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Cyber Science Department

Cyber Science Courses

Course:
SY110  Cyber Security I
Description: Introduction to Cyber Security is a hands-on lab-based course providing a technically focused introduction to the principles behind the use, function, and operation of computers, networks and applications with an emphasis on cyber security.
Credits: 2-2-3
Offered: Fall/Spring
Prerequisites: None
Coordinator: LCDR John Paramadilok
Course:
SY201  Cyber Fundamentals I
Description: This course will teach students problem solving skills in cyber-operations domain using the Python programming language on a Linux platform.  Students will analyze the current cyber warfare threats and problems, and code Python programs to solve some of these and related problems.
Credits: 2-3-4
Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: None
Coordinator: Dr. April Edwards
Course:
SY202  Cyber Systems Engineering
Description: An introductory practicum that emphasizes interconnected cyber-physical systems, communications between those systems, the controls and the associated space in which these relationships exist. The student will demonstrate that cyberspace is a domain within the information and electromagnetic environment consisting of the interdependent network of information technology infrastructure, including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and control systems. The theme of this course is for the student to understand that entire communication cycle as it pertains to the cyber physical and communications controls systems.
Credits: 2-2-3
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: SY201, SM223, SP211
Coordinator: Erick J. Rodriguez-Seda
Course:
SY205  Networking Operations and Analysis
Description: In this course, students learn and practice information system networking through hands-on analysis. Students utilize various tools to capture and analyze network traffic. Students build wired networks, and set up and configure hardware and software. Students explore the OSI and TCP/IP stacks by analyzing protocols in operation, focusing on the Data Link Layer and up. Students are introduced to number systems, and command line interfaces. Credit will not be given for both SY205 and IC322.
Credit Hours: 2
Credits: 3-2-4
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: IC210/SI204/SY201
Coordinator: LCDR Robinson
Course:
SY206 Data Structures and Discrete Math
Description: This course will cover Data Structures and Discrete Math, with a focus on cyber operations. Students will learn how complex data are represented in computer programs, the advantages/disadvantages of different data structures and how to analyze algorithms to determine their efficiency. They will also learn Discrete Math topics, including proof by induction, recurrence relations and graph theory, and how to apply them to data structure analysis
Credits: 3-2-4
Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: SY204
Coordinator: Travis Mayberry
Course:
SY303  Applied Cyber Systems Architecture
Description: A simple yet functional computer will be designed and implemented using NAND gates and D Flip-Flops. In this project-oriented course, groups will collaborate on each component of this modular system design. A hardware description language will be used to describe the sequential and combinational logic needed to implement each module. The computer will then be prepared to execute high-level object-oriented programs through the designs of an assembler, a virtual machine, and a compiler. Finally, a basic operating system will be designed to allow easy interfacing with the underlying hardware. As time permits, a final project will address a security concern in the overall system or utilize the system to implement an existing security algorithm.
Credits: 2-3-4
Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: SY204
Coordinator: CDR Croteau
Course:
SY304  Human Factors in Cyber Operations
Description: This course will examine the "human factor" of cyber operations, the role of individuals and groups as a factor in cyber operations, with a focus on the use of social engineering techniques and non-standard approaches used to gain an advantage (technologically, militarily, economically, intellectually) in the cyber domain. Social Engineering is the art of exploiting human psychology to gain access to buildings, systems, or data, and is evolving such that technology solutions, security policies, and operational procedures alone cannot protect resources. In many cases, individuals prove to be the largest vulnerability in a network, cyber practitioners need to understand how to effectively defend against or exploit such vulnerabilities.
Credits: 3-0-3
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: None
Coordinator: LCDR Hatfield
Course:
SY305 Systems Programming with OS Concepts
Description: Students will expand their programming expertise through the exploration of systems level programming utilizing C. Additionally, students will learn the fundamental features and design of operating systems. The activities in the course will be covered from a cyber operations perspective.
Credits: 3-2-4
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: IC210/SI204/SY201
Coordinator: Dr. William Casey
Course:
SY306  Web & Database Cyber Operations
Description: The course covers basic web-based application development with a database back-end, with a focus on security. Topics include client side and server side web applications development, the SQL language for relational databases, web authentication, secure web protocols, attack and defense of web-based applications with a database back-end.
Credits: 2-2-3
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: SY301
Coordinator: Dr. April Edwards
Course:
SY308  Security: Fundamental Principles
Description: This course is an introduction to computer, network and information security. Students will learn the fundamental principles of security while studying various topics including basic cryptography, buffer overflow attacks, various protocols, and firewalls. SY308 is a required course for students in the Cyber Operations major.
Credits: 2-2-3
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: SY301
Coordinator: Travis Mayberry
Course:
SY314 Wireless Communications
Description: Students will learn the entire communication cycle as it pertains to wireless communication systems. Beginning with the electromagnetic spectrum and the fundamentals that govern its use, each student will learn the unique implications of operating in a wireless environment to include current implementation of wireless networks and associated modern technologies. Throughout the course, students will explore and analyze the inherent cyber vulnerabilities of wireless communications and appropriate defensive security procedures for modern wireless networks.
Credits: 2-2-3
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: SM224 & SP212
Coordinator: CDR St. Germain
Course:
SY401  Cyber Operations I
Description: How do we exploit the adversary in Cyberspace? How do we operate in and through this domain and what is required of a Cyber Operator to be successful? What are the tools, tactics, techniques and procedures to conduct Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO)? This course is here to answer those questions and many more. Focusing on understanding the fundamentals of the tools and techniques, how to embrace failure, unlock your creativity, and persevere. This course is structured methodically to represent and end-to-end OCO, and challenges you in the same manner you would expect to experience as a Cyber Operator. After this course MIDN will understand what it takes to be a Cyber Operator, have an understanding of end-to-end Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO), and acquire the requisite skills to achieve desired effects. 
Credits: 2-2-3
Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: SY304 & SY308
Coordinator: Dennis Dias
Course:
SY402  Cyber Operations II
Description: How do we build and defend large networks? How do organizations handle risk? How do we understand all of the information that is out there? This course is here to answer those questions and many more. Focusing on understanding the technology, how everything is connected, and how best to manage it. The course is divided into four areas: The Foundations on which Networks are Built, Network and Host Intrusion Detection, Data, and Understanding & Managing Risk. After the course, you should be able to understand effective ways in which to layout large networks, the importance of protecting the data, and understand the associated risks that having networked data creates. 
Credits: 2-2-3
Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: SY401
Coordinator: Dennis Dias
Course:
SY403  Cyber Planning & Policy
Description: A growing dependence on military and intelligence networks and the networking of our critical national infrastructure can quickly become vulnerabilities. This course will develop a political and economic framework for analyzing cyber power. The course will cover the body of thought that impinges on cyber matters and provides a synthesis of this information in a variety of decision-making contexts.
Credits: 3-0-3
Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: FP130
Coordinator: LCDR Hatfield
Course:
SY406  Cyber Law & Ethics
Description: This course examines many of the legal and ethical challenges that cyber operations professionals confront in the public and private sectors.  The course begins with an in-depth review of the provisions of the United States Constitution that shape the cyber operations of the military and civilian government agencies.  The course then reviews the statutes and regulations that provide the government with the authority to conduct cyber operations, as well as the limits that the statutes impose. The course examines the interplay between public-sector and private sector cybersecurity efforts, and the state and federal laws that regulate private-sector cybersecurity.  We also explore the ethical considerations that apply to cyber operations.
Credits: 3-0-3
Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: FY403
Coordinator: Jeff Kosseff
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