Director: Fr. John Sawicki, C.S.Sp., Ph.D.

An increasingly connected world economy and the growing virtual existence for almost all organizations makes cybersecurity as relevant as local or national security for our society. The Cybersecurity Studies major leverages Duquesne's significant resources in Mathematics, Computer Science and Security Studies. 

Learning Outcomes:

A student who completes the Cybersecurity Studies major will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the cybersecurity needs of an organization.
  2. Assess and develop risk management policies in order to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of an organization's information and assets.
  3. Support and secure information and assets as needed to support an organization's mission.
  4. Research, learn, and apply new cybersecurity technology in order to keep skills current.
  5. Apply these skills in a professional manner, including documenting work, communicating clearly and appropriately, and following appropriate ethical and professional standards of conduct.

Requirements for the major: 33 credits

Courses for the Cybersecurity Studies major are drawn principally from the Mathematics and Computer Science, International Security Studies and International Relations programs. 

REQUIRED COURSES. Math and Computer Science Courses - 21 credits

Students are required to take all of the following classes:

  • MATH 135 - Discrete Mathematics 
  • COSC 160 - Computer Programming: Java 
  • COSC 215 - Data Structures in Java 
  • COSC 220 - Computer Organization and Assembly Language 
  • COSC 325W - Operating Systems  
  • COSC 460 - Computer Security 
  • COSC/IR 464 - Cybersecurity Studies Capstone Project 
REQUIRED COURSES. International Security Studies Courses - 9 credits

Students are required to take three (3) of the following classes:

  • IR 404 - Introduction to Information Security 
  • IR 432 - Network Situational Awareness 
  • IR 462 - Applied Threat Systems 
  • IR 470 - Cybersecurity Leadership and Strategy 
REQUIRED COURSE. International Security Courses - 3 credits

Students are required to take one (1) of the following classes:

  • IR 296 - Intelligence Operations 
  • IR 405 - Transnational Organized Crime
  • IR 406 - Homeland Security
  • IR 407 - Terrorism
  • IR 415 - Twenty-First Century Terrorism
  • IR 417 - Armed Groups
  • IR 422W - American Defense Policy
  • IR 423W - Comparative Intelligence Agencies
  • IR 498 - Global Security Problems

Requirements for the Minor: 15 credits

Courses for the Cybersecurity Studies minor are drawn principally from the Mathematics and Computer Science, International Security Studies and International Relations programs.  

REQUIRED COURSES - 12 credits

Students are required to take four (4) of the following classes:

  • IR 404 - Introduction to Information Security 
  • IR 432 - Network Situational Awareness 
  • IR 462 - Applied Threat Systems 
  • IR 470 - Cybersecurity Leadership and Strategy 
  • COSC 160 - Computer Programming: Java 
  • COSC 215 - Data Structures in Java 
REQUIRED COURSE - 3 credits

Students are required to take one (1) of the following classes:

  • IR 296 - Intelligence Operations
  •  IR 405 - Transnational Organized Crime
  • IR 406 - Homeland Security
  • IR 407 - Terrorism
  • IR 415 - Twenty-First Century Terrorism
  • IR 417 - Armed Groups
  • IR 422W - American Defense Policy
  • IR 423W - Comparative Intelligence Agencies
  • IR 498 - Global Security Problems
  • COSC 300 - Algorithms
Cybersecurity Studies Double Major with Computer Science and/or ISS and/or IR:

Students who wish to double major in Cybersecurity Studies and Computer Science can count no more than (9) COSC credits toward both majors.

Students who wish to double major in Cybersecurity Studies and International Security Studies and/or International Relations can count no more than (9) IR credits toward both majors.

Cybersecurity Studies Certificate

Computer Science Majors not pursuing a double major in Cybersecurity Studies can earn a Cybersecurity Studies Certificate by completing the twelve credits of IR coursework required for the Cybersecurity Studies major, as well as the 3 credit IR 464 capstone.