Cybersecurity Undergraduate and BS/MS Resources

A matriculated student in the BS Cybersecurity program needs to take 6 elective courses from the approved electives list below:

• CSCI 455 Principles of Computer Security
• CSCI 464 Xtreme Theory
• CSCI 531 Introduction to Security Measurement
• CSCI 532 Introduction to Intelligent Security Systems
• **CSCI 622 Data Security and Privacy
• **CSCI 642 Secure Coding
• **CSCI 762 Advanced Cryptography
• CSEC 461 Computer System Security
• CSEC 462 Network Security and Forensics
• CSEC 464 Computer Systems Forensics
• CSEC 465 Network & System Security Audit
• CSEC 466 Introduction to Malware
• CSEC 467 Mobile Device Security and Forensics
• CSEC 468 Risk Management for Information Security
• CSEC 471 Penetration Testing Frameworks & Methodologies
• CSEC 473 Cyber Defense Techniques
• CSEC 470 Covert Communications (WI)
• CSEC 476 Malware Reverse Engineering
• CSEC 520 Cyber Analytics and Machine Learning
• CSEC 577 Disaster Recovery Planning and Business Continuity
• CSEC 559 Hacking for Defense
• CSEC 559 Offensive Security Engineering
• CSEC 559 Trusted Computing System Security
• CSEC 559 Usable Security and Privacy
• CSEC 569 Wireless Security
• **CSEC 731 Web Server and Application Security Audits
• SWEN 261 Introduction to Software Engineering
• SWEN 331 Engineering Secure Software

Math 

• MATH-181 Project based Calculus I (4 credits)* (Math sequence is based on their MPE score, please refer to the Math Departments website: https://www.rit.edu/science/math-placement-exam or contact your advisor with questions.)
• MATH-182 Project based Calculus II (4 credits) MATH-190 Discrete Mathematics for Computing (3 credits) MATH-251 Probability and Statistics I (3 credits)
• MATH-241 Linear Algebra (3 credits) or STAT-255 Statistical Inference (3 credits)

Science (Choice of one of the following sequences):

• BIOL-101/103 General Biology I or BIOG 101/103 Explorations in Cellular Biology & Evolution (4 credits)
• BIOL-102/104 General Biology II or BIOG 102/104 Explor. In Animal & Plant Anatomy & Physi. (4 credits) (BIOG 101/103 may be paired with BIOL 102/104 OR BIOL 101/103 with BIOG 102/104)
• CHMG-141/145 General & Analytical Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CHMG-142/146 General & Analytical Chemistry II (4 credits)
• PHYS-211 University Physics I (4 credits)
• PHYS-212 University Physics II (4 credits)

The core courses provide the foundation of your major. Included in the core are one-year of the Computer Science programming sequence; C programming; the fundamentals of computing security, computer systems, networking (the fundamentals and Routing & Switching), Network Services, and System Administration; as well as course work in databases, cryptography, security policies, authentication and security models, and a capstone project course.

This block of courses is the standard Liberal Arts curriculum for almost all Bachelor of Science degrees at RIT. The College of Liberal Arts sets this curriculum and they maintain their own advising center on the second floor of the Liberal Arts Building across from the Wallace Library. If you have any questions about liberal arts transfer credits, course substitutions, or anything else in this block of courses you need to discuss this with the Liberal Arts advisors.

Briefly, this block consists of the following requirements from the College of Liberal Arts:

• First Year Writing (3 credits)
•  PUBL-363 Cyber Policy & Law (3 credits) • Ethical Perspective (3 credits)
• Global Perspective (3 credits) • Artistic Perspective (3 credits)
• Social Perspective (3 credits)
• A three-course advanced immersion (9 credits)

Liberal Arts Immersion & Liberal Arts Minors The College of Liberal Arts offers students two options for completing upper-level liberal arts requirements. They must complete a liberal arts immersion or they may enhance it by completing a liberal arts minor. It is important to note that the perspective liberal arts requirements (core requirements) remain the same regardless of whether a student elects to complete an immersion or a minor. A liberal arts immersion is a cohesive set of three upper-level courses (9 credits) meeting RIT’s general education requirements. Immersions may be disciplinary or interdisciplinary, and some may require prerequisite course work. Students who prefer greater depth in the humanities and social sciences may elect to complete a liberal arts minor. Minors require the completion of 5 upper-level courses (15 credits) in a designated liberal arts area. Liberal arts minors may be disciplinary or inter-disciplinary; some may require prerequisite courses. For advising on liberal arts immersions and minors go to the Office of Student Services located in LBR-2210. Office hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Phone: 585/475-2444.  To declare an immersion, log in to SIS.

Ethics is a branch of philosophy dealing with what the proper course of action is to take in any given situation. Cybersecurity students will gain knowledge during their course of study that gives them great technological power. Students with this knowledge base need to understand the ethical expectations that come with this technological power. Therefore, cybersecurity students are required to choose one of the following courses as their ethics elective:

• PHIL-102 Introduction to Moral Issues
• PHIL-202 Foundations of Moral Philosophy
• PHIL-306 Professional Ethics

Students may choose 12 credits of electives from any program at RIT. The intent of these electives is to enable students to develop expertise in a domain where they wish to apply their skills in computing security. Ideally these selections will enable the student to gain insight into the culture, standards, and practices of their future career environment. The free electives can also be used to complete minors. Students who want to gain greater depth in computing security may use some or all of these course slots to take additional advanced courses in computing security

Students are required to complete two different activity courses during their time at RIT. Credit is not given for these courses, but completion of these courses are required for graduation. Each course does have an activity fee that will vary depending on the course.

Students are required to complete two co-op experiences, each lasting a minimum of 12 weeks. Co-op, short for cooperative education, provides students with real-world work experience in their field. These positions are paid, offering valuable on-the-job learning that enhances students’ qualifications for full-time employment after graduation. To assist in finding placements, RIT’s Co-op and Career Services Office maintains a job listing database from companies seeking co-op students. Co-op opportunities may be available across the U.S. and internationally.

To be eligible, students must have completed their freshman and sophomore coursework as well as the CSEC-99 Co-op Seminar. Transfer students typically need one year of academic study at RIT and completion of CSEC-99 before they qualify. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Co-op experiences allow students to apply classroom concepts and bring valuable lessons back to their academic studies. Ideally, students should complete both co-op blocks before their senior year and finish all co-op requirements before their final term, as graduating students cannot “end on a co-op.” Since most students take co-op positions in the summer when course offerings are limited—especially advanced courses—it’s recommended to plan the first co-op after sophomore year and the second after junior year.

The department encourages students to consider working on independent study projects. Such projects typically involve work that is different from, or an extension of, existing course offerings. Independent study projects require a faculty member who serves as a sponsor and who assigns a grade (and academic credit) for the completed work. The department has established a policy that permits Cybersecurity majors to apply no more than 6 semester units earned through independent study to count toward Advanced CSEC elective in their B.S. degree requirements. Undergraduate students may consider doing independent study projects in areas other than Cybersecurity for Free Elective or Gen Ed credit.

If you're an RIT student planning to take courses at another college, consult your academic advisor in the Cybersecurity office before registering. Your advisor can help determine if an established course equivalency exists, and additional forms may be required for transfer approval. Once the course is complete, request that an official transcript be sent to RIT's Office of the Registrar. For more details, refer to RIT's transfer credit policies.

If you plan to transfer credits from another institution, check if the course is already recognized as equivalent to an RIT course by accessing the transfer credit database and selecting "View Transfer Credit Equivalencies." If a course isn’t listed, you can request an articulation through the Articulation Request link on the Transfer and Test Credit website. Please allow a few weeks for the Registrar’s Office to process your request, so plan accordingly.

Students in the Cybersecurity program at RIT can enhance their studies by pursuing a minor, dual degree, or double major. Minors consist of at least five courses in a different field, adding valuable domain knowledge that is recorded on transcripts. Additionally, the BS/MS program allows qualified students to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Cybersecurity within five years, with up to three courses overlapping between the two degrees.

Many students choose to pursue a minor in an academic area outside their major, adding valuable depth in a specific domain, which can enhance employability and enrich their education. This option is especially beneficial for cybersecurity students, whose skills are in demand across diverse sectors. Minors consist of five courses (15 credit hours), including one required course and four elective courses selected by the student. These courses are recorded on transcripts along with the major, showcasing domain-specific knowledge.

RIT offers a wide selection of minors across various disciplines, including the College of Liberal Arts, Business, and Engineering. Students can often use elective course slots to complete these minors. For a full list of available minors, visit RIT’s minor catalog. Students interested in pursuing a minor should consult with their academic advisor to develop an academic plan.

A dual degree is available to RIT students who are matriculated baccalaureate candidates who wish to complete two bachelor degrees concurrently. The second undergraduate degree must be in a different programmatic area and must require at least 30 semester credit hours beyond the first baccalaureate degree. (i.e., one BS degree and one BFA degree). The BS/MS degree is another form of a dual degree.

A double major is available to RIT students wishing complete two different majors, but receive only one baccalaureate degree. The double major must satisfy the graduation and accreditation requirements from both degrees, and be of the same degree type (i.e., both BS degrees). Both of the options require the approval of the unit heads of both degree programs and require careful consideration and planning. This is accomplished by meeting with your academic advisor to develop your amended course of study prior to pursuing either option.

The BS/MS in the Cybersecurity program is for undergraduate students who wish to earn both a BS and MS in Cybersecurity. A student accepted into this program will take up to three graduate courses (9 credits) in Cybersecurity and apply them to both the BS and MS degree requirements. These courses would take the place of three of the advanced security electives in the undergraduate degree and will be considered electives in the graduate degree. This three-course overlap will give students the opportunity to complete both degrees in five years given careful planning and execution.

To be considered for admission into this program, students will need:

1.  Student must attend either an information session or meet with our BS/MS academic advisor one-on-one.
2.  Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.25.
3.  Student must be at least third year standing.
4. Students must complete 20 semester credits of computing coursework before applying.
5. For students whose BS curriculum requires co-op, a minimum of 1 co-op must be completed before applying.
6. Students must complete a brief statement outlining why they are interested in the BS/MS program and what area of focus they think they are interested in pursuing.
7. Students must provide one letter of recommendation from a GCCIS Professor explaining your potential for the BS/MS program.

It should be noted that a student will not receive their Bachelor’s degree until the requirements for both the BS and the MS degrees have been completed.

 CSEC Flowchart 2231 MATH 171

CSEC Flowchart 2231 MATH 181

 CSEC Flowchart 2221 MATH 171

CSEC Flowchart 2221 MATH 181

CSEC Flowchart 2221 MATH 181A

Academic details:

• You can “double-count” up to three courses (9 semester credits) in the BS and MS degrees (typically in the Advanced elective area).
• You “officially” become a graduate student at year level 6 when you have earned 126 semester credits. From this point on, you will be able to register yourself for graduate courses in SIS on the graduate career; until then, you will need to register graduate courses on the undergraduate career
• The lowest passing grade in the graduate program is “C”. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in your graduate program in order to earn your MS degree.
• There is no grade replacement in the graduate program. All courses taken and all grades earned remain on your transcript and count in your GPA.
• In order to be considered full time as an undergraduate student, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester credits. As a graduate student, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester credits to be considered full time, however, graduate students are eligible for up to 2 Full Time Equivalencies (FTE) based on remaining course requirements.
• Avoid duplicate course material, if you take a class listed below at the undergraduate level you cannot take it at the graduate level. Below is a list of duplicate courses between the BS and MS programs.

Undergraduate Course Graduate Course

• CSEC 461 -------- CSEC 742
• CSEC 202 -------- CSEC 743
• CSEC 464 -------- CSEC 730
• CSEC 470 -------- CSEC 750
• CSCI 462 -------- CSEC 604

Completing the program:

• ALL undergraduate degree requirements must be complete (including wellness and co-op) before you can register for the MS Project, MS Capstone, or Thesis.
• You must work with the Sr. Staff Specialist to register for either MS Thesis, MS Project, or MS Capstone Course by submitting assigned proposal. Make sure you watch for deadlines
• If you submit a Thesis proposal you have one year to complete the defense before the proposal expires.
• There is a 7-year rule in place for all graduate programs. You must complete your graduate work within 7 years of the semester in which you took your first graduate course that counts toward the MS degree.

Financial:

• You are eligible for a BS/MS tuition discount on the graduate tuition rates. The discount that you receive should bring your graduate tuition charges close to that which you paid for undergraduate. Work with your financial aid counselor for more information.
• As a graduate student, you can apply for Graduate and Teaching Assistantships (GA/TA) both in the CSEC department and across campus. These positions usually pay a tuition benefit as well as a salary. You might want to check with your Financial Aid Advisor to see if the BS/MS discount or the GA/TA position is more beneficial.   

Administrative:

• Your program code changes from UCIS, INFOSEC-BS to UCIS, INFOSEC-BS, CSEC-U to GCIS, COMPSEC-MS, CSEC-G.
• Your courses are split into sections on your transcript by undergraduate and graduate and each has its own GPA statistics.
• Since you can apply for graduation for your BS and MS degrees separately on SIS, we would like you to apply for your BS degree AND your MS degree at the SAME time. You should apply for BOTH degrees after you have completed 15 graduate semester credits toward your MS degree requirements.

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