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MS in Computer, Information and Network Security

MS in Computer, Information and Network Security 2008

The MS in Computer, Information and Network Security is intended for students who wish to specialize in the security aspects of the Information Technology field. Students who complete the program will be prepared to:

  • Assess the information security risks faced by an organization
  • Understand technology and human factors related to these risks
  • Evaluate tools and resources currently available to limit risk, mitigate the effects of hostile action and recover from attack
  • Manage the development, implementation and evolution of a security infrastructure
  • Assess the impact of policy, legislation, compliance requirements and market trends on organizational security objectives
  • Design, implement and maintain software systems designed to support security policy and goals
  • Develop and maintain a network architecture consistent with mitigating risk and preventing hostile attack
  • Be lifelong learners in the information security environment.

Concentrations

Students must complete the requirements of one of the following four concentrations:

Computer Security Concentration
The Computer Security concentration focuses on fundamental security topics that arise in the design, analysis, and implementation of distributed systems. This concentration provides in-depth coverage of the theory and application of identity, authentication, access control, auditing, assessment & prevention of software vulnerabilities, and cryptography, in the context of modern enterprise-scale & web-based systems.

Information Systems Concentration
The Information Systems concentration focuses on the organizational and management aspects of information security. Students will learn how to plan and implement security plans, to include risk assessment, threat and vulnerability analysis, implementation of controls and safeguards, and maintenance. Students will also learn about related areas such as regulatory compliance, legal issues in security, and disaster recovery.

Network Security Concentration
The Network Security concentration focuses on the network infrastructure and network security management aspects information security. This concentration will provide in-depth coverage of network security infrastructure technologies such as firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), vulnerability assessment tools, as well as overall security infrastructure engineering and design.

Regulation, Compliance, & Audit Concentration
The Regulation, Compliance, & Audit Concentration focuses on the impact of Information Assurance legislation and IT security controls requirements on Enterprises. This concentration expends the information assurance aspects to IT and financial auditing and provide a sound foundations for students looking for a career in auditing, compliance and information security management.
Note: Some required courses in the Regulation, Compliance & Audit Concentration are not available via Online Learning.

What Students Learn From This Program:

  • Information assurance fundamentals
  • Organizational security framework
  • Ability to analyze vulnerabilities and threats to an enterprise security infrastructure and how to develop and deploy control mechanisms to protect the enterprise
  • How to determine, design, implement and support a security infrastructure throughout its life-cycle
  • The impact of security requirements on business operations

Grade and GPA Requirements


Grades: Students must received a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses.

GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a 3.90 or higher will graduate with distinction.

Specific GPA requirements for the Foundation Phase are listed in the Program Requirements section.


Program Requirements 2008

To view Graduate Program Requirements for previous years click here.

The program follows a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing the student for the subsequent phase. The master's degree program consists of:

  • Prerequisite Phase
  • Foundation Phase
  • Advanced Phase

Upon acceptance into the master's degree program, the student will meet with their faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While completing this phase, a students is considered a conditionally admitted master's student.

Master of Science in Computer, Information and Network Security 2008
Prerequisite Phase
 

Computer Security Concentration
The following courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      CSC 211 Programming in Java I  Self Placement Test 
√ √      and  CSC 212 Programming in Java II   
√ √      or  CSC 224 Java for Programmers  Self Placement Test 
         or  CSC 396 Programming in Java I and II   
√ √      CSC 373 Computer Systems I   
√ √      CSC 374 Computer Systems II   
√ √      CSC 383 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java   
 
 
Information Systems Security concentration
The following courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      CSC 211 Programming in Java I  Self Placement Test 
√ √      and  CSC 212 Programming in Java II   
√ √      or  CSC 224 Java for Programmers  Self Placement Test 
         or  CSC 396 Programming in Java I and II   
√ √      IT 215 Analysis and Design Techniques  Self Placement Test 
         ECT 310 Internet Application Development   
 
 
Network Security Concentration
The following courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      CSC 211 Programming in Java I  Self Placement Test  
√ √      or  CSC 261 Programming in C++ I   
 
or any more advanced programming course

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      IT 223 Data Analysis  Self Placement Test  
         TDC 311 Computers in Telecommunications Systems   
√ √      or  CSC 373 Computer Systems I   
         TDC 361 Title Unavailable   
 
 
Regulation, Compliance and Audit concentration
The following courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         TDC 361 Title Unavailable   
√ √      or  IT 263 Applied Networks and Security   
 
 

By taking these courses and receiving a grade of a B- or better in each, the student will have completed the requirements of the Prerequisite Phase.

All or part of the Prerequisite Phase may be waived if a student has the equivalent academic background. Alternatively, students with practical experience may complete a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) to show competency in a prerequisite. All students are blocked from enrolling in Foundation Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites. The student must submit an online Change of Status request when the Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block can be removed. The online request must be submitted two weeks before the student intends to register for graduate level classes. The student will then be considered a fully admitted student, and may pass to the Graduate phase of the program. Students may submit the Change of Status request by logging in to MyCTI.

Foundation Phase

Computer Security Concentration
The following five (5) courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         SE 435 Title Unavailable   
√ √      SE 450 Object-Oriented Software Development   
√ √      TDC 477 Network Security   
√ √      IS 511 Social Issues of Computing   
         or  CNS 477 Legal Issues in Information Assurance   
√ √      IS 433 Information Security Management   
 
 
Information Systems Security Concentration
The following five (5) courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         IS 425 Enterprise Information   
√ √      TDC 463 Computer Networks and Data Systems   
√ √      TDC 477 Network Security   
√ √      IS 511 Social Issues of Computing   
         or  CNS 477 Legal Issues in Information Assurance   
√ √      IS 433 Information Security Management   
 
 
Network Security Concentration
The following five (5) courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      TDC 460 Foundations of Network Technologies   
√ √      TDC 463 Computer Networks and Data Systems   
√ √      TDC 477 Network Security   
√ √      IS 511 Social Issues of Computing   
         or  CNS 477 Legal Issues in Information Assurance   
√ √      IS 433 Information Security Management   
 
 
Regulation, Compliance & Audit Concentration
The following five (5) courses are required:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√        ACC 500 Financial Accounting   
√ √      TDC 463 Computer Networks and Data Systems   
√ √      TDC 477 Network Security   
         CNS 477 Legal Issues in Information Assurance   
√ √      IS 433 Information Security Management   
 
 
Foundation Phase GPA Requirements:
To progress to the Advanced Phase of the degree, a student must complete the Prerequisite Phase and Foundation Phases.

GPA Requirement:
A student must achieve an average grade of 3.0 or better in the five (5) courses that form the Foundation Phase. A student who does not meet the grade requirement must retake the course with the lowest grade. If a number of such courses exist, then it is up to the student to choose which class to retake. Only the higher grade will count toward the average grade for the purpose of completing the GPA Requirement. Students that do not meet the GPA requirements, and do not want to re-take a class are encouraged to see faculty advising guidance to discuss their options. A maximum of four (4) courses in the Advanced Phase can be taken before a student completes the Foundation Phase and fulfill the GPA Requirement.

Advanced Phase

The MS-CINS advanced phase is composed of four (4) parts:
  • CINS Concentration Area
  • CINS Elective
  • CTI Open Electives
  • Capstone or Thesis Requirement
CINS Concentration Area
According to their concentraton a student must meet the following requirements:

Computer Security Concentration
A student must complete the following 2 courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         CSC 440 Cryptology   
         SE 473 Security Architecture I   
 
A student must complete one (1) of the following two (2) courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         SE 547 Title Unavailable   
         SE 573 Security Architecture II   
 
A student must complete one (1) of the following six (6) courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         SE 536 Title Unavailable   
         SE 482 Requirements Engineering   
         SE 547 Title Unavailable   
         SE 573 Security Architecture II   
         SE 529 Software Risk Management   
√ √      TDC 577 Network Security II   
         or  TDC 588 Advanced Network Defense Systems   
 
 
Information Systems Security Concentration
A student must complete the following course:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      IS 533 Enterprise Security Infrastructure Controls and Regulatory Compliance   
 
A student must complete three (3) of the following eleven (11) courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      SE 430 Object Oriented Modeling   
√ √      IS 511 Social Issues of Computing  (This course can not be counted in this category if used for foundation phase fulfillment) 
         CNS 477 Legal Issues in Information Assurance  (This course can not be counted in this category if used for foundation phase fulfillment) 
         IS 483 Information Services and Operations   
         IS 540 Global Information Technology   
         ECT 582 Secure Electronic Commerce   
         ECT 585 Legal Aspects of E-Commerce   
√ √      IS 505 Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Theories and Strategies   
         SE 529 Software Risk Management   
         SE 482 Requirements Engineering   
√ √      TDC 577 Network Security II   
         or  TDC 588 Advanced Network Defense Systems   
 
 
Network Security Concentration
A student must complete the following 3 courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      TDC 511 Telecommunications Practicum   
√ √      TDC 563 Protocols and Techniques for Data Networks   
√ √      TDC 577 Network Security II   
         or  TDC 588 Advanced Network Defense Systems   
 
A student must complete one (1) of the following four (4) courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         TDC 561 Network Programming   
√ √      TDC 562 Computer-Communication Network Design and Analysis   
√ √      TDC 567 Telecommunication Systems Design and Management   
         ECT 582 Secure Electronic Commerce   
 
 
Regulation, Compliance and Audit Concentration
A student must complete the following 3 courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
         ACC 541 Financial Accounting Theory and Practice I   
√        ACC 547 Audit and Regulation of Corporate Financial Reporting   
√ √      IS 533 Enterprise Security Infrastructure Controls and Regulatory Compliance   
 
A student must complete one (1) of the following eight (8) courses:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√        ACC 550 Advanced Topics in Auditing   
√        ACC 543 Financial Accounting Theory and Practice II   
         ACC 552 Legal and Ethical Environment of Accounting Practice   
         ECT 582 Secure Electronic Commerce   
         IS 425 Enterprise Information   
√ √      IS 505 Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Theories and Strategies   
√ √      IS 511 Social Issues of Computing   
√ √      TDC 577 Network Security II   
         or  TDC 588 Advanced Network Defense Systems   
 
 
CINS Elective
 
Student must complete 1 course from any CINS concentration area. It can be from their concentration area or any others. That course can not be used to fulfill a student’s CINS Concentration Area or Foundation Phase requirements.
 
 


CTI Open Electives
 
Student must complete two (2) CTI open electives.
Elective courses are in the range of 420-699 and must be from the School of CTI or from the following list: ACC 550, ACC 543 and ACC 552.
 
 

Capstone or Thesis Requirement
 
The capstone class provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate and assess the skills they have developed during the rest of the degree.
Students should either take one of:

Offered Spring 
In classOnline 
√ √      CNS 594 Computer Information and Network Security Capstone   
         or  CSC 698 Master's Thesis   
         or  ECT 698 Master's Thesis   
         or  IS 698 Master's Thesis   
         or  SE 698 Master's Thesis   
         or  TDC 698 Master's Thesis   
 
 
 
All courses in degree
 
  • ACC 500 Financial Accounting
  • ACC 541 Financial Accounting Theory and Practice I
  • ACC 543 Financial Accounting Theory and Practice II
  • ACC 547 Audit and Regulation of Corporate Financial Reporting
  • ACC 550 Advanced Topics in Auditing
  • ACC 552 Legal and Ethical Environment of Accounting Practice
  • CNS 477 Legal Issues in Information Assurance
  • CNS 594 Computer Information and Network Security Capstone
  • CSC 211 Programming in Java I
  • CSC 212 Programming in Java II
  • CSC 224 Java for Programmers
  • CSC 261 Programming in C++ I
  • CSC 373 Computer Systems I
  • CSC 374 Computer Systems II
  • CSC 383 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java
  • CSC 396 Programming in Java I and II
  • CSC 440 Cryptology
  • CSC 698 Master's Thesis
  • ECT 310 Internet Application Development
  • ECT 582 Secure Electronic Commerce
  • ECT 585 Legal Aspects of E-Commerce
  • ECT 698 Master's Thesis
  • IS 425 Enterprise Information
  • IS 433 Information Security Management
  • IS 483 Information Services and Operations
  • IS 505 Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Theories and Strategies
  • IS 511 Social Issues of Computing
  • IS 533 Enterprise Security Infrastructure Controls and Regulatory Compliance
  • IS 540 Global Information Technology
  • IS 698 Master's Thesis
  • IT 215 Analysis and Design Techniques
  • IT 223 Data Analysis
  • IT 263 Applied Networks and Security
  • SE 430 Object Oriented Modeling
  • SE 435 Title Unavailable
  • SE 450 Object-Oriented Software Development
  • SE 473 Security Architecture I
  • SE 482 Requirements Engineering
  • SE 529 Software Risk Management
  • SE 536 Title Unavailable
  • SE 547 Title Unavailable
  • SE 573 Security Architecture II
  • SE 698 Master's Thesis
  • TDC 311 Computers in Telecommunications Systems
  • TDC 361 Title Unavailable
  • TDC 460 Foundations of Network Technologies
  • TDC 463 Computer Networks and Data Systems
  • TDC 477 Network Security
  • TDC 511 Telecommunications Practicum
  • TDC 561 Network Programming
  • TDC 562 Computer-Communication Network Design and Analysis
  • TDC 563 Protocols and Techniques for Data Networks
  • TDC 567 Telecommunication Systems Design and Management
  • TDC 577 Network Security II
  • TDC 588 Advanced Network Defense Systems
  • TDC 698 Master's Thesis