M.S. in Cyber Security

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree in a computer science or related field. For other STEM graduates, prerequisite undergraduate-level foundation courses in computer programming, computer networks, data structures, and operating systems are required. University of Toledo equivalent courses are shown below.  Admissions are made on an individual basis and take into consideration the applicant's previous academic record, test results, the intended area of study, and the needs and capacity of the College of Engineering.

Application requirements: 

  • Degree: Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university 

  • GPA: Applicants must have at least a 2.8/4.0 grade point average from previous undergraduate coursework or a 3.0/4.0 for previous graduate coursework 

  • Application: UToledo application is required 

  • GRE: Required for applicants whose degree is from a non-US institution. 

  • Transcripts: Required 

  • Statement of Purpose: Required (in response to a cyber security prompt) 

  • Letters of Recommendation: 3 (with at least one from an employer or a professor)

  • Proof of English language proficiency: Required for students from non-English speaking countries. See University graduate admissions for minimum test score requirements and exceptions. 

  • Resume:  Required

Application priority deadlines for admissions decisions: 

  • Fall:  No deadline

  • Spring:  No deadline 

  • Summer:  Contact program

​For non-computer science STEM applicants, University of Toledo prerequisite coursework equivalencies for program admission are listed below.

Programming - one course or equivalent
CSET 1200
Object Oriented Programming and Data Structures
EECS 1510
Introduction To Object Oriented Programming
Computer Networks - one course or equivalent
CSET 4750
Computer Networks And Data Communication
EECS 3150
Data Communications
Data Structures and Algorithms - one course or equivalent
CSET 3150
Introduction to Algorithms
EECS 2510
Non-Linear Data Structures
Operating Systems - one course or equivalent
CSET 4350
Operating Systems
EECS 3540
Operating Systems And Systems Programming

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The MS in Cyber Security degree has three capstone options: thesis, project, and coursework. The program requirements for each are described below.

Core Courses10
EECS 5720
Fundamentals of Cyber Security
EECS 5790
Network Security
EECS 6650
Hardware Oriented Security and Trust
Engineering Elective Courses - see capstone for required cr hr
EECS 5640
Inside Cryptography
EECS 5760
Computer Security
EECS 5770
Computer Hacking and Forensic Analysis
EECS 5520
Advanced Systems Programming
EECS 5390
Wireless And Mobile Networks
CYBR 5930
Cyber Security Seminar
CYBR 6990
Independent Study in Cyber Security
CYBR 6800
Experiential Learning in Cyber Security
CYBR 6970
Graduate Engineering Internship
Select up to two (thesis option) or up to three (project/coursework option) of the following:
CIVE 5710
Advanced Engineering Systems Modeling
EECS 5120
Introduction to Fuzzy Systems and Applications
EECS 5460
Power Systems Management
EECS 5500
Programming for the World Wide Web
EECS 5560
Database Systems I
EECS 5740
Artificial Intelligence
EECS 5750
Machine Learning
EECS 6180
Biologically Inspired Computing
EECS 6320
Data Compression For Multimedia Communication
EECS 6340
Modern Communications Engineering I
EECS 6350
Modern Communications Engineering II
GNEN 5700
Applied Probability and Statistics
MIME 5460
Advanced MATLAB for Engineers
MIME 6000
Advanced Engineering Mathematics I
Non-Engineering Elective Courses3
INFS 6050
Information Systems Fundamentals
INFS 6150
Business Intelligence Management
INFS 6450
Data Mining
INFS 6560
Business Systems Analysis and Design
INFS 6710
Management of Information Systems Security
LAWM 5000
Law And The Legal System
LAWT 6600
Special Topics (Privacy and Data Security (College of Law, spring))
MATH 5640
Statistical Computing
Capstone option17
MS thesis (9 cr hr CYBR 6960)
CYBR 6960
Cyber Security Research and Thesis
Engineering electives - 8 cr hr
MS project (6 cr hr CYBR 6920)
CYBR 6920
Cyber Security Project
Engineering electives - 11 cr hr
Coursework only (3 cr hr CYBR 6800)
CYBR 6800
Experiential Learning in Cyber Security
Engineering electives - 14 cr hr
Total Hours30

 Example Plan of Study for the Thesis Option:

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First TermHours
EECS 5720 Fundamentals of Cyber Security 3
EECS 5760 Computer Security 3
EECS 6650 Hardware Oriented Security and Trust 3
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Term
EECS 5640 Inside Cryptography 3
EECS 5790 Network Security 4
CYBR 6990 Independent Study in Cyber Security 2
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Third Term
CYBR 6960 Cyber Security Research and Thesis 1
 Hours1
Second Year
First Term
INFS 6710 Management of Information Systems Security 3
CYBR 6960 Cyber Security Research and Thesis 6
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Term
CYBR 6960 Cyber Security Research and Thesis 2
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours2
 Total Hours30

Example plan of study for the Project Option:

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First TermHours
EECS 5720 Fundamentals of Cyber Security 3
EECS 5760 Computer Security 3
EECS 6650 Hardware Oriented Security and Trust 3
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Term
EECS 5640 Inside Cryptography 3
EECS 5790 Network Security 4
CYBR 6990 Independent Study in Cyber Security 2
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Year
First Term
CYBR 6920 Cyber Security Project 3
CYBR 6800 Experiential Learning in Cyber Security 3
INFS 6710 Management of Information Systems Security 3
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Term
CYBR 6920 Cyber Security Project 3
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours3
 Total Hours30

Example Plan of Study for the Coursework-only Option: 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First TermHours
EECS 5720 Fundamentals of Cyber Security 3
EECS 5760 Computer Security 3
EECS 6650 Hardware Oriented Security and Trust 3
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Term
EECS 5640 Inside Cryptography 3
EECS 5790 Network Security 4
LAWT 6600 Special Topics (Privacy and Data Security) 2
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Year
First Term
EECS 5750 Machine Learning 3
CYBR 6990 Independent Study in Cyber Security 3
CYBR 6800 Experiential Learning in Cyber Security 3
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours9
Second Term
EECS 5770 Computer Hacking and Forensic Analysis 3
CYBR 5930 Cyber Security Seminar 0
 Hours3
 Total Hours30
  • PLO 1. Understand the cyber security challenges in contemporary networks and software systems.
  • PLO 2. Demonstrate the proficiency in various tools and utilities used in cyber security.
  • PLO 3. Evaluate security mechanisms in terms of their effectiveness and appropriateness for computer and network systems.
  • PLO 4. Understand the ethical issues related to securing information systems and critical infrastructure.
  • PLO 5. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with other security professionals.
  • PLO 6. Apply appropriate security methods and mechanisms to protect enterprise network systems.
  • PLO 7. (Thesis and Project Capstones) Research cyber security issues, discovery new knowledge, and present the research results to professionals in industry or academia.