Computer and Network Security, Bachelor of Science

Philosophy

Today, businesses of all sizes depend upon a networked computer system connected to the Internet. Computer and network technologies have greatly increased employee productivity, elevated the status of “information” to that of a corporate asset, and reduced the cost of doing business. Unfortunately, the same technology that makes life easier for the employee also makes life easier for cyber criminals and more difficult for the IT professionals whose responsibility it is to secure the organization’s vital data. To protect themselves, companies seek professionals with the strongest security credentials available. In order to address such workplace demands, a program of study has been crafted that provides not only a foundation for the core of the degree, but also support from related disciplines to provide a well-rounded education. The General Education core and support courses interact with the security core to deliver a “complete package.”

Purpose

The Computer and Network Security (CNS) Bachelor of Science degree provides students with credentials specializing in digital information security, information assurance, and computer forensics. Students trained in CNS will be fully equipped to work within today’s rapidly expanding job market, both in the federal government and the private sector.

Computer and Network Security is listed among the fastest growing occupations by the US Department of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to the BLS, the number of people employed as information security analysts is projected to increase by 37% between 2012 and 2022. To put it in perspective, that is more than double the projected growth for computer occupations and triple the projected growth rate for all occupations.

See www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-6 for more details.

Wilmington University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity through academic year 2021 by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

This nationally recognized designation certifies that Wilmington University’s Computer and Network Security and Information Assurance curricula, faculty, outreach and academic activities meet the rigorous standards established by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the National Centers of Academic Excellence designation program is to promote higher education in Information Assurance (IA) and Cyber Defense (CD) and prepare a growing number of IA/CD professionals to meet the need to reduce vulnerabilities in the Nation’s networks.

Minimum Grade Policy

The Computer and Network Security program has set a minimum passing grade of “C-” for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than “C-” in any required core course must retake that course.

CAP (Community and Academic Partnerships)/Co-op Program

In order to provide relevant work experience, students in the Computer and Network Security (CNS) degree program have the option of completing six credit hours via a coop assignment. The co-op option for CNS is the equivalent of two semester courses, for a total of six credit hours. Students can complete their CNS degree with 120 credit hours, whether they choose the co-op option or not. Because each co-op experience is individually designed, students must inform the Director of the CAP/Co-op program and the CNS Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (33 credits)

CTA 206Computer Applications

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

HUM 360Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD

3

HUM 361Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present

3

MAT 121College Math I

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

Natural Science Elective

Humanities Elective (3 credits)

Choose one course from:

ART, BBM 319, COM 245, CUL, DRA, DSN 110, ENG 360, ENG 310, ETN, HIS 230, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, SPA, TEC 215, VMG 311, VMG 312, VMG 313

Social Science Elective (3 credits)

Choose one course from:

HIS, POL, PSY, SOC

Support Core (21 credits)

CRJ 101Survey of Criminal Justice

3

CRJ 411Criminal Evidence and Procedures

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

MAT 122College Math II

3

MAT 308/SCI 308Inferential Statistics

3

PHI 314Ethics for Computer Professionals

3

Security Core (42 credits)

SEC 100Introduction to Computer Hardware and Operation

3

SEC 210Principles and Practice of Information Security

3

SEC 230Introduction to Linux

3

SEC 235Networks and Telecommunications

3

SEC 250Operating System and Computer Systems Security

3

SEC 290Introduction to Programming with Python

3

SEC 310Cryptography: Algorithms and Applications

3

SEC 335Linux for Systems Administrators

3

SEC 340Windows Operating Systems and Systems Administration

3

SEC 350Introduction Computer Forensics

3

SEC 410Web and Data Security

3

SEC 420Data Integrity and Disaster Recovery

3

SEC 435Advanced Network Management

3

SEC 450Protecting Your Network: Firewall and Perimeter Security

3

College of Technology Elective (3 credits)

Choose one course from the following:

GMD, ISM, MIS, SDD, SEC, TEC

Free Electives (15 credits)

CAP (Community & Academic Partnerships)/Co-op Program

In order to provide relevant work experience, students in the Computer & Network Security (CNS) degree program have the option of completing six credit hours via a co-op assignment. The co-op option for CNS is the equivalent of two semester courses, for a total of six credit hours. Students can complete their CNS degree with 120 credit hours, whether they choose the co-op option or not. Because each co-op experience is individually designed, students must inform the Director of the CAP/Co-op program and the CNS Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.

In order to be eligible, students must first have completed two core courses in residence and at least 60 credits, plus a GPA of 2.5 or higher. For additional information on the CAP/Co-op program option, please see the website: www.wilmu.edu/coop/.

Suggested Program Sequence

Freshman

Semester 1

CTA 206Computer Applications

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

MAT 121College Math I

3

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

SEC 100Introduction to Computer Hardware and Operation

3

Semester 2

CRJ 101Survey of Criminal Justice

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

MAT 122College Math II

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

SEC 210Principles and Practice of Information Security

3

Sophomore

Semester 1

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

MAT 308/SCI 308Inferential Statistics

3

SEC 230Introduction to Linux

3

SEC 235Networks and Telecommunications

3

SCI
Natural Science Elective

Semester 2

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

HUM 360Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD

3

SEC 250Operating System and Computer Systems Security

3

SEC 290Introduction to Programming with Python

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

Junior

Semester 1

PHI 314Ethics for Computer Professionals

3

SEC 310Cryptography: Algorithms and Applications

3

SEC 335Linux for Systems Administrators

3

SEC 340Windows Operating Systems and Systems Administration

3

Free Elective

Semester 2

HUM 361Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

SEC 350Introduction Computer Forensics

3

SEC 435Advanced Network Management

3

Free Elective

Senior

Semester 1

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

SEC 410Web and Data Security

3

HUM Elective

Program Elective

Free Elective

Semester 2

CRJ 411Criminal Evidence and Procedures

3

SEC 420Data Integrity and Disaster Recovery

3

SEC 450Protecting Your Network: Firewall and Perimeter Security

3

Social Science Elective

Free Elective