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Cybersecurity Ph.D.

Emphasis Admissions Requirements: Upper-division undergraduate coursework in data structures and introductory systems programming. The equivalent courses at Boise State are CS 253 and CS 321.

Cybersecurity Degree Plan

Degree Requirements

  • COMPUT 601 Introduction to Graduate Studies (1 credit)

Required Core Courses (9 credits):

  • CYBER 500 Introduction to Cybersecurity (3 credits)

Select two of the following groups. Take one course from that group.

Complete two of the following groups.

Group 1: Cryptography
Take at least one of the following:

  • CS 567 Applied Cryptography (3 credits)
  • MATH 508 Foundations of Cryptographic Computing (3 credits)
  • MATH 509 Symmetric Key Cryptography and Cryptanalysis (3 credits)
  • MATH 510 Quantum and Post Quantum Cryptography (3 credits)

Group 2: Software
Take the following:

  • CS 575 Software Security (3 credits)

Group 3: Networks
Take the following:

  • CS 622 Advanced Network Security (3 credits)

Group 4: Cyber-Physical Systems
Take at least one of the following:

  • CS 523 Cyber-Physical Systems (3 credits)
  • CS 524 Cyber Security of Critical Infrastructures (3 credits)

Group 5: Forensics
Take the following:

  • CS 547 Digital Forensics (3 credits)

Elective Courses (19 credits):

  • Must be approved by the supervisory committee and Computing Program directors. Pre-approved electives and specific requirements are provided in the Computing PhD Student Handbook

Comprehensive Exam (1 credit):

  • COMPUT 691 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (1 credit)

Dissertation (30 credits):

  • COMPUT 693 Dissertation (30 credits)

Total Credits: 60

Content on this page is provided as a quick reference for planning. All official degree requirements are published on the Graduate Catalog site.