Education
The Department of Computer & Information Sciences | Minors & Certificates
Education
About the Certificate/Minor Programs
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) designated Florida A&M University as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education (CDE) based on the University's robust degree programs and close alignment to specific cybersecurity-related knowledge units (KUs) validated by top subject matter experts in the field.
Cybersecurity Certificate
The courses offered in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) under the Cyber Defense Certificate Program are the primary courses used to satisfy the NSA/DHS designated 22 Cybersecurity-related Knowledge Units. These courses provide the education and training for cybersecurity skills that are critical to defending the nation's vital information resources and will prepare students to work in cyber-related professions. The Cybersecurity Certificate consists of the following courses:
This certificate requires proof that COP 3014C – Fundamentals of Programming, has been satisfactorily completed prior to starting the Cybersecurity Certificate program of study.
- CIS 4385C - Digital Forensics (3 Hrs.)
- CIS 4360 - Introduction to Computer Security (3 Hrs.)**
- CIS 4361 - Applied Security (3 Hrs.)
- CNT 4406 - Network Security (3 Hrs.)
- COP 3710 - Database Management Systems (3 Hrs.)**
Total Hours: 15 credits
Minor in Cybersecurity
- CIS 4385C - Digital Forensics (3 Hrs.)
- CIS 4360 - Introduction to Computer Security (3 Hrs.)**
- CIS 4361 - Applied Security (3 Hrs.)
- CNT 4406 - Network Security (3 Hrs.)
- COP 3710 - Database Management Systems (3 Hrs.)**
- COP 3014C - Fundamentals of Programming (4 Hrs.)**
Total Hours: 19 credits
Certificate in Health Information Privacy and Security
The Division of Health Informatics and Information Management offers a Health Information Privacy and Security Certificate that will assist students in learning skills needed to apply the principles of privacy and security of data in the health care industry.
- CGS 2060CE Computer Literacy I*
- HIM 3016 Legal Aspects of Health Information Management (3 hours)
- HIM 4426 Health Information Privacy and Security***
- HIM 4465 Healthcare Informatics (3 hours)
- HIM 4656 Health Information Systems (3 hours)
- CIS 4360 Introduction to Computer Security (3 hours)**
Application Process
Students who successfully complete the courses listed above with a C or better, may apply for the relevant certificate. Students interested in receiving one or more of the certificates must submit an application to the department offering the certificate upon completion of the required coursework. Note: All courses are not offered each semester.
*Students must provide proof the CGS 2060CE has been completed prior to starting the Health Information Privacy and Security Certificate
** These courses are required for all three Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) degree programs.
***Added by HIM (April 2021).
Other Cyber Defense Courses (Graduate Courses):
- CNT 5412 - Network Security Active and Passive Defenses
- CNT 5415 - Applied Computer Network Security
- CIS 5396 - Cyber Security Forensics
- CIS 5371 - Cryptography
- CIS 5370 - Computer Security
- CEN 5074 - Software Security
Laboratory
The Laboratory in the Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) department includes a variety of computer systems to support research and academic activities. The laboratory was originally funded through grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and CISCO Systems, Inc. It serves many educational functions such as undergraduate and graduate education, professional and continuing education, and outreach activities. This laboratory is an isolated lab in which students and faculty can conduct experiments on system and network security.