Courses

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations educates students with analyzing security issues from the perspective of human and information systems. Courses in the major will engage you in the challenges and problems needed to anticipate and identify threats through the mastery of technology, articulate potential impacts to stakeholders, and ensure the safety of online information.

To acquire the B.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, you are required to successfully complete a minimum of 126 credits.

Build Your Credentials Along The Way

Because the IT profession is constantly changing, continued learning remains key to advancing your career. As you consider your education options, you might also be interested in the Associate in Science in IST, Undergraduate Certificate in IST, or the Undergraduate Certificate in SRA, as you work toward your bachelor’s degree. Many of the credits in these programs may be applied to the requirements for your bachelor’s degree, so that means you can benefit from Penn State's highly regarded name on your résumé even sooner. Your adviser can help you plan the best path for you to achieve your goals.

Course List - Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations

A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major.

Requirements for the Major (99 credits)

(21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GQ courses, 6 credits of GS courses, 9 credits of GWS courses.)

Prescribed Courses (81 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Effective Speech	CAS 100	Introduction to speech communication: formal speaking, group discussion, analysis and evaluation of messages.	3 credits
Computer Systems Literacy	CYBER 100S	This is an introductory university-level course in computer systems literacy. The history, architecture and operation of computing systems and underlying computing theory are covered.	3 credits
Cyber-Defense Studio	CYBER 262	This studio course teaches four basic hands-on cyber-defense skills: configuring a firewall, implementing a host-based intrusion detection software tool, using the Metasploit tool to do penetration testing, and implementing a network intrusion detection tool. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: CYBER 100S and IST 140	3 credits
Cyber Incident Handling and Response	CYBER 342W	This course provides the student with the background, experience and perspective that is required to document organizational preparation for cyber incidents, document cyber incident impact and resolution, document response strategies, as well as integrate business continuity planning into the organization. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: CYBER 262, SRA 221 and SRA 231	3 credits
Cybersecurity Analytics Studio	CYBER 362	This studio course teaches fundamental data-driven cybersecurity analytics skills using programming skills acquired in earlier courses. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: STAT 200, IST 261 and CYBER 262, and enforced co-requisite SRA 365	3 credits
Malware Analytics	CYBER 366	Malware Analytics is an intermediate course required for students who are majoring in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations. It is a three-credit hands-on course that teaches principles and practice of malware detection, analysis, and defense. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 242, IST 261 and CYBER 262	3 credits
Cybersecurity Capstone	CYBER 440	Cybersecurity Capstone is an advanced, culminating course for students who are majoring in Cybersecurity. This course provides the student with a practical exercise, designed by the instructor. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: CYBER 342W and (ENGL 202A or ENGL 202B or ENGL 202C or ENGL 202D and 7th semester standing	3 credits
Introduction to Application Development	IST 140	A first course in concepts and skills for application development. This is a first course in application development. Applications are computer programs developed to support human activity in enterprise and other social contexts. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in Math 21 or placement above the level of Math 21 in the mathematics placement test. Recommended Preparation: Math 22	3 credits
Organization of Data	IST 210	Introduction to the concept of databases, including the storage, manipulation, evaluation, and display of data, and related issues.	3 credits
Networking and Telecommunications	IST 220	Introduction to digital network topologies; transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security.	3 credits
Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics	IST 230	Introduction to formal languages, mathematical logic, and discrete mathematics, with applications to information sciences and technology. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Math 110 or Math 140	3 credits
Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application Development	IST 242	Intermediate application development including algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented concepts. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in IST 140 or CMPSC 121 or IST 240	3 credits
Application Development Design Studio I	IST 261	Introductory design and development studio course for IST and SRA students. This studio course will provide opportunities for students to practice the technical skills acquired in their foundation application design and development courses, specifically, in IST 140 and IST 242. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in IST 242
Legal and Regulatory Environment of Information Science and Technology	IST 432	Legal environment of information technology, constitutional/political issues, intellectual property, management, e-commerce, privacy, access, computer contracting, cyberspace regulation. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 301 or SRA 231	3 credits
Network Security	IST 451	Fundamental issues and concepts of network security, network security technologies and protocols, and emerging technologies in network security. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in IST 220 and SRA 221	3 credits
Computer and Cyber Forensics	IST 454	Fundamental issues and concepts of computer forensics; aspects of computer and cyber crime; methods to uncover, protect, exploit, and document digital evidence; tools, techniques, and procedure to perform computer and cyber crime investigation. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in IST 220 and SRA 221	3 credits
Information Security Management	IST 456	Contemporary Security Issues; security management processes, architecture and models; risk analysis and management; security planning, analysis and safeguards; security policies development and administration; contingency planning, incidence handling and response; and security standards and certification processes. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in IST 220 and SRA 221	3 credits
Internship	IST 495	Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required. Prerequisite: prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor Internships provide valuable experience for students; however, we recognize that situations vary and some students, due to work or other commitments, are unable to adjust their schedules. You are encouraged to contact your adviser to make arrangements for suitable activities in lieu of an internship.	1 credit
Techniques of Calculus I	Math 110	This course introduces and develops the mathematical skills required for analyzing change, and the underlying mathematical behaviors that model real-life economics and financial applications Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: MATH 22 or MATH 40 or MATH 41 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination.	4 credits
Introduction to Security and Risk Analysis	SRA 111	This introductory course spans areas of security, risk, and analysis covering contexts in government agencies and business organizations.	3 credits
Threat of Terrorism and Crime	SRA 211	Provides overview of nature, scope, and seriousness of threats to security as a result of terrorism and crime.	3 credits
Overview of Information Security	SRA 221	Provides an understanding of the overview of information security including security architecture, access control, and internet secure applications. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: SRA 111 and CMPSC 101 or IST 140 or CMPSC 121	3 credits
Decision Theory and Analysis	SRA 231	Provides an overview of decision theoretical and analytical concepts and tools in the security risk analysis field. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: SRA 211, STAT 200	3 credits
Risk Analysis in a Security Context	SRA 311	Risk Analysis in a Security Context is focused on developing analytical skills aimed at producing credible and meaningful answers to critical questions of risk management. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: SRA 231	3 credits
Statistics for Security and Risk Analysis	SRA 365	The course is an intermediate-level statistics course emphasizing how to summarize data using descriptive statistics, how to make data-driven decisions using inferential statistics, and how to critically evaluate data presented in the media, all within the context of security, risk, and analysis. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: STAT 200	3 credits
Integration of Privacy and Security	SRA 472	This course is designed to introduce students to the major organizational, technical, operational and regulatory issues in information privacy and security, and to give them experience in performing a privacy analysis, designing privacy-aware applications and developing privacy policy in organizations. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: SRA 211 or SRA 221	3 credits
Elementary Statistics	STAT 200	Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Placement into MATH 21 or higher	4 credits

Additional Courses (6 credits)

Additional Writing Courses (select 6 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Credits
Rhetoric and Composition or Honors Freshman Composition	ENGL 15 Prerequisite: ENGL 004 or satisfactory performance on the English proficiency examinationor or ENGL 30	3 credits
Effective Writing: Technical Writing or Effective Writing: Business Writing	ENGL 202C Prerequisite: ENGL 15, ESL 15, ENGL 30, and 4th Semester standing OR ENGL 137H, ENGL 138T, and 4th Semester standing or ENGL 202D Prerequisite: ENGL 15, ESL 15, ENGL 30, and 4th Semester standing OR ENGL 137H, ENGL 138T, and 4th Semester standing	3 credits

Supporting Courses and Related Areas (12 credits)

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations must take 12 credits within one of these application areas, with at least two of the courses being at the 400-level. Students will be encouraged to take introductory courses that fill enforced prerequisites in the specialization while also meeting General Education knowledge domain requirements. The student must take all twelve credits in a single application focus area. Students may not mix and match.

*Application Focus Areas:

Law & Policy
Economics
Healthcare
Custom Application Focus

*Please consult with your academic adviser on a list of courses offered.

General Education and Elective Requirements (45 credits)

General Education (45 credits**)
Description	Credits
Arts – GA	6 credits
Humanities – GH	6 credits
Health and Wellness – GHW	3 credits
Natural Sciences – GN	9 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS	6 credits
Writing and Speaking – GWS*	9 credits
Quantification – GQ*	6 credits
Integrative Students	(6 credits)***

*A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

**15 credits are included in the requirements for the major.

***This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements.

Electives (3 credits)
Description
You can choose your electives from the World Campus Course Catalog.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.