DU Cyber Security MS Curriculum

Program Overview

Given how quickly technology evolves, our program focuses on teaching you how to think strategically, ask the right questions and address cybersecurity challenges in any context. Courses in the MS in Cybersecurity provide you with comprehensive understanding and tools across the cybersecurity domain, including:

  • Protecting security information systems and infrastructure
  • Detecting, countering, recovering, and preventing cyber incidents
  • Ensuring availability and integrity of data resources
  • Assessing security risk across information systems

Your learning will be reinforced with practical, hands-on projects with industry partners, giving you several opportunities to apply your skills in real-world settings. A previous background in computer science or cybersecurity is not required to apply. If you have previous coursework in computer science theory and systems, it will take you less time to complete your degree. Once admitted, you will take a placement exam to ensure you have mastery of the foundational concepts to ensure success in the program. If you do not have previous coursework in these subjects, you’ll take four bridge courses that will serve as a foundation for your cyber security courses. Passing the bridge courses with a 3.0 GPA is required to continue on in the program. 12 Courses (48 Credits)

Cybersecurity Coursework Requirements - Ten Courses – 40 Credits

An overview of our cyber security program is given below. For most courses, details are available at the link(s) specified.

(note: courses listed in the recommended order students will take them in)

Introductory Bridge Courses (16 credits if required)

Our bridge courses are intended to give students with limited computer science background an introduction to computer organization, programming, and related math required for the cyber security degree program. It is infeasible to gain the equivalent of a 4 year bachelors degree in computer science in just two quarters (20 weeks), so our bridge courses give students the fundamentals that they will build on throughout the rest of the program.

Course TitleQuarter TakenDetails
COMP 3001 Bridge Course I: C++ IFall year 1COMP-3001
COMP 3003 Bridge Course III: Computer OrganizationFall year 1COMP-3003
COMP 3002 Bridge Course II: C++ IIWinter year 1COMP-3002
COMP 3004 Bridge Course IV: Discrete Math/AlgorithmWinter year 1COMP-3004

Program-Specific Courses

Course TitleQuarter TakenDetails
COMP 4370 Algorithmic Problem SolvingSpring year 1COMP-4370
COMP 4355 Advanced Systems ProgrammingSpring year 1COMP-4355
COMP 4723 Ethical HackingSummer year 1COMP-4723
COMP 3361 Operating SystemsSummer year 1COMP-3361
COMP 4621 Computer NetworkingFall year 2COMP-4621
COMP 4724 System Security ManagementFall year 2COMP-4724
COMP 4721 Computer SecurityWinter year 2COMP-4721
COMP 3731 Computer ForensicsWinter year 2COMP-3731
COMP 4384 Secure Software EngineeringSpring year 2COMP-4384
COMP 4722 Network SecuritySpring year 2COMP-4722
COMP 3904 Internship/Co-Op in Computing 1-8 creditsSummer year 2COMP-3904
COMP 4799 Capstone ProjectSummer year 2COMP-4799

The program includes cyber security Development Coursework Requirements - 8 Credits from a combination of the following:

COMP 3904 Internship/Co-Op in Computing 1-8 credits COMP 4995 Independent Research 1-8 credits COMP 4991 Independent Study 1-8 credits COMP 4799 Capstone Project* 4 credits

*Capstone Project – Required

Typical students take 4 credits of the internship/co-op course to gain on-the-job experience, and 4 credits of the capstone (required). In the case that an internship is not available, independent study or other elective courses may take the place of that requirement.

While the courses listed above are the recommended cyber security curriculum, on a case-by-base basis students may choose to substitute certain courses from a variety of electives, including: Introduction to Databases, Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms, Data Privacy, Data Mining, Network Administration, Cryptography, IoT Security, and various special topics courses.

With an impressive mix of full-time university faculty, you’ll learn from instructors who are on the front lines of cyber security.

DU Program Overview

This site provides additional details for the MS Cyber Security program. DU maintains this information on the main computer science site here: Main University Program Site