Drexel University will launch a masters of science in cybersecurity degree program in September 2013. Faculty in the College of Engineering, the Goodwin College for Professional Studies and the College of Information Sciences and Technology developed the program in partnership with government and private organizations including the National Security Agency. The goal of the program is to develop and disseminate deeply technical curricula that can be used by Drexel and other institutions to create a highly trained workforce to secure the nation's cyber-infrastructure. The new program is supported as part of a National Science Foundation grant to advance cybersecurity education and is leveraging Drexel's designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.
Given the rapid growth in the use of the Internet and wireless networks for communication and data exchange, it is essential that new engineers be trained in the latest technology to mitigate cyber-crimes and other illegal intrusions into the information infrastructure, said Dr. Kapil R. Dandekar, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and principal investigator of the grant from the National Science Foundation.
The 45-credit curriculum will be targeted toward students with backgrounds in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, telecommunications and other related technical fields. The program consists of core courses designed to build theoretical foundations in computer networking, mathematics, policy, ethics, privacy and legal issues along with electives and laboratories in specialized technical areas including applied cryptography, web security and network anomaly detection. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in a six-month co-op program and gain research laboratory experience across multiple sub-disciplines in cybersecurity through a new research rotations program inspired by medical school rotations.
Leveraging Drexels unique strengths in translational research and cooperative education, through this degree program, we will increase the pool of cyber professionals available to the public and private sectors to face future cybersecurity challenges, said Dandekar.
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