Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity

To be considered for the online M.S. in Cybersecurity, candidates must meet these requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or a related discipline or work experience in a related field. A bachelor’s degree in a non-technical field is acceptable if the applicant has technical experience through work or certifications
• A GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose*
• Three letters of recommendation
• Programming experience in a high-level language (such as C, C++, java or python) and familiarity with basic networking protocols and operating systems

*A personal statement or essay addressing the professional and academic achievements that will help you succeed in computer engineering careers. Your personal statement should answer these questions:

• Why do you wish to pursue your graduate studies at the University of Delaware? What, in your opinion, makes UD special?
• What are your career objectives and how will a cybersecurity master’s degree help you achieve your goals?

Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Course Schedule

The online electrical and computer engineering courses are 7 weeks long, with multiple entry points offered per calendar year. (See FAQs for course offerings.)

Degree Requirements (30 Credits)

CPEG 665 Introduction to Cybersecurity (CYBER I) - 3 Credits

Introduction to computer and network security and covers the foundation security policies and methods to provide confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as well as cryptography, auditing, and user security. Topics are reinforced with hands-on exercises run in a virtual machine environment. May be crosslisted with CISC 665, ELEG 665, MISY 665.

RESTRICTIONS: Students who received credit in CISC 465, CISC 665, CPEG 465, ELEG 465, ELEG 665, MISY 465 or MISY 665 are not eligible to take this course without permission.

CPEG 697 Advanced Cybersecurity (CYBER II) - 3 Credits

This seminar course explores areas in advanced computer and network security not covered in introductory cybersecurity classes. Course provides insight into realistic complex defensive and offensive cybersecurity topics such as DoS attacks, DNS security, Email spam, On-line Authentication, Phishing, Cloud Security, Malware, and Web security.

PREREQ: CPEG 465/CPEG 665. Familiarity with basic networking protocols and operating systems.

RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CPEG 497 and CPEG 697.

CPEG 694 System Hardening and Protection (DEFENSE) - 3 Credits

Practical treatment of the defensive techniques used to harden computer systems to make them less vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Defect management, configuration/hardening, account control, logs/auditing, and risk assessment are covered and reinforced with hands-on exercises run in a virtual machine environment.
May be crosslisted with ELEG 694.

CPEG 695 Digital Forensics - 3 Credits

Introduction to digital forensics as used to analyze criminal evidence in computer systems and digital media. Forensic tools and techniques for storage and memory analysis of windows/linux, network traffic, documentation are covered and reinforced with hands-on exercises run in a virtual machine environment. May be crosslisted with ELEG 695.

CPEG 671 Pen Test and Reverse Engineering - 3 Credits

This cybersecurity course introduces techniques used to (1) identify strengths and exploit weaknesses in networked systems or hosts, and (2) reverse engineer programs of unknown origin and identify their function so to classify them as malware and highlight the level of risk that they represent.

PREREQ: CPEG 465/CPEG 665 or CPEG 494/CPEG 694. Programming experience in assembly language (CISC 260, CPEG 222, or equivalent).

RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CPEG 471 and CPEG 671.

CPEG 676 Secure Software Design - 3 Credits

This cybersecurity course introduces the theory and practices used to help make a computer program secure and provide the skills needed to implement programs that are free from vulnerabilities.

RESTRICTIONS: Programming experience in a high level language (e.g. C, C++, java, python). Credit cannot be received for both CPEG 476 and CPEG 676. Graduate or upper level software course (design, etc.) recommended.

CPEG 651 Computer Networks - 3 Credits

Foundation principles, architectures, and techniques employed in computer and communication networks. Focuses on mechanisms used in TCP/IP protocol suite. Topics include connection management, end-to-end reliable data transfer, sliding window protocols, quality of service, flow control, congestion control, routing, LANs, framing, error control, analog versus digital transmission, packet versus circuit switching, multiplexing.

PREREQ: An undergraduate level course in computer architecture and operating systems.

RESTRICTIONS: Knowledge of probability and statistics recommended. Credit cannot be received for any of the following courses: CISC 250, CPEG 419, CISC 450, ELEG 651.

CPEG 672 Applied Cryptography - 3 Credits

This cybersecurity course explores modern Cryptography covering algorithms and cryptosystems, cryptanalysis, and best practices for application and implementation of crypto in software systems.

PREREQ: CPEG 465/CPEG 665 or MATH 549 or equivalent.

RESTRICTIONS: Programming experience in a high level language (e.g. C, C++, java, python). Credit cannot be received for both CPEG 472and CPEG 672.

CPEG 657 Search and Data Mining - 3 Credits

With the increasing amount of textual information, it is important to develop effective search engines, such as Google, to help users manage and exploit the information. Examine the underlying technologies of search engines and get hands-on project experience. Requires good programming skills.

ELEG 617 The Smart Grid - 3 Credits

An examination and analysis of smart grid technologies, applications, and transformational impacts on the electric utilities. Topics include smart grid fundamentals, objectives, technologies (power, communications and information), architectures, applications, evolution, and implementation challenges.

Tuition Information

$1,069 Per Credit Hour

Additional information about tuition and financial aid can be found on the Graduate Office's Tuition Page.

Stephan Bohacek

Bio: Professor Stephan Bohacek is the director of online and graduate cybersecurity programs. Stephan has been a professor at the University of Delaware since 2002. His research focuses include networking, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Stephan is also an entrepreneur; he co-founded a cloud computing start-up that was sold to Blackstone. Since returning from industry, Stephan has been focused on developing cut-edge classes and teaching. For example, Stephan has developed a system that uses AI for grading homework and giving hints. This system is used in several of UD’s classes.

You may start the online Cybersecurity program in the spring, summer, or fall sessions.

Please review the chart below for the application deadlines.