Computer Engineering Cybersecurity

On-campus Undergraduate Minor Concentration

The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department offers a bachelor's degree in computer engineering with a concentration in cybersecurity: the application of measures to protect computers and computer systems from unauthorized access and attack.

With the expanding threat of cyber attacks, cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields in computer engineering.

As a concentration within UMassD's computer engineering major, your program of study will explore the foundations of cybersecurity—including hardware, software, and information systems—as well as contemporary issues in software reliability, security risk, internet of things, and smart and connected cities.

Your course work will cover:

computer forensics: detection and prevention of digital criminal activity; ethical and legal issues in the collection, analysis, and reporting of digital data
cyber threats and security management: trustworthy systems, security life cycles, social engineering, risk assessment
design and implementation: real-time embedded resource management systems
network security: defense of network resources, cryptography, models

As a computer engineering major, you'll be prepared to meet the changing high-technology needs of industry and to continue with graduate studies.

Computer engineers with a background in cybersecurity will find exciting and challenging work in a variety of fields including banking, communications, e-commerce, government, the military, and social media.

Our program prepares you for this evolving field by providing a strong background in science, mathematics, and engineering.

Your computer engineering courses will include programming, circuits, digital design, electronics, operating systems, algorithms, and computer networks. You can also choose from technical electives such as integrated circuits, computer architecture, wireless sensor networks, wireless communications, multimedia communications, database systems, network security, and dependable computing. During your final year, you will complete a senior design project that provides real-world experience and is defined by current industry needs.

For the BS in computer engineering, you'll complete 57 credits in computer and electrical engineering courses and a total of 122 credits overall.

Dual major in Electrical & Computer Engineering: Prepare to meet a broad range of challenges in the ever-changing high-tech fields of electrical and computer engineering by earning dual bachelor's degrees.

A minor in computer engineering cybersecurity covers the fields of information security, network security, and computer system security. The coursework within the CYCP minor is based upon national training standards for cybersecurity professionals, recommended by the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency and the Committee on National Security Systems. You'll complete 21-23.5 credits.

Student success

Computer Engineering student Anastasia Grosch

Anastasia Grosch '24, '25

Computer engineering major Anastasia Grosch '24, '25 came to UMass Dartmouth from San Jose, CA. UMass Dartmouth gave her the real-world experience and support she needed to launch a career in cybersecurity. Grosch interned at Intel two years in a row, and conducted research with Dr. Ruolin Zhou on federated learning. Outside the classroom, Grosch helped to start the UMassD Car and Motorsports Club.

Internships

Akamai
Dell Technologies
GE Healthcare
Electric Boat/General Dynamics
MathWorks
NASA
Naval Undersea Warfare Center

Graduate school placements

California Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
MIT
Purdue University
University of Michigan
University of Texas
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Career placements

AT&T
EMC Corporation
General Dynamics
Lockheed Martin
MathWorks
Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC)
Raytheon
Siemens

Capstone projects: most senior engineering students work in small teams on real-world, industry-specific challenges that demand analysis, proposals, prototypes, and solutions.
Community: join organizations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Association for Computing Machinery, the Electrical and Computer Engineers National Honor Society, the Society of Women Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and Engineers Without Borders.
Experience: participate in co-op and internship programs to gain valuable experience with regional industries, often while also earning money for college.
New initiatives: collaborate, create, and explore at the Center for Scientific Computing and Visualization Research.

International (F-1) students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). To learn about the eligibility criteria and detailed steps to apply, please review the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) OPT page and USCIS resources. F-1 students must consult with the ISSC to apply for STEM OPT.

Accelerated BS/MS Program: This fast-track program enables qualified BS degree students in computer engineering to complete both the BS and the MS degrees in 5 years.
MS in Electrical Engineering: Expand your career options with a master's degree in computer engineering.
PhD in Electrical Engineering: Our doctoral program offers options in electrical engineering and computer engineering.
Graduate certificates: The department also offers 5 certificate programs for working professionals.