Why should I consider a BI in Computer Security?
If you’re not sure what the BI is, you might want to read this first, “What is the BI?” If you’ve already done that then here is what the BI for computer science and security has to offer.
Computer Security, a.k.a. cybersecurity, is a rapidly growing field. With more and more of our personal life going online, cybersecurity is an area of growing concern with expanding opportunities. Colorado Springs is home to multiple military bases including NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Colorado Springs also has the highest concentration of the International Systems Security Association (ISSA) members in the world. BI CSS students have numerous research opportunities giving students the chance to take what they know and use it on real jobs and internships. The program covers the core of a computer science degree but adds in the security focus allowing students two different primary career paths. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, five of the top ten growth fields through 2014 relate to computing. In addition to their cyber-skills, BI CSS students will graduate with work experience, team skills, and a business background, all important to applying cybersecurity in organizations that need it. This combination will set any student up for either diving head first into a career or furthering their education with graduate school.
Objectives
The Bachelor of Innovation™ in Computer Security will provide students with both the technical and business background to work on innovative security and computer-security-related projects, including the ability to: (1) recognize the broader issues in security technology-related problems; (2) understand the technological, business, legal and societal constraints affecting this technology; and (3) have the ability to communicate the key issues, needs, potential options, and final solution to a challenge. The program seeks to prepare students for successful careers and lifelong learning. In addition to the technical competence to be expected of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in security, students will develop the critical thinking skills, multi-faceted team oriented skills and basic business background to ensure that they can effectively compete in the changing security career landscape for positions that are unlikely to be off-shored.
Degree Requirements
The degree requirements for the Bachelor of Innovations degree in Computer Security, a track with Computer Science, requires completion of at least 128 credit hours, a minimum 2.0 grade point average in all computer science courses and courses taken at the University of Colorado, and completion of the Computer Science Major Field Assessment Test. This test will be given on a Saturday morning about three weeks prior to the end of the fall and spring semesters. A student must have completed 110 credit hours before taking the exam. The courses for the degree are outlined as follows:
Innovation Core (27 Credits)
Cross Discipline Core (15 Credits)
English (3 Credits)
Mathematics (13 Credits)
| MATH 1350 Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 2150 Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| CS 2300 Computational Linear Algebra | 3 |
| ECE 3610 Engineering Probability & Stats OR | 3 |
| QUAN 2010 Business Statistics | 3 |
Science (10 credits)
| Must complete one (1) full year in the same subject and at least one (1) lab | |
| Physics | 10 credits |
| PES 1110 General Physics I | 4 credits |
| PES 1160 Advanced Physics Lab I | 1 credit |
| PES 1120 General Physics II | 4 credits |
| PES 2160 Advanced Physics Lab II | 1 credit |
| Chemistry | 10 or more credits with at least 1 lab |
| CHEM 1401 General Chemistry I and 1402 Chem Lab | 5 credits |
| CHEM 1411 General Chemistry II and Chem 1412 Chem Lab 2 | 5 credits |
| CHEM 1201 Introduction to Chemistry | 4 credits |
| CHEM 1121 CSI: Forensic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 1122 CSI: Forensic Chemistry I Lab | 1 credit |
| CHEM 1101 Chemistry in the Modern World | 3 credits |
| Biology | 10 credits (note will require one year = 8 credits in biology + a chemistry prerequisite so more than 10 total credits) Must have at least one lab |
| BIOL 1300 General Biology I | 3 credits |
| BIOL 1310 General Biology I Lab | 1 credit |
| BIOL 1350 General Biology II | 3 credits |
| BIOL 1360 General Biology II Lab | 1 credit |
Security Core (54 credits)
| CS 1150 Principles of Computer Science | 3 credits |
| CS 1450 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java | 3 credits |
| CS 2080 Programming in UNIX | 2 credits |
| CS 2060 Programming with C | 3 credits |
| CS 2160 Computer Organization and Assembly Language | 3 credits |
| CS 3060 Object-Oriented Programming in C++ OR CS3020 Object-Oriented Programming in C# | 3 credits |
| CS 2910 System and Administrative Security | 3 credits |
| CS 3050 Social and Ethical Implications of Computing | 1 credit |
| CS 3300 Software Engineering | 3 credits |
| PAD 3400 Public Administration and Homeland Security or PAD 4400 Understanding Terrorism | 3 credits |
| CS 4200 Computer Architecture | 3 credits |
| CS 4220 Computer Networks | 3 credits |
| CS 4420 Database | 3 credits |
| CS 4500 Operating Systems I | 3 credits |
| CS 4910 Fundamentals of Computer/Network Security | 3 credits |
| CS 4920 Applied Cryptography | 3 credits |
| Security Electives (CS, MGMT, INFS, PAD) 3000+ Not taken for other requirements. | 9 credits |
How Rigorous is a BI in Computer Security?
The degree requirements for the Bachelor of Innovation™ degree in Computer Security requires completion of at least 128 credit hours, a minimum 2.0 grade point average in all computer science courses and courses taken at the University of Colorado which is ABET accredited. A student must have completed 110 credit hours before taking the exam. The Bachelor of Innovation in Computer Science Security provides students with both the technical and business background to work on innovative computer-related projects, including the ability to:
* recognize the broader issues in computer technology-related problems relating to security
* understand the technological, business, legal and societal constraints affecting modern security systems and implementations
* communicate the key issues, needs, potential options, and final solution to security challenges.
What might my college schedule look like?
The following sample plan represents the suggested order and semesters in which students should take courses to graduate within four years. Since each student starts at a different level of mathematical ability, this listing should only be considered a guide. Specific questions about the sample program should be directed to the Engineering Advisor.
Sample Major Sheet:
Sample Coursework with Calculus at Entry
Sample Coursework with a delayed start in calculus
Intra-University Transfer Students:
Students admitted to UCCS into the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as “Business Intent” or “Engineering Intent” students are required to meet the College of Business intra-university transfer requirements within two semesters of enrolling at UCCS or the College of Engineering intra-university transfer requirements within three semesters of enrolling at UCCS in order to progress into those respective colleges’ majors. Students not meeting business or engineering intra-university transfer requirements within the allotted time for each college become ineligible for future admission into that respective college and will be advised into another degree program at the University.
Students from other colleges at UCCS may transfer into the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Students transferring into the College must have completed at least 13 credit hours at UCCS and have a cumulative CU GPA of at least 3.3, including completion of Calculus I. Students completing 30 credit hours must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at UCCS before being admitted into their major, including MATH 1350, MATH 1360, and either CHEM 1401/CHEM 1402 or PES 1110. All math courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better for admission into the College.
Intra-University Transfer guidelines for the BI in Computer Science, Computer Security, and Game Design and Development are as follows:
- A student may transfer into the College of EAS in a BI major without the explicit approval of an EAS faculty advisor in their major if they complete at least 15 credit hours in LAS with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, AND each course in their intended major, in the Innovation core, and in math is completed with a grade of “B” or better.