Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity

Department Chair Glen Sagers – ELC 416	Faculty & Staff
CSIA Program Director Shalini Kesar – ELC 413	Student Success Advisors
Administrative Assistant Crystal Reed – ELC 407	Website

Overview of Programs

Undergraduate

The Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity (CSCY) provides rigorous programs that enable students to pursue exciting careers in computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, and/or attend graduate programs. Graduates are recruited by local and national companies in the booming tech industry, including Microsoft and Amazon.

Faculty members are dedicated to the success of students inside and outside of the classroom, and have expertise in various areas of computer science, cybersecurity, and information technology. The curriculum is founded on providing students with engaged and experiential education, as well as opportunities to participate in undergraduate research.

Graduate

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance program focuses on the design, planning, and management of cyber systems and procedures for protecting these systems and infrastructure from external threats. The program is delivered online and includes instruction in cyber security and IT policy; information, vulnerability and threat assessment; physical, personnel, and operational security; and contingency, redundancy, emergency, and disaster planning.

Mission

The Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity (CSCY) supports the mission of the University and the College of Engineering and Computational Sciences by providing high-quality graduate and undergraduate education to students through certificate, associate’s, baccalaureate, and master’s degree programs.

The mission of the Department of CSCY is to provide a learning-centered environment that enables students, faculty, and staff to achieve their goals and empower our students to compete on a global level for careers in government, industry, secondary education, and for acceptance to graduate school.

The department provides programs in computer science, cybersecurity, and information technology. The curricula are rich with opportunities for students to develop a sound understanding of fundamentals as well as specialized theories, practices, and ethics that enhance their learning.

The CSCY faculty members are committed to providing high-quality education and individual guidance and assistance to students, preparing them to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and lifelong learners. CSCY faculty uphold individual integrity while pursuing academic goals, as well as engage in scholarly activities to enhance their classes, involve students, and assist in the economic development of the region through partnerships with industry, inventors, and entrepreneurs.

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate

The Computer Science bachelor’s degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Computer Science Program Criteria. As such, the undergraduate degrees are designed to provide students with the following learning outcomes:

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

The Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Graduate

The master’s degree is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). As such, the master’s degree is designed to provide graduating students with the following learning outcomes:

Explore security risks, threats, and vulnerabilities while designing and building working solutions to protect the computing assets of an organization.
Develop, apply, and institutionalize risk management practices and assessment from cyber security perspectives.
Examine, analyze, and interpret legal and ethical aspects from cyber security perspectives.
Explore the role information assurance plays in cyber security, particularly in the development and deployment of frameworks and how one must account for this in security planning.
Design and implement technical solutions to secure systems.

Graduate Admissions and Graduation Requirements

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Degree

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in IS/IT/CS/CYBER or a related field
OR
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university not in IS/IT/CS/CYBER or a related field

One of the Following*

Two years of related Cybersecurity/IT work experience as noted in your application form
Certifications (if applicable) may also be submitted: Submit copies of security-related certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security +; Certified Information Systems Security Professional-CISSP; Certified Ethical Hacker-CEH; Certified Cloud Security Professional-CCSP; and Certified Information Systems Auditor-CISA).

*Note: If you do not meet these requirements, you will be required to make an appointment with the Program Director.

Application

The application form must reflect one (1) of the following:

Two (2) years of related work experience
IT certifications
Related IT coursework

On the application form, applicants must enter their employment history and certifications that highlight their cybersecurity experience and certificates.

Certifications (If Applicable)

Applicants must submit copies of security-related certificates, such as:

CompTIA Security+
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts from the college/university in which a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited institution was obtained.

Applicants who have graduated from SUU do not need to submit a transcript.
International transcripts must include a transcript evaluation from a third-party service such as SpanTran or WES showing that the degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Official trnascripts must be mailed or emailed directly from the granting institution(s) to:

Email address: gradapps@suu.edu

Mailing address:

Admissions Office
Southern Utah University
P.O. Box 8008
Cedar City, UT 84720

Questions?

For questions about the application process or application status, please contact the Graduate/Online Admission Office. Submit all materials by sending them to the email address or postal mail address above.

Graduation Requirements

Graduate students must complete their program within six (6) years of matriculation.
All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the program.
Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate.

Other Information

To be counted in the Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity’s programs, all courses for majors and minors must be completed with a “C” (2.0) or better. Computer Science majors must take an approved comprehensive examination in computer science during their senior year, passing with a score at least in the 25^th percentile.

Students who need to strengthen their mathematical backgrounds will need to select appropriate courses from MATH 1010 - Intermediate Algebra , MATH 1050 - College Algebra , and/or MATH 1060 - Trigonometry before they can begin to take the required mathematical courses.

Programs

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Certificate of Proficiency (Undergraduate)

Computer Science (Certificate)

Institutional Certificate (Undergraduate)

Cybersecurity Essentials (Certificate)

Minor

Master’s Degree