Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity with a Major in Cyber Operations (BS)

Shobha Vatsa, Program Coordinator and Faculty Advisor (svatsa@odu.edu)

Cybersecurity with a major in Cyber Operations is an interdisciplinary major encompassing the entire scope of cyberspace and related operations that are both technical and non-technical (i.e., ethical, legal, human-centered, etc.) in nature. Cyber Operations is a complementary discipline to Cybersecurity.  Cyber Operations places a particular emphasis on technologies and techniques applicable to all operational and system levels. Coursework in Cyber Operations balances theory, practice and hands-on labs inspired by real-life scenarios. Skills and competencies emphasized are in system attack, infiltration, exploitation, defense, mitigation, and recovery.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity with the Cyber Operations major will have the skills and proficiencies that are critical to intelligence, military and law enforcement organizations authorized to perform these specialized operations. Therefore, they will play a role in the enhancement of the national security posture of the nation.

Requirements

Lower-Division General Education

Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both written communication courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major. 

Mathematics: MATH 211 and MATH 212 required

Philosophy and Ethics: met in the major by PHIL 355E

Impact of Technology: met in the major by CYSE 200T

Human Behavior: CRJS 215S or DASC 205S/SOC 205S required

Upper-Division General Education

Met through 300/400-level prerequisite courses required for the major.

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for graduation include the following:

• Minimum of 120 credit hours.
• Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
• Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
• Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
• Completion of Senior Assessment.

Cyber Operations Major

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Students who take CS 250 Programming with C++ need to select CS 261 Java for Programmers as the required lab course.  Students who take CS 251 Programming with Java need to select CS 260 C++ for Programmers as the required lab course.

No more than two classes, or six credits, may be counted for both the major and a minor.  Some minors may allow fewer credits to share. 

Elective credit may be needed to meet the 120 hour requirement for graduation.

Degree Program Guide

The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years.  It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor.  Additional information can also be found in Degree Works. 

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Students who take CS 250 Programming with C++ need to select CS 261 Java for Programmers as the required lab course.  Students who take CS 251 Programming with Java need to select CS 260 C++ for Programmers as the required lab course.

Language and Culture I & II may be met in high school and are not included in this four-year plan. Please see requirement details.