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Master of Science in Information Systems & Computer Security (ISCS)

*Subject to Revision

Mission

This program prepares highly-qualified professionals with both Cyberseucrity and Data Science expertise. The Information Systems and Computer Security (ISCS) Master of Science program at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ is designed to fill the current and future needs for Information Assurance professionals to support the nation’s information infrastructure.  Information Assurance has become a critical issue for businesses as they encounter problems from external network attacks as well as internal issues due to lax control systems and compliance requirements.

Rationale

Protection of America’s critical infrastructure is an emerging national priority. Due to its implication for national security, there is great need to produce professionals trained in both Information Systems and Information Security for securing information and systems in industrial and governmental organizations. Current Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) trends point to an increase in need of people qualified in data science disciplines. These disciplines include big-data analytics, machine learning, and predictive modeling, among others. The proposed program is a multidisciplinary, 30 credit hour graduate degree program designed to produce a comprehensively educated professional in cybersecurity and data science.

Objectives

Truly gaining value from technology requires an understanding of how technology interacts with business processes, strategy, and policy. The CBIS’s Information Systems and Computer Security (ISCS) curriculum is unique in the sense that it integrates both the business and computer science disciplines into a coherent area of study. Students learn how to use methods and tools to make strategic decisions about information security issues, including identity theft and other forms of electronic fraud, computer viruses, hacking attacks, and even cyber warfare.

TU’s MSISCS program allows student to take courses tailored to their individual backgrounds. Students with experience in the law, social sciences, or business can strengthen their technical skills, while those with backgrounds in information technology can increase their business acumen and expand their understanding of information security as it relates to protection of individuals, companies, and other organizations.

While all students learn about the key issues in information security and business processes, electives let individuals customize their program to meet their own professional goals and those of their employer. The required project or thesis lets each student apply their knowledge and training by tackling a specific and current information security issue.

During this journey of discovery, the student will be educated in Tuskegee’s interdisciplinary tradition of innovation and investigation. The student will be trained as analytical problem solver adding value to organizations and society through the intelligent application of information systems and security management.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Information Systems and Computer Security (MS-ISCS) is an interdisciplinary program offered under a cooperative arrangement with various departments including Accounting, Economics, Finance; Management, and Computer Science. Students graduating from the major will help to fill the need for well-educated Information Systems and Security management specialists in the government, private sector, and academia.

The program outcomes, identified as being critical to the accomplishment of this mission are:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of cybersecurity and information systems and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on social, inclusive, diversity, legal and ethical principles.
  3. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  4. Apply security and information systems principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.
  5. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  6. Implement, analyze, and visualize results of a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.

The program offers two options: Cybersecurity option and Data Science option

The program is broadly based and uses courses in the aforementioned departments. The program will consist of 24 course credits with 6 credits of research work for a Master of Science with thesis (30 hours). A non-thesis Master of Science will consist of 30 credits of courses (30 hours). The courses are divided into three categories: core, required, and electives. 

A student’s Program of Study Committee, in consultation with the student, determines the elective courses to be taken and the acceptability of transfer credits. The major professor will be selected from the discipline where the student is admitted.

The basic prerequisite for admission to this program is a baccalaureate degree in computer science, management information systems, accounting, finance, management, Information Technology, or a closely related field. The GRE or GMAT examination is required. Potential students with baccalaureate degrees in other related fields will be considered on an individual basis, possibly with provisional admission contingent upon the completion of deficiency courses.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the graduate program in Information Systems & Computer Security is as follows:

Cybersecurity Option

Core Courses (15 Credits)

  • ISCS 504, 3 credits, Data Networks and Cloud Computing
  • ISCS 506, 3 credits, Database Systems
  • ISCS 510, 3 credits, Statistics with R
  • ISCS 530, 3 credits, Information Security
  • ISCS 531, 3 credits, Network Security and Management

Required Courses (9 Credits)

  • ISCS 505, 3 credits, Introduction to Cybersecurity
  • ISCS 532, 3 credits, Information Security Policy and Risk
  • ISCS 536, 3 credits, Mobile Security

Electives (6 Credits for Non-Thesis Option)
(2 courses from the list)

  • ISCS 534, 3 credits, Software Security
  • ISCS 537, 3 credits, Computer Forensics
  • ISCS 538, 3 credits, Web Application Security
  • ISCS 539, 3 credits, Data Analytics
  • ISCS 540, 3 credits, Big Data Analytics
  • ISCS 550, 3 credits, Data Mining & Machine Learning
  • ISCS 560, 3 credits, Internet of Things
  • ISCS 580, 3 credits, Special Topics

Department Lists

  • Any other approved 500 level ISCS courses

Thesis

  • ISCS 600, 6 credits, ISCS Thesis

Data Science Option

Core Courses (15 Credits)

  • ISCS 504, 3 credits, Data Networks and Cloud Computing
  • ISCS 506, 3 credits, Database Systems
  • ISCS 510, 3 credits, Statistics with R
  • ISCS 530, 3 credits, Information Security
  • ISCS 531, 3 credits, Network Security and Management

Required Courses (9 Credits)

  • ISCS 539, 3 credits, Data Analytics
  • ISCS 540, 3 credits, Big Data Analytics
  • ISCS 550, 3 credits, Data Mining & Machine Learning

Electives (6 Credits for Non-Thesis Option)
(2 courses from the list)

  • ISCS 505, 3 credits, Introduction to Cybersecurity
  • ISCS 532, 3 credits, Information Security Policy and Risk
  • ISCS 534, 3 credits, Software Security
  • ISCS 536, 3 credits, Mobile Security
  • ISCS 537, 3 credits, Computer Forensics
  • ISCS 538, 3 credits, Web Application Security
  • ISCS 560, 3 credits, Internet of Things
  • ISCS 580, 3 credits, Special Topics

Department Lists

  • Any other approved 500 level ISCS courses

Thesis

  • ISCS 600, 6 credits, ISCS Thesis

Degree Requirements

The MS-ISCS degree requires you to demonstrate proficiency in Information Systems, Information Security, IT Strategy, Data Science, and fundamental skills.

MS-ISCS Degree Requirements:

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or closely related field 
  • GPA of 3.0 or better at an undergraduate level
  • Graduate Records Examination (GRE) /Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)  
  • Statement of Purpose and three letters of recommendation

MS-ISCS Degree Requirements for International Students:

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or closely related area
  • GPA of 3.0 or better at an undergraduate level
  • Graduate Records Examination (GRE) / Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Statement of Purpose and three letters of recommendation

Maximum Transfer Credits Allowed

The MS-ISCS degree allows up to 9 transfer credits, as defined in Graduate Handbook.

Helpful Information