M.S. in Information Security (MSIS)

Introduction
Admission Requirements
The Curriculum
Program Formats and Term Dates
Early Admission into the Doctoral Program
Course Descriptions

Graduate Catalog

Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences home page

Introduction

This degree program was developed to address the rapidly growing global problems of maintaining and securing computer information. Important areas addressed by the programs include threats and vulnerabilities, cryptography, authentication and access control, security models, network security, trusted computer systems, distributed systems security, World Wide Web security, applications security, and security management and policies.

The M.S. and graduate certificate are recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) based on its certification of the school’s curriculum for compliance with the requirements of NSA national training standards NSTISSI No. 4011 (Information Systems Security Professionals) and CNSSI No. 4013 (System Administrators). As a result of this certification, Federal civilian and military personnel will be permitted to take the school’s certified graduate courses under government sponsorship, and the school is authorized to issue certificates to students who complete such courses. Individuals may apply to take one or more certified information security courses as non-degree students. This program is available online or on-campus.

The M.S. in Information Security is a 36 credit-hour program. It requires the completion of 12 courses or 10 courses and a six-credit thesis. To earn the degree in 12 months, students must enroll in three courses per term. To earn the degree in 18 months, students must enroll in two courses per term. Most working professionals take two courses per term. The Graduate Certificate in Information Security is a 15 credit-hour program that requires the completion of five courses. Students who complete the M.S. may also request the graduate certificate.

The Curriculum

Core courses and electives are listed below. Students must take all ten core courses and two electives. Students who wish to take an additional elective must request approval from the program office prior to registration. If the thesis option is elected, students must take all ten core courses and six thesis credits. Plans for the thesis option must be made with and approved by the program office.

Core Courses  (three credits each)
MCIS 615    Operating Systems    (cross-listed with CISC 640)
MCIS 630    Database Systems
MCIS 645    Software Engineering    (cross-listed with CISC 680)
MCIS 650    Computer Networks    (cross-listed with CISC 650)
MCIS 665    Client-Server Computing
MCIS 683    Secure Computer Systems
MCIS 684    Applied Cryptography
MCIS 685    Database Security
MCIS 686    Advanced Network Security
MCIS 687    Information Security Project

Electives  (three credits each)
MCIS 611    Programming Languages    (cross-listed with CISC 610)
MCIS 623    Legal and Ethical Aspects of Computing    (cross-listed with MMIS 623)
MCIS 654    Electronic Commerce on the Internet    (cross-listed with MMIS 654)
MCIS 670    Artificial Intelligence    (cross-listed with CISC 670)
MCIS 671    Decision Support Systems    (cross-listed with MMIS 671)
MCIS 680    Human-Computer Interaction

Program Formats and Term Dates

The 36-credit hour master’s program is designed so it may be completed by full-time students in 12 months or by working professionals in 12–18 months. To earn the degree in 12 months, students must enroll in three courses per term. To earn the degree in 18 months, students must enroll in two courses per term. Terms are 12 weeks long and there are four terms each year. Students select a preferred format (online or on-campus) in their admission applications, but once admitted may take courses in either format (except that some of the courses in the educational technology concentration are offered only online).

Students electing the online format may participate in online classes from anywhere in the world where Internet access is available. On-campus classes are held on the main campus in Fort Lauderdale. Each class meets once a week from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for 12 weeks.

Students are provided NSU computer accounts but must obtain their own Internet service providers and use their own computer systems. New students are provided an orientation on computer and software requirements, online access, online tools and methods, and library resources. Online students use the web to access course materials, announcements, email, distance library services, subscription library databases, and other information and for interaction with faculty and fellow students. Online, interactive learning methods are based on the use of WebCT as a course management system. Online activities facilitate frequent student-to-faculty and student-to-student interaction. They are supported by threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms, email, multimedia presentations, and assignment drop boxes.

Early Admission into the Doctoral Program

This option provides the opportunity for master’s students in information security to earn the Ph.D. in computer information systems in a shorter time. In addition to the requirements specified in the section Early Admission into the Ph.D. Program, the student must complete all five security-related courses (MCIS 683, 684, 685, 686, and 687) and their prerequisites (MCIS 615, 630, and 650).

Course Descriptions

MCIS 500  Assembly Language and Architecture  (3 credits)
A comprehensive examination of the fundamental concepts and architectural structures of contemporary computers. Assembly language programming and the influence of low-level computer architecture on modern computer applications.

MCIS 501  Java Programming Language  (3 credits)
An in-depth study of the Java programming language. Principles of the object-oriented paradigm. Object-oriented programming theory and practice.

MCIS 502  Mathematics in Computing  (3 credits)
Graph theory, lattices and boolean algebras, state models and abstract algebraic structures, logical systems, production systems, computability theory, recursive function theory.

MCIS 503  Data Structures and Algorithms  (3 credits)
Sorting and searching, algorithms for tree structures, advanced data structures, graph algorithms, complexity, dynamic programming, optimization problems.  Prerequisite: MCIS 501 or equivalent.

MCIS 611  Programming Languages  (3 credits)
The study of the organization and types of programming languages including analysis of imperative, object-oriented, functional, and declarative language paradigms. Other topics include formal languages and language hierarchies, syntactic and semantic specification, context-free languages, abstraction, modularity, program structure and fundamental programming language concepts. (Cross-listed with CISC 610)

MCIS 615  Operating Systems  (3 credits)
Concepts of computer operating systems are presented with an emphasis on structured design. Topics include operating systems structure, multiprocessing, synchronization and communication, task management, virtual memory management, file systems, protection and security, operating system extension techniques, fault tolerance, and systems programming. Recent developments in operating systems theory and implementation are covered. (Cross-listed with CISC 640)

MCIS 623  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Computing  (3 credits)
Building on a foundation in classical ethics, we examine the impact of the computer and the Internet on our society. Topics covered include ethical decision making; professional codes; whistle-blowing; computer crime; copyrights, patents and intellectual property; privacy; and risk management. Students will analyze case studies and write a research paper. (Cross-listed with MMIS 623)

MCIS 630  Database Systems  (3 credits)
Methodologies and principles of database analysis and design are presented. Conceptual modeling and specifications of databases, database design process and tools, functional analysis, the entity-relationship model, and advanced semantic modeling methods are discussed. Topics include theories of database systems, including the architectures of database systems, logical and physical database organizations, data models for database systems (network, hierarchical, relational, and object-oriented model), relational algebra and calculus, query languages, normal forms, null values and partial information, relational database design utilizing dependencies, view design and integration, concurrency control, query optimization, client-server database applications, distributed databases, object-oriented databases, and the current research and development trends of database analysis, design, modeling, and applications.

MCIS 645  Software Engineering  (3 credits)
The development of software-intensive systems; software quality factors; software engineering principles; system life-cycle models and paradigms; requirements definition and analysis; behavioral specification; software design; implementation; software testing techniques; verification and validation; system evolution; software project management. (Cross-listed with CISC 680)

MCIS 650  Computer Networks  (3 credits)
The concepts of computer networks and network services, communication protocols, network and protocol architectures, packet switching techniques, the Internet architecture, topology, internetworking, TCP/IP, network design and analysis methods, switching, and routing. Topics include wired and wireless Ethernet, software and conceptual models, error detection, error correction, transfer and routing protocols, congestion and flow control, quality-of-service, network programming, security, current and future applications. (Cross-listed with CISC 650)

MCIS 654  Electronic Commerce on the Internet  (3 credits)
This course examines the foundation, operation, and implications of the Internet economy. Topics include Internet technologies, online market mechanisms, interactive customers, knowledge-based products, smart physical products and services, pricing in the Internet economy, online auctions and e-marketplaces, digital governance, policies for the Internet economy and an outlook for the new economy. (Cross-listed with MMIS 654)

MCIS 665  Client-Server Computing  (3 credits)
Concepts and principles of client-server architecture, protocols, networks, and distributed computing are presented. The focus of this course is on distributed application design and implementation. Topics include inter-process communication, the role of the GUI and front-end development tools, middleware, multi-tier architectures, distributed objects, and database interaction. Discussions include the various relationships between client-server computing and business processes. Migration from legacy systems is considered along with concerns for meeting customer requirements.

MCIS 670  Artificial Intelligence  (3 credits)
Theory and practice of artificial intelligence and knowledge-based expert systems. Topics include knowledge representation and inference, heuristic and adversary search, genetic algorithms, machine learning, neural computing, reasoning under uncertainty, symbolic programming using Lisp, logic programming using Prolog, and expert systems. Development and implementation of algorithms for intelligent systems is emphasized. Examples from current application areas such as robotics, planning, machine vision, natural language processing, and intelligent agents are used to reinforce the concepts. (Cross-listed with CISC 670)

MCIS 671  Decision Support Systems  (3 credits)
This course examines concepts of decision support in both automated and non-automated environments. The focus is on application of decision theory, analytical modeling, and simulation techniques to solve organizational problems. Group Decision Support Systems, Executive Information Systems, and Expert Systems are also discussed. Case studies of existing systems are used to reinforce concepts discussed in class. A major component of the course is a project entailing the design, implementation, and evaluation of a Decision Support System. Emphasis is placed on the technical aspects of decision support systems. (Cross-listed with MMIS 671)

MCIS 680  Human-Computer Interaction  (3 credits)
The dynamics of human-computer interaction (HCI) are examined along with applying knowledge and theory of systems concepts to computer information systems. Provides a broad and comprehensive overview of HCI as a sub-area of computer information systems. Areas to be addressed include user-centered design approaches to computer information systems, user interface and software design strategies, web site usability, user experience levels, interaction styles, usability engineering, and collaborative systems technology.  Suitable methods will be examined for collecting users’ requirements. Students will perform formal interface evaluations and usability tests that apply to current computer information systems technology.

MCIS 683  Secure Computer Systems  (3 credits)
This course will focus on design principles of trusted computing bases (TCB). Issues regarding authentication, access control and authorization, discretionary and mandatory security policies, secure kernel design, secure operating systems, and secure databases will be covered from a systems architecture perspective. Emphasis will be on the design of security measures for critical information infrastructures. Prerequisites: MCIS 615, 630, 650.

MCIS 684  Applied Cryptography  (3 credits)
Analysis of cryptographic algorithms, cryptanalysis, symmetric cryptography, public key cryptography, DES, AES, RSA, hash and MAC functions, digital signatures, pseudo-random generators, cryptographic protocols, SSL/TLS, SET. Prerequisites: MCIS 502 (or equivalent), 615, 650.

MCIS 685  Database Security  (3 credits)
This course will focus on issues related to the design and implementation of secure data stores. Emphasis will be placed on multilevel security in database systems, covert channels, and security measures for relational and object-oriented database systems. Prerequisites: MCIS 615, 630.

MCIS 686  Advanced Network Security  (3 credits)
Fundamental concepts, principles, and practical networking and internetworking issues relevant to the design, analysis, and implementation of enterprise-level trusted networked information systems. Topics include networking and security architectures, techniques, and protocols at the various layers of the Internet model. Security problems in distributed application environments will be analyzed and solutions discussed and implemented. Prerequisites: MCIS 615, 650.

MCIS 687  Information Security Project  (3 credits)
This project course integrates all of the knowledge accumulated through the previous courses and serves as a capstone for the Concentration in Information Security. The class focuses on techniques for protecting critical information infrastructures through case studies, application development, and systems assessment. Prerequisites: MCIS 683, 684, 685, and 686.

MCIS 688  Continuing Thesis in Computer Information Systems  (1.5 credits)
Students who have not completed the thesis by the end of  the second thesis registration must register for continuing thesis. This allows the student to receive faculty and administrative advice and support related to the thesis. Prerequisite: Completion of second thesis registration.

MCIS 699  Master’s Thesis (3 credits)
The student develops a framework within which research will be conducted and offers evidence of qualifications to pursue the research. Concepts and theories underlying the student’s thesis research are articulated; the problem is clearly stated; specific, measurable goals are specified; a literature review is presented; the methods of conducting research are delineated; and strategies to achieve the goal are supplied. Registration for MCIS 699 must be repeated for three more credits, for a total of six thesis credits. Prerequisite: Completion of eight courses at the 600-level.