Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Systems
The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Systems (CSEC) in the School of Math, Science and Engineering equips students with the technical proficiency, analytical skills and professional preparation they need to become highly competitive professionals in the rapidly changing field of cybersecurity.
Why Cybersecurity Systems?
Data security and secure systems are among the highest priorities for organizations across industries, be it banking, commerce, healthcare, or a host of other enterprises. As emphasis on providing users with safe digital experiences only continues to grow, so do opportunities and advancements in the field. Like the Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Science (CIS) degree program, the CSEC program graduates students able to plan, design, construct, and explain the secure operations of computer systems and networks to both technical and non-technical audiences. CSEC students further specialize in analysis, threat detection, network security, systems oversight and methods of risk assessment and management.
Cybersecurity Systems Curriculum
The B.S. in Cybersecurity Systems is a 122-hour degree program that incorporates the best guidance from government agencies and the best features of nationally recognized security programs and security-related degrees at universities and colleges in San Antonio. Faculty continue to upgrade the curriculum when needed to include new and emerging technologies and best practices in the cybersecurity domain.
Preparing students to successfully enter the working world is a fundamental part of the CSEC program. As a part of that preparation, the CSEC curriculum incorporates three professional development methods to assist students in becoming leaders in their fields.
Career Exploration
The CSEC curriculum exposes and focuses the student on the various types of jobs that exist in the cybersecurity domain through six specialized courses. These courses include topics ranging from Foundations of Cybersecurity, Law and Ethics in Cybersecurity, Risk Analysis and Policy Development, and Organization Security Management. As students progress through the CSEC program, they broaden their understanding of their career options first-hand from guest speakers, who are currently working in the field, along with real-world case studies involving cybersecurity. Students further enhance their understanding of the cybersecurity domain by participating in student clubs and attending numerous seminars and conferences that are available throughout the San Antonio area.
Internship
Building on the skills and information gained from the career exploration activities, students engage in practical work experience through a monitored work experience with an employer in tasks related to the practice of cybersecurity. Options for internships include local businesses or industry or government groups involved in the areas of the student's chosen interest in the U.S. or abroad. Students must obtain an internship before registering for this course and register with UIW Career Services; therefore, coordination and planning is required.
Additional class assignments include:
- Class discussions on student experiences with their ongoing internship
- Developing and presenting professional elevator pitches
- Explore options for the senior capstone project
- Brief technical report on internship experience
Senior Practicum
This course is the culmination of students’ CSEC learning and is generally taken the final semester of the curriculum. The CSEC practicum allows students to put their skills, knowledge and experiences to work in creating a working solution or functional prototype that addresses a cybersecurity-relevant challenge. Students who successfully complete this project demonstrate their readiness to enter and compete in the workforce as a cybersecurity professional.
Examples of previous capstone projects include:
- An automated penetration testing computer system
- A lightweight firewall proxy server using Raspberry Pi
- Home automation with security monitoring capabilities
- Biometric identification and authentication trade space analysis and demonstration
- Bluetooth device authentication and integration for domain level access control
Careers in Cybersecurity Systems
Higher-than-average salaries, a growing number of related occupations and increased emphasis on securing digital information and systems, make it an exciting time to enter the cybersecurity field. Opportunities are on the rise for well-prepared professionals and some occupations are projected to grow as much as 30 percent within the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Graduates from the program can expect to find meaningful and interesting careers working in both the private sector in business and industry, or within a broad range of government agencies.