Cybersecurity

Description:

As the number of computers being used to store sensitive information for personal, business, and government purposes increases, the need for securing computers and other systems that store this information becomes more obvious. Information security professionals are needed to provide security for these infrastructures. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) program in Cybersecurity is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in cybersecurity, network/systems administration, and system programmers. This program also consists of courses that help to prepare students for these industry certification exams:

  • CompTIA Security+ (CIS 152, CIS 259)
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) (CIS 274)
  • Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) (CIS 261, CIS 274)

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

  • Use technology and critical thinking skills effectively to analyze and communicate matters of information security
  • Detect, analyze, identify and resolve security vulnerabilities, threats & breaches using appropriate tools
  • Install, configure and monitor information systems security devices/software, as well as apply software patches and service packs
  • Identify the implications of information systems configuration weaknesses
  • Identify the implications of information systems policy/procedure weaknesses as well as human errors
  • Determine the necessity for cyber investigation and retrieve/seize cyber evidence from computer systems without contamination
  • Utilize basic security features to configure and harden operating systems

Program Entry Requirements:

Students are required to satisfy placement at the time of admission. Students who have had prior computer-related experience may be placed in more advanced courses after consultation with and the approval of the department chairperson.  Also, students who possess business computer application skills may test out of CIS 103: Computer Applications & Concepts. Students who are identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and mathematics courses as part of their degree program.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:

A total of 61 credit hours as prescribed must be satisfactorily completed with a grade point average of 2.0 ("C" average).

Course Sequence:

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
CIS 103 - Computer Applications & Concepts   3 credits Technological Competency
CIS 150 - Network Technology   4 credits  
ENGL 101 - English Composition I   3 credits Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or Higher Math FNMT 118: FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement 3 credits Quantitative Reasoning
General Elective   3 credits  

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
CIS 152 - Introduction to Cybersecurity CIS 150 which may be taken concurrently 3 credits  
CIS 155 - Principles of Operating Systems   3 credits  
MATH 121 - Computer Mathematics and Logic FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement 3 credits  
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better 3 credits Writing/Research/Info Lit 2

ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or 
ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication

 ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently 3 credits Oral Communication/Creative Expression

Semester 3

 

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
CIS 106 - Introduction to Computer Programming or
CIS 114 - JavaScript 1		   4 credits  
CIS 204 - Fundamentals of Linux and Unix CIS 105 or  CIS 155 3 credits  
CIS 252 - Managing Network Servers CIS 150 4 credits  
CIS 259 - Computing and Network Security CIS 150 with a grade of "C" or better 4 credits  

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Prerequisites and Corequisites Credits Gen Ed Req.
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or 
SOC 115 - Gender and Society or 
ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology		 For SOC 115: ENGL 101, with a grade of "C" or better 3 credits Cultural Analysis and Interpretation

PHYS 105 - Survey of Physics (preferred) or
AET 102 - Science, Technology and Public Policy

 For PHYS 105: FNMT 017 or FNMT 118 or higher placement
 
For AET 102: ENGL 098, ENGL 098 ESL, ENGL 098/108, ENGL 101/109 (CLC) or higher placement. Open to students at FNMT 017 level or higher, however, if students are at FNMT 017 level they must take FNMT 017 concurrently.		 3 or 4 credits Scientific Reasoning
CIS 261 - Cyber Investigation          CIS 155 4 credits  
CIS 274 - Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing CIS 152 and CIS 259 4 credits  

Minimum Credits Needed to Graduate:

60

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.

For More Information, Contact:

The Division of Business and Technology, Room B2-22, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Telephone (215) 751-8414; or the College Information Center (215) 751-8010.