Major in Computer Science, Networks and Security Concentration

Networks connect computers and other devices so they can share information. The Networks and Security concentration involves designing, building, and maintaining networks and protecting them from cyberattacks.

Network and security technology is vitally important to almost every modern field of human endeavor including biology, physics, agriculture, medicine, defense, and more.

There is explosive demand for professionals who can understand the underlying principles of networks and security, incorporate them into products and practices, and provide defensive capabilities against cyber threats.

The Networks and Security concentration provides students core and elective courses on computer networking, systems security (including the latest trends and technologies in cyber-security), ethical hacking, operating systems, databases, and software. Students will develop fundamental skills in security architecture and analysis, cryptography, system vulnerabilities and attack vectors, malware analysis and defense, intrusion detection and protection, network architecture, engineering and network software development. The CSU Cyber-Security Center of Excellence expands upon these course offerings with lab equipment, research topics, and certification opportunities.

Learning Objectives

Upon successfully completing this program, students will be able to:

1. Work effectively in teams to develop computational solutions to complex problems.
2. Develop products and technologies that provide network/cyber-security solutions or incorporate these technologies into products that require security or network capabilities.
3. Analyze technologies and situations for cyber vulnerabilities to develop improvements to attack and defense methodologies.
4. Communicate technical ideas effectively in writing and verbally.
5. Confidently pursue graduate studies or professional employment in networks and security and computer science.

Potential Occupations

In addition to the career opportunities open to all computer science graduates, the networks and security concentration opens career paths that include:

Software developer, software architect, network security analyst, software project manager, computer systems security analyst, computer and information systems manager, and R&D jobs for both cyber-security attack and defense.

Employers in a wide range of fields recognize the need for network and cyber-security architecture and implementations within their domains, which creates R&D and management opportunities across a wide job market.

Effective Fall 2023

A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in CO 150 and in all CS, DSCI, MATH, STAT and departmental Technical Elective courses which are required for graduation.

Technical Electives (6 credits minimum)

Select a minimum of 6 credits, of which 3 credits must be upper-division. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Any CS, CT, DSCI, IDEA, or MATH courses numbered 300- or above, excluding 380-399 and 480-499, and DSCI 369, MATH 369, and CT 301
Any STAT Courses numbered 300- or above, excluding 301, 302A, 307, 315, 380-399 and 480-499
BZ 350	Molecular and General Genetics	4
BZ 360	Bioinformatics and Genomics	4
CIS 320	Project Management for Information Systems	3
CIS 350	Operating Systems and Networks	3
CIS 360	Systems Analysis and Design	3
CIS 413	Advanced Networking and Security	3
CIS 455	Advanced Database Management	3
ECE 452	Computer Organization and Architecture	3
ENGR 422	Technology Entrepreneurship	3
JTC 372	Web Design and Development	3
JTC 472	Advanced Web Design and Development	3
MATH 161	Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)	4
MATH 256	Mathematics for Computational Science II	4
MGT 330	Creativity, Innovation, and Value Creation	3
MGT 340	Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship	3
MGT 420	New Venture Creation	3
PHIL 410	Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems	3
PHIL 411	Logic in Philosophy and Beyond	3
PHIL 415	Logic and Scientific Method	3
PSY 252	Mind, Brain, and Behavior	3
PSY 352	Learning and Memory	3
PSY 452	Cognitive Psychology	3
PSY 454	Biological Psychology	3
PSY 456	Sensation and Perception	3
PSY 458	Cognitive Neuroscience	3

¹

MATH 156 recommended for computer science majors who do not already have MATH 160 credit.

²

Recommended sequence for most incoming students is Group A: CS 150B to CS 164.

³

CS 192 or other seminar course is a recommended elective for incoming, first semester, students.

⁴

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

To prepare for first semester: The curriculum for the Computer Science major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre-calculus requirements in the first semester. All students must maintain a C (2.000) or better in CO 150 and in all CS, DSCI, MATH, STAT and departmental Technical Elective courses which are required for graduation.