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
55 credits
Required courses:
| CMSC 130 | GN: Introduction to Computer Programming I | 3 credits |
| CMSC 131 | Introduction to Computer Programming II | 3 credits |
| CMSC 230 | Programming Principles and Practice | 3 credits |
| CMSC 241 | Computer Organization and Architecture | 4 credits |
| CMSC 250 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 credits |
| CMSC 270 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 4 credits |
| CMSC 340 | Operating System Concept and Design | 4 credits |
| CMSC 370 | Introduction to Computer Cryptology | 4 credits |
| CMSC 445 | Networking and Data Communications | 3 credits |
| CMSC 453 | Database Systems | 3 credits |
| CMSC 470 | Computer Security II: Operating System and Network Security | 4 credits |
| CMSC 475 | Computer Security: Administration and Policy | 4 credits |
| CMSC 487 | Computer Security Internship | Semester Hours Arranged |
three credits of Computer Science electives numbered 220 and above.
Co-requisite courses:
and one year of science courses that include laboratories:
Additional requirements:
- All CPSC and MATH courses must be completed with a “C” grade or better.
- At least 50% of the courses required for the major must be taken at ESU.
- 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.
Entrance requirements:
New Students
- For entrance into the Computer Security major, a new student is required to have a Math SAT score of 550 or higher.
- 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 241 and MATH 140 with a “C” grade or higher to enter the Computer Security major.
Transfer Students
- If a transfer student has completed the equivalent of CPSC 130, CPSC 131, CPSC 241 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.
- 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 241 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
| CMSC 130 | GN: Introduction to Computer Programming I | 3 credits |
| ENGL 103 | English Composition | 3 credits |
| MATH 140 | GN: Calculus I | 4 credits |
| FYE 100 | University Studies | 3 credits |
| GenEd ____ | General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| CMSC 131 | Introduction to Computer Programming II | 3 credits |
| ENGL 203 | GN: Advanced Composition | 3 credits |
| MATH 141 | GN: Calculus II | 4 credits |
| COMM 111 | GN: Introduction to Communication | 3 credits |
| HPLW 105 | Health Promotion and Lifetime Wellness | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Sophomore Year
Fall
| CMSC 230 | Programming Principles and Practice | 3 credits |
| CMSC 241 | Computer Organization and Architecture | 4 credits |
| MATH 220 | Discrete Mathematical Structures | 3 credits |
| XXXX ____ | Science Sequence | 4 credits |
| GenEd ____ | General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring
| CMSC 250 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 credits |
| CMSC 270 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 4 credits |
| MATH 311 | Statistics I | 3 credits |
| XXXX ____ | Science Sequence | 4 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Junior Year
Fall
| CMSC 340 | Operating System Concept and Design | 4 credits |
| CMSC 370 | Introduction to Computer Cryptology | 4 credits |
| CMSC XXX | Computer Science Elective | 3 credits |
| GenEd ____ | General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring
| CMSC 475 | Computer Security: Administration and Policy | 4 credits |
| CMSC 445 | Networking and Data Communications | 3 credits |
| CMSC 453 | Database Systems | 3 credits |
| GenEd ___ | General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| GenEd ___ | General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Senior Year
Fall
| CMSC 470 | Computer 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
| CMSC 487 | Computer Security Internship | Semester Hours Arranged |
| GenEd ____ | General Education Elective | 3 credits |
| XXXX ___ | Elective | 3 credits |
| XXXX ___ | Elective | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |