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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

Cyber Security Engineering, BS


Banner Code:  VS-BS-CYSE

School: Volgenau School of Engineering  
Department: Interdisciplinary Programs (VS)  

Cyber Security Engineering is concerned with the development of cyber resilient systems which include the protection of the physical as well as computer and network systems.  It requires a proactive approach in engineering design of physical systems with cyber security incorporated from the beginning of system development.  Cyber security engineering is an important quantitative methodology to be used in all industries to include, but not limited to, transportation, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, finance, government (federal, state, and local), and defense.  The program is focused on the cyber security engineering of integrated cyber-physical systems. This degree provides a foundation in cyber security engineering, and is most appropriate for students with a strong mathematics and science background.  The program is administered by the Dean’s Office, Volgenau School of Engineering.

Advising and Plan of Study


All cyber security engineering students are assigned a faculty advisor.  With the advisor’s help and approval, each student is required to complete a plan of study. This plan of study constitutes a learning plan for the degree program.  The plan of study must be signed by the student’s advisor and the Program Chair.  The plan of study must be updated and signed by the advisor at least once a year.

Degree Requirements


In addition to Mason Core  requirements, students must meet specific requirements for the cyber security engineering degree.  In the first two years, students obtain a basic foundation in mathematics, the natural sciences, computing, writing, humanities, arts, and social sciences.  Degree requirements for the cyber security engineering major include 126 credits.  Students must complete the following:

Technical Electives


Electives allow students to gain special expertise in selected areas of cyber security engineering.  Students are required to take 9 hours selected from the following:

Engineering Credits: 2


Oral Communication and Economics Credits: 6


Additional Mason Core Credits: 18


 Students must complete all Mason Core  requirements not fulfilled by major requirements.

  • Written Communication  Credits: 6
  • Literature  Credits: 3
  • Arts  Credits: 3
  • Western Civilization/World History  Credits: 3
  • Global Understanding  Credits: 3

Note


All students must submit at least 24 credits of social science and humanities course work, which is normally satisfied by the 24 credits of Mason Core  social science and humanities courses listed above.

Synthesis Requirement


Mason’s synthesis requirement for cyber security engineering majors is satisfied by successful completion of CYSE 493 Senior Advanced Design Project II  (pending approval).

Writing Intensive Requirement


Mason’s writing-intensive requirement for cyber security engineering majors is satisfied by successful completion of CYSE 491 Engineering Senior Seminar  (pending approval).

Total: 126 credits


Grades


All BS CYSE students must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:  MATH 203 , MATH 214 , CS 222 , PHYS 260 , STAT 344 , and all CYSE courses.

Change of Major


Students who are considering cyber security engineering as their major must meet with the Volgenau School of Engineering Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising, 2500 Nguyen Engineering Building.

Termination from the Major


No math, science, or Volgenau School of Engineering course that is required for the major may be attempted more than three times.  Those students who do not successfully complete such a course within three attempts will be terminated from the major.  Undeclared students in the Volgenau School who do not successfully complete a course required for a Volgenau School major within three attempts will also be terminated.  For more information, see the “Termination from the Major” section under AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Once a student has attempted one of these courses twice unsuccessfully, the third attempt must be no later than the next semester of enrollment, excluding summers. Failure to take the course at that time will result in termination from the major. If the student is unable to take the course when required, the student may request an extension to a future semester; extensions require approval of the student’s advisor, their department, and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. The deadline for extension requests is the add deadline for the semester in which the course is required.

Students who have been terminated from a Volgenau School of Engineering major may not register for a Volgenau School course without permission of the department offering the course. This applies to all undergraduate courses offered by the Volgenau School except IT 104 and STAT 250.

A student may not declare any major in the Volgenau School of Engineering if the student has previously met the termination criteria for that major at any time, regardless of what the student’s major was at the time the courses were taken.