Computer Science, M.S., Security and Privacy Concentration

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Concentration Requirements

Foundation Coursework

If any of the following foundation courses in Computer Science or Mathematics have not been taken in another program, these must be completed at the earliest. 4000-level foundation courses must be taken as their 6000-level counterparts by graduate students.

Computer Science Foundations

Foundation coursework in computer science with a grade of B or higher in each.

CSC 2510 Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science (3)
CSC 2720 Data Structures (3)
CSC 3210 Computer Organization and Programming (3) or CSC 4210/CSC 6210 Computer Architecture (4)
CSC 4320/CSC 6320 Operating Systems (4)
CSC 4520/CSC 6520 Design and Analysis of Algorithms (4)

Mathematics Foundations

Foundation coursework in mathematics that includes a standard elementary calculus sequence (MATH 2211 and MATH 2212) with a grade of B or higher in each.

Research Training Course

A research training course which must be taken in the first semester.

CSC 8900 - Seminar in Computer Science 1 Credit Hours

Graduate-Level Coursework (24 Hours)

Complete 24 hours from the two categories below in consultation with an academic adviser, and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, with a grade of B or higher in each course. At least 16 hours at the 8000 level must be included.

Security and Privacy

At least 16 hours, including at least 8 hours from 8000-level courses.

CSC 6222 - Fundamentals of Cybersecurity 4 Credit Hours
CSC 6223 - Privacy 4 Credit Hours
CSC 6227 - Network Security 4 Credit Hours
CSC 6250 - Malware Analysis and Defense 4 Credit Hours
CSC 6251 - Computer Forensics 4 Credit Hours
CSC 8224 - Cryptography 4 Credit Hours
CSC 8228 - Privacy Aware Computing 4 Credit Hours
CSC 8230 - Secure and Private Artificial Intelligence 4 Credit Hours
CSC 8370 - Data Security 4 Credit Hours

Computer Science

Any graduate-level course outside of Security and Privacy list, exclusive of Research, Thesis Research, and Independent Study courses.

Thesis/Project/Course Only (6-8 hours)

Thesis Option (CSC 8999): Minimum of six hours of Thesis Research (CSC 8999 ). A thesis committee must be set up no later than two semesters after completing any foundation courses. This work should culminate in the writing of a thesis. The thesis must be defended successfully in an oral examination. This examination will pertain to, but is not limited to, the subject matter of the thesis.
Project Option (CSC 8930): Students may substitute one hour of CSC 8930 with one hour of Internship CSC 8940 . The project must be supervised by a computer science graduate faculty adviser. The student must write a report on the project and pass an oral final examination given by an ad hoc faculty committee headed by the project adviser. This examination will pertain to, but is not limited to, the subject matter of the project.
Minimum of four hours of CSC 8930 in which the student completes a project and an additional four hours of graduate-level coursework in computer science at the 6000 level or above exclusive of Foundation Research, Thesis Research, and Independent Study courses.
Course Only Option: One credit hour of CSC 8901 in which the student covers the topics in core areas of computer science, recent developments, and future directions. In addition, two additional courses, one at the 6000-level or above in computer science exclusive of Foundation courses, Research, Thesis Research, and Independent Study courses and the other at the 8000-level exclusive of Research, Thesis Research, and Independent Study courses.

The topic of the thesis/project should be related to Security and Privacy.

Graduate Assistants Requirements

To be eligible for a full tuition waiver, a student must meet university-wide credit hour enrollment minimums (12 credit hours each for fall and spring semesters & 9 credit hours for summer).