Computer and Information Security, B.S.

Admission and Transfer Criteria

Minimum requirements for admission into the Computer Science major for first-time freshmen are

  • an ACT composite score of 21 (SAT 1060) and
  • an ACT mathematics score of 24 (SAT math section score of 570).

Minimum requirements for admission into the Computer and Information Security major for transfer students, whether from within Marshall University or from another institution, are:

  • 15 earned semester credit hours of college-level coursework,
  • an overall Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 in all college-level coursework,
  • completion of ENG 101 Beginning Composition (or equivalent) with a grade of C, and
  • completion of MTH 132 Precalculus with Sci Applica or MTH 127 College Algebra-Expanded/MTH 130 College Algebra and MTH 132 Precalculus with Sci Applica (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C.

For those desiring to major in computer and information security who do not meet the admission or transfer criteria listed above:

  • Students may be admitted to “Pre-Computer Science” with a minimum ACT composite of 19 and an ACT mathematics score of 19-23 (composite SAT of 990; Math SAT of 510-560). Transfer students must be eligible for MTH 127 College Algebra-Expanded/MTH 130 College Algebra and MTH 132 Precalculus with Sci Applica.

Pre-Computer and Information Security students must complete the criteria for transfer students to Computer and Information Security. Registration for Computer Science courses will be limited until transfer criteria are met.

Course Requirements

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
Critical Thinking Course3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 229 Bison image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
BSC 120 Bison image Principles of Biology I3
BSC 120L Bison image Principles of Biology I Lab1
Core II Humanities3
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive (ENG 354 recommended)3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural or International3
CYBR 490 Bison image Senior Project3
Major-Specific
MTH 220 Bison image  Cap graduation image Discrete Structures3
MTH 229 Bison image  Cap graduation image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT)5
STA 225 Bison image Introductory Statistics (CT)3
Science: Any two courses with labs from the following science areas:
BSC 120, Principles of Biology I, and BSC 120L, Principles of Biology I Lab, or above
CHM 211, Principles of Chemistry I, and CHM 217, Principles of Chemistry I Lab, or above
GLY 200, Physical Geology, and GLY 210L, Earth Materials Lab, or above
PHY 201, College Physics I, and PHY 202, General Physics Laboratory, or above
ENG 354Scientific & Tech Writing3
CS 105 Bison image Expl World with Computing (CT)3
CS 110 Cap graduation image Computer Science I3
CS 120 Cap graduation image Computer Science II3
CS 210 Cap graduation image Data Structures and Algorithms3
CS 215Adv Data Struct and Algorithms3
CS 305Software Engineering3
CS 320 Cap graduation image Internetworking3
CS 330Operating Systems3
CS 402Computer Architecture3
CS 410Database Engineering3
CYBR 210 Cap graduation image Comp and Info Sec Principle3
CYBR 240Information Security Policies3
CYBR 310Introduction to Cryptography3
CYBR 330Cyber Security3
CYBR 350Cyber System Administration3
CYBR 360Cyber Infrastructure Security3
CYBR 400Compter Security Design3
CYBR 435Cyber Risk3
CYBR 442Cyber Operations3
CYBR 475Internship3
CYBR 490 Bison image Senior Project (C)3
Free Elective3
Free Elective2
Computer and Information Security Elective3
Select one of the following:
Special Topics
Special Topics
Special Topics
Special Topics
Special Topics
Independent Study
Independent Study
Independent Study
Independent Study
Any 400-level Cs course except CS 430, CS 435
Any 300- or 400-level CFS course

Major Information

  • Other science with lab courses may replace the courses listed above with the approval of the program chair.
  • Students are required to know and track their degree requirements for graduation or for entrance to a professional school.
  • Coursework listed as “free elective” may vary for each student. Students are encouraged to use elective hours toward a minor or toward prerequisites.
  • Course offerings and course attributes are subject to change each semester. Please consult each semester’s schedule of courses for availability and attributes.
  •  

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Semester Plan 

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Security program prepares students for careers in computer and information security fields through a strong foundation in the theory and practice and the broad education gained by core curriculum. Computer and information security is an evolving discipline that involves the study of technology, strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace. The program introduces students to a variety of topics in computer and information security such as computer and network protection, penetration testing and prevention, security in mobile devices and Internet of Things (IoT), and more by using state-of-the-art security tools and technologies.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
CS 110 Cap graduation image Computer Science I 3
MTH 229 Bison image  Cap graduation image Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) 5
ENG 101 Bison image Beginning Composition 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
CS 105 Bison image Expl World with Computing (CT) 3
CS 120 Cap graduation image Computer Science II 3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
MTH 220 Bison image  Cap graduation image Discrete Structures 3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Year
First Semester
Core II Fine Arts 3
CYBR 210 Cap graduation image Comp and Info Sec Principle 3
STA 225 Bison image Introductory Statistics (CT) 3
CS 210 Cap graduation image Data Structures and Algorithms 3
BSC 120 Bison image Principles of Biology I (w/ Lab) 3
BSC 120L Bison image Principles of Biology I Lab 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
Core II Humanities (CT, WI) 3
CYBR 240 Information Security Policies 3
CS 215 Adv Data Struct and Algorithms 3
CHM 211 Bison image Principles of Chemistry I 3
CHM 217 Bison image Principles of Chem Lab I 2
Core II Social Science (MC/I, WI) 3
 Credit Hours17
Third Year
First Semester
ENG 354 Scientific & Tech Writing (WI) 3
CS 320 Cap graduation image Internetworking 3
CS 330 Operating Systems 3
PHY 201 Bison image College Physics I 3
PHY 202 Bison image General Physics I Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours13
Second Semester
CYBR 310 Introduction to Cryptography 3
CYBR 330 Cyber Security 3
CS 410 Database Engineering 3
CYBR 360 Cyber Infrastructure Security 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 2
 Credit Hours17
Fourth Year
First Semester
CS 305 Software Engineering 3
CYBR 400 Compter Security Design 3
CYBR 475 Internship 3
CYBR 350 Cyber System Administration 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Semester
CS 402 Computer Architecture 3
CYBR 490 Bison image Senior Project (C) 3
CYBR 435 Cyber Risk 3
CYBR 442 Cyber Operations 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours120