Computer Science for Cybersecurity course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview (80-120 words) describing structure and time commitment.
Module 1: Foundations of Cybersecurity
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Networking basics and internet protocols
- How attackers exploit system weaknesses
- Threat modeling concepts
- Risk management principles
Module 2: Cryptography and Secure Communication
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Symmetric and asymmetric encryption
- Hashing and digital signatures
- Authentication and authorization models
- Secure communication protocols (HTTPS, TLS)
Module 3: Web and Application Security
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Common web vulnerabilities
- SQL injection attacks and defenses
- Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks
- Secure coding and mitigation strategies
Module 4: Threat Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment
Estimated time: 15 hours
- Malware types and behaviors
- Phishing techniques and detection
- Hands-on vulnerability analysis
- Defensive strategy implementation
Module 5: Security Engineering Principles
Estimated time: 15 hours
- Operating system security flaws
- Secure design patterns
- Risk assessment in software systems
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Analyze real-world security scenarios
- Identify and mitigate system vulnerabilities
- Develop and present a structured security defense plan
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of computer systems
- Familiarity with programming concepts
- Logical reasoning and problem-solving skills
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Identify and analyze common cybersecurity threats
- Apply cryptography to secure communications
- Defend against web-based attacks like SQLi and XSS
- Implement secure coding and system design practices
- Demonstrate practical skills for entry-level cybersecurity roles