Cybersecurity Certificate

For students who are interested in pursuing careers in information technology, the Cybersecurity Certificate enhances traditional educational opportunities offered within the University of Kentucky’s existing degree programs by equipping students with skills to identify, analyze and understand cybersecurity threats, and design and implement appropriate effective countermeasures. The certificate targets students in the computer science, computer engineering and electrical engineering programs. However, other students with appropriate background are also encouraged to apply.

The Cybersecurity Certificate educates undergraduate students in an increasingly important curriculum, preparing them to understand the challenges of cybersecurity, identify potential threats, and design effective countermeasures. The certificate is affiliated with the B.S. degrees in Computer Science and in Computer Engineering. Today, software and hardware security are a growing aspect of a computer scientist’s or computer engineer’s profession. The certificate complements standard curricula of the two programs with courses from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Information Science and culminating in an independent study project, report, and presentation on a cybersecurity topic.

Admission

In order for students to be admitted, they must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or an undergraduate non-degree program. They must have completed CS 270 , EE 287 or have comparable experience. In addition, students must submit an application for the certificate program and go through the program interview process.

Any student may apply. The intended start semester for the program is the second semester of the student’s junior year, although some students could be admitted earlier or as late as at the start of their senior year.

The application process requires students to submit a written statement about career goals and a follow-up interview with a member of the faculty of record. after admission, all students enrolled in the program will meet every semester with the director of the program or a faculty of record to discuss their progress, course selection and career goals.

Curriculum

Students must earn 13-15 credit hours by taking these courses. Per University Senate Rule 3.1.1.2., students must earn a C grade or better in each required certificate course to receive the cybersecurity certificate:

EE 576 - CYBERSECURITY Credit(s): 3

Two of the following three courses:

CS 378 - INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOLOGY Credit(s): 3
CS 564 - COMPUTER SECURITY Credit(s): 3
CS 572 - NETWORK SECURITY Credit(s): 3

One course from the following list, or a course approved by the certificate director/co-director:

CS 371 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER NETWORKING Credit(s): 3
CS 505 - INTERMEDIATE TOPICS IN DATABASE SYSTEMS Credit(s): 3
CS 570 - MODERN OPERATING SYSTEMS Credit(s): 3
CS 571 - COMPUTER NETWORKS Credit(s): 3
EE 380 - COMPUTER ORGANIZATION Credit(s): 3
EE 480 - ADVANCED COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE Credit(s): 3
EE 586 - COMMUNICATION AND SWITCHING NETWORKS Credit(s): 3
ICT 351 - TECHNOLOGY SECURITY Credit(s): 3
ICT 550 - SECURITY INFORMATICS Credit(s): 3
ICT 552 - CYBERCRIME AND DIGITAL LAW ENFORCEMENT Credit(s): 3

CS 395 or EE 395

CS 395 or EE 395 for 1 to 3 credit hours with the certificate director/co-director or a designated faculty. As part of the course requirements, every student will submit a final report on a selected topic in cybersecurity, to be approved by the certificate director or co-director, and will make an oral presentation (taken as final exam) to a group of members of the faculty of record. The number of credit hours depends on the complexity of the topic and will be determined by the certificate director/ co-director.