Program Description
The program’s strengths include a unique blend of faculty expertise, well-equipped computer science and engineering laboratory facilities, and a balance of theory, practice, hardware, and software. The M.S.D.S. degree in Cyber Security, and its NSA/DHS certified CyberDefense Concentration, are designed for individuals who want to develop skills to identify and resolve cybersecurity threats. The degree is focused on developing knowledge and skill applicable to protecting computer systems and computer networks. Students with backgrounds in computer science, computer engineering, information systems or electrical engineering may apply to the program. Professionals working in the industry who have a strong technical background and related work experience are also encouraged to apply.
Program Prerequisites
At least one year of formal coursework in computer programming. Formal coursework in data structures, computer organization, and operating systems is also required.
The materials covered in these courses should be equal to Wright State University courses:
- CS 1180 Computer Science I
- CS 1181 Computer Science II
- CS 3100 Data Structures and Algorithms
- CEG 4350 Operating Systems Internals and Design
- CEG 3310 Computer Organization
If you do not have a year of formal coursework in computer programming, you may show programming proficiency by:
- Taking an exam upon enrollment; or
- Taking the six credit hour preparatory course CS 5160 .
Students lacking other prerequisite coursework may be assigned additional prerequisite courses upon admission.
Math Prerequisites
Knowledge of calculus linear or matrix algebra, probability, and statistics is preferred.
Admission Requirements
The admission process is competitive. Successful applicants will usually meet the following expectations:
- A Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field
- A 3.0 GPA
- A 298 combined (verbal + quantitative) GRE score.
Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be eligible for admission if their combined GRE score exceeds 298. Likewise, students with a combined GRE below 298 may be eligible if their GPA is higher than 3.0.
The GRE requirement is waived:
- For applicants with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer engineering from Wright State and a 3.3 minimum GPA
- For applicants with a graduate degree in a science, math, or engineering field from a U.S. institution
If you do not meet the admission expectations above, you may still be considered for admission. We will take into account your current academic and professional achievements when making this decision. In particular, students with a higher GPA in the last two years of their undergraduate degree, or high grades in computer science and mathematics coursework are often eligible for admission.
International Students
International students must meet English language proficiency requirements. Please contact the University Center for International Education for more information on the admissions process for international students. Note: Only US citizens and green card holders are eligible to take the CyberDefense Concentration.
Program Learning Outcomes
- The ability to integrate and apply graduate cybersecurity knowledge to solve complex cybersecurity issues and challenges.
- The ability to understand and integrate new knowledge within the field of cybersecurity into their professional activities.
- The ability to recognize the need for, and engage in, life-long learning.
- A deeper understanding of the breadth and depth of cyberspace and the inefficiencies and shortcomings of our existing evaluation systems to deal with cybersecurity threats.
- An understanding of the unique characteristics of cyberspace and how these unique characteristics affect/influence cybersecurity threats.
- The ability to identify social, political, and economic factors/impacts of cyber threats and be able to identify and discuss ethical issues related to cybersecurity and privacy.
- Recognition of the basic concepts of cybersecurity defense and be able to use software tools for malware identification and elimination, data encryption and transmission, and key-based authentication.
Facilities
University and college systems include a variety of servers and workstations running current operating systems including Linux, Mac OS, and Windows. Department facilities provide specialized systems and support equipment tailored to specific curriculum and research areas including Linux-based Operating Systems and Internet Security lab, an Immersive Visualization and Animation Theater lab, and a variety of workstations and personal computers providing software tools for project design and development. The program also has access to one of the most advanced visualization and presentation environments in the nation, the Appenzeller Visualization Laboratory, located in the Joshi Research Center. The Department has laboratories dedicated to research in assistive technologies, RFID, computer vision, medical image analysis, parallel and distributed computing, evolvable hardware, database systems, data mining, mobile information and communications, software engineering, artificial intelligence, advanced computer networking, semantic web services-oriented computing, scientific workflows, business process management, bioinformatics, and cybersecurity.
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