Cyber Security
Program Contact Information
Dr. Ragib Hasan
Department of Computer Science
1402 10th Avenue South.
UH 4149
Birmingham, AL 35294-1241
ragib@uab.edu
Program Information
The Master of Science in Cyber Security (formerly known as Computer Forensics and Security Management) (MSSec) is an interdisciplinary program that prepares graduates for a professional career in the field of cyber security by developing in them the necessary skills crucial for success. The program also provides current practitioners the opportunity to obtain advanced-level training to facilitate career advancement. The program includes a set of core, required courses and the opportunity to select from a default option or two tracks of specialization.
Admission Requirements
Students accepted into the program will have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or recognized university from abroad. Most of these students will have earned a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS and score 80 or higher on the TOEFL or 6.5 or higher on the IELTS. The GRE is NOT required.
Students seeking admission to the program who lack a background in computer science but meet the remaining minimum requirements for admission may be admitted contingent on them completing a set of prerequisite courses (or their equivalents) that may include the following (the program directors may waive/require some courses in addition to the ones listed below depending upon the students’ specific background): Among these courses, CS 532/532L can also be counted towards the MS Cyber Security degree.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CS 103 & 103L | Introduction to Computer Science in Python and Introduction to Computer Science in Python Lab | 4 |
| CS 203 & 203L | Object-Oriented Programming in Java and Object-Oriented Programming Lab | 4 |
| CS 532 & 532L | Systems Programming and Systems Programming Lab | 3 |
Similarly, students seeking admission to the program (especially to the Cyber-Crime Investigations track) who lack a background in criminal justice but meet the remaining minimum requirements for admission may be admitted contingent on them completing a set of prerequisite courses (or their equivalents) that may include the following (the program directors may waive/require some courses in addition to the ones listed below depending upon the students' specific background)
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CJ 230 | The Judicial Process in America: An Overview | 3 |
Master of Science in Cyber Security
A total of 30 semester hours are required for the degree, organized into: (a) 15 hours of required core courses, (b) 6 hours of electives from an approved list of relevant Computer Science courses, and (c) 9 hours of coursework in one of the following two pathways: Approved Cyber Security Centric Courses or Cybercrime Investigations track.
a. Core coursework
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | ||
| CS 534 | Networking | 3 |
| CS 623 | Network Security | 3 |
| CS 636 | Computer Security | 3 |
| CS 689 | Cyber Risk Management | 3 |
| CJ 502 | Computer Forensics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
b. Electives
In addition to the core courses, students must take two CS electives for a total of six hours. The electives must be from 500+ level or 600+ level, chosen from the following courses:
CS 500-level courses: CS 501 and CS 501L, CS 510, CS 520 and CS 520L, CS 520L and CS 520L CS 520L and CS 533L, CS 555, CS 591, CS 592, CS 597,CS 598
CS 600-level courses: CS 600, CS 601, CS 602, CS 610, CS 614, CS 616, CS 617, CS 620,CS 621 and CS 621L, CS 622, CS 624, CS 625, CS 626, CS 630, CS 631, CS 632, CS 633, CS 634, CS 635,, CS 640, CS 641, CS 642, CS 646, CS 647, , CS 651, CS 652, CS 653, CS 654, CS 656, CS 659, CS 660, CS 662, CS 663, CS 665, CS 667, CS 669, CS 670, CS 671, CS 672, CS 673,, CS 675, CS 676, CS 680, CS 677, CS 683, CS 684, CS 690, CS 691, CS 692, CS 697, CS 698,CS 699
c. Tracks
In addition to the five core courses and two electives listed above, students must choose either of the following two pathways (Cyber Security Centric Courses or Cybercrime Investigations track, both worth 15 credit hours) to fulfill the requirements of the Master's degree.
1. Cyber Security Centric Courses
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CS 645 | Modern Cryptography | 3 |
| CS 646 | Blockchain and Cryptocurrency | 3 |
| CS 643 | Cloud Security | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
2. Cybercrime Investigations Track
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CS/CJ 519 | Investigating Online Crimes | 3 |
| CS/CJ 537 | Digital Media Forensics | 3 |
| CJ 675 | Law Evidence and Procedure | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Faculty
| Gardner, Elizabeth A., Associate Professor and Director, Master of Science in Forensic Science,, 2007, B.S. (Penn State), Ph.D. (Michigan State), Drug Chemistry, Legal Highs, Gun Powder Residue, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Pharmaceutical Spam |
| Linville, Jason G., Teaching Associate Professor, 2004, B.S. (Ohio), M.S., Ph.D. (UAB), Forensic Biology, Entomology, Forensic Science Education |
| Mwenesongole, Ellen M, Associate Professor, 2021, B.S. Hons (Univ. of Kwa-Zulu Natal), M.S. Forensic Science (Univ. of Strathclyde), M.S. Chemistry (Univ. of Pretoria), Ph.D. Forensic Science & Chemistry (Anglia Ruskin Univ), Illicit Drugs, Wastewater, Hair & Fibers, Counterfeit Products |