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Computer Engineering Cybersecurity

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 science cybersecurity student Zakaria Faddi
Zakaria Faddi '22, '23

Zakaria Faddi '22, '23 earned his BS in Computer Engineering with a concentration in cybersecurity, and earned his MS through the 4+1 program. 

"I chose UMassD because of its excellent faculty, small class sizes, well-equipped labs and facilities, opportunities for research, and strong alumni network. I was confident that I would receive a high-quality education that would prepare me for a successful career. 

"From the moment I stepped on campus, I was embraced by a community that fostered my growth and encouraged me to push my boundaries. The faculty members at UMassD played a pivotal role in my success, offering unwavering support, mentorship, and guidance. Their dedication to my education and personal development inspired me to strive for greatness. Through engaging classroom experiences, hands-on research opportunities, and active involvement in community service, I discovered my passions and honed my skills."

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

UMassD advantages

  • 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.

Expand your opportunities

Computer Engineering Cybersecurity faculty

Antonio Costa
Antonio Costa, PhD
Ana Doblas
Ana Doblas, PhD
COE - Depts - ECE - Faculty - Brown - New
David Brown, PhD
Dayalan Kasilingam
Dayalan Kasilingam, PhD
David Rancour
David Rancour, PhD
Fernanda Botelho
Francois Bouchard
Hong Liu
Hong Liu, PhD
Honggang Wang
Honggang Wang, PhD
John Buck
John Buck, PhD
Lance Fiondella
Lance Fiondella, PhD
Liudong Xing
Liudong Xing, PhD
Mohammad Karim
Mohammad Karim, PhD
Paul J. Fortier
Paul Fortier
COE - Depts - ECE - Faculty - Gendron
Paul Gendron, PhD
Philip H. Viall
Philip Viall, MS
Ruolin Zhou
Ruolin Zhou, PhD
Sezer Goren
Sezer Goren, PhD
Yifei Li
Yifei Li, PhD
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