A Christian Liberal Arts University, Est. 1846

Computer Science – Cybersecurity Major

Defending the World’s Technology

Designed to meet curricular learning outcomes set by the Association for Computing Machinery and the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, our Computer Science – Cybersecurity major combines the advanced applications of cybersecurity with the most challenging Computer Science classes.

It is difficult to find strong Cybersecurity programs in small liberal arts or Christian universities, but with six faculty members devoted to Taylor’s Computer Science majors—one solely focused on the cybersecurity field—Taylor has created a strong Computer Science legacy with a near-100% graduate placement rate. By choosing the Cybersecurity curriculum, our Computer Science graduates are well prepared for careers in computer science and cyber defense.

Cybersecurity Grounded in Computer Science

University cybersecurity programs often fall into one of three categories: policy, technology, or computer science. Schools with policy-focused cybersecurity programs examine international security laws and examine how human controls impact cybersecurity intelligence and politics. Technology-focused programs teach students how to use pre-made security-related tools, such as antivirus software and firewalls, to enforce those policies.

Taylor University’s Computer Science – Cybersecurity major lands in the final category and stands on the computing principles taught through our premiere Computer Science and Engineering department. This type of program teaches students to create security-related software and program defensively, taking the advanced cybersecurity curriculum and integrating it with the most challenging computer science classes.

Our Cybersecurity majors develop an understanding of computer science, including network operations, computational problem solving, and software development; and integrate their faith with class discussions, looking at the ethical issues of technology.

Inside the Classroom

Take a look at a few classes that will set your Cybersecurity degree apart from others:

Computer and Network Security I & II: Learn the fundamentals of security design, vulnerability analysis, cryptography, and defensive programming.
Digital Forensics: Examine the tools, methodologies, and analysis techniques used for digital investigations. Students practice capturing, deciphering, reconstructing, and analyzing digital data.
Software Reverse Engineering & Analysis: Study defensive programming techniques, platform security, and secure software engineering. Students identify and analyze malicious software and apply tools and techniques for identifying software vulnerabilities.

Securing a Future for Yourself

Our Cybersecurity program is not theoretical book learning. Not only will the Cybersecurity major provide in-class opportunities to stretch your knowledge, but the Computer Science & Engineering department provides hands-on research and real-world work experiences for students.

In Fall 2016, the Computer Science and Engineering department was awarded $100,000 to perform computer virus research for Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Labs. Students work under our faculty on the original research as part of coursework and summer research initiatives.

Cybersecurity majors also meet for a student-run cybersecurity club and compete against other schools in a cyber capture the flag competition, where each team must patch their vulnerable programs while attempting to exploit the other teams’ vulnerabilities.

Computer Science – Cybersecurity Curriculum & Degree Options

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cybersecurity

Contact the Computer Science & Engineering Department

Dr. Jon Denning, Department Co-Chair & Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Engineering
765-998-4931
jon.denning@taylor.edu

Dr. Stefan Brandle, Department Co-Chair & Professor of Computer Science & Engineering
765-998-4685
stbrandle@taylor.edu

Lara Horsley, Assistant to the Computer Science & Engineering, Systems, and Physics & Engineering Programs
765-998-5162
lrhorsley@taylor.edu

View Department Faculty & Staff

Related Majors and Related Minors

Related Majors

Related Minors

Computer Science & Engineering - CSE Department

Programming You for a Successful Career

With a near-100% graduate placement rate, Taylor’s Computer Science and Engineering department (CSE) hosts one of the premier Computer Science programs in Indiana. The department fosters a Christian environment while teaching rigorous courses that allow students to gain an in-depth knowledge of computer science and technology. Each of our dedicated Christian faculty members specializes in a specific area of Computer Science and takes a personal interest in their students’ education and growth.

Practical Challenges; Real-World Experience

Our students enter national computing and programming competitions, work on real-world projects with peers, and participate in study abroad opportunities in England, Asia, India, and many more international locations. Take a look at a few specific experiences you could get involved with:

Regional Programming Competitions: Taylor CSE majors compete in a broad range of regional computing competitions. Well-known throughout the computing industry, ACM East Central North American includes more than a hundred teams from our region and thousands of teams from other regions. Each region holds a local competition in the fall and the top two or three teams from each region compete in an international competition the following spring. A smaller contest our students enter, CCSC Competition, is held in conjunction with the Midwest meeting of the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges. Since 2006, Taylor’s Computer Science & Engineering department has provided the software and expertise to run this competition. Our university even develops its own software to host the Taylor University Programming Competition, an open competition for Indiana schools and other Christian colleges and universities.
On-Campus Events: The CSE community often gathers for fun and challenging events like Game Jam, a themed competition where students have 24 hours to plan, design graphics, and build code for video games.
Internships: Apply what you’ve learned to the computer science industry, software start-ups, corporations, and missions organizations. Our interns generally receive great reviews from employers who cite their technical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and sense of responsibility. Many internships turn into full-time employment opportunities upon graduation.
Missions: In partnership with the Taylor Center for Missions Computing, CSE students can use and develop their computing skills while serving the Kingdom on discipline-focused J-term trips. CSE and Systems students also partner with Business as Mission (BAM) organizations and fulfill technology needs.
Community Service: CSE is regularly involved in service to the community, both locally and globally. CSE supports the community by contributing computers, network equipment, and the expertise of faculty and students to schools like The King’s Academy, a nearby Christian academy for K-12 students.

Life After Taylor

In addition to a wide variety of careers, there are numerous high-end employers that have hired Taylor computer science and engineering graduates. These include: