Cybersecurity Major Requirements
(60 credits)
Note:
- Cybersecurity majors must complete either MTH 105, MTH 106, or MTH 210 to fulfill their mathematics core requirement.
- A grade of 'C’ or better is required in all 100-level CSC or CYB courses.
- Students may repeat a 100-level CSC or CYB course a maximum of two times. If a student does not achieve a minimum grade of C, they will not be able to pursue a computer science or cybersecurity major.
- Cybersecurity majors who declare a Computer Science minor may not count CSC 200, CSC 220, CSC 240, CSC 250, CSC 260, CSC 310, CSC 320, CSC 350, or CSC 380 toward both their major and minor requirements (no double counting).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Cybersecurity Core Courses: | ||
| CSC 110 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| CSC 120 | Computer Science II | 3 |
| CSC 130 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CSC 140 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CSC 150 | Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact | 3 |
| CSC 200 | Introduction to Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSC 240 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSC 250 | Software Security Engineering | 3 |
| CSC 260 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CYB 110 | Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism | 3 |
| CYB 130 | IT Fundamentals | 3 |
| CYB 220 | Introduction to Cryptography | 3 |
| CYB 240 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 |
| CYB 260 | Network Defenses and Countermeasures | 3 |
| CYB 300 | Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs | 3 |
| CYB 320 | Cyber Forensics | 3 |
| Elective Courses (Select four courses) | 12 | |
| Database Systems 1,2 | ||
| Enterprise Security 1 | ||
| Risk Management and Compliance for Information Security 1 | ||
| Artificial Intelligence for Business 1 | ||
| Computer Organization and Architecture | ||
| Theory of Computation | ||
| Human-Computer Interaction | ||
| Analysis of Algorithms | ||
| Parallel and Distributed Systems | ||
| Independent Research and Study | ||
| Internship in Computer Science | ||
| Cybersecurity Independent Study and Research | ||
| Internship in Cybersecurity | ||
| Homeland Security | ||
| Development and Structure of the US Intelligence Community | ||
| Defense Policy and Analysis | ||
| Cyber Strategy | ||
| Cybersecurity Policy: Hacktivism and Cyberviolence | ||
| Cyber War | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice: Police, Courts, Corrections | ||
| Criminal Investigation | ||
| Criminal Justice Practice | ||
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
This course is offered through the Department of Information Systems, Analytics, and Supply Chain Management in the Norm Brodsky College of Business.
- 2
CIS 185 prerequisite is waived for CSC and CYB majors.
Cybersecurity Minor Requirements
(21 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CYB 110 | Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism | 3 |
| CSC 110 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| CSC 120 | Computer Science II | 3 |
| CSC 140 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| Select at least three of the following courses: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Cryptography | ||
| Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | ||
| Network Defenses and Countermeasures | ||
| Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs | ||
| Cyber Forensics | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Academic Plan of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from their academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| MTH 105 or MTH 210 |
Algebra and Trigonometry 2 or Calculus I |
4 |
| CSC 110 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| CYB 130 | IT Fundamentals | 3 |
| CMP 120 | Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| Scientific Perspectives Requirements | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC 120 | Computer Science II | 3 |
| CYB 110 | Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism | 3 |
| CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
| Scientific Perspectives Requirements | 3 | |
| Aesthetic Perspectives - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSC 140 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CSC 150 | Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact | 3 |
| COM 104 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| Social Perspectives | 3 | |
| Global Perspectives | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC 130 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CSC 200 | Introduction to Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSC 260 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| Social Perspectives | 3 | |
| Philosophical Perspectives | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSC 240 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CYB 220 | Introduction to Cryptography | 3 |
| Cybersecurity Elective | 3 | |
| Essential Competencies: Foreign Language Proficiency | 3 | |
| HIS 150 | Pre-Modern World: Evolution to Revolution | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CYB 240 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 |
| CSC 250 | Software Security Engineering | 3 |
| CYB 260 | Network Defenses and Countermeasures | 3 |
| Essential Competencies: Foreign Language Proficiency | 3 | |
| HIS 151 |
World in the Modern Era: Exploration to Globalization or Contemporary World: Historical Perspectives or Cold War: A Global History |
3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CYB 300 | Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs | 3 |
| Cybersecurity Electives | 6 | |
| Aesthetic Perspectives - Literature | 3 | |
| Elective Credits 1 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CYB 320 | Cyber Forensics | 3 |
| Cybersecurity Elective | 3 | |
| Elective Credits 1 | 8 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 120 | |
- 1
Please note that elective credits may be used to complete requirements in a second major or a minor.
- 2
For course placement information see https://www.rider.edu/student-life/first-year-experience/orientation/placement-testing
Courses and Descriptions
CYB 105 Introduction to Cybersecurity 3 Credits
Introduction to Cybersecurity introduces students to this interdisciplinary field by exploring the technology, policies, and processes that enable assured computer operations. Students will be introduced to recent developments in cybercrime such as phishing, ransomware, viruses, and worms. Students will also learn about the policy and legislation regarding privacy, terrorism,
hacktivism, and the dark web. Students will also be introduced to programming and networking concepts.
CYB 110 Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism 3 Credits
This course explores the world of cybercrime and cyber terrorism. Students will learn about the social and legal aspects of cybercrime and the technical tools that enable the investigation of these acts. They will discuss and review several definitions and types of cybercrime, and the roles of private sectors and law enforcement in detecting, investigating and preventing these acts.
CYB 130 IT Fundamentals 3 Credits
IT Fundamentals is designed to immerse students in the essentials of computer hardware and software. The IT Fundamentals course provides students with principles of data and technology that frame and define cybersecurity and insight into the importance of cybersecurity and the integral role of cybersecurity professionals. Students will explore foundational cybersecurity principles, security architecture, risk management, attacks, incidents, and emerging IT and IS technologies.
CYB 200 Operating Systems & Cybersecurity 3 Credits
This course focuses on the fundamental properties of three major operating systems (Linux, MacOS, and Windows). The course covers file systems, command line interfaces, and shell scripting. Students will learn how to manage user groups while focusing on security. They will also be introduced to SQL database architecture.
Prerequisite(s): CYB 130.
CYB 240 Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the methods of penetration testing and hacking as method of locating and successfully exploiting computer systems for the purpose of making computer systems more secure. This process includes probing for vulnerabilities as well as providing proof of concept attacks to demonstrate the vulnerabilities are real and generating specific and effective recommendations for addressing and fixing security issues discovered vulnerability assessments and penetration.
Prerequisite(s): CSC 240 with a minimum grade of D and CSC 260 with a minimum grade of D.
CYB 260 Network Defenses and Countermeasures 3 Credits
This course in network defenses and countermeasures prepares students to defend networks against attacks by implementing proactive protection measures and by responding to active and potential threats. It covers multiple techniques for network defense, including firewalls, intrusion-detection systems, VPNs, encryption, and system hardening.
Prerequisite(s): CYB 220 with a minimum grade of D and CSC 260 with a minimum grade of D.
CYB 300 Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs 3 Credits
In Developing and Deploying Cybersecurity Programs, students will learn how to create cybersecurity policies, standards, guidelines and plans, and the differences between them. Students will learn how threats develop, and how threat actors launch attacks on their targets. The material in this course conforms to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the ISO/IEC 27000-series standards.
Prerequisite(s): CSC 260 with a minimum grade of D.
CYB 320 Cyber Forensics 3 Credits
This course covers the technical and legal aspects of cyber forensics, including general forensic procedures, electronic discovery, imaging, hashing, file recovery, mismatched file types, and preserving the chain of evidence. Students will perform detailed cyber forensic analyses on compromised system images, using both open-source and court-approved digital forensic software tools to conduct forensic examinations, write analytical reports, and practice mock courtroom presentations.
Prerequisite(s): CYB 260 with a minimum grade of D or concurrent enrollment.
CYB 490 Cybersecurity Independent Study and Research 1-4 Credits
Immerses the student in guided research. The student learns to organize material, use the literature, obtain reproducible data, and synthesize the results of the study. If possible, the student will publish the results or present them at a scientific meeting. Available to students with 45 credits completed and a 3.0 GPA.
CYB 491 Internship in Cybersecurity 1-4 Credits
A supervised research experience in an approved organization where qualified students gain real-world knowledge and utilize their academic training in a professional environment. Placement may be in private, public, non-profit, or governmental organizations under the guidance of a mentor. The mentor and student will have regular consultation with the departmental internship coordinator to assess the student’s progress. Normally, 40 hours of internship per credit is required. The grade for the course will be determined by the student’s overall performance in their research work, a research paper documenting their work with their internship mentor and an oral or poster presentation at the end of the semester. Available to students with 45 credits completed and a 2.5 GPA.