ACADEMICS: MS Track The Computer Security Track offers a comprehensive educational package that covers the concepts, issues, theories, and technologies that affect the secure processing, transference, and storage of digital information. Track courses begin with foundational information assurance (IA) topics, then progress to more in-depth coverage of such specialized areas as: certification and accreditation, databases, networks, secure system design, and formal methods. NPS has been twice certified by the National Security Agency as a Center of Excellence in IA Education, largely as a result of the curriculum provided in this track. The Computer Security Track is supported by the Center for Information Systems Security Studies and Research (CISR). Downloads: Thesis Guidelines / Thesis Policy / Sample Thesis Proposal / Thesis Proposal Template / John Powers' (ECE Dept) Thesis Tips Courses The Computer Security Track consists of: 4 required core IA courses and a Specialization Sequence that consists of 4 additional IA courses. Note that since CS3600 - Introduction to Information Assurance (IA): Computer Security is a department wide core requirement it is taken by all students in the Computer Security Track, as well as all students in all other tracks. Required Track Courses The following 4 courses are required for the Computer Security Track: CS3670 - Secure Management of Systems (3-2) * CS3690 - Network Security (4-2) CS4600 - Secure Systems (3-2) CS4605 - Security Policies, Models, and Formal Methods (3-1) Computer Security Specialization Sequences There are 4 Computer Security Specialization Sequences, each of which consists of 4 courses. Security Requirements and Analysis - CS4650 Application of Security Evaluation Criteria for Information and Software Assurance (3-1) CS4615 Formal Analysis of Security Protocols (4-2) CS4680 and CS4685 Introduction to Certification and Accreditation (3-2) * CS4614 Advanced Topics in Computer Security (3-1) Computer Network Operations - CS4678 Advanced Vulnerability Assessment (4-2) CS4677 Computer Forensics (3-2) CS4680 and CS4685 Introduction to Certification and Accreditation (3-2) * CS4650 Application of Security Evaluation Criteria for Information and Software Assurance (3-1) Forensics - CS4677 Computer Forensics (3-2) CS4678 Advance Vulnerability Assessment (4-2)(Non-U.S. students take CS3675 Network Vulnerability Analysis (3-2) instead) CS4614 Advanced Topics in Computer Security (3-1) CS4615 Formal Analysis of Security Protocols (4-2) Network Security - CS4678 Advance Vulnerability Assessment (4-2) (Non-U.S. students take CS3675 Network Vulnerability Analysis (3-2) instead) CS4615 Formal Analysis of Security Protocols (4-2) CS4614 Advanced Topics in Computer Security (3-1) CS4138 Mobile and Wireless Security (3-1) * Note: Completion of these courses, along with their prerequisites and certain other core courses, will earn the student up to five NSTISSI certificates (4011, 4012, 4013, 4014, 4015). For information about these certificates visit The Certification Page. CS4680 and CS4685 are taken concurrently as a single (3-2) course. Matrix This matrix is a representative course of study for a student seeking an MS in computer science with a specialization in computer security. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in computer science may select a dissertation topic in the area of computer network security. See the CS Ph.D. webpage for the requirements leading to a Doctoral degree in Computer Science Quarter 1 (Fall/Spring) CS-2900 (4-2) Introduction to Objects & Programming CS-3010 (4-0) Computing Systems Principles CS3000 (4-1) Great Principles of Computing Technology MA-3025 (4-1) Logic & Discrete Math   Quarter 2 (Winter/Sum) CS-3901 (4-2) Introduction to Data Structures & Intermediate Programming CS-3600 (4-2) Introduction to Computer Security CS-3601 (4-0) Theory of Formal Languages & Automata OS-3307 (4-1) Modeling Practices for Computing CS-4900 (0-2) Technology & Transformation I Quarter 3 (Fall/Spring) CS-3450 (3-2) Operating Systems CS-3502 (4-2) Computer Comms & Networks CS-3310 (4-1) Artificial Intelligence CS-3650 (4-0) Design and Analysis of Algorithms CS-4901 (0-2) Technology & Transformation II Quarter 4 (Winter/Sum) CS-3113 (3-2) Introduction to Compiler Writing CS-3902 (4-2) Programming Paradigms CS-3320 (3-1) Database Systems SW-3460 (3-1) Software Methodology     Quarter 5 (Fall/Spring) CS-3204 (3-2) Human – Computer Interaction CS4600 (3-2) Secure Computer Systems CS3670 (3-2) Secure Management of Systems JPME Course or IA Track Elective   Quarter 6 (Winter/Sum) CS-0810 Thesis Research CS3690 (4-2) Network Security CS4605 (3-1) Security Policies, Models & Formal Methods JPME Course or IA Track Elective   Quarter 7 (Fall/Spring) CS-0810 Thesis Research Specialization Sequence Requirement Specialization Sequence Requirement JPME Course or IA Track Elective   Quarter 8 (Winter/Sum) CS-0810 Thesis Research Specialization Sequence Requirement Specialization Sequence Requirement JPME Course or Thesis Research   Limited Access Areas: SFS Resources / CISR Resources Updated 05-2008 / Home / Webmaster / Privacy Policy / Links / Search / Sitemap / NPS This U.S. Government Web Site is provided by the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Information Systems Security Studies and Research for official information regarding CISR's programs and research.