Cybersecurity

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

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.

Read course descriptions in the online Course Catalog

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.