Description
The cybersecurity and digital forensics bachelor's degree will equip students with the ability to protect an organization’s information technology assets from cyber-attacks, detect and respond to cyber intrusions, and mitigate the effects of such intrusions, as well as uncover digital evidence of criminal or unauthorized activity. The program combines cybersecurity concepts and skills with those of the field of digital forensics, creating a unique degree program. The emphasis of the program is on the prevention, detection, and mitigation of cyber-attacks, combined with the ability to gather digital evidence and conduct electronic crime investigations. Students who complete an associate's degree in cybersecurity or related degree, or a certificate in digital forensics will have CDF 110 waived.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics degree, graduates will be able to:
1. Describe the best practices for a security policy for an organization.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of cybersecurity risk assessment methodologies.
3. Test the network infrastructure for potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
4. Implement security controls to protect organizational assets.
5. Produce a digital forensics evidence report.
6. Demonstrate professional competencies related to contemporary careers.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. Furthermore, the lowest acceptable grade is a “C” in all major courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next major course without earning a grade of “C” or better in the prerequisite course(s). When a grade below a “C” is earned in a major course, the student must repeat that course.
A course may be taken twice without special permission. Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics majors must apply in writing to the Dean of the Brown School of Business and Leadership to request permission to attempt a course for a third time.
Requirements:
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and digital forensics. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| CDF 110 | Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Fundamentals | 3 credits |
| CDF 240 | Linux System Administration | 3 credits |
| CDF 251 | Network Security | 3 credits |
| CDF 252 | CISCO Networking | 3 credits |
| CDF 261 | Digital Forensics | 3 credits |
| CDF 271 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 credits |
| CDF 308 | Technology Law | 3 credits |
| CDF 381 | Advanced Network Defense | 3 credits |
| CDF 391 | Incident Response and Investigation | 3 credits |
| CDF 392 | Information Systems Forensic Internals – Auditing | 3 credits |
| CDF 393 | Forensic Evidence Collection Tools and Techniques | 3 credits |
| CDF 475 | Advanced Digital Forensics | 3 credits |
| CDF 480 | Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Capstone | 3 credits |
| IS 140 | Information Systems Architecture and Design | 3 credits |
| IS 231 | Network Technologies | 3 credits |
| IS 232 | TCP and IP Communication Protocols for Windows and UNIX | 3 credits |
| IS 235 | Advanced Windows Server Architecture & Administration | 3 credits |
| IS 240 | Computer Programming I | 3 credits |
| IS 250 | Internship Preparation | 1 credit |
| IS 350 | IS Internship | Variable credits, 3-6 |
| IS 365 | Writing for IS Applications | 3 credits |
| IS 432 | Network Security-Firewalls, IDS, and Counter Measures | 3 credits |
| IS 481 | IT Project Management | 3 credits |
| MGT 210 | Business Writing | 3 credits |
Suggested Course Sequence
2024-25 SCS Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
Minor in Cybersecurity
Revise catalog description as follows: The discipline minor in Cybersecurity requires successful completion of six courses (18 credits) from the following list:
CDF110,
CDF240,
CDF251,
CDF271,
CDF308, and
CDF381. Substitutions of other CDF courses are subject to the department chair’s approval. Students pursuing this minor must also complete all applicable prerequisite courses. Due to the curriculum overlap, Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics majors cannot declare a minor in Cybersecurity.
Other Options
The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in cybersecurity and digital forensics who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a master’sdegree in one of Stevenson’s graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. For more information on this program see the Stevenson University Graduate Catalog.
Course Descriptions
See Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Course Descriptions