Minor in Cybersecurity

Virginia Tech's College of Engineering offers an undergraduate minor in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity under this minor covers the fields of Information Security, Network Security, and Computer System Security. As fraudulent groups and people seek to steal this pertinent information, the importance of cybersecurity and its inner workings rises.

Core Principals & Hands-On Education

This minor seeks to provide a core technical basis for careers in secure system design and operation.

Note that Virginia Tech's undergraduate education in cybersecurity, while hands-on, focuses on core principles of security rather than specific information technology components and systems from specific vendors. Students may also find it beneficial to consider professional certification, such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Requirements

The undergraduate minor in cybersecurity is a College of Engineering program, principally focused on students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, but is open to any student able to meet the necessary prerequisites.

To apply for the cybersecurity minor and view application deadlines, please visit the Department of Engineering Education and fill out a College of Engineering Minor Application.

Declaration Requirement: Students wishing to declare their intention to complete the cybersecurity minor must first successfully complete CS 3214 OR ECE 3574. Students may declare their intention with the College of Engineering.

GPA Requirement: Students must obtain a GPA of 2.0 or better over the courses used to satisfy the requirements of the minor.

The official checksheets for the minor can be found at The Office of the Registrar.

Two Minor Core Courses

• ECE 4560: Network Security Fundamentals
• CS 4264: Principles of Computer Security

One Network Course from This List

• ECE 4564: Network Application Design
• CS 4244: Internet Software Development
• CS 4254: Computer Network Arch and Programming

One Systems Course from This List

• CS 3214: Computer Systems
• CS/ECE 4504: Computer Organization
• ECE 3574: Applied Software Engineering

One Interdisciplinary Course from This List

• ACIS 4684: Information Systems Security and Assurance
• FIN 4014: Internet, Electronic, and Online Law
• MATH 4175: Cryptography I
• MATH 4176: Cryptography II

One Additional Course from any of the Networks, Systems, or Interdisciplinary Lists

In addition to the one required course from each area, one additional course is required, and may be any one of the courses listen in any of the three given areas.

One Credit Seminar Course

• ECE 4944: Cybersecurity Seminar

Careers

Students graduating with a degree in computer science or computer engineering with a minor in cybersecurity could expect careers in software engineering, embedded systems engineering, or information systems management, with an emphasis on designing, developing, operating, or analyzing security features or subsystems.

Given Virginia Tech's location in the mid-Atlantic region, there are a large number of employers in the greater Washington D.C. metro area with a keen interest in cybersecurity, including defense contractors and federal agencies. Those considering careers in the national security sector should consider the requirements for the US Department of Defense Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program.