University Catalog 2023-2024

Computer Science (BS): Cybersecurity Concentration

Program Overview

The Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering at NC State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree. The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org

Students complete the standard set of engineering first-year courses, which include courses in the humanities, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computing.  Students may apply to join the Department of Computer Science as degree-seeking students via the CODA process.  

The Computer Science curriculum teaches students the skills needed to understand, design, implement, test, and deploy computer systems and software systems.  Core courses provide a foundation for all students in programming languages, data structures, software engineering, computer architectures, the theory of computation, the basics of building secure software and systems, teaming and communication, and the social and ethical dimensions of the practice of computer science. 

All Computer Science majors must complete a team project in Senior Design. Projects under the auspices of the department’s Senior Design Center have industrial sponsors, so student teams gain experience working jointly with industry representatives to achieve project goals. Senior Design teams are expected to solve a technical computing problem while effectively communicating their work and process to various audiences.

To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!

Cybersecurity Concentration

Securing cyberspace is one of the 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century. We rely on software systems for everything from utilities, banking, and entertainment to business, travel, and health care. However, these systems are vulnerable to attack, which could have a significant impact on our society. Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand to protect the security and privacy of software systems for government and industry.  

The Cybersecurity Concentration provides students with the opportunity to analyze security risks, define a threat landscape, and defend against threats from adversaries in software, networks, and systems. Students complete 21 hours of cybersecurity-focused coursework beyond the computer science core. Concentration students complete a concentration capstone project where they will explore cybersecurity solutions as part of an industrially sponsored project.

Students in the Cybersecurity Concentration are eligible to apply for the CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service program with the Department of Computer Science.

Departmental Information

The Department of Computer Science is located in Engineering Building II on NC State’s Centennial Campus.  

Department of Computer Science

Contact Computer Science Academic Advising

Plan Requirements

Major Field of Study Requirements
Math
MA 141Calculus I 1,24
MA 241Calculus II 1,24
MA 242Calculus III4
MA 305Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices3
ST 370Probability and Statistics for Engineers3
Sciences
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1,2
4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1,2
4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
Basic Science Elective3
CSC Major
CSC 116Introduction to Computing - Java 23
CSC 216
CSC 217
Software Development Fundamentals
and Software Development Fundamentals Lab 2
4
CSC 226Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists 23
CSC 230C and Software Tools3
CSC 246Concepts and Facilities of Operating Systems for Computer Scientists3
CSC 316Data Structures and Algorithms3
CSC 326Software Engineering4
CSC 333Automata, Grammars, and Computability3
CSC 379Ethics in Computing1
CSC 492Senior Design Project3
Other Major
CSC Restricted Elective3
Other Restricted Electives 300+3
ENG 331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
Concentration Courses/Groups/Electives
CSC 236Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists3
CSC 405Computer Security 23
CSC 471Modern Topics in Cybersecurity 23
CSC 472Cybersecurity Projects 23
CSC 474Network Security 23
CSC Cybersecurity Restricted Elective 23
Foundations of Cryptography
Software Security
Privacy in the Digital Age
Cybersecurity Topics3
Cybersecurity Topics 2
College Requirements
Orientation Course(s):4
Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1,3
Engineering in the 21st Century 2
Introduction to Computing Environments 1
Other:3
Fundamentals of Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
General Education Program Requirements
ENG 101 1,34
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours121
1

College of Engineering CODA classes

2

Grade of C or higher required

3

Grade of C minus or higher required

 Basic Science Elective

BIO ***
CH 201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science3
MEA ***
PB ***
PY 123Stellar and Galactic Astronomy3
PY 124Solar System Astronomy3
PY 328Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics3
PY 341Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology3
PY 401Quantum Physics I3
PY 402Quantum Physics II3
PY 407Introduction to Modern Physics3
PY 411Mechanics I3
PY 412Mechanics II3
PY 413Thermal Physics3
PY 414Electromagnetism I3
PY 415Electromagnetism II3
ZOO ***

 CSC Restricted Elective

CSC 236Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists3
CSC 302Introduction to Numerical Methods3
CSC 342Applied Web-based Client-Server Computing3
CSC 401Data and Computer Communications Networks3
CSC 402Networking Projects3
CSC 405Computer Security3
CSC 406Architecture Of Parallel Computers3
CSC 411Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
CSC 412Compiler Construction3
CSC 414Foundations of Cryptography3
CSC 415Software Security3
CSC 416Introduction to Combinatorics3
CSC 417Theory of Programming Languages3
CSC 419DevOps: Modern Software Engineering Practices3
CSC 422Automated Learning and Data Analysis3
CSC 431File Organization and Processing3
CSC 433Privacy in the Digital Age3
CSC 440Database Management Systems3
CSC 442Introduction to Data Science3
CSC 447Introduction to Cloud Computing3
CSC 450Web Services3
CSC 453Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT) Systems3
CSC 454Human-Computer Interaction3
CSC 455Social Computing and Decentralized Artificial Intelligence3
CSC 456Computer Architecture and Multiprocessors3
CSC 461Computer Graphics3
CSC 462Advanced Computer Graphics Projects3
CSC 467Multimedia Technology3
CSC 471Modern Topics in Cybersecurity3
CSC 472Cybersecurity Projects3
CSC 474Network Security3
CSC 481Game Engine Foundations3
CSC 482Advanced Computer Game Projects3
CSC 484Building Game AI3
CSC 486Computational Visual Narrative3
CSC 495Special Topics in Computer Science1-6
CSC 498Independent Study in Computer Science3
CSC 499Independent Research in Computer Science1-6
CSC 5**
ECE 482Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development I3
ECE 483Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development II3
MA 414Foundations of Cryptography3
MA 416Introduction to Combinatorics3
ST 442Introduction to Data Science3

 Other Restricted Electives 300+

CSC Restricted Elective Courses1-6
ACC 310Intermediate Financial Accounting I3
ACC 311Intermediate Financial Accounting II3
ACC 330An Introduction To Income Taxation3
ACC 340Accounting Information Systems3
ARS 306Music Composition with Computers3
BUS 320Financial Management3
BUS 340Information Systems Management3
BUS 360Marketing Methods3
BUS 4**
CHE 435Process Systems Analysis and Control3
CHE 465Colloidal and Nanoscale Engineering3
CSC 427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
CSC 428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II3
EC 3**
EC 4**
EC 5**
ECE 3** (except for ECE 309)
ECE 4**
ECE 5**
EMS 480Teaching Mathematics with Technology3
GC 3203D Spatial Relations3
GC 350Applied CAD/D and Geometric Controls3
GC 420Visual Thinking3
GN 5**
ISE 311Engineering Economic Analysis3
ISE 361Deterministic Models in Industrial Engineering3
ISE 4**
ISE 5**
LOG 335Symbolic Logic3
LOG 435Advanced Logic & Metamathematics3
LOG 535Advanced Logic and Metamathematics3
MA 302Numerical Applications to Differential Equations1
MA 341Applied Differential Equations I3
MA 351Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models3
MA 401Applied Differential Equations II3
MA 402Mathematics of Scientific Computing3
MA 403Introduction to Modern Algebra3
MA 405Introduction to Linear Algebra3
MA 407Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors3
MA 408Foundations of Euclidean Geometry3
MA 410Theory of Numbers3
MA 412Long-Term Actuarial Models3
MA 413Short-Term Actuarial Models3
MA 425Mathematical Analysis I3
MA 426Mathematical Analysis II3
MA 427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
MA 428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II3
MA 430Mathematical Models in the Physical Sciences3
MA 432Mathematical Models in Life Sciences3
MA 437Applications of Algebra3
MA 440Game Theory3
MA 5**
MAE 3**
MAE 4**
MAE 5**
MIE 3**
MIE 4**
MSE 3**
MSE 4**
MSE 5**
MUS 306Music Composition with Computers3
NE 3**
NE 4**
NE 5**
OR 5**
PHI 425Introduction to Cognitive Science3
PSY 307Industrial and Organizational Psychology3
PSY 340Human Factors Psychology3
PSY 400Perception3
PSY 420Cognitive Processes3
PSY 425Introduction to Cognitive Science3
PY 4**
PY 5**
ST 372Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression3
ST 4**
ST 5**

Semester Sequence4

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1,2
4
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1,3 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1,3 4
MA 141 Calculus I 1,2 4
 Hours14
Spring Semester
CSC 116 Introduction to Computing - Java 2 3
MA 241 Calculus II 1,2 4
PY 205 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 1,2 3
PY 206 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1,2 1
EC 205
Fundamentals of Economics
or Principles of Microeconomics
or Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
3
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 1,2 2
 Hours16
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
CSC 216
CSC 217
Software Development Fundamentals
and Software Development Fundamentals Lab 2
4
CSC 226 Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists 2 3
CSC 297 Cybersecurity Topics 1
MA 242 Calculus III 4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CSC 230 C and Software Tools 3
CSC 297 Cybersecurity Topics 1
CSC 316 Data Structures and Algorithms 3
CSC 333 Automata, Grammars, and Computability 3
MA 305 Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Junior Year
Fall Semester
CSC 236 Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists 3
CSC 246 Concepts and Facilities of Operating Systems for Computer Scientists 3
CSC 297 Cybersecurity Topics 1
CSC 474 Network Security 2 3
ST 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CSC 326 Software Engineering 4
CSC 405 Computer Security 2 3
CSC 379 Ethics in Computing 1
ENG 331 Communication for Engineering and Technology 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
Other Restricted Electives 300+ 3
 Hours15
Senior Year
Fall Semester
CSC 471 Modern Topics in Cybersecurity 2 3
CSC 414
Foundations of Cryptography 2
or Software Security
or Privacy in the Digital Age
3
CSC 492 Senior Design Project 3
Basic Science Elective 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CSC 472 Cybersecurity Projects 2 3
CSC Restricted Elective 3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours121
1

Courses required for matriculation (CODA)

2

Grade of C or higher required

3

Grade of C- or higher required.

4

One of the following two conditions regarding the major GPA is required: 1) the major GPA, which consists of all CSC courses attempted at NCSU, must be 2.0 or higher or 2) a student whose major GPA is below 2.0 may graduate if no CSC course used to satisfy the major requirements has a grade below a C-.

Career Opportunities

Designing computer systems, and the software that runs on them is the job of computer scientists. Computer scientists find demand for their innovation, design, analysis, testing, and engineering skills across all domains. As a direct consequence of the increasingly critical role of computers in society, the discipline of computer science has enjoyed rapid growth for many years, with the trend likely to continue.  Employment projections indicate a critical nationwide shortfall in the supply of people skilled in computing and information technology, and a resulting steady rise in demand and salaries, for decades to come. Computer Science graduates from NC State are in high demand, including by employers that are extremely selective in their national recruiting.

Anchoring one corner of the world-famous Research Triangle Park, and located in modern state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities on NC State’s Centennial Campus, the department and its students and faculty benefit from strong and active industry partnerships. NC State Computer Science is one of the top suppliers in the nation of new graduate hires to a number of high-tech companies, including several Fortune 500 companies, some with a substantial presence in the Research Triangle. Starting salaries for our undergraduates now average over $75,000 and show a steady increase. Opportunities are also plentiful for graduate study for those who wish to pursue the field in more depth.