Requirements for the Master of Science in Cybersecurity
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is designed to be completed in 4 semesters. It takes 8 courses to complete the program and students can take up to 3 courses per semester, but the Department strongly recommends taking no more than 2 courses per semester--especially during one's first term at Brown. We do not currently offer summer term courses in the program, so courses are completed during fall and spring. Course availability varies and there is no guarantee that students will be able to take every course they are interested in.
Each Cybersecurity student must have their course choices approved by the Director of Graduate Studies for their Track and by the student's advisor. Cybersecurity students must only register for courses at the 1000-level or higher only. Additionally, all courses must be completed with a grade of B or better. Furthermore, students must complete at least two 2000-level courses.
| Choose from either the Computer Science Track or the Policy Track | ||
| Computer Science Track: | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| CSCI 1360 | Human Factors in Cybersecurity | 1 |
| CSCI 1660 | Introduction to Computer Systems Security | 1 |
| CSCI 1860 | Cybersecurity Law and Policy | 1 |
| Select Three Track courses: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Computer Systems | ||
| Introduction to Cryptography and Computer Security | ||
| Software Security and Exploitation | ||
| Operating Systems | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Operating Systems Laboratory | ||
| Design and Implementation of Programming Languages | ||
| Privacy-Conscious Computer Systems | ||
| Advanced Topics in Cryptography | ||
| Topics in Applied Cryptography | ||
| Topics in Computer Systems Security | ||
| Topics in Software Security | ||
| Select Two Elective Courses: | 2 | |
| Theory of Computation | ||
| Database Management Systems | ||
| User Interfaces and User Experience | ||
| Distributed Computer Systems | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Advanced Introduction to Probability for Computing and Data Science | ||
| Deep Learning | ||
| Design and Analysis of Algorithms | ||
| Cybersecurity and International Relations | ||
| Computers, Freedom and Privacy | ||
| Cybersecurity Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Robotics | ||
| Reading and Research | ||
Other appropriate courses are possible with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the instructor if you've satisfied their prerequsities. | ||
| Policy Track: | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| CSCI 1360 | Human Factors in Cybersecurity | 1 |
| CSCI 1860 | Cybersecurity Law and Policy | 1 |
| CSCI 1880 | Introduction to Computer Security | 1 |
| Select Three Track courses: | 3 | |
| Reading and Research | ||
CSCI 2001 | Applied Cryptography and Data Privacy | |
| Privacy and Personal Data Protection | ||
Other appropriate courses are possible with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the instructor if you have satisfied their prerequisites. | ||
| Select Two Elective Courses: | 2 | |
| User Interfaces and User Experience | ||
| Cybersecurity and International Relations | ||
| Computers, Freedom and Privacy | ||
| Cybersecurity Ethics | ||
| Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies | ||