Cybersecurity
Massive data breaches or dangerous cyber attacks are becoming more frequent. Why not fight on the front line in defense of cybersecurity and data integrity? The St. Ambrose Cybersecurity program, one of eight foundational members of the Facebook Info Security program, will prepare you for this mission.
Our tenacious faculty stay versed on the latest tools and trends and built a strong curriculum to provide the tools, skills, and resolve you'll need to win the day (plus a great job.)
You can also earn degrees in Computer Science and Computer Network Administration.
Our graduates work at Booz Allen Hamilton, National Security Agency, RSM McGladrey, John Deere, and others.
Ambrose Advantages
- Hands-On Learning and Internships
- Facebook Info Security Program
- Engaged Classmates and Student-Focused Faculty
- Faculty With Backgrounds in Cybersecurity Research
Our cybersecurity faculty have a background in industry research and will work side-by-side with you as you translate theory, build technical proficiency, and practice the latest techniques in cyber attack prevention.
Read Our Cybersecurity Fact Sheet (pdf)
More Information on the Cybersecurity Program
Our curriculum focuses on computer science and criminal justice, giving you skills to recover lost or deleted data, identify a timeline of illegal activities, and perform an in-depth investigation when a server is compromised.
Courses include programming; network and data communications; forensics; legal and ethical issues; law enforcement; law procedure; evidence; and investigation. Courses from the other computer majors – Network Administration and Computer Science – can complement your Cybersecurity degree.
Facebook's Info Security program sanctions SAU to teach a hands-on cybersecurity class developed by CodePath, and we are one of only eight college and university science programs across the U.S. to offer this unique opportunity. There's also a special topics course on creating new kinds of code to defeat hackers.
Beyond invaluable professional training, the Facebook Info Security Program is an opportunity to participate in all-expense paid trips to several of the biggest cyber conferences with many of the world's largest digital corporations. More significantly, students who excel in the CodePath course can earn front-of-the-line access to internships with Facebook itself.
Click here to read a story about why SAU was chosen and how this unique opportunity benefits you.
Internships give you quality, hands-on experience. SAU students have worked side-by-side with network, technology, and security experts at a number of regional and national corporations, including the National Security Administration, Deere & Company, Arconic (formerly Alcoa), and Genesis Health Systems. In fact, you will have your pick at regional internships since they often have more positions available than students.
All of our programs are strengthened by our CIS Alumni Advisory Council. These 15 alumni are well-established, successful IT professionals and industry leaders from across the U.S., and they are invested in the university and care about our students. They provide input and feedback on our curriculum and advise us on industry trends, which helps ensure your education is relevant, strong, and gives you the skills to succeed now and in the future.
A leading info security advisory firm predicts there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs by 2021. The same firm predicts the global cost of cybercrime will reach $6 trillion, doubling the cost in 2015. You are ethical, tenacious, and smart. You are needed!
As a security analyst, your job is to prevent data breaches, protect information stored on a system, and create new solutions to prevent future attacks. Cybersecurity graduates also work in digital investigations and forensics.
In this age of cyber attacks, hacking, and database infiltration, cybersecurity is critical for nearly every kind of company.
Timothy Yara '18 is an enterprise systems engineer for SAP, a leading global software company. "SAU offers outstanding majors that are specifically driven to the technology field," Tim said. "Within the industry, you will be using the skills you learn in the courses. That's what helped me get where I am today, working for the leading software company in the world."
David Bloom '08 is a software engineer at Apple, Inc., and previously has worked for Cue and Google. As an undergraduate at St. Ambrose, he found himself searching for glitches in programming, and one discovery led to an internship at Google, which ultimately led to a job. He also interned overseas at Opera, one of the oldest internet browser services.
Kevin Lillis, PhD, Chair and Professor
Gary Monnard, PhD, Professor
Travis Eygabroad, Assistant Professor
Degree Requirements
All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
CIS Department majors/minors must pass CSCI 140, 250, and 270 with a C or better.
View Cybersecurity courses and descriptions in the online course catalog
Required Computer and Network Security courses (30 credits):
CSCI 140 Foundations of Computer Science
CSCI 185 Script Programming
CSCI 250 Introduction to Cybersecurity
CSCI 270 Networks and Data Communications
CSCI 365 TCP/IP Fundamentals
CSCI 375 Network Forensics
CSCI 415 Computer and Network Security
CSCI 425 Computer Forensics
CSCI 435 Legal and Ethical Issues in Computing
CSCI 475 Capstone Seminar
Required Criminal Justice courses (9 credits):
CRJU 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJU 221 Criminal Law and Procedure
CRJU 342 Criminal Evidence and Investigation
Choose two (6 credits):
CSCI 281 Discrete Structures
CSCI 335 Cybersecurity and Hacking
CSCI 450 Network Operating System Topics (may be repeated with different topic)
CSCI 480 Special Topics in Computer Science
CSCI 490 Independent Study in Computer Science
CSCI 499 Internship in Computer Science
Exit Survey
During the last semester before graduation, Cybersecurity majors are required to complete a CIS Department Undergraduate Exit Survey.
This is the suggested plan of study to graduate in four years with a degree in Cybersecurity. This plan assumes the student has not satisfied the foreign language requirement (three years of foreign language in high school).
Year One
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| †CSCI 140 Foundations of Comp. Sci. | 3 | †CSCI 270 Networks and Data Comm | 3 |
| CSCI 250 Intro to Cybersecurity | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| †COMM 129 Intro to Public Speaking | 3 | IL 101 Information Literacy | 1 |
| †ENGL 101 English Composition | 3 | KIN 149 Wellness Concepts | 1 |
| Creative Arts | 3 | PHIL 100/200 Level | 3 |
| Natural Science | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 14 |
Year Two
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRJU 101 Intro to Criminal Justice | 3 | *CRJU 221 Criminal Law & Procedure | 3 |
| CSCI 185 Script Programming | 3 | *CSCI 450 Network Operating System Topics | 3 |
| THEO 100-200 Level | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Foreign Language 101 | 3 | Foreign Language 102 | 3 |
| KIN Activity | 1 | THEO, PHIL, Catholic Studies, Justice | 3 |
| *CSCI 499 Internship | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | Total Credits | 15 |
Year Three
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| *CSCI 365 TCP/IP Fundamentals | 3 | *CSCI 415 Computer and Network Security | 3 |
| *CSCI 335 CodePath Cybersecurity and Hacking | 3 | THEO/PHIL/CathStudies/Justice 300-400 level | 3 |
| WI-Course, non-CIS | 3 | Electives | 9 |
| Electives | 6 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 15 |
Year Four
| Fall | Credit | Spring | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| *CSCI 425 Computer Forensics | 3 | *CSCI 375 Network Forensics | 3 |
| *WI-CSCI 435 Legal and Ethical Issues in Computing | 3 | *CRJU 342 Criminal Evidence and Investigation | 3 |
| # Humanities | 3 | *CSCI 475 Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Elective, non-CIS | 3 | Electives | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | Total Credits | 15 |
WI=writing intensive
† CIS Department majors/minors must pass this course with a C or better
# Must be taken from two different departments
* Needs Prerequisite
CIS Department majors/minors must pass CSCI 140, 250, and 270 with a C or better.
Required Computer and Network Security Courses (21 credits):
CSCI 140 Foundations of Computer Science
CSCI 250 Intro to Cybersecurity
CSCI 270 Networks and Data Communication
CSCI 365 TCP/IP Fundamentals
CSCI 375 Network Forensics
CSCI 415 Computer and Network Security
WI-CSCI 435 Legal and Ethical Issues in Computing
Choose one (3 credits):
CSCI 185 Script Programming
CSCI 425 Computer Forensics
CSCI 450 Network Operating System Topics (may be repeated with different topic)
*CSCI 480 Special Topics in Computer Science
*CSCI 490 Independent Study in Computer Science
*CSCI 499 Internship in Computer Science
*Applicable only if security-related.
Recommended Electives:
CRJU 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJU 221 Criminal Law and Procedure
NOTE: CNA majors must complete at least three courses (9 credit hours) above the CNA major to receive the Cybersecurity minor.
Scholarships and Grants
St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based on your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.
ON CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships
4.0 GPA: $24,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $22,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $20,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $18,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $14,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.
OFF CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships
4.o GPA: $17,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $16,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $15,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $14,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $13,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.
ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL AID
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school
Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student
Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability
Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre
Scholarships are determined by unweighted GPA, and are renewable for four years of undergraduate student. Increases in scholarship awards due to change in GPA will be reviewed until March 1.
Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it is available.
Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant.
Award: $7,500 maximum
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
To qualify, you must file a FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 15 and you must qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum
Federal Work Study
Must secure campus employment.
Award: $2,560
Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000
There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:
- Fastweb
- College Board Scholarship Search
- Scholarships.com
- Peterson's Award Database
- Scholly (app download)
Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Student Financial Services where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.
Timothy Yara
Kelly Burns
BA in Computer Network Administration,Modern Woodmen of America, Supervisor of Systems Administration,Class of 2013
You can't argue the value of an education based in the liberal arts, no matter which Computer Information Sciences program you pursue. It enriches your experience on campus and in the world – now and in the future – and most importantly, you gain those especially important "soft skills" employers crave in new hires and those they repeatedly promote, like Kelly.
Contact
Kevin Lillis, PhD, Chairperson
Computer and Information Sciences
Ambrose Hall 423
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6429
LillisKevinM@sau.edu