The Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis is intended to familiarize you with the general frameworks and multidisciplinary theories that define the area of security and related risk analyses. Courses in the major will engage you in the challenges and problems associated with assuring information confidentiality and integrity (e.g., social, economic, technology-related, and policy issues), as well as the strengths and weaknesses of various methods for assessing and mitigating associated risk.
To acquire the B.S. in SRA, you are required to successfully complete a minimum of 120 credits, including:
- 94 requirements for the major credits (73 of the 94 credits are common requirements; the remaining 21 are required for the Information and Cyber Security option)
- 45 General Education credits (22 of the 45 credits are included in the prescribed, additional, or supporting requirements for the major)
- 3 elective 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 or the Undergraduate Certificate in IST 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 Security and Risk Analysis - Information and Cyber Security Option
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 (94 credits)
(This includes 22 credits of General Education courses: 6 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses; 3 credits of GWS courses, 3 credits of GH, and 4 credits of GN courses)
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to C++ Programming | CMPSC 101 | Properties of algorithms, languages, and notations for describing algorithms; applications of a procedure-oriented language to problem solving. | 3 credits |
| Information, People, and Technology | IST 110 | The use, analysis, and design of information systems and technologies to organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises. | 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 |
| 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. Prerequisite: IST 301 or SRA 231 |
3 credits |
| Information Sciences and Technology Integration and Problem Solving or Security and Risk Analysis Capstone Course |
IST 440W or SRA 440W |
Problem-based approach to technology integration by focusing on real-life problems faced by an organization. Prerequisite: ENGL 202C or ENGL 202D seventh-semester standing (this course is intended for seniors) or The Security and Risk Analysis Capstone course is designed to provide IST students enrolled in the SRA major to experience a semester-long security and risk problem-solving experience, providing realistic security dilemmas requiring a solution process that is well suited for teamwork and collaboration. Prerequisite: SRA 221 and SRA 311; ENGL 202C or ENGL 202D seventh-semester standing (this course is intended for seniors) and the five common course requirements plus at least three of the required courses in an option |
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 |
| 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. Prerequisite: SRA 111 |
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. Prerequisite: SRA 111, IST 110, CMPSC 101 |
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. Prerequisite: SRA 211, STAT 200 |
3 credits |
| Risk Analysis in a Security Context | SRA 311 | Assessment and mitigation of security vulnerabilities for people, organizations, industry sectors, and the nation. Prerequisite: SRA 231 |
3 credits |
| Elementary Statistics | STAT 200 | Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation. Prerequisite: 2 units of algebra |
4 credits |
| Statistics for Security and Risk Analysis or Intermediate Applied Statistics |
SRA 365 or STAT 460 |
Theoretical foundations and practice of intermediate statistics. Prerequisite: STAT 200 or Review of hypothesis testing, goodness-of-fit tests, regressions, correlation analysis, completely randomized designs, randomized complete block designs, Latin squares. Prerequisite: STAT 200, STAT 240, STAT 250, STAT 301, or STAT 401 |
3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | ECON 102 (formerly ECON 002) | 3 credits |
| Effective Writing: Technical Writing OR Effective Writing: Business Writing |
ENGL 202C OR ENGL 202D |
3 credits |
| Introduction to American National Government | PL SC 001 | 3 credits |
| Introductory Psychology | PSYCH 100 | 3 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Attainment of third-level proficiency in a single foreign language Proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. See the "Placement Policy for Penn State Foreign Language Courses" (semesters: 1–4). |
12 credits |
| Lab lecture series (GN) in consultation with an adviser. | 4 credits |
| International courses in foreign culture from University-approved list (semesters: 5–8). | 6 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | 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. Prerequisite: IST 110 |
3 credits |
| Network Security | IST 451 | Fundamental issues and concepts of network security, network security technologies and protocols, and emerging technologies in network security. Prerequisite A grade of "C" or better is required 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. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better is required 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. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better is required in: IST 220 and SRA 221 |
3 credits |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | TBD | Choose from college-approved list in consultation with an adviser | 9 credits |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Arts – GA | 6 credits |
| Humanities – GH | 6 credits |
| Health and Physical Activity – GHA | 3 credits |
| Natural Sciences – GN | 9 credits |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS | 6 credits |
| Writing and Speaking – GWS | 9 credits |
| Quantification – GQ | 6 credits |
| Description |
|---|
| You can choose your electives from the World Campus Course Catalog. |
Course Schedule
See course start and end periods and semesters offered on the Penn State World Campus student resources website.