Cybersecurity & Information Systems

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Systems
Major: Cybersecurity

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 33% increase in the demand for information security analysts between 2020 and 2030—an increase of 47,100 jobs. According to Cybersecurity Magazine, the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs grew by 350 percent, from one million positions in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021.

To fulfill this gap, in an effort to develop the required talent, academic departments across the spectrum of computing disciplines are launching initiatives to establish new cybersecurity programs or courses of study within existing programs.

University of Detroit Mercy is designated by the National Security Agency as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense from 2004 to present.

Detroit Mercy's cybersecurity major consists of 14 required classes (42 credits) and 2 electives (6 credits) for a total of 16 courses or 48 credits. To obtain this undergraduate degree, you must fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum, the requirements for the 48-credit-hour program major and have completed a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Course topics will include:

• Foundations of Cybersecurity
• Enterprise Architecture
• Introduction to Human Factors in IT Security
• Software Requirements and Design
• Software Testing and Quality Assurance
• Introduction to Digital Forensics
• Software Project Management
• Database Design
• Networks
• Information and Society
• Ethical Hacking
• Introduction to Incident Response
• IA Risk Management
• Technical Writing

Curriculum & Course Information ▶

The program enables students to attain the following by the time of graduation:

• Analyze a problem and identify and define the security risks and requirements appropriate to its solution.
• Demonstrate the use of techniques, skills and tools necessary for cyber defense within an organization.
• An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities related to computing.
• Function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal.

Where could you be in five years?

For ambitious, driven and career-minded incoming freshmen, University of Detroit Mercy offers two options to increase your knowledge and skills as a full-time student for 10 semesters (5 academic years) before entering the workforce:

5-Year Accelerated Computer & Information Systems curriculum and course information

• Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Systems (major: cybersecurity); Master of Science in Information Assurance (major: cybersecurity)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Systems (major: cybersecurity); Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis

In order to complete both the bachelor's and master's degrees in five years, you must:

• Be very well prepared as an incoming freshman or transfer student;
• Satisfy all the admission criteria (see below); and
• Maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA at Detroit Mercy, in order to take graduate-level courses while still an undergraduate.

This program allows incoming freshmen to complete both the bachelor's and master's degrees by being a full-time student for 5 academic years (10 consecutive semesters). Juniors at Detroit Mercy may be admitted into the program with the permission of the department and Dean’s Office.

Requirements for Transfer Students

Students transferring in from a community college require permission from the Dean's Office.

In order to complete the bachelor's and master's degrees entering as a transfer student you must:

• Have 60-63 transferable credits.
• Meet the requirements for the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 throughout the entire undergraduate portion of the program, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduate courses.
• Maintain full-time status. This is typically 15-18 credit hours per semester, for a total of 102-108 credits for students entering as a senior.
• Finish the bachelor's degree by the end of the fourth year and master's degree by the end of the fifth year. During your senior year, you can take up to two graduate level courses for each term with a maximum of four.

• Students can take summer courses if needed to catch up or advance.
• Students are not required to apply for the graduate portion or take any exams such as GRE if they have met and maintained all accelerated program requirements.

Sample Program for Incoming Freshmen

(Note: Full-time status must be maintained in all semesters)

• First Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits, 6 graduate credits
• Second Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits, 6 graduate credits

• First Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)
• Second Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)

Sample Program for Transfer Students

(Note: Full-time status must be maintained in all semesters) 

Third Year: 30-36 undergraduate credits
Fourth Year:

• First Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)
• Second Semester: 9-12 undergraduate credits (6 graduate credits)

Fifth Year:

• First Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)
• Second Semester: 6-12 graduate credits (depending on program)

University of Detroit Mercy's 18-credit minor in cybersecurity is designed to provide you with a foundation in database, networking and cybersecurity principles. This minor focuses on theoretical principles rather than on specific software or particular network components. Topics covered include network security, software security and information security. This minor is a strong addition to many majors including criminal justice, health information management, nursing, digital media and education. 

Curriculum & Course Information ▶

Sample Course Rotation

Please note that course availability is subject to change each semester.

Fall

• CIS 1010 Foundations of Cybersecurity
• CIS 3070 Software Testing and Quality Assurance
• CIS 3850 Cybersecurity Risk Management
• CIS 4060 Systems Analysis and Design
• CIS 4450 Introduction to Digital Forensics
• CIS 4560 Database Design
• CIS 4710 Ethical Hacking
• ENL 3030 Technical Writing

Winter

• CIS 2570 Network Engineering Fundamentals
• CIS 3350 Introduction to Human Factors in IT Security
• CIS 3720 Incident Response and Disaster Recovery
• CIS 4075 Enterprise Architecture
• CIS 4505 Software Project Management
• CIS 4561 Database Management
• CIS 4650 Information and Society

Refer to the current catalog for degree requirements and course descriptions for each class.

Degree: Master of Science in Information Assurance
Major: Cybersecurity
Credits: 30

University of Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Information Assurance with a major in cybersecurity will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the field.

You will learn all of the basic cybersecurity principles, technologies and processes and then take seven elective classes tailored to your interests. These elective classes are designed to prepare you to step into specific roles in the cybersecurity workforce and are geared to the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NICE 2.0), which is the commonly accepted definition of the various jobs in this arena.

Our successful graduates work in government, private and corporate settings including the U.S. Department of Defense and major automotive companies.

The University is recognized by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

Visit Information Assurance/Cybersecurity program page ▶

The program enables students to attain the following by the time of graduation:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts, technologies, and challenges of ensuring network security.
2. Make informed judgements in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of information security governance and risk management to include best practices in disaster recovery planning and business continuity.
4. Analyze and evaluate systems with respect to maintaining operations in the presence of risks and threats.
5. Apply security principles and practices to the organizational environment, hardware, software, and human aspects of a system.

Degree: Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems
Major: Software Management
Credits: 30

Gain a Competitive Edge in a Digital, Global World

University of Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Computer and Information Systems with a major in software management is an opportunity for you to advance your career and shine as an information technology leader.

The curriculum conveys comprehensive professional knowledge and best practices with regard to IT work. Its content is derived from and fully conforms with recommendations for programs of this type established by the Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It offers the most up-to-date, industry based, knowledge of best practices in IT process development, leadership and program management.

Specific knowledge areas include: IT portfolio and project management, system requirements elicitation and specification, comprehensive program construction concepts, assurance and business alignment processes and information assurance, audit and control. Upon graduation, you will be able to create and oversee productive and continuously improving management control infrastructures for large, complex and diverse businesses. Upon graduation you will be able to create and oversee productive and continuously improving management control infrastructures for large, complex and diverse businesses.

Visit the Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems page ▶

The program enables students to attain the following by the time of graduation:

1. Apply knowledge of computing to produce effective designs and solutions for specific problems.
2. Demonstrate the use of techniques, skills, and tools necessary for the effective management of IT systems in a complex environment.
3. Understand the professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues related to computing and how to incorporate them into the business and IT architecture of an organization.
4. Demonstrate leadership and ability to function effectively on cross disciplinary teams to accomplish a common goal.

Dual Degree: Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems

University of Detroit Mercy offers a dual degree option where students can earn a Master of Science in Computer & Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration. This degree option is designed to help business professionals expand their knowledge of the business environment along with the rapidly changing world of information technology. The dual degree option is not available as an online course of study.

Curriculum & Course Information ▶