Bachelor of Science in
Cyber Intelligence and Security
Business conducted over computer networks will only continue to increase and e-commerce is growing on a global scale. The need for computer security specialists continues to rise. Companies must have policies and systems to forestall compromises of their data. Through a unique blend of computer science, engineering, intelligence gathering, security, and management, Embry-Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence & Security will prepare graduates for a host of opportunities within countless companies, government agencies, and even entrepreneurial endeavors. Graduates are prepared to lead, manage, administer, and even to establish organizations focused on the field of cybersecurity.
Early in 2014, ERAU Prescott founded the United States’ first College of Security and Intelligence. Embry-Riddle has long been positioned as a leader in areas related to technology, so it was a natural progression to launch into this field that is complementary to the other safety- and security-related degrees at ERAU. It is one of only a few universities in the southwest region of the U.S. to offer a degree program in Cybersecurity.
Led by a faculty whose wide range of knowledge and expertise spans government, academia, and computer science roles, the B.S. in Cyber Intelligence & Security program offers a high-tech, hands-on academic experience.
According to a recent effort developed by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) together with Burning Glass, a leading technology recruiter, we can now see the demand for Cyber Security professionals across the US. Demand is out stripping supply resulting in excellent opportunities for years to come for those with Bachelors or Masters Degrees. The interactive map shows job openings by region and category using the Workforce Framework. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are available and some of them are perfect for entry-level students seeking to enter the profession. Our graduates have found employment with GoDaddy, Textron, Mitsubishi, T-Mobile, Xcel Energy, the NSA as well as going on to graduate school at Northeastern University, USC and others.
Students have the opportunity to participate in ERAU’s very own “Hacker Lab,” where they can experiment in computer forensics, intrusion detection, computer security, and computer viruses.
DETAILS
About Cyber Intelligence and Security at the Prescott, AZ Campus
The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence and Security program prepares graduates to deal with threats from those who would abuse our world’s growing dependency on technology. In reality-based scenarios, students develop the knowledge in computer science and cybersecurity needed to defend the people, data, software, and networks that keep the world safe and productive. Graduates are prepared for professional roles in the rapid growing field of cybersecurity.
The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence and Security degree is housed in the Department of Cyber Intelligence and Security in the College of Security & Intelligence.
Students work on real-world activities with key agencies such as the FBI, DHS, and DPS through programs and coursework.
ERAU faculty are leaders in this emerging field and have authored some of the textbooks in use.
The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence and Security program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET. The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) program, and have designated the Prescott Campus as a NSA/DHS CAE-CD institution with its degree programs in Cyber Intelligence and Security meeting their stringent criteria. Embry-Riddle is also a member of the Cyber Patriot program and the CyberWatch Network.
Students have access to specialized labs, like the Forensic Science Lab and the Global Security and Intelligence Study’s newly renovated Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). A number of our graduates are employed at major corporate GSOCs around the country.
Emphasis is placed on effective communications, quantitative skills, global awareness, social responsibility, ethical and legal grounding, information technology, critical thinking skills, teamwork, computer and network functional skills, broad cyber industry familiarity, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Students may also join organizations such as ERAU’s student chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), the Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor society, and gain exposure to the Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA).
The Cyber Intelligence and Security (CI) degree program, offered by the College of Security and Intelligence Studies, is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills essential for entry into many areas of cyber security work including: cyber analytics, incident response, network security and cyber security operations and management careers.
Our students are encouraged to think beyond traditional academic boundaries and seek workplace and cultural experiences that will enrich and enlighten them on the evolving workplace and the global internet/ business environment. Dedicated faculty advisors assist CI students in evaluating the many opportunities available to them in this program. Emphasis is placed on effective communications, quantitative skills, global awareness, social responsibility, ethical and legal grounding, information technology, critical thinking skills, teamwork, computer and network functional skills, broad cyber industry familiarity, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Course requirements include a core computer science foundation with lecture and labs, group/individual projects and presentations, and a blend of theory and applications to best prepare students for a variety of positions in the workplace. Colloquia, forums, visiting speakers, interesting field trip experiences, and interdisciplinary opportunities/ activities serve to enrich the curriculum. Diverse elective courses allow students to broaden their general education interests or pursue specific interests in many specialized areas, including international commerce, unmanned aviation, global security and intelligence, and culture and language.
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Cyber Intelligence and Security is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET, https://www.abet.org/.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber Intelligence and Security (CI) requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours and is normally completed in eight semesters. Students choose one of three options as a part of their senior capstone - either a project, a thesis, or internship/co-op program. Some courses may require prerequisite subject knowledge or particular class standing. Course descriptions should be reviewed prior to registration to ensure proper placement.
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) program, and have designated the Prescott Campus as a NSA/DHS CAE-CD institution with its degree programs in Cyber Intelligence and Security meeting their stringent criteria.
Embry-Riddle is a sponsor and mentor for the National Cyber Patriot program and a member of the National CyberWatch Network.
In order to be awarded a CI degree, a student is required to complete a minimum of 80% of the core in residence or transfer those credits from institutions approved by the Department Chair.
Students should follow the suggested course of study--taking 200, 300, and 400 level courses in sequence--unless otherwise approved by the Department Chair. This will provide the student with the greatest chance of success.
General Education
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| COM 223 | Intelligence Writing | 3 |
| CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 111 | Pre-Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| MA 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
| PS 117 & 117L | Introductory Physics II and Introductory Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Social Science, Psychology, or Economics Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
Cyber Core
| ACC 210 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 329 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination | 3 |
| BA 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| CI 120 | Introduction to Cyber Security Majors | 3 |
| CI 201 | Introduction to Linux, Unix, Windows, and Scripting | 3 |
| CI 320 | Ethical Hacker - Pen Testing | 3 |
| CI 330 | Software Security | 3 |
| CI 340 | Database System Security | 3 |
| CI 410 | Malware Analysis | 3 |
| CI 460 | Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning | 3 |
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CS 213 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 304 | Introduction to Computer Forensics | 3 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| MA 225 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| Total Credits | 49 | |
Intelligence & Security Concentration
| CI 310 | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance | 3 |
| CI 311 | Securing Computer Networks | 3 |
| CI 450 | Computer Forensics II | 3 |
| CS 303 | Network Security | 3 |
| CS 432 | Information and Computer Security | 3 |
| SIS 210 | Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| SIS 315 | Studies in Global Intelligence I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Senior Capstone
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
CI 475 | Cyber Senior Thesis | |
CI 490 | Cyber Capstone Project | |
SIS 470 | Senior Cooperative Internship | |
CECIS 396/496 Cooperative Education | ||
Electives
| Open Electives | 10 | |
Suggested Program of Study
| * | Students in ROTC may substitute BA201 with AF 301 or MSL 301 and the Upper-Level HU/SS General Education Elective with AF 401 or MSL 401. |
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CI 120 | Introduction to Cyber Security Majors | 3 |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| MA 111 | Pre-Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| Social Science, Psychology, or Economics Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| BA 201 | Principles of Management * | 3 |
| CI 201 | Introduction to Linux, Unix, Windows, and Scripting | 3 |
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 112 | Applied Calculus for Aviation | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 223 | Intelligence Writing | 3 |
| CS 213 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| MA 225 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACC 210 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| CI 311 | Securing Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 303 | Network Security | 3 |
| PS 117 | Introductory Physics II | 3 |
| PS 117L | Introductory Physics II Lab | 1 |
| SIS 210 | Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CI 320 | Ethical Hacker - Pen Testing | 3 |
| CI 340 | Database System Security | 3 |
| CS 304 | Introduction to Computer Forensics | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Science Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| CI 330 | Software Security | 3 |
| CI 460 | Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning | 3 |
| CI 450 | Computer Forensics II | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACC 329 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective * | 3 | |
| SIS 315 | Studies in Global Intelligence I | 3 |
| Open Elective | 4 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| CI 310 | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance | 3 |
| CI 410 | Malware Analysis | 3 |
| CI 490 | Cyber Capstone Project | 3 |
| CS 432 | Information and Computer Security | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 12.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 120.0 | |
| * | Students in ROTC may substitute BA201 with AF 301 or MSL 301 and the Upper-Level HU/SS General Education Elective with AF 401 or MSL 401. |
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Summary
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