March 6, 2023
Responding to critical industry needs in Michigan, the U.S. and around the world, Oakland University's Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) will launch a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (pending final approvals), building on the university’s reputation as a center for cybersecurity education, research and support.
"Cybersecurity is really critical right now, as cyber threats are rampant in every industry," said Dr. Khalid Malik, associate professor in CSE and director of OU’s Secure Modeling and Intelligent Learning in Engineering Systems Lab (SMILES). “Our new degree program for undergraduates is unique because we are developing new interdisciplinary courses, in addition to the fundamentals, to give students expanded knowledge in specific areas, including automotive software, financial systems, healthcare, law enforcement and national defense."
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing occupational fields in the nation. Its 35% growth rate is over four times higher than the average job growth rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Bureau also reports that the median salary for cybersecurity analysts is over $100,000 per year. A survey by the World Economic Forum found that 59% of businesses would find it difficult to respond to a cybersecurity incident due to a shortage of skilled professionals.
"Our industry advisory board members have been working with us to align our curriculum with the needs of local and national industry. There is a significant and growing need in the local community for professionals to cover the technical security needs of the automotive, financial, and healthcare industries, all of which thrive in Michigan,” said Dr. Marouane Kessentini, professor and chair of OU’s CSE department. “Companies are looking locally to serve this need and also government entities, including the Department of Defense, are looking to hire talents in this critical area. They will look to the institutions with the vision to establish programs ahead of the trend for candidates, and will keep going back to the programs which better prepare outgoing graduates. We are really excited to offer this program to meet that need.”
OU’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity consists of a 30-credit core curriculum covering confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authentication, as well as data, software, component, network and systems security, and organizational, human and societal security.
In addition, students will complete 39 credits in professional subjects and six credits in professional electives; another 12 credits in one of the following concentrations: software security, AI in cybersecurity, or cyber physical systems security; 16 credits in mathematics and science; 26 credits of general education; and a capstone project for a total of 129 credits.
Students will be able to enter the bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity starting in fall 2023 (pending final approvals). For more information, visit the program web page at https://cse.secs.oakland.edu/bs-cybersecurity.
# # #
Along with its academic offerings in cybersecurity, Oakland University was designated by the U.S. government as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and is also home to the pending Center on Cybersecurity for Energy Infrastructure. The Center’s mission is to make energy infrastructure more resistant to cyber-attacks by increasing access to cybersecurity services for local and national partners, deploying advanced research and cybersecurity technologies and providing cybersecurity training opportunities. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Center works closely with industry partners to address their cybersecurity education and research needs, aid their efforts to secure local and regional infrastructure, and protect the nation from disinformation threats and secure its digital assets.