Department of Cyber Security Engineering

Cyber Security Engineering focuses on developing cyber-resilient systems that protect physical, computer, and networked infrastructure. It emphasizes a proactive engineering approach in which security is integrated into physical and cyber systems from the earliest stages of design and development.

This quantitative discipline is essential across industries, including transportation, energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, finance, government (federal, state, and local), and defense.

The Cyber Security Engineering Department is dedicated to academic excellence and research in the design and protection of integrated cyber-physical systems. The program provides students with a strong foundation in security engineering principles and is particularly suited for those with a solid background in mathematics and science.

Department Faculty

Professors

Brouse (Associate Chair), Costa (Chair), Wang, Wijesekera

Associate Professors

Barreto, Ferrari, Gebril, U. Karabiyik, Morsy, Wei

Assistant Professors

Arafin, Barua, Hossain, Jablonski, T. Karabiyik, Zhu

Course Offerings

Cyber Security Engineering (CYSE)

Cyber Security Engineering (CYSE)

CYSE Course Schedule

100 Level Courses

CYSE 101: Introduction to Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

Provides comprehensive introduction to the principles, applications, and practice of cyber security engineering. Students learn the basic concepts and terminology of cyber security and how cyber security is commonly addressed after the design and implementation phases. Students are introduced to the systems engineering and design processes and learn to integrate and apply cyber security tools and techniques in these processes. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 130: Introduction to Computing for Digital Systems Engineering. 3 credits.

The course introduces students to programming in the context of Systems Design process. Students learn to take a systems perspective when approaching problems and designing solutions, how the structure and behavior of a system is modeled using SysML, and to implement the system model using programming techniques in Python. The course explores various Python modules (standard library and 3rd Party) that extend the basic language functionality in useful ways, in particular, for model based systems engineering. The students apply their programming skills to solve commonly encountered Task Automation, Data Mining, Cleansing, and Transformation. Course emphasizes the use of appropriate Web Services APIs and technologies commonly encountered in Data Analytics and AI to find, access, and analyze available data and datasets. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts. Equivalent to SYST 130.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Info Tech & Computing

Recommended Prerequisite: Passing score on the math placement test for MATH 113.

Registration Restrictions:

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

200 Level Courses

CYSE 211: Operating Systems and Lab. 3 credits.

Addresses basic issues such as virtual memory, kernel and user mode, system calls, threads, context switches, interrupts, interprocess communication, coordination of concurrent activities. May also address: concurrency, processes and multi-threading, context switching, synchronization, scheduling, and deadlock. Memory management, dynamic memory allocation, address translation. Management of file systems, storage devices, directories, protection, scheduling and crash recovery. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: CS 222^C and CYSE 101^C.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 230: Computer Networking. 3 credits.

Introduces network concepts; OSI reference model and layering; data coding; analog/digital communications review; physical layer and data link control; Data Link Layer Control protocols; flow control; error control; link management; common link protocols. LAN and WAN; connection-oriented and connectionless packet switching; circuit-switched networks and control signaling; congestion control and traffic management; transport layer client-server model; domain name systems, routing methods. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CS 112^C, 112^XS, 109^C or 109^XS) and (CYSE 101^C or 101^XS) and (MATH 113^C, 113^XS, 124^C or 124^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

300 Level Courses

CYSE 304: Cyber Security in Logic Design and Digital Systems. 3 credits.

This course provides basic cyber security concepts in logic design and digital systems. Topics covered include an overview of digital concepts, coding conversion and its applications in digital systems, programmable logic devices, and memory expansion basics. An introduction to microprocessors and digital signal processing will be presented. Integrated circuits (ICs) technologies will be discussed. Security issues related to logic design, including reverse engineering, IC counterfeiting, and malicious tampering, will be addressed. Methodologies for logic design security regarding logic locking in which only authorized persons can access the circuit’s original functionality will be handled. Design projects using simulation and hardware implementation based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) boards will be presented. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (ECE 301^C) or ((ECE 231^C and 232^C)).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 341: Machine Learning Applied to Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

This course introduces machine learning (ML) concepts and their applications in cybersecurity engineering. Students will explore supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning methods, applying them to detect and mitigate cybersecurity threats such as malware, phishing, and intrusion detection. The course emphasizes practical skills using modern tools and ethical considerations in deploying ML models in real-world scenarios. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 101^C or 101^XS) and (CS 222^C or 222^XS) and (MATH 203^C or 203^XS) and (STAT 344^C or 344^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 395: Cyber Security Engineering Internship. 3 credits.

Students will participate in experiential learning in an industrial setting. Students must identify work opportunity and seek approval from the internship coordinator prior to registering. Students may use this course as credit for one technical elective in the BS CYSE program. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: ((CS 112^C, 112^XS, 109^C or 109^XS) and (CYSE 101^C or 101^XS) and (MATH 113^C, 113^XS, 124^C or 124^XS) and (CYSE 230^C or 230^XS)).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Schedule Type: Internship

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

400 Level Courses

CYSE 411: Secure Software Engineering. 3 credits.

This course provides a foundation for building secure software by applying security principles to the software development lifecycle. Topics covered include security in requirements engineering, secure design, risk analysis, threat modeling, deployment of cryptographic algorithms, defensive coding, penetration testing, fuzzing, static analysis, and security assessment. Students will learn the practical skills for developing and testing secure software. Note: This course may interest students specializing in the software aspects of cybersecurity engineering and requires a foundation in System Engineering and at least one programming language (e.g., Java, C++, Python). The course is organized into three parts: • Unit 1 - Unit 1 - Web Programming Foundations • Unit 2 – Web Threats • Unit 3 - DevSecOps Fundamentals Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CS 222^C or 222^XS) and (SYST 230^C or 230^XS) and (CYSE 211^C or 211^XS) and (CYSE 230^C or 230^XS) and (COMM 101^C, 101^XS, HNRS 110^C or 110^XS) and (MATH 214^C or 214^XS) and (MATH 203^C or 203^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 421: Industrial Control Systems Security. 3 credits.

Provides an introduction to industrial control systems (ICS). Covers fundamental concepts of control loop and its main components. Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and displays. Remote measurements through networks or through telemetry. Diagnostic and maintenance utilities. Input-Output servers. Data historian utility. SCADA systems. ICS Security. Connectivity of the control system network to other networks. Possible security threats. Vulnerability assessments. Multilayer defense strategies. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: ((CYSE 230^C or 230^XS) and (ECE 301^C, 301^XS or L301 or (ECE 231^C and 232^C))).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 424: Embedded and Real Time Systems. 3 credits.

Presents design methodology, principles and practice for the development of real-time embedded systems and their application to robotics, mechatronics, sensing, signal processing, and control. They include automated sensors, switches and PLCs. Topics include system decomposition, multi-tasking, task communication and synchronization, system modeling, time analysis, principles of filter and controller implementation, 'fuzzy' engineering, and multimicrocontroller systems. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (ECE 301^C, 301^XS or L301 or (ECE 231^C and 232^C)).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 425: Secure RF Communications. 3 credits.

Reviews current systems of Radio Frequency (RF) communications and related cyber security issues. This course focuses on security issues in wireless networks, such as cellular networks, wireless LANs, Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, mobile security, anti-jamming communication, and physical layer security. The course will first present an overview of wireless networks, then focus on attacks and discuss proposed solutions and their limitations. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts. Equivalent to ECE 425.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: ((CS 222^C, 222^XS, ECE 240^C, 240^XS, CS 262^C or 262^XS) and (ECE 465^C, 465^XS, CYSE 230^C, 230^XS, CS 455^C or 455^XS) and (MATH 125^C, 125^XS, ECE 231^C or 231^XS)).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engr or Electrical Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 430: Critical Infrastructure Protection. 3 credits.

Consists of a four week lecture course followed by ten weekly seminars presented by students. The lecture part provides a description of US Designated Critical Infrastructure Sectors and a corresponding list of federal sector specific agencies (SSAs). Each student selects a sector, develops and presents a seminar talk on critical cyber security issues involved in a given sector. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (SYST 205^C, 205^XS, CYSE 205^C or 205^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 442: Generative AI Technologies in Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

This course comprehensively introduces generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), focusing on their applications in cybersecurity engineering disciplines. The course addresses critical integrating topics, such as data and model security, adversarial attacks and defenses, and privacy considerations in generative AI systems. Applications of generative AI in cyber security engineering, such as system optimization and anomaly detection, will be highlighted through hands-on projects and case studies. Students will gain practical experience developing and implementing generative AI models to solve real-world cybersecurity engineering problems. A strong background in linear algebra, probability, and statistics, as well as prior knowledge of essential machine learning, is required. Python will be used for most assignments and projects. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 341^C or 341^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 451: System Security and Resilience. 4 credits.

This course focuses on cybersecurity protection, system security, and the resilience of engineering systems operating in contested cyber environments. It covers architecture and modeling, the use of a variety of techniques, establishing performance measures relevant to the domain of operation, evaluating the system's security or vulnerability to cyber exploits, and assessing its resilience. It is designed to challenge students' critical thinking by visualizing systems of systems and the multiple attack surfaces that require resilience to maximize cybersecurity protection. A review of cybersecurity protection frameworks, measurement methodology, testing, and resilience approaches will be undertaken to address multiple scenarios. Lectures will be enhanced with current readings and real-world examples and scenarios, challenging students to propose solutions that balance risk, time, cost, and performance to deliver resilient cybersecurity solutions. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: ((CYSE 304^C or 304^XS) or (ECE 301^C or 301^XS) or (ECE 231^C and 232^C)) and (CYSE 230^C or 230^XS) and (CYSE 211^C or 211^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 460: Power Systems and Smart Grid Security. 3 credits.

Covers fundamentals of power systems; basics of electricity, electricity generation, economics of supply and demand, and electricity market operations in regulated and deregulated environment. The other part of the course will cover Smart Grid and its impact on the energy industry. Also includes Energy policy modeling and analysis. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 461: Power Grid Security. 3 credits.

Overview of integrating smart grid into the current system. Includes the seven domains (bulk generation, transmission, distribution, customer, operations, markets, and service providers) as well as the electrical and communication interfaces that connect the layers and domains. Focuses on monitoring equipment in the smart grid. Provides an overview of security principles and approaches for applying them to the smart grid. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: CYSE 460^C.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 462: Mobile Devices and Network Security. 3 credits.

Embedded security features of hand-held wireless devices. Data link layer encryption and authentication protocols applied in mobile devices. Security factors in the decisions on configuring wireless mobile devices and network infrastructure. Robust cryptography that is needed to attain the highest levels of integrity, authentication, and confidentiality. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 425^C, 425^XS, ECE 425^XS or 425^C).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Computer Engineering, Cyber Security Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engr.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 465: Transportation Systems Design. 3 credits.

Discusses common elements and differences among problems that occur securing road, rail, air and sea transportation systems. Covers threats to control systems. Introduces control measures. Discusses past, present and future of in-vehicle and on-road safety systems, and cyber threats to emerging autonomous cars. Analyzes cyber threats to aviation and sea transportation security and available countermeasures. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: SYST 230^C or 230^XS.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Students with a class of Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 466: Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems Security. 3 credits.

This course provides a foundation in UAS detection, countermeasures, and protective methods against them. The course explores (1) the air and ground UAS components, (2) how these components can be detected by active and passive systems, (3) how these systems can be affected by electronic and cyberattacks, and (4) how to protect UAS against detection, as well as electronic and cyberattacks. The operational environment, such as obstacles, terrain, and atmosphere, and the effects of radio propagation, are also studied. Active and passive systems cover RADAR, LADAR, RF, IR, optical, and acoustic sensors. Countermeasures include techniques for disrupting UAS operations, such as electronic and cyberattacks. Protective measures involve stealth concepts, antenna radiation control, and cybersecurity. Finally, this course brings a holistic view of UAS applications, security, and future trends. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (MATH 113^C, 113^XS, 123^C or 123^XS) and (MATH 124^C or 124^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior or Senior.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 467: GPS Security. 3 credits.

A review of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is presented. The GPS system and its components are discussed. Examine the digital code structure of course/acquisition (C/A) code and Precise (P) code, GPS modernization and the key types of GPS measurements. The GPS satellite orbit and the broadcast ephemeris are described. Discuss the errors and biases that affect the GPS measurements. GPS spoofing and jamming vulnerabilities are addressed. Substantial increase in GPS security level including signal coding and secure GPS antenna design using new materials is discussed. Integration of GPS with other complementary systems is illustrated. GPS applications in various fields are introduced. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 425^C or 425^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 470: Human Factors and Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

This course explores the human factor in cyber security engineering. The focus is on understanding human performance characteristics and limitations, and the various research, design, and evaluation methods needed to address them when engineering secure systems. Topics include, for example, perception, cognition, memory, situation awareness, decision making, stress, automation, and human-computer display and interaction design principles. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: ((SYST 205^C or 205^XS) and (STAT 344^C, 344^XS, 346^C or 346^XS)).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 476: Cryptography Fundamentals. 3 credits.

Covers basic concepts of cryptology, types of cryptosystems, security services, and key management. Gradually introduces mathematical background required for understanding cryptography. Discusses modern secret-key stream and block ciphers, modes of operation, public key cryptosystems (RSA, elliptic curve, and post-quantum cryptography), hash functions, message authentication codes, and digital signature schemes. Covers key cracking machines, side-channel attacks, and fault attacks. Discusses popular cryptographic modules, such as True Random Number Generators and Physical Unclonable Functions, used for key generation and device authentication. Introduces educational and public domain software implementing modern cryptographic algorithms. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts. Equivalent to ECE 476.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (ECE 301^C, 301^XS, 231^C, 231^XS, 331^C or 331^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security Engineering or Electrical Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 477: Intrusion Detection. 3 credits.

The objective of this course is to provide an in depth introduction to the science and art of intrusion detection. The course covers methodologies, techniques, and tools for monitoring events in computer systems or networks, with the objective of preventing and detecting unwanted process activity and recovering from malicious behavior. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: SYST 230^C or 230^XS.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Students with a class of Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 478: Cyber Security Audit and Compliance. 3 credits.

Fundamental concepts of the Cyber Security Compliance and Testing process. This will revolve around defining a control framework, the attendant control objectives and the reporting system for an organization. Covers the process of creating a control structure with goals and objectives, audit a given cyber infrastructure against it, and if found inadequate, establish a systematic remediation procedure. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: CYSE 421^C or 421^XS.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 479: Methods of User Authentication. 3 credits.

Discusses limitations of passwords and PINs and introduces alternatives. Covers user authentication based on security tokens and smart cards. Introduces basics of biometric systems, based on information such as fingerprints, facial features, iris, and voice. Discusses the use and security of electronic ID cards and passports. Covers methods of distinguishing human from internet bots over the network, such as CAPTCHA's. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 211^C and (CYSE 301^C, ECE 301^C or L301 or (ECE 231^C and 232^C)) and CYSE 230^C and (CS 222^C or SYST 230^C)).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Students with a class of Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 480: Reverse Software Engineering. 3 credits.

Introduces various types of malicious software (malware). Discusses malware analysis using virtual machines, sandboxes, process monitors, packet sniffers, de-obfuscation, etc. Introduces hardware Trojans and other forms of malicious hardware. Discusses prevention techniques at the design, fabrication, and post-fabrication level. Introduces various countermeasures against malicious software and hardware. The course has a lab with Windows and Android operating systems. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits towards BS in Cyber Security Engineering.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: ((CYSE 211^C or 211^XS) and (ECE 301^C, 301^XS or L301 or (ECE 231^C and 232^C))).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 481: Foundations of Hardware in Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

This course integrates analog and digital circuit design, computer architecture, and hardware security. Students begin with circuit analysis and analog computational elements using op-amps, capacitors, and inductors. The curriculum then transitions to digital electronics, focusing on MOSFET/CMOS switching and amplification. Learners explore instruction set architecture through MIPS and LC-3 models, covering micro-architectural principles such as single-cycle, multi-cycle, and pipelined processors. Performance analysis and critical path evaluation are emphasized throughout. Advanced topics cover hardware security fundamentals, including hardware security modules (HSMs), physical unclonable functions (PUFs), and true random number generators (TRNGs). The course concludes with hands-on exposure to physical and side-channel attacks, providing system-level insight into secure, high-performance hardware design and defense. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 476^C or 476^XS) and (CYSE 304^C or 304^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 491: Engineering Senior Seminar. 3 credits.

This course explores the multifaceted responsibilities of cybersecurity engineers, covering engineering ethics, government policy, law, regulation, and global implications. Students examine industry practices and entrepreneurship through lectures and debates featuring faculty and experts from government and industry. As a "Writing Across the Curriculum" (WAC) course, it emphasizes professional development in technical communication, including research writing and oral presentations. A central component is developing a comprehensive cybersecurity research paper through iterative deliverables and instructor feedback. Additionally, a seminar series introduces topics beyond the core curriculum to broaden students' professional horizons; students will synthesize these sessions through short analytical papers. By the end of the term, students will have refined their ability to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and communicate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 411^C or 411^XS) and (CYSE 425^C or 425^XS) and (CYSE 476^C or 476^XS) and (ENGH 302^C, 302^XS, HNRS 110^C or 110^XS) and (STAT 344^C or 344^XS) and (CYSE 492^*^C).
^* May be taken concurrently.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior Plus, Junior, Senior Plus or Senior.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 492: Senior Advanced Design Project I. 3 credits.

First semester of a two-semester capstone course in the Cyber Security Engineering program. Industry-like experience emphasizing technical, project management, and personal development. Students working in teams will begin to solve a meaningful industry- or faculty-sponsored cybersecurity design problem. Important "real-life" skills such as teamwork, project management, communication, ethics, and engineering will be addressed and practiced throughout both semesters. Projects will integrate the technical material learned in previous courses and industry input. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 411^C or 411^XS) and (CYSE 425^C or 425^XS) and (CYSE 476^C or 476^XS) and (ENGH 302^C, 302^XS, HNRS 110^C or 110^XS) and (STAT 344^C or 344^XS) and (CYSE 491^*^C or 491^XS).
^* May be taken concurrently.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior Plus, Junior, Senior Plus or Senior.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 493: Senior Advanced Design Project II. 3 credits.

Second semester of a two semester capstone course in the Cyber Security Engineering program. Project includes designing a cyber-physical security system, writing required software, assembling hardware if needed, conducting experiments or studies, and testing the complete system. Requires oral and written reports during project and at completion. Note: This course is only offered in the Spring semester. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Mason Apex, Capstone

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (CYSE 492^C or 492^XS).
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 498: Independent Study in Cyber Security Engineering. 1-3 credits.

Research and analysis of selected problems or topics in Cyber Security Engineering. Topic must be arranged with instructor and approved by department chair before registering. Notes: May be repeated if topics substantially different. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Students with a class of Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Independent Study

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

CYSE 499: Special Topics in Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

Special Topics in the Cyber Security Engineering area, with different content in different terms. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits towards BS in Cyber Security Engineering.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior Plus, Junior, Senior Plus or Senior.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Cyber Security Engineering.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

500 Level Courses

CYSE 521: Industrial Control Systems Security. 3 credits.

Provides an introduction to industrial control systems (ICS) at a Graduate level. Covers fundamental concepts of control loop and its main components.Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and displays. Remote measurements through networks or through telemetry. Diagnostic and maintenance utilities. Input-Output servers. Data historian utility. SCADA systems. ICS Security. Connectivity of the control system network to other networks. Possible security threats. Vulnerability assessments.Multilayer defense strategies. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 550: Cyber Security Engineering Fundamentals. 3 credits.

This is the introductory graduate course in Cyber Security Engineering. It is a technical course that provides the required foundations for successful completion of the MS CYSE program. The course introduces key subjects in the area, such as engineering systems and cyber security problems in engineering; cyber security design; introduction to Cryptography; system and network security; identity management; adversarial modeling; vulnerability assessment; and industrial control and manufacturing security. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 570: Fundamentals of Operating Systems. 3 credits.

Operating system design and implementation as it relates to management and interaction of processor, memory, files, and I/O devices. Includes security considerations and a review of data structures, programming concepts, and computer systems architecture. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 580: Hardware and Cyber Physical Systems. 3 credits.

Covers computer architecture and hardware to support subsequent cyber-physical systems modules. Introduces cyber-physical systems as an integration of physical processes, computation, and networking. Discusses modeling and simulation of cyber-physical systems, system design, and implementation. Covers security issues in cyber-physical systems and applications selected from infrastructure, energy, transportation, robotics, manufacturing, and communications domains. Students study and build cyber-physical systems. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 587: Cyber Security Systems Engineering. 3 credits.

This course addresses cyber security from the standpoint of systems engineers. It introduces core principles for the design and management of resilient and robust systems throughout their complete lifecycle. Topics include but are not limited to lifecycle assurance of systems, risk analysis, models for secure systems development and management, gap analysis, quantitative methods for cyber security, and special topics in cyber security. The course also covers distinct technologies for assessing system vulnerabilities, measuring and modeling risk, reducing uncertainty in risk management, and others. Target audience consists of engineers who want to expand their skill sets to better align with the demands of current cyber security jobs, as well as those who intent to work on cyber security research. Cyber security professionals would also benefit from the course by being exposed to a systems engineering, holistic perspective on cyber security design, development, and management. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit. Equivalent to CYSE 787, SYST 687, SYST 787.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

600 Level Courses

CYSE 610: Networks and Cyber Security. 3 credits.

Introduction to architectures and protocols of computer networks and concept of packet switching. Topics include ISO standard layer model, physical interfaces and protocols, data link control, multi-access techniques, packet switching, routing and flow control, network topology, data communication subsystems, error control coding, local area network, wireless communications, satellite packet broadcasting, packet radio, interconnection of packet-switching networks, network security and privacy, and various examples of computer networks. Security threats and countermeasures are addressed in detail to include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, physical security, and network monitoring. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: CYSE 550^B-.
^B- Requires minimum grade of B-.

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 630: Cyber Risk Analysis and Advanced Tools. 3 credits.

This course addresses cybersecurity risk analysis from the standpoint of systems engineers. It introduces core principles for modeling and measuring uncertainty and risk in the secure development lifecycle and risk. Topics include but are not limited to risk analysis, quantitative and qualitative methods for cybersecurity, risk models and frameworks, and support tools (Bayesian, Shafer-Dempster, and Fuzzy systems for probabilistic reasoning). The course also covers distinct technologies for assessing system vulnerabilities, measuring and modeling risk, reducing uncertainty in risk management, and applying engineering concepts to cybersecurity. The target audience consists of engineers who want to expand their skill sets to better align with the demands of current cybersecurity jobs and those who intend to work on cybersecurity research. It requires a consolidated skill, at least in one programming language (such as Java, C++, Python). Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: (CYSE 587) OR (SYST 687) OR (CYSE 787)

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 640: Wireless Network Security. 3 credits.

As the use of mobile devices, embedded systems, and always-connected technologies increases, wireless communication and network systems are becoming increasingly essential in daily life. Despite the growing emphasis on security and privacy in modern technology, the security and privacy aspects of the wireless networks that link our ubiquitous devices remain less thoroughly understood. This course aims to train students in wireless threats, modern defenses, the fast-growing intersection of AI/ML with wireless systems, and attacks specifically targeting AI-enabled wireless systems. It covers the latest security mechanisms, trends, and practices for securing conventional (e.g., 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and AI-enabled wireless networks (e.g., open/virtualized radio access network). It strongly focuses on jamming, spoofing, man-in-the-middle attacks, MAC-layer misbehavior, cross-layer attacks, and how wireless networks can be exploited to compromise AI-enabled systems. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: CYSE 610

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 650: Topics in Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

Topics not covered in department's regular Cyber Security Engineering offerings. Course content may vary each semester depending on instructor and the perception of students' needs. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 670: Secure Design of Connected and Automated Vehicles. 3 credits.

This research oriented course addresses the research and engineering challenges faced in designing and implementing connected automated vehicles. These involve multiple aspects of sensing, recognition, control and communication aspects for vehicles and road-side infrastructure. Two important aspects of automated and connected vehicles are the need to minimize traffic delays and congestion while being cognizant and accommodating the needs of pedestrians, bicyclist and other entities that need to share the roads and roadside spaces. In addition, special needs such as providing the right of way for emergency vehicles and traffic arrangements around special events and parking in congested cities are issues that needs to be addressed in a comprehensive framework for connected automated vehicles. The class will discuss current topics related to communication standards such as 5G/DSRC, basic Safety Message Systems etc., and how they would work with existing traffic signals and vehicular contr Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 680: Advanced Manufacturing Automation Security. 3 credits.

This course explores the application of Cyber Security concepts in support of advanced manufacturing. The focus is on techniques applicable to Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) against threats to security through unexpected situations, activities or occasions, or through consider assault. Topics include cyber-physical security, establishing causality between cyber execution, physical production, and energy consumption for intelligent efficiency, and detection of cyber threats based on physical process anomalies in advanced manufacturing systems. The course will also cover advanced equipment and product management functions, distributed vulnerability discovery, causality analysis and attack defenses, and Cyber-physical ledger infrastructure. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 681: Secure Energy Efficient Supply Chains. 3 credits.

This course explores the application of Cyber Security concepts to secure supply chain networks and enable data-intensive energy efficiency. The focus is on techniques that enable supply chains in diverse sectors to employ IIoT devices while avoiding a substantial increase of its attack surface, enabling pervasive data collection to support automation, integration, and process enhancements. A special attention will be given to the criteria and metrics for evaluating supply chains with respect to their energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. Topics include Secure IIOT architectures, e-ROI, carbon footprint assessment, modeling and simulation of supply chain security, cyber-physical identification, tracking, and verification of parts and products in a uniform, hierarchical fashion, digital twins, counterfeit detection, product recall, and supply chain re-routing for higher energy efficiency. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit. Equivalent to SYST 681.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 682: Formal Methods for Cyber Physical Systems Security. 3 credits.

Formal techniques applied to computer security provide a reliable way of demonstrating that a system is immune to entire classes of attacks (provided the assumptions of the models are satisfied). This is a stark contrast with the more general approach of ruling a system as secure until an attack proves otherwise. This course explores the various ways in which formal methods can be applied to the security of cyber-physical systems. Emphasis is given to CPS used in advanced manufacturing industries and their associated supply chain networks. Topics include formal specification languages for security properties, security analysis utilities, domain-specific security concerns, translating informal requirements to formal specifications in languages such as AADL, satisfiability solvers (SAT), satisfiability modulo theories (SMT), real-time model checking, verification of system requirements, and case studies of formally verified secure systems. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 683: Reverse Engineering Industrial Automation. 3 credits.

This course presents fundamental, systems-level concepts for developing an understanding of the underlying functionality of an industrial system without a prior access to the system's design specifications. Considers generalized approaches to developing a set of specifications for a complex system through orderly examination of specimens of that system. Illustrates procedures for identifying the system's components and their interrelationships. Demonstrates methods for creating representations of the system in another form or at a higher level of abstraction. Presents fundamental definitions for forward engineering, reverse engineering, design recovery, restructuring and reengineering. Case studies from several domain areas will be presented to include: integrated circuit (IC) and circuit board analysis, communications protocol analysis, software disassembly, and programmable logic verification. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 684: Practical Side-Channel Exploitation and Defense. 3 credits.

This course delves into the principles and practices of side-channel exploitation, focusing on both the offensive and defensive aspects. Students will learn the foundational concepts of information theory as they apply to side-channel analysis, and they will explore various fields where side-channels are studied, including cryptography, cyber-physical systems,and other domains. The course will include hands-on labs that provide practical experience in exploiting and defending against side-channel attacks. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: CYSE 580 Hardware and Cyber Physical Systems

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 685: Unmanned Aerial Systems Security. 3 credits.

This course provides engineers with a background in the essential components and operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), related counter measures and protective measures. It introduces core principles for the safe and secure operation of UAS, especially in the C4I context. Topics are focused on UAS components, characteristics, and operational environment, such as weather and radio propagation. The course also covers active and passive detection of UAS, methods to avoid detection and for disrupting UAS operations, such as electromagnetic interference and cyberattacks, as well as measures against these methods, such as RADAR and IR stealth concepts. Finally, this course brings a holistic view of UAS security and its future trends. The target audience consists of engineers interested in planning, designing, or participating in UAS operations from a safety and security standpoint. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: Engineering graduate standing, solid understanding of calculus, statistics, and probability theory

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 686: Introduction to Federated Learning: Fundamentals and Applications. 3 credits.

This course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of Federated Learning (FL) principles, algorithms, and applications, particularly in the IoT domain. It will highlight the differences between centralized and decentralized machine learning and foster an understanding of how to enhance the utility, robustness, privacy, and scalability of FL. The skills acquired will enable students to tackle a wider range of machine learning tasks. Students are highly recommended to have completed a course in Machine Learning or possess equivalent practical experience. This course requires proficiency in Python programming for data analysis and training traditional neural networks. Students are encouraged to have prior knowledge of optimization methods such as Stochastic Gradient Descent. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 689: Artificial Intelligence Methods for Cybersecurity. 3 credits.

This course provides engineers with an overview of the core principles of applying ar-tificial intelligence to cybersecurity. It covers approaches for predicting, detecting, and responding to cyber threats using technologies such as Bayesian networks, multi-entity Bayesian networks, search-based methods, decision making, causal learning, reinforcement learning, and others that can be applied to the security of cyber physi-cal systems. It requires familiarity with basic concepts in probability and statistics, discrete mathematics, and optimization algorithms. Programming and software de-velopment skills in languages such as Python and Java are expected, although not at an advanced level. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: CYSE 587

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 690: Cyber Security Engineering Capstone Project. 3 credits.

Analysis and design of a complex cybersecrurity-engineered integrated system involving software, hardware and people. Involves application of cyber security engineering principles to the design, implementation and operation of the system. Includes requirements analysis, analysis of design alternatives, assessment of threats, and risk, economical and regulatory considerations. Requires oral and written reports throughout the course. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (SYST 687^B- or CYSE 587^B-) and (CYSE 570^B-, CS 571^B- or 571^XS) and (CYSE 580^B- and 610^B-).
^B- Requires minimum grade of B-.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 698: Independent Study and Research. 3 credits.

Study of a selected area in Cybersecurity EngineeringI under the supervision of a faculty member. A written report is required. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 12 credits.

Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of at least 2 MS CYSE core courses

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Independent Study

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

700 Level Courses

CYSE 700: Research Methodology and Pedagogy in Cybersecurity. 3 credits.

The course will explore the dynamic intersection of theory and practice in the area of cybersecurity. It will delve into advanced research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, ethical considerations, and data analytics specific to cybersecurity contexts. Simultaneously, students will gain insights into cutting-edge pedagogical strategies tailored for cybersecurity education. Students will develop expertise in curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and industry collaboration. The course will prepare students for a future in academia or industry leadership roles by getting familiar with methodologies in teaching and research in the area of cybersecurity. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Activity-Based

Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

CYSE 710: Advanced Networks and Cybersecurity. 3 credits.

This course will cover advanced theory and practice of secure network design and cybersecurity issues. Topics will include access control mechanisms, computer network protocols, physical interfaces, routing and flow control, wireless communications, network security and privacy, and common cybersecurity threats. In addition, discussions on security primitives such as state-of-the-art firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, physical security, network monitoring, and cryptography primitives will be explored. Network security research will be emphasized, with students exposed to the latest advances in network security and expected to carry on network security projects and/or work on research papers. The target audience consists of both PhD and advanced MS students with engineering backgrounds. This course will include a semester-long research project on computer network security. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Corequisite: Prior exposure to computer networks.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 731: Graphical Models for Cybersecurity. 3 credits.

This course addresses the use of this knowledge representation paradigm in the general area of cybersecurity from the standpoint of engineers. The first part of the course introduces core principles of graph theory, while providing a basis for understanding the semantics of most graphical methods applied to Cybersecurity. Then, in the second part of the course, probabilistic graphical models are introduced as a key component for applying AI and machine learning techniques to cybersecurity. Topics covered include Bayesian networks and its derivatives, where both its representational features as well as its mathematical and logical quantification aspects are explored. Finally, the course shifts to a wider spectrum of graphical techniques, including but not limited to, attack graphs, evidence graphs, and others commonly used in cybersecurity. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: CYSE 689 CYSE 687

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 750: Advanced Topics in Cyber Security Engineering. 3 credits.

Advanced topics not covered in department's regular systems engineering offerings. Course content may vary each semester depending on instructor and the perception of students' needs. May be repeated for credit when topics are distinctly different. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 757: Cyber Law. 3 credits.

Technological developments and progress have made cybercrimes (i.e., crimes committed using or targeting a computer) more prevalent, efficient, and cost-effective. Additionally, the rise of novel technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, poses new challenges for the legal system and society. To understand these challenges, as well as how courts, regulators, and the private sector are responding to them, this course will focus on (1 ) Substantive computer crimes that involve a computer either as a target or as a medium through which a traditional crime is committed; (2) laws that govern the collection of computerized or digital evidence; (3) regulation of consumer privacy and data protection, including a comparative study of the U.S. and E.U. approaches to privacy regulations; (4) the importance of design for new technologies; and (5) jurisdictional issues from both a U.S. and international perspective. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 760: Human Factors in Cyber Security. 3 credits.

This course explores complex human roles in designing resilient/secured systems to meet the products and services necessary for evolving and dynamic technology demands. This research-based course focuses on existing and proposed research spanning studies of the interaction between humans, machines, and technology to develop products and systems that are secure and trustworthy throughout the system engineering process. Topics can cover many fields within Cyber Security Engineering to ensure proper human factors are incorporated (such as design, manufacturing, assembly, measurement, testing, and modeling). The course will address details, including perception, cognition, memory, situation awareness, decision-making, stress, automation, human-computer display, and interaction design principles. Students are expected to work individually or in a group on applying security functions to design a selected human factor-related project. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 765: Quantum Information Processing and Security. 3 credits.

This course explores advanced topics in quantum information processing and security, providing students with a deep understanding of quantum computing, communication, and information processing. It includes quantum algorithms, quantum cryptography, and the intersection of quantum computing with information security protocols. The course combines theoretical concepts with practical applications, preparing students to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: Familiarity with basic concepts of information theory

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: MATH 203^B-, 351^B- and CS 367^B-.
^B- Requires minimum grade of B-.

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 770: Fundamentals of Operating Systems. 3 credits.

This project-oriented course delves into advanced principles and security problems governing the design and implementation of modern Operating Systems. Topics include advanced topics and open issues in virtual memory, kernel and user mode, system calls, threads, context switches, interrupts, interprocess communication, concurrency, processes and multi-threading, context switching, synchronization, scheduling, deadlock, memory management, dynamic memory allocation, and address translation. This course is offered to doctoral-level students who will master advanced OS concepts and security problems through a semester-long research project. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 780: Advanced Hardware and Cyber-Physical Systems Security. 3 credits.

Previously relegated to more complex systems of systems, the seamless integration of hardware and software components to efficiently reach design goals is now ubiquitous to a wide spectrum of systems. However, awareness and understanding of the security implications of such integration are not advancing at the same pace of its adoption, including in critical applications. This course explores the factors leading to such knowledge gap by providing an overview of the life-cycle of cyber-physical systems (CPS) with an emphasis on the associated security implications. Topics covered include best practices and policies for secure CPS design, the role of standardization, embedded threat detection and analysis, resiliency, CPS modeling and simulation, vulnerability and risk-assessment of CPS, and others. CPS security research is also emphasized, with students being exposed to the latest advances in CPS security. The course includes a semester-long project on CPS security. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 785: Advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems Security. 3 credits.

This course provides engineers with an investigation on advanced topics and recent developments in the main technologies and operation aspects of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), focusing on the associated counter measures and protective measures. It explores cutting-edge techniques for the safe and secure operation of UAS, especially in the context of contested environments. Topics are focused on UAS components, characteristics, and operational environment, such as weather and radio propagation. The course also covers active and passive detection of UAS, methods to avoid detection and for disrupting UAS operations, such as electromagnetic interfer-ence and cyberattacks, as well as measures against these methods, such as RADAR and IR stealth concepts. Finally, this course brings a holistic view of UAS security and its future trends. The target audience consists of engineers interested in planning, de-signing, or participating in UAS operations from a safety and security standpoint. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 787: Cyber Security Systems Engineering. 3 credits.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 788: Advanced Systems Engineering for Cybersecurity. 3 credits.

This doctoral course explores advanced systems engineering for AI-enabled and autonomous systems, focusing on design, validation, and assurance. Students model complex human-cyber systems, analyze AI-specific threats, and validate trustworthiness using model-based, probabilistic, and formal methods. Topics include adversarial ML, data poisoning, model inversion, prompt injection, data exfiltration, and hallucination risks, contrasted with traditional system threats. Using model-based systems engineering, Bayesian reasoning, digital twins, and runtime assurance, students design secure, resilient architectures. The final project develops and defends an assurance case for an AI system. Proficiency in a programming language, a modeling language, and systems engineering principles is required. Graduates gain expertise in: 1) advanced design and validation, 2) AI and autonomy threat analysis, and 3) integrated assurance and trust frameworks. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 789: Advanced Artificial Intelligence Methods for Cybersecurity. 3 credits.

This doctoral-level course examines the research foundations and emerging frontiers of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. The emphasis is on the development and evaluation of novel AI methodologies for predicting, detecting, and responding to sophisticated cyber threats. Topics include probabilistic graphical models, causal and reinforcement learning, and other advanced AI paradigms such as generative AI and agentic AI as applied to the security of cyber-physical systems. Students will engage with current research literature, analyze state-of-the-art approaches, and conduct original experimental or theoretical studies aimed at extending the field. Coursework includes a research project suitable for publication or dissertation integration. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: CYSE 689

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 799: Cyber Security Engineering Master Thesis. 1-6 credits.

Research project chosen and completed under the guidance of a graduate faculty member, which results in a technical report acceptable to a three‐member faculty committee, and an oral defense. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the degree.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Thesis

Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

800 Level Courses

CYSE 890: Verification and Validation of System Security. 3 credits.

This doctoral-level, research-oriented course examines the formal verification and validation of security-critical protocols and software systems. Students apply mathematically grounded methods—such as logic, process calculi, model checking, and theorem proving—to rigorously analyze system specifications and implementations for correctness, security properties, and resistance to adversarial behaviors. The course is research-oriented and hands-on: students bring their own protocol or software artifacts and iteratively develop formal specifications, threat models, and verification results using state-of-the-art tools. Emphasis is placed on methodological rigor, tool-supported analysis, and critical interpretation of verification outcomes in the context of cybersecurity research. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: CYSE 700 - Research Methodology and Pedagogy in Cybersecurity CYSE 789 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence Methods for Cybersecurity

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy or Graduate.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

CYSE 891: Formal Methods for Learning Systems Assurance. 3 credits.

This course provides hands-on training in the use of formal methods for Test, Evaluation, Verification, and Validation (TEVV) of learning based systems that incorporate learning-enabled and systems such as but not limited to agentic components, reinforcement learning, generative systems, controllers and LLMs. This course emphasizes evidence-driven cybersecurity assurance grounded in formal specification, symbolic tool-based formal verification, adversarial falsification. Students will learn the foundational science required to produce a verification system and learn how to express security, safety, and misuse-prevention requirements as formal properties, construct sound abstractions of learning-enabled components, and apply formal verification tools to generate defensible TEVV evidence. This will enable them to apply logical methods to generate verifiably correct explanations, extending AI systems to achieve assured explainability. The course balances instructor-provided case studies Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. Limited to two attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: CYSE 700 - Research Methodology and Pedagogy in Cybersecurity CYSE 789 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence Methods for Cybersecurity CYSE 890 - Verification and Validation of System Security

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy or Graduate.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

900 Level Courses

CYSE 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal. 3 credits.

Work on research proposal that forms basis for doctoral dissertation. Notes: No more than 24 credits of CYSE 998 and 999 may be applied to doctoral degree requirements. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the degree. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the degree.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy.

Enrollment limited to students in the Engineering Computing college.

Schedule Type: Dissertation

Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

CYSE 999: Doctoral Dissertation. 1-12 credits.

Formal record of commitment to doctoral dissertation research under direction of CYSE faculty member. Notes: Students must complete minimum 12 credits of doctoral proposal (CYSE 998) and doctoral dissertation research (CYSE 999) Maximum of 24 credits of CYSE 998 and 999 may be applied to degree. Students cannot enroll in CYSE 999 prior to Advancement to Candidacy. Offered by Cyber Security Engineering. May be repeated within the degree.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy.

Enrollment limited to students in the Engineering Computing college.

Schedule Type: Dissertation

Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

Contact Information

Department Faculty

Professors

Associate Professors

Assistant Professors

Cyber Security Engineering (CYSE)

100 Level Courses

200 Level Courses

300 Level Courses

400 Level Courses

500 Level Courses

600 Level Courses

700 Level Courses

800 Level Courses

900 Level Courses