Minor in Cybersecurity | College of Computing

Cybersecurity Minor

The eighteen-credit minor in cybersecurity is open to all Michigan Tech students. The minor provides students with opportunities to:

Deepen their understanding of cybersecurity concepts and principles.
Learn offensive and defensive cybersecurity techniques.
Develop professional skills to apply cybersecurity knowledge to the general area of their majors.

"The rigor and opportunities presented to me make the College of Computing worth it."

Ryan Jaklic

2nd-year Cybersecurity major

How to Enroll in a Minor

A minor allows a student to specialize in a discipline outside their major. To pursue a minor, you must first be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and file a Curriculum Add/Drop Form with the Registrar's Office to declare the minor. We recommend that you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. For questions, please contact the academic advisor in your department, or CNSA faculty.

Required Course List A

Select one course for 3 credits

CS 1111 - Introduction to Programming in C/C++

Introductory course in C/++ programming. Topics include top-down analysis of problems, structured programming, control structures, functions, arrays, pointers, and file I/O. Basic concepts of object-oriented programming (classes, objects, function overloading) will also be introduced.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Robotics Engineering, Industrial Technology, Audio Production & Technology, Computer Network & System Admn, Electrical Eng Tech, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics; Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

CS 1142 - Programming at the Hardware Software Interface

Programming in assembly language and C for students with prior experience in Java. Topics include binary number encodings, instruction set architecture, assembly language programming, and instruction encodings. C programming topics include program structure, preprocessor, arrays, structures, pointers, input/output, dynamic memory management, and linked data structures.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 1122 or CS 1131

MIS 2100 - Introduction to Business Programming

Develops business problem solving skills through the application of commonly used high-level business programming languages. Topics include foundational programming concepts practices and debugging and testing techniques. Introduces concepts for programming business analytics systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

Required Course List B

Select one course for 3 credits

SAT 3812 - Cyber Security I

The evolution of information security into cybersecurity and its relationship to nations, organizations, society, and individuals. Exposure to multiple cybersecurity technologies, processes, and procedures; analyzing threats, vulnerabilities and risks present; and developing appropriate strategies to mitigate potential cybersecurity issues. Applied lab to develop cyber security offensive attributes and learn how to prevent and/or mitigate threats.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 1200 or CS 1111 or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1142 or MIS 2100

Required Course List C

Select two or more courses for 6 to 12 credits

SAT 4812 - Cyber Security II

An advanced course in cyber security that covers information assurance, cryptography and data security, and malware analysis. Key topics include: buffer overflow; security audits; cryptographic systems (symmetric and public-key algorithms); public-key certificates (X.509); message authentication; Kerberos; authentication applications; electronic mail security; IP security; and SELinux.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 3812

CS 4471 - Computer Security

This covers fundamentals of computer security. Topics include practical cryptography, access control, security design principles, physical protections, malicious logic, program security, intrusion detection, administration, legal and ethical issues.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3411 or CS 4411

EE 4723 - Network Security

Learn fundamental of cryptography and its application to network security. Understand network security threats, security services, and countermeasures. Acquire background knowledge on well known network security protocols. Address open research issues in network security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 4272 or CS 4461 or SAT 4812

MA 3203 - Introduction to Cryptography

Topics include private-key cryptography, shift substitution, permutation and stream ciphers, cryptanalysis, perfect secrecy, public-key cryptography, and the RSA cryptosystem.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 2320 or MA 2321 or MA 2330

Elective Courses

Select 0 - 6 credits not already taken

CS 3425 - Introduction to Database Systems

This course provides an introduction to database systems including database design, query, and programming. Topics include goals of database management; data definition; data models; data normalization; data retrieval and manipulation with relational algebra and SQL; data security and integrity; database and Web programming; and languages for representing semi-structured data.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): (CS 2311 or MA 3210) and CS 2321

MIS 3100 - Business Database Management

Emphasizes database principles that are constant across different database software products through concrete examples using a relational database management system. Provides a well-rounded business perspective about developing, utilizing, and managing organizational databases.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): MIS 2000(C) or MIS 2100 or CS 1122 or CS 1131

SAT 3210 - Database Management

Introductory course on database management. Topics include data modeling, database design, implementation techniques, SQL Language, database administration and security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 1200 or CS 1111 or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1142 or MIS 2100

CS 3712 - Software Quality Assurance

Practices for ensuring quality through the software process. Topics include: requirements elicitation, analysis and documentation, testing, and quality assurance management.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3141

CS 4411 - Operating Systems

Principles of the design and implementation of operating systems. Topics include: process management, process scheduling, memory management, I/O, file systems. Includes a significant implementation component.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3331 and CS 3421

CS 4431 - Computer Architecture

Advanced course in architecture of high-performance computer systems. Topics include instruction-set design, simulation of processor architectures, multiple functional units, pipelining, dynamically scheduled pipelines, speculative execution, multi-core and multi-processor systems, advanced I/O subsystems and analytic models of architectural features of processors.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3421

CS 4461 - Computer Networks

Computer network architectures and protocols; design and implementation of datalink, network, and transport layer functions. Introduction to the Internet protocol suite (TCP, UDP, IP), domain name service and protocols, file sharing protocols, wireless networks, and network security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3411

CS 4471 - Computer Security

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3411 or CS 4411

CS 4710 - Model-Driven Software Development

Focuses on the use of formal models throughout the software development life cycle. Topics include formal specification of requirements, behavioral modeling, automated analysis, architectural styles and design specification.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3311 and CS 3141(C)

EE 4272 - Computer Networks

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): CS 3411

EE 4173 - Computer System Engineering and Performance

Covers the principles and practices of modern computer architecture. Emphasizes quantitative performance evaluation of: memory hierarchies, from cache through virtual memory; pipelined processors with advanced hazard management; and combined processor/memory systems. Introduces RAID, superscalars, parallel processing, cache coherence, performance simulation software.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Computer Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 3173

EE 4723 - Network Security

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 4272 or CS 4461 or SAT 4812

EE 5365 - In-Vehicle Communication Networks

Course focuses on in-vehicle system domains and their requirements, and in-vehicle communication bus Controller Area Network (CAN) and its related physical layers standards. It also covers other buses such as LIN, FlexRay, MOST, Ethernet, as well as introduction to V2V and V21.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Electrical & Computer Engineer, Computer Science, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 3250 or EE 4250

MIS 4200 - Management of Cyber Security

Review of information systems security concepts and industry best practices. The subject matter is organized to provide students a foundation about cybersecurity principles, the business value of cybersecurity, and national and international policy and legal considerations related to cybersecurity.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, in odd years
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): MIS 2000 or MIS 2100 or CS 1111 or CS 1122 or CS 1131

SAT 2711 - Linux Fundamentals

Fundamental OS concepts, OS design principles, Linux system architecture, Linux installation and package management, GNU and UNIX commands, Linux file systems, hierarchy standards, shells, scripting and data management, user interfaces and desktops, administrative tasks, essential system services, networking fundamentals, and security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 1200 or CS 1111(C) or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1142 or MIS 2100

SAT 3310 - Scripting for Administration, Automation, and Security

Scripting in PERL, Python, BASH, and PowerShell to accomplish and automate common system administration tasks such as working with files, network and web communication, database interaction, and security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 1200 or CS 1111 or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1142 or MIS 2100

SAT 3820 - Wireless System Administration and Security

Study of wireless communications, standards, and regulations in an enterprise environment. Topics include: various radio frequency and light communications; IEEE 802.11 Regulations and Standards; protocols and devices; network implementation; network security; and site surveying.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 1200 or CS 1111 or CS 1121 or CS 1131 or CS 1142 or MIS 2100

SAT 4816 - Digital Forensics

Introduction of the basic principles and technology of digital forensics, including acquisition, preservation, and recovery and investigation of the evidence stored in digital devices.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Computer Network & System Admn, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering; Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 3812

Note: CS3425 or MIS3100 or SAT3210 - No more than 3 credits can be taken for the cybersecurity minor.