Nov 21, 2024

Mercy University 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Mercy University 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Cybersecurity, M.S.

John Yoon, Ph.D., Program Director
914-674-7461
jyoon@mercy.edu

Courses also offered online

Purpose

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is designed to educate students to be equipped with the technical skills and analytical abilities to secure e digital assets, defend computers, shield computer networks and protect critical national infrastructure. Cyber-Physical spaces are under constant threat and attacks from hackers, viruses, and electronic intruders. The curriculum in the program not only builds solid foundation in information assurance and security but also follows the latest development in the field closely.

Mercy University Cybersecurity Education Center is one of the Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense, which has been designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Please refer to the center website: http://www.mercy.edu/ias.

Objectives

The Cybersecurity program offers students a combination of strong foundations in cybersecurity theory and hands-on skills in practical lab works. Graduates of this program will understand security and privacy from technological, legal and managerial perspectives. They will be prepared to create, implement and oversee security systems and security policies. They are highly demanded in the field such as Information System Security Officer, Network Security administrator, Information Security Analyst, Forensic Analyst, IT Auditor, Information Assurance Compliance Officer, Principal System Security Engineer, Information Security Specialist, Information Assurance Specialist, IT Security Analyst, Information System Governance Officer, Information Assurance Engineer and Information Assurance Analyst, all in leading cooperates, local and federal governments.

Program Goals

Acquire the core concepts and fundamental knowledge units required for information assurance and cyber defense in cyber spaces.
Present technical skills for identification and research/development for the protection and correction of cyber threats.
Regulate cybersecurity policies, standards and rules and comply with them in the real-world applications.

Program Outcomes

Students who graduate with a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity should be able to:

Identify the types of risks, cyber threats, the levels of vulnerabilities in cyber infrastructure.
Analyze and evaluate the capabilities of computing power, storages, media, and networking.
Operate or develop software for detecting and preventing the attack or intrusion over wired and wireless communications.
Analyze or develop crypto algorithms for encryption and decryption of data over wired or wireless communication or stored media.
Analyze and formalize security policies, standards and rules to real-world applications.
Communicate Cybersecurity concepts, designs, regulations, ethical practices and solutions effectively and professionally.

Admission Requirements

Please refer to the general requirements for admission and matriculation in the Admissions section.

Requirements for admission to the Cybersecurity program include:

Baccalaureate transcript.
Curriculum Vitae.
At least one letter of recommendation that provides evidence of personal and/or professional qualifications for graduate study.
A plan of study and research in Cybersecurity
Foundational knowledge in computer programming, computer networking and database management demonstrated by transcripts or IT related work experiences and certificates. Students are required to take IASP 505 - Fndn Cybersecurity Sciences to refresh their domain knowledge.
Students with a GPA below 3.0 and/or with no proof of domain knowledge are required to make an appointment for an interview with the program director.

Degree Requirements

30 credits are required to earn an M.S. in Cybersecurity. Each student should take at least two core courses, major courses from the listed categories, and finally the capstone course. The courses and course categories are listed below.

Curriculum

Core Courses

Students must take the following two courses:

IASP 500 - Topics in Information Security Credit(s): 3
IASP 505 - Fndn Cybersecurity Sciences Credit(s): 3

Application Category

Students must take at least one course from the following:

IASP 520 - Data Mining/Knowledge Discover Credit(s): 3
IASP 525 - Distributed Database/Security Credit(s): 3
IASP 530 - Forensic Computing Credit(s): 3
IASP 565 - Internet Media & Security Credit(s): 3
IASP 585 - Applied Cryptography Credit(s): 3

Network Category

Students must take at least one course from the following:

IASP 550 - Firewall & Intrusion Detection Credit(s): 3
IASP 555 - Mobil Tech & Wireless Services Credit(s): 3
IASP 560 - Wireless Network & Security Credit(s): 3

Legal/Management Category

Students must take at least one course from the following:

IASP 510 - Social Implication of Info Sec Credit(s): 3
IASP 540 - Info Assurance & Mgt Credit(s): 3
IASP 580 - IT Audit & Compliance Credit(s): 3

Special Category

Students should take any one from the following courses:

IASP 590 - Internship in Cybersecurity Credit(s): 3
IASP 595 - Special Topics: Info Security Credit(s): 3
IASP 599 - Independent Study Credit(s): 3
IASP 601 - Master’s Thesis Credit(s): 3

Major Elective Category

Students should take 3 courses from the following course categories:

Application courses
Network courses
Legal/Management courses
Special courses

The Cybersecurity Master’s Program offers a limited number of elective courses - under limited circumstances the Master’s students may be allowed to take electives which are offered in the Computer Science Master’s courses CISC 500 or higher.

Capstone Category

Students must complete the following capstone course:

IASP 600 - Master’s Project Credit(s): 3

Total Program Credits: 30

Additional Program Information

Academic Probation

All students who have a cumulative GPA of below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. If a student will not be able to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 within a reasonable time, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student receives a grade of F or FW in any course the student may be subject to dismissal from the College. For all students on probation, future registrations must be reviewed and approved by the director of the student’s program as well as the school dean.

In all subsequent terms in which the student is on probation the student is required to achieve a term GPA of 3.0 or higher. If the 3.0 or higher is not achieved, the student will be dismissed. Students who receive a grade of lower than B may be required to repeat the course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only once.

Advisement and Plan of Study

Those students looking for advice and direction on academic issues, individual plans of study, course waivers and program requirements should contact the program director.

Non-Degree students must obtain permission to register from the program director or the chair before the beginning of each session. All questions regarding degree requirements and waivers must be discussed with the program director.

Capstone Advisement

The Cybersecurity MS Program offers IASP 600 for students to complete their capstone requirement. It is expected that Capstone students shall make satisfactory progress with their program’s culminating activity.

After a student registers for the courses in all categories and IASP 600 , the student may elect to write a Master’s Thesis. Students electing to write the thesis must register for IASP 601 .

Course Load

In order to be designated as full-time a student must take nine credits per semester. No students may exceed nine credits per semester. Part-time students may take three to six credits per semester. Courses are offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation a student must complete 30 credits of the program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Incomplete Grades

The grade of Incomplete may be granted for a course in which the student has not completed all course requirements due to extenuating and unforeseeable circumstances. The student must request an incomplete grade directly from the instructor; it should not be considered automatic.

All grades of Incomplete must be completed within one year. If not completed in a year, the course must be retaken.

Online Courses

Every course in the program is offered both online and on-campus. In a case of one course is cancelled due to low number of enrollment, students can register the other but are allowed to take it either online or on-campus.

Maintenance of Good Academic Standing

The cumulative GPA for both good academic standing and degree conferral is a 3.0. A student admitted as a special matriculant is required to achieve a 3.0 average or better after completing six credits. Grades are subject to review by the faculty advisor and program director at the end of each term. If the academic average falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation.

Maintenance of Matriculation

It is expected that students will fulfill the requirements for their graduate degree by registering over successive sessions. Registration is accomplished by either enrolling in classes or maintaining matriculation. The Maintaining Matriculation fee is $100 per session and is processed as a registration.

Students who have not maintained matriculation and wish to return to their program within one year after their last course will be charged the Maintaining Matriculation fee of $100 for each missed session. Maintenance of matriculation without attending classes is limited to one year. Activated U.S. Military Reservists are not required to pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee.

Procedures for Readmission

Students who have not attended classes for one year and who have not maintained matriculation, but are desirous of resuming their studies, are required to file an application for readmission with the Office of Graduate Admissions. Such students are required to re-enter under the existing admission standards and program requirements of the program at the time of re-entry.

Time Limit

Requirements for the degree must be completed within five years from the candidate’s date of matriculation (exclusive of time spent in the Armed Forces). An exception may be made by the program director if the student’s request demonstrates circumstances beyond their control that temporarily interfere with the ability to complete the program on time.

Transfer Credits

Advanced graduate courses taken at other graduate schools prior to admission to the Cybersecurity Master’s program may be transferred for credit with the permission of the program director. Such courses may be used to meet the degree requirements, provided the student requests the transfer of credit in writing at the time of application. Transfer credit must be advanced work for courses with a grade of B or better completed within the three-five year period prior to admission to the program. The grades received in those courses for which transfer credit is granted are not computed in the quality-point average for work performed in the program. All transfer credits must be from courses completed within the last five years. Transfer credit is generally limited to six credits. Up to 6 credits can be accepted in transfer based on a review by the program director and approval by the Chair of the department.