Cybersecurity
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Major: | Cybersecurity |
| Certificates: | Cyber Technologies Cybersecurity |
| Department: | Computer Science Building 4, Room 223 850-474-3241 http://uwf.edu/computerscience |
| College: | Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering |
| CIP Code: | 11.1003 |
Cybersecurity
The B.S. in Cybersecurity prepares graduates to be leaders in the protection of data assets and analysis of potential threats to system and networks. The curriculum focuses on the techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies that secure and defend the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation of information and information systems, in local as well as more broadly based domains. The major helps prepare students for careers as information systems security professionals, senior system managers, and system administrators responsible for information systems and the security of those systems.
Program Requirements
In addition to the university’s general requirements, students seeking the B.S. in Cybersecurity must meet the requirements listed below.
A minimum grade of "C-" is required for all major and major-related courses with a cumulative major GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Studies requirements and common prerequisites.
Cybersecurity
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
The following courses are recommended to complete general education requirements:
| Humanities/Contemporary Values | ||
| PHI 2603 | Ethics in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| Natural Science | ||
| PHY 2048+L | Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) | 4 |
| CIS 2530 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 |
| Social Science: Socio-political | ||
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Economics Macro | 3 |
Multicultural Requirement
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| COP XXXX | Introductory programming in C, C++, Java, or equivalent language † | 3 |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I *† | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II *† | 4 |
| PHY 2048+L | Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) *† | 4 |
| STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics † | 3 |
| One science course for science majors † | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
- †
Minimum grade of C- is required for COP XXXX, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, PHY 2048/Lab, STA 2023, and the science course for science majors.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 sh in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 0-12 | |
| If not taken as a general education course, the following courses are recommended as lower-division electives: | ||
| ACG 2021 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ECO 2023 | Principles of Economics Micro | 3 |
| SPC 2608 | Public Speaking | 3 |
Major
| CAP 4136 | Malware Analysis + | 3 |
| CDA 3101 | Introduction to Computer Organization + | 3 |
| CEN 3031 | Software Engineering I + | 3 |
| CEN 4078 | Secure Software Development + | 3 |
| CIS 4368 | Introduction to Database Security + | 3 |
| CIS 4221 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing + | 3 |
| CIS 4595 | Capstone Project + | 3 |
| CNT 4007 | Theory and Fundamentals of Networks + | 3 |
| CNT 4403 | Computer and Network Security + | 3 |
| CNT 4416 | Cyber War Gaming + | 3 |
| COP 3014 | Algorithm and Program Design + | 3 |
| COP 3022 | Intermediate Computer Programming + | 3 |
| COP 3530 | Data Structures and Algorithms I + | 3 |
| COP 4610 | Theory and Fundamentals of Operating Systems + | 3 |
| COP 4710 | Database Systems + | 3 |
| COT 3100 | Discrete Structures + | 3 |
| CTS 4348 | Linux System Administration + | 3 |
| Required Course Not Completed in Common Prerequisites | ||
| Introduction to Cybersecurity + | ||
| Total Hours | 51 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA
Major-Related
| Three 3000/4000 level advisor-approved electives including courses in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, management information systems, and criminal justice. A list of approved major-related courses is available in the department. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Cybersecurity Certificate
Department: Cybersecurity
Method of Instruction: Classroom
Semester Hours: 15
This certificate program is focused on networking and security and prepares professionals to become Cybersecurity Specialists. In this certificate, students develop technical and problem-solving skills to help organizations defend their network systems. Students must complete prerequisites in computing and mathematics to prepare for the core technical courses in the program.
Prospective students for this certificate must contact the departmental advisor for completing the certificate declaration before the drop/add period of the semester of completion. All courses must have been completed within 5 years of receipt of application with a grade of "C-" or higher. Cybersecurity majors may not earn this certificate.
Prerequisites:
| CDA 3101 | Introduction to Computer Organization | 3 |
| COT 3100 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CEN 3031 | Software Engineering I | 3 |
| COP 2334 | Programming Using C++ | 3 |
| COP 3014 | Algorithm and Program Design | 3 |
| COP 3530 | Data Structures and Algorithms I | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Core Courses:
| COP 4610 | Theory and Fundamentals of Operating Systems | 3 |
| or COP 4634 | Systems & Networks I | |
| CNT 4007 | Theory and Fundamentals of Networks | 3 |
| or COP 4635 | Systems & Networks II | |
| COP 3022 | Intermediate Computer Programming | 3 |
| CEN 4078 | Secure Software Development | 3 |
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Malware Analysis | ||
| Computer and Network Security | ||
| Introduction to Database Security | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Cyber Technologies Certificate
This certificate program is focused on Cybersecurity and Information Technology professional knowledge. The Cyber Technologies Certificate prepares students for relevant and valued industry certifications. The certificate will help students learn the fundamentals that lead to specific industry skills. All prerequisites must be met to enroll in these courses.
Prospective students for this certificate must contact the departmental advisor for completing the certificate declaration before the drop/add period of the semester of completion. All courses must have been completed within 5 years of receipt of application with a grade of "C-" or higher. Cybersecurity majors may not earn this certificate.
Prerequisites:
| CDA 3101 | Introduction to Computer Organization | 3 |
| CGS 2920 | Foundations in Information Technology | 1 |
| CGS 3763 | Operating Systems Concepts | 3 |
| COT 3100 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| COP 2334 | Programming Using C++ | 3 |
| COP 3014 | Algorithm and Program Design | 3 |
| CNT 4007 | Theory and Fundamentals of Networks | 3 |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Core Courses:
| CTS 4121 | Information Technology Applications in CompTIA Security+ | 3 |
| CIS 4383 | Introduction to Cyber Investigations | 3 |
| Advisor Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |