Cybersecurity Studies

"Cyber threats pose one of the gravest national security dangers that the United States faces... it's clear that much more work needs to be done to enhance our cybersecurity." —Former President Barack Obama

An increasingly connected world economy and the growing virtual existence for almost all existing organizations makes cybersecurity as relevant as local or national security for our society. A stable world and a safe virtual environment are essential elements for a peaceful world. This program leverages the powerful resources of Duquesne University in Mathematics, Computer Science and Security Studies to meet the needs of students and of society at large.

As a Cybersecurity Studies major at Duquesne, you will learn how to:

  • evaluate the cybersecurity needs of an organization.
  • assess and develop risk management policies in order to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of an organization's information and assets.
  • support and secure information and assets to facilitate an organization's mission.
  • research, learn, and apply new cybersecurity technology in order to keep your skills current.
  • apply these skills in a professional manner, including documenting your work, communicating clearly and appropriately, and following  ethical and professional standards of conduct.

You will also enjoy the following benefits:

  • A program that combines policy studies and technological information to help you develop expertise in human analytic skills as well as technical security measures
  • Courses taught by internationally recognized Ph.D faculty
  • A Capstone course that features a major project to help develop a portfolio of visible skills
  • The opportunity to participate in faculty research projects, publish findings and present work nationally and internationally
  • A faculty mentor to advise you on curriculum, independent study, internships, and career plans
  • The opportunity to double major in computer science, data science, international studies and international relations

 

Program Information

Our dynamic Cybersecurity Studies program combines computer science and international relations courses to prepare students to assess the cybersecurity needs of any organization or entity.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Duration

4-year

"My favorite part about being a cybersecurity major is the professors. The dedicated CS / IR professors for this course have left a lasting impact on how I view learning."

—Cameron Ballou

Program Requirements

View Catalog
Students are required to take 21 credits worth of their major coursework in the Mathematics & Computer Science department. These courses include:
  • MATH 135 Discrete Mathematics
  • COSC 160 Computer Programming: Java
  • COSC 215 Data Structures in Java
  • COSC 220 Computer Organization & Assembly Language
  • COSC 325W Operating Systems
  • COSC 460 Computer Security
  • COSC/IR 464 Cybersecurity Studies Capstone Project

Students must also take 9 credit hours from the International Security Studies Cyber courses:

  • IR 404 Introduction to Information Awareness
  • IR 432 Network Situational Awareness
  • IR 462 Applied Threat Systems
  • IR 470 Cybersecurity Leadership and Strategy
Students are also required to take one three-credit course from the ISS requirements or Security courses:
  • IR 296 Intelligence Operations
  • IR 405 Transnational Organized Crime
  • IR 406 Homeland Security
  • IR 407 Terrorism
  • IR 415 Twenty-First Century Terrorism
  • IR 417 Armed Groups
  • IR 422W American Defense Policy
  • IR 423W Comparative Intelligence Agencies
  • IR 498 Global Security Problems

Minor in Cybersecurity Studies (15 credits)

For the Cybersecurity Studies minor, students are required to take four of the following classes: 

  • IR 404 Introduction to Information Awareness
  • IR 432 Network Situational Awareness
  • IR 462 Applied Threat Systems
  • IR 470 Cybersecurity Leadership and Strategy
  • COSC 160 Computer Programming: Java
  • COSC 215 Data Structures in Java

In addition, students are required to take one of the following ten 3-credit courses: COSC 300, IR 296, IR 405, IR 406, IR 407, IR 415, IR 417, IR 422W, IR 423W, IR 498. Students with CSS minors are not allowed to count more than three minor courses towards degrees in Computer Science, International Relations, or International Security Studies.