Cyber Security Courses

The University of Rhode Island offers the following undergraduate and graduate level courses in the area of cyber security:

HPR 108c - Cryptography, Information Security, and Personal Privacy

This in-person course is an honors level course for students interested in Cyber Security. This course surveys the historical development and impact of secret codes. The mathematics underlying the making and breaking of several significant classical codes, and the security of modern computer-based ciphers are presented. The balance between the right to individual privacy and the need for law enforcement and national security are also considered. Finally, the actual and potential uses of the trail of personal information we leave simply by living in the modern world are discussed. 4 credits; Prerequisite: Acceptance into the honors program at URI.


CSC 219 - Network System Fundamentals

Coming Soon!

This online course is designed to give students a foundation in the fundamentals of networking concepts. This includes topics such as network devices, network technologies, network configuration, media and topologies, management, and security. 4 credits.


CSC 420 - Introduction to Information Assurance

This online course provides an introduction to information assurance. It covers fundamental concepts necessary to understand the threats to security as well as various defenses against those threats. The material includes an understanding of existing threats, planning for security, technology used to defend a computer system and implementing security measures and technology. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 219 or equivalent experience.


CSC 423 - Network Intrusion Detection and Defense

The primary goal of this online course is to provide students with the knowledge needed to defend the network against attackers. It introduces students to many different approaches to network security. Students will be exposed to the use of isolated systems as methods of detecting attacks and gathering data on different attack vectors. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 420.


CSC 424 - Live Forensics & Incident Response

This online course will introduce the concepts and skills necessary to conduct investigations of compromised workstations and servers. Correct determination of which steps to take and in which order is necessary for proper containment, evidence collection, analysis and restoration. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 423.


CSC 427 - Secure Programming

Coming Soon!
This online course is designed for students with a strong programming background that want to learn more about writing secure code. Common implementation issues, as well as specific techniques for ensuring confidentiality, integrity, authentication, authorization and availability.4 credits; Prerequisite: Instructor Permission.


ELE 437 - Computer Communications

This in-person course covers computer networks, layering standards, communication fundamentals, error detection and recovery, queuing theory, delay versus throughput trade-offs in networks, multiple-access channels, design issues in wide and local area networks. 3 credits; Prerequisites: (ELE 205 or ELE 208 or CSC 211) and (CSC 436 or MTH 451 or ISE 411) or permission of instructor.


ELE 438 - Information and Network Security

This in-person course covers elementary cryptography, public key, private key, symmetric key, authentication protocols, firewalls, virtual private networks, transport layer security, and wireless network security. 3 credits; Prerequisites: ELE 208 or MTH 362 or MTH 451 or ISE 411 or junior or senior standing in computer engineering or computer science or permission of instructor.


CSC 499 - Internship

This is an internship with an organization where a student's primary focus is related to cyber security. It is supervised by both Dr. DiPippo and a mentor at the practicing organization. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 423.


CSC 523 - Advanced Intrusion Detection and Defense

The primary goal of this online course is to provide students with the knowledge needed to defend the network against attackers. It introduces students to many different approaches to network security. Students will be exposed to the use of isolated systems as methods of detecting attacks and gathering data on different attack vectors. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 420.


CSC 524 - Advanced Incident Response

This online course will introduce the concepts and skills necessary to conduct investigations of compromised workstations and servers. Correct determination of which steps to take and in which order is necessary for proper containment, evidence collection, analysis and restoration. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 523.


CSC 525 - Pen Testing 1

Coming Soon!

This online course is an introduction to and the application of computer and network security. Class is designed to provide a foundation of security principles, current security topics and research of security challenges in real world applications. Develop student’s ability to think creatively and challenge the way technology is designed to use while identifying security concerns in ways which is not intended. The mechanisms of computer and network penetration testing are covered in a methodical and sound approach. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 420.


CSC 526 - Pen Testing 2

Coming Soon!

This online course is designed to build on the concepts and foundations taught in Pen Testing 1. In this course students will take a closer look at identifying specific and more advanced concerns in network security and web application security. 4 credits; Prerequisite: CSC 525.


CSC 541 - Advanced Topics in Algorithms (Advanced Cryptography)

This in-person course covers mathematical techniques for the analysis of algorithms. Sums and products; finite difference calculus; properties of binomial coefficients; Stirling, harmonic, and Fibonacci numbers; recurrence relations; generating functions; asymptotic approximation. Cryptography related case studies.4 credits; Prerequisite: Instructor Permission.


CSC 599 - Master's Thesis Research

This is a Master's thesis research project, in the area of cyber security, that is completed under the supervision of a URI faculty member. This course is for students pursuing a Masters in Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. 4 credits.


CSC 699 - Doctoral Dissertation Research

This is a Doctoral dissertation research project, in the area of cyber security, that is completed under the supervision of a URI faculty member. This course is for students pursuing a PhD in Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. 4 credits.


Coming Soon!

In January 2013 we will begin accepting applications for our Certificate Programs in Cyber Security.

Learn more about our Cyber Security Certificate Programs:

Professional Certificates

Graduate Certificates


Industry Certifications

Our courses will help you prepare for standard industry certifications such as: Net+, Security+, SSCP, and CISSP.