HELP 2012-2013 University Catalog Information Security and Assurance, MS Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code: VS-MS-ISA

School: Volgenau School of Engineering 

Department: Computer Science 

The Department of Computer Science’s master of science degree program in information security and assurance prepares graduates to fill the current and future need for information security and assurance professionals. Graduates work in a wide variety of capacities, protecting the information systems of different types of organizations and supporting the nation’s information infrastructure. The master of science in information security and assurance provides students with the general and technical knowledge and skills to understand the relationship between information security and advancing information systems technology. The program gives graduates a theoretical understanding of the science and methodologies for ensuring the secrecy and integrity of data, as well as the availability and legitimate use of data and information systems.

Students focus on the technical and management aspects of information security and examine ways to provide secure information processing systems by investigating operating systems security, distributed secure system architectures, database security, software applications security, security policies, secure e-commerce, network and distributed systems security, cryptography, and security protocols. Graduates of the program are actively recruited by federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector. Typical employers include Internet-based companies, software companies, banks and insurance companies, and in general any organization that depends heavily on the use of IT. All classes are scheduled in the late afternoon and early evening to accommodate employed students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a four-year (120-credit) baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and have earned a GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 credits. Other requirements are as follows:

• Show proof of a satisfactory score on the GRE, if required. The applicable test should have been taken within five years of applying for admission. The department policy is that the GRE is required unless the applicant has an undergraduate degree in science or engineering from a U.S. university and graduated with a GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 hours; a graduate degree in science or engineering from a U.S. university; or been admitted as a non degree student and meets all the following requirements: an undergraduate degree from a U.S. university, an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 hours, and a B in all foundation courses taken at Mason or elsewhere.
• Submit the appropriate application forms with three letters of recommendation from people directly knowledgeable of the applicant’s professional and academic competence, a one-page goals statement, and a work résumé.
• Submit a department self-evaluation form that is essential for evaluating foundation requirements by the department faculty. This form may be obtained from the department office or the department web page.
• International students must submit their TOEFL score.

Foundation Requirements

To ensure that students have an adequate background in mathematical methods and computer technology, the program requires the following four foundation courses, or their equivalents: INFS 501 Discrete and Logical Structures for Information Systems, INFS 515 Computer Organization, INFS 519 Program Design and Data Structures, and SWE 510 Object-Oriented Programming in Java.

Prospective students are asked to complete a department self evaluation form, indicating whether previously taken courses may satisfy these foundation requirements. On acceptance, students are advised of the necessary foundation courses to be satisfactorily completed to meet this requirement. Foundation courses do not earn credit toward the MS degree; however, they must be successfully completed with a grade of B or better before enrolling in the core curriculum.

Students may test out to indicate that they have the requisite knowledge for those foundations of INFS 501, 515, and 519. The exams are given before classes begin in January and August, and can only be taken once. Registration is not required; students need only be present at the date, time, and location specified with some form of photographic identification. Detailed information is available on the department web site. Students failing any one of the exams must take the equivalent course before enrolling in the core curriculum courses.

Advising

The department holds orientation meetings each January and August to advise newly admitted and continuing students. Members of the faculty are present to answer questions and offer advice concerning programs of study. Detailed information is available on the department web site.

The department also provides an advising function to students, as outlined in the student advising form available from the department. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor with whom to confer on matters related to degree requirements. A plan of study form for the MS degree should be completed and submitted by the student soon after admission to the program. This serves as a planning guide for the student.