or CYB or ITT (12 credits)

General Electives (8 credits)

Major Courses that Satisfy Core Requirements

Students are encouraged to explore Core courses that also count towards their major or minor. Courses listed below are part of this major and also satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. Course lists that satisfy each requirement can be found on the Core Curriculum webpage.

Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3: ITP 210
Quantitative Reasoning: ECO 101 , ECO 102 , MAT 108 , MAT 120 , MAT 140
Creative Expression:
Cultural Interpretation:
Science Exploration: BIO 111 /BIO 112 , BIO 131 , CHY 113 /CHY 114 , ESP 101 /ESP 102 , GEO 102 or PHY 101 /PHY 102 or PHY 111 /PHY 114
Socio-cultural Analysis: ECO 101 , ECO 102 , or ECO 103
Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: PHI 235 , CMS 235
Culture, Power, and Equity:
International: ITP 230
Engaged Learning: ITT 440 or ITT 460
Capstone: ITT 460

Honors in the Major: Technology

Department of Technology majors who do outstanding work in the major can graduate with Honors in the Department of Technology. Requirements for Honors for students majoring in technology are the following:

Achieve a G.P.A. of at least 3.7 in ITT, ITP, CYB courses.
Earn a grade of B or higher in all Department of Technology courses that count toward the major.
Submit a written reflective portfolio of Department of Technology activities approved by the Department, such as participation in Husky Hackers and/or Cybersecurity Ambassadors. Examples of such activities include independent study and research internship courses, tutoring, and attendance at technology or cybersecurity conferences. Students planning to submit a portfolio should discuss the details with their advisor.

USM Core Requirements

Students must complete all Core and degree requirements as part of the Graduation Requirements. For more information, see Academic Policies.

The USM Core Curriculum provides a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal arts education that fulfills general education requirements. It is designed to help students become globally aware, purposeful, and lifelong learners.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.