Computer Science – Cybersecurity Major
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contact the Computer Science & Engineering Department
Dr. Dannie Stanley, Director of the Cybersecurity Program & Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Engineering
765-998-4518
dnstanley@taylor.edu
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