At which campus can I study this program?
Entrance to Major
This program currently has administrative enrollment controls. Administrative Enrollment Controls are initiated when limitations of space, faculty, or other resources in a major prevent accommodating all students who request them. Students must follow the administrative enrollment controls that are in effect for the semester that they enter the university.
First-Year Students Entering Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- 40-70 graded Penn State credits (excludes transfer and AP credits)
- completed with a grade of C or better: CYBER 100, IST 140 or CMPSC 101 or CMPSC 121, IST 210, IST 220, IST 242, STAT 200
- earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00
Students Who Entered Prior to Summer 2020
Students who entered the University from Summer 2018 through Spring 2020 should view the administrative enrollment controls in the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin archive. Students who entered the University prior to the summer 2018 semester should view the administrative enrollment controls for the semester that they entered the university on the Academic Advising Portal.
Degree Requirements
For the B.S. degree in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, a minimum of 126 credits is required:
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
General Education | 45 |
Electives | 3 |
Requirements for the Major | 99 |
21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GQ courses, 6 credits of GS courses, 9 credits of GWS courses.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Integrative Studies (may also complete a Knowledge Domain requirement)
- Inter-Domain or Approved Linked Courses: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
CAS 100 | Effective Speech ![]() | 3 |
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
CYBER 100S | Computer Systems Literacy | 3 |
CYBER 262 | Cyber-Defense Studio | 3 |
CYBER 342W | Cyber Incident Handling and Response | 3 |
CYBER 362 | Cybersecurity Analytics Studio | 3 |
CYBER 366 | Malware Analytics | 3 |
CYBER 440 | Cybersecurity Capstone | 3 |
IST 140 | Introduction to Application Development | 3 |
IST 210 | Organization of Data | 3 |
IST 220 | Networking and Telecommunications | 3 |
IST 230 | Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
IST 242 | Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application Development | 3 |
IST 261 | Application Development Design Studio I | 3 |
IST 432 | Legal and Regulatory Environment of Information Science and Technology | 3 |
IST 451 | Network Security | 3 |
IST 454 | Computer and Cyber Forensics | 3 |
IST 456 | Information Security Management | 3 |
IST 495 | Internship | 1 |
MATH 110 | Techniques of Calculus I ![]() | 4 |
SRA 111 | Introduction to Security and Risk Analysis ![]() | 3 |
SRA 211 | Threat of Terrorism and Crime | 3 |
SRA 221 | Overview of Information Security | 3 |
SRA 231 | Decision Theory and Analysis | 3 |
SRA 311 | Risk Analysis in a Security Context | 3 |
SRA 365 | Statistics for Security and Risk Analysis | 3 |
SRA 472 | Integration of Privacy and Security | 3 |
STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics ![]() | 4 |
Additional Courses | ||
ENGL 15 | Rhetoric and Composition ![]() | 3 |
or ENGL 30H | Honors Rhetoric and Composition ![]() | |
ENGL 202C | Effective Writing: Technical Writing ![]() | 3 |
or ENGL 202D | Effective Writing: Business Writing ![]() | |
Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
Select 12 credits from one of the Application Focus course lists in Appendix B; at least 6 credits must be at the 400-level. Students may also complete a custom Application Focus sequence with approval from an academic adviser and a CYBER teaching faculty member. | 12 |
Program Learning Objectives
- KNOWLEDGE/APPLICATION: Explain and apply the interdisciplinary knowledge of information sciences in a security context to recognize, analyze, defend against, and manage cyber risks.
- Describe the components and interoperability of computer hardware, operating systems, networks and databases.
- Demonstrate proficiency in programming and scripting to perform Cybersecurity automation and analysis.
- Identify Cyber threats and appropriate defensive designs and tools to mitigate the risk of attack.
- Explain the procedures for Cybersecurity Incident Handling and Response.
- Illustrate the static and dynamic analysis of malware.
- PROBLEM-SOLVING: Understand, apply and adapt various problem solving strategies, using appropriate technology and methods
- Identify Cybersecurity threats and implement complementary defensive measures to mitigate risk.
- Apply data analytics in a security context to analyze, predict and prevent cyberattacks.
- Perform malware analysis and forensics to understand the nature and origin of attacks.
- Evaluate several Cybersecurity frameworks and provide analysis that culminates in a high level executive briefing exercise.
- COMMUNICATION (INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM): Communicate and work effectively (both individually and in teams) with a range of perspectives and audiences through a variety of media
- Synthesize data from multiple sources to help make informed decisions.
- Communicate and work effectively (both individually and in teams) with a range.
- Participate effectively on teams to accomplish a common cybersecurity task.
- PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Describe professional responsibilities in terms of the ethical, legal and security policy aspects of information assurance and security.
- Identify the rules, regulations and issues related to compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to Information Security and Privacy.
- Recognize the legal and ethical ramifications of violating the trust that organizations will place in you as a Cybersecurity professional.
- LIFELONG LEARNING: Commit to the continuous acquisition of relevant knowledge for professional development by self-teaching and/or on-going education and certification.
- Employ information-seeking strategies and self-directed learning in pursuit of current knowledge.
- Explore and become aware of professional development and industry certifications to enhance future career opportunities and the profession.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Undergraduate Academic Advising Center
E103 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8947
advising@ist.psu.edu
World Campus
Undergraduate Academic Advising
301 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3283
advising@outreach.psu.edu
Altoona
David Barnes
Associate Professor of Teaching
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5275
drb21@psu.edu
Beaver
Carey McDougall
Director of Academic Affairs
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3939
cem33@psu.edu
Berks
Tricia Clark
Program Coordinator, Instructor
Gaige 211
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6349
tkc3@psu.edu
Brandywine
Andy Landmesser
Assistant Teaching Professor of IST
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1410
jal620@psu.edu
Greater Allegheny
Galen Grimes
Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Technology
213E Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9143
gag5@psu.edu
Harrisburg
Andrew B. Morrow
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, E355
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6160
abm140@psu.edu
Lehigh Valley
Kermit Burley
Coordinator of Information Sciences and Technology
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-285-5071
kmb6846@psu.edu
Schuylkill
Brian Gardner
Program Coordinator
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6076
bkg113@psu.edu
Shenango
Elaine Andrews
Assistant Director, Academic Affairs
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16148
724-983-2827
eja12@psu.edu
York
William Cantor
Assistant Teaching Professor in IST
226 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
York, PA 17403
717-771-4143
wpc2@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2020-21 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contain suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
CYBER 100/100S*# | 3 | IST 210*# | 3 | ||
IST 140*# | 3 | IST 220*# | 3 | ||
CAS 100‡ | 3 | SRA 111* | 3 | ||
MATH 110*‡ | 4 | ENGL 15 or 30H‡ | 3 | ||
General Education Selection | 3 | Application Focus Selection 1 (GS/GHW) | 3 | ||
16 | 15 | ||||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
CYBER 262* | 3 | IST 261* | 3 | ||
IST 242*# | 3 | SRA 211* | 3 | ||
STAT 200*‡# | 4 | SRA 221* | 3 | ||
General Education Selection | 3 | IST 230* | 3 | ||
Application Focus Selection 2 | 3 | General Education Selection | 3 | ||
16 | 15 | ||||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CYBER 362* | 3 | CYBER 342W* | 3 | IST 495*1 | 1 |
IST 451* | 3 | IST 454* | 3 | ||
SRA 231* | 3 | SRA 311* | 3 | ||
SRA 365* | 3 | CYBER 366* | 3 | ||
ENGL 202C or 202D‡ | 3 | Application Focus Selection 3 | 3 | ||
General Education Selection | 1.5 | ||||
16.5 | 15 | 1 | |||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
IST 456* | 3 | CYBER 440* | 3 | ||
SRA 472* | 3 | Application Focus Selection 4 | 3 | ||
IST 432* | 3 | General Education Selection | 3 | ||
General Education Selection | 3 | Elective or US Cultures (US) or International Cultures (IL) | 3 | ||
General Education Selection | 3 | General Education Selection | 3 | ||
General Education Selection | 1.5 | ||||
16.5 | 15 | ||||
Total Credits 126 |
* | Course requires a grade of C or better for the major |
‡ | Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education |
# | Course is an Entrance to Major requirement |
† | Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement |
1 | 1 credit of IST 495 is required. A grade of C or better must be earned in this course. This requirement can be completed at any time before graduation. |
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy University Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
GWS, GQ, GHW, GN, GA, GH, and GS are abbreviations used to identify General Education program courses. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS, and Integrative Studies). Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Integrative Studies courses are required for the General Education program. N is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate an Inter-Domain course and Z is the suffix at the end of a course number used to designate a Linked course.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and replace both ENGL 30H and CAS 100. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
Students pick one of the four tracks below or create a custom 4-course application focus. Students should take one course that meets the GS requirements. Students must pick six (6) credits at the 400 level. All 12 credits must be in the same application focus area.
Application Development
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
IST 110 | Information, People and Technology ![]() | 3 |
IST 311 | Object-Oriented Design and Software Applications | 3 |
IST 331 | Foundations of Human-Centered Design | 3 |
IST 361 | Application Development Design Studio II | 3 |
IST 402 | Emerging Issues and Technologies | 3 |
IST 411 | Distributed-Object Computing | 3 |
IST 412 | The Engineering of Complex Software Systems | 3 |
Geopolitics
Understanding the geopolitical landscape is key to understanding and modeling cyberthreats from nation-states and other threat actors. The Geopolitics focus is for students who have an interest in pursuing cybersecurity careers in government or related consulting sectors.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GEOG 160 | Mapping Our Changing World ![]() | 3 |
GEOG 260 | Geographic Information in a Changing World: Introduction to GIScience ![]() | 3 |
IB 440 | Globalization and Its Implications | 3 |
PLSC 14 | International Relations ![]() | 3 |
PLSC 461 | Politics of the European Union | 3 |
PLSC 467 | International Relations of the Middle East | 3 |
PLSC 481 | Global Political Economy | 3 |
GEOG 333 | Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards | 3 |
GEOG 363 | Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
AFR/PLSC 440 | Globalization and Its Implications | 3 |
SRA 450 | Cyber-Crime and Cyber-Warfare | 3 |
SRA 480 | Crisis Informatics | 3 |
Law and Policy
Cybersecurity careers in law enforcement require knowledge of laws and policies focused on the handling of evidence related to digital forensics and monitoring. Individuals in the private sector and government agencies must also understand and adhere to these topics as they involve cybersecurity. The Law and Policy focus is for students who want to understand law and policy as they relate to digital data.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
COMM 180 | Survey of Electronic Media and Telecommunications ![]() | 3 |
COMM 404 | Telecommunications Law | 3 |
CRIM/CRIMJ 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice ![]() | 3 |
CRIM/CRIMJ 113 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
PLSC 14 | International Relations ![]() | 3 |
PLSC 140 | Contemporary Controversies in International Relations ![]() | 3 |
PLSC 438 | National Security Policies | 3 |
PLSC 442 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
PLSC/STS 460 | Science, Technology, and Public Policy | 3 |
PLSC 467 | International Relations of the Middle East | 3 |
CRIM/CRIMJ/SOC 467 | Law and Society | 3 |
HLS/PADM 401 | Introduction to Homeland Security (offered by Harrisburg and World Campus only) | 3 |
PLSC/CRIMJ 439 | The Politics of Terrorism | 3 |
PLSC 487 | International Law and Organizations (not offered at University Park) | 3 |
Economics
The Economics focus is for students who have an interest in pursuing cybersecurity careers in the financial services sector or government. Designed to help students understand today’s financial and economic environments, this focus highlights the importance of translating the financial and economic impact of cybersecurity activities to effectively manage any program.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy ![]() | 3 |
BLAW 243 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
BA 301 | Finance | 3 |
ECON 302 | Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis ![]() | 3 |
ECON 402 | Decision Making and Strategy in Economics | 3 |
ECON 409 | Economics of Terrorism | 3 |
ECON 445 | Health Economics | 3 |
ECON 470 | International Trade and Finance | 3 |
FIN 301 | Corporation Finance | 3 |
HPA 445 | Health Economics | 3 |
PLSC 412 | International Political Economy | 3 |
PLSC 481 | Global Political Economy | 3 |
Health Care
Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies are just a few of the sectors that have strict requirements around protecting health care data. The Health Care focus is for students who have an interest in pursuing cybersecurity careers in a health care environment. Understanding how information is managed in these environments will help students thrive in a health care-related career.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
HPA 101 | Introduction to Health Services Organization | 3 |
BBH 101 | Introduction to Biobehavioral Health ![]() | 3 |
ECON 445 | Health Economics | 3 |
HPA 332 | Health Systems Management | 3 |
HPA 445 | Health Economics | 3 |
HPA 450 | Healthcare Policies and Politics | 3 |
IST 110 | Information, People and Technology ![]() | 3 |
NURS 357 | Introduction to Nursing Informatics (offered at Commonwealth and World Campuses; not at University Park) | 3 |
HPA/BBH 440 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
HPA 470 | Health Care Information Management | 3 |
NURS 458 | Ethical Challenges in Healthcare Informatics (offered at Commonwealth and World Campuses; not at University Park) | 3 |
Custom Application Focus
There is an option for a student to create a custom 4-course application focus sequence. It must be a coherent sequence of courses that provides context for the student in terms of cybersecurity content. It should contain three credits of GS coursework and must contain six credits of 400-level coursework. It must be selected in consultation with a teaching CYBER faculty member and an academic adviser.
Career Paths
Cybersecurity blends the technical expertise needed to analyze security issues and create cyberdefense strategies with the interpersonal skills needed to communicate threats to a variety of audiences. The program prepares students to meet the growing need for professionals who can defend against threats to digital information and assets. IST's Office of Career Solutions helps students navigate their internship and career development in the field through coaching, workshops, interview preparation, resume reviews, career fairs, job postings, and networking opportunities.
Careers
Because our courses blend technical knowledge with skills in communication and business, a Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations degree allows students to pursue opportunities as cybersecurity analysts, cyberthreat advisers, penetration testers, and a number of other unique careers in fields such as defense, government, and business.
Contact
University Park
OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
E397F Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3450
programs@ist.psu.edu
https://ist.psu.edu/directory/office/grad_undergrad_studies
World Campus
OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
E397F Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3450
programs@ist.psu.edu
Altoona
DIVISION OF BUSINESS, ENGINEERING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5275
drb21@psu.edu
https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-operations
Beaver
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
724-773-3939
cem33@psu.edu
Berks
EBC DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6349
tkc3@psu.edu
Brandywine
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1410
jal620@psu.edu
https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-operations
Greater Allegheny
213E Frable Building
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
412-675-9143
gag5@psu.edu
https://greaterallegheny.psu.edu/academics/cybersecurity
Harrisburg
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Olmsted Building, E355
717-948-6141
ljc43@psu.edu
https://harrisburg.psu.edu/business-administration/bachelor-science-cybersecurity-analytics
Lehigh Valley
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-285-5071
kmb6846@psu.edu
https://lehighvalley.psu.edu/academics
Schuylkill
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-385-6076
bkg113@psu.edu
https://schuylkill.psu.edu/academics/degrees/bacc-degrees/cybersecurity-analytics-and-operations
Shenango
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16148
724-983-2827
eja12@psu.edu
York
226 Grumbacher Building (GISTC)
York, PA 17403
717-771-4143
wpc2@psu.edu