Data Science for Cybersecurity (Adv Cert)

Well-trained cybersecurity professionals are needed to secure our information systems and national infrastructure. However, in order to respond to increasingly sophisticated and varied attacks, these professionals should not only be familiar with traditional cybersecurity methods but should also be adept at accessing, manipulating, and analyzing the enormous amounts of data generated by modern computing systems. The advanced certificate in data science for cybersecurity helps to meet this need by ensuring that those entering into the field, as well as cybersecurity professionals, establish a solid background in data science and have experience in applying data science methods to cybersecurity problems.

Two courses taken toward the certificate may double count with any of the existing master's and doctoral degree programs in computer and information science (M.S. in cybersecurity, M.S. in data science, M.S. in computer science, and Ph.D. in computer science).

Learning Outcomes

The advanced certificate in data science for cybersecurity enables students to attain, by the time of certificate completion:

1. Foundational knowledge of data mining and machine learning methods and how they can be applied to address real-world problems.
2. A thorough understanding of data privacy and data security issues.
3. The programming skills necessary to manipulate large data sets and to implement data mining and machine learning models.
4. Experience applying data science and AI methods to solve cybersecurity problems such as intrusion detection, malware detection, and spam detection.

Admissions requirements for the program include:

• Completed and signed application
• Application fee
• Written statement of intent
• Official undergraduate transcript (and graduate transcript, if applicable)
• Two reference letters
• Resume

The curriculum consists of five courses (two required core and three electives) spanning two to four semesters, resulting in a 15-credit advanced certificate in data science for cybersecurity.

Prerequisites

Cybersecurity

Students are expected to enter the advanced certificate program with a basic knowledge of cybersecurity equivalent to CISC 5650 Cybersecurity Essentials. Alternatively, students must complete CISC 5650 prior to completing the advanced certificate or before taking any courses that require this course as a prerequisite.

Computer Programming

All students are expected to have some knowledge of computer programming, as assessed by a Python examination. Those with insufficient background must take CISC 5380 Programming with Python.

Curriculum

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See below lists of courses fulfilling each requirement.

Cybersecurity-Focused courses

Courses in this group have the DCCF attribute.

Data Science-Focused courses

Courses in this group have the DCDF attribute.