UB - University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Advanced Certificate Program in Information Assurance

Description

The Information Assurance Certificate is designed to equip students at UB with a comprehensive understanding of the many facets of Information Assurance and Security. With the rapid growth of the Internet and, in turn, the creation of numerous new information channels, the task of securing these channels and their underlying systems has become an industry-wide and national level top priority. However the lack of professionals with the skill set to tackle such complex security issues is clearly evident. Several universities in the country have established research and education centers in IA to address the challenges and to reduce vulnerabilities in the National Information Infrastructure. The University at Buffalo aims to fill this void by offering this certificate. The program provides coursework giving a broad overview of the interdisciplinary aspects of Information Assurance as well as specialized training with respect to a chosen discipline. Within the Advanced Certificate program, students may elect to follow one of two paths: Technical versus Managerial. The program of study follows from the option chosen. The Advanced Certificate Program requires that students must complete a total of 14-15 credits of coursework - 3 credits of which are common to all students, 6 credits of which are defined by the track chosen, and 5-6 credits of possibly interdisciplinary electives. This program structure ensures that students receiving this certificate possess the necessary foundation in Information Assurance as well as allows them a certain degree of freedom to tailor the Certificate to their interests.

At present, there are four disciplines participating in the program in terms of the applicable courses they offer: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), School of Management (SOM), Mathematics (MTH), and School of Law (LAW). The certificate will provide recognition of this training earned by students in Information Assurance. These graduates will then enter the federal work force and industries with an expertise in IA, better prepared to meet the needs of our increasingly technological society.

Curriculum

The Advanced Certificate will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

Completion of 14-15 credit hours of coursework, consisting of

1. 6 credit hours of required coursework defined by the track chosen.
2. 3 credit hours of the required integrative course, Information Assurance.
3. 5-6 credit hours of elective coursework limited to departmentally approved courses.

Students must maintain a B average over all Certificate courses and must be in good academic standing in their department. As mentioned, the Program consists of two possible tracks: Technical vs. Managerial. The Technical track is defined by the CSE department; whereas the Managerial track is defined by the MSS department.

Based on the track chosen, the 6 credits of coursework in (1) fall into two options:

Technical Track

In addition to the integrative course MGS 650* Information Assurance, students must take two courses from a set of three core courses:

• MTH 535 Introduction to Cryptography
• CSE 565 Computer Security
• CSE 566 Wireless Networks Security.

The remaining two or more courses could be taken from a list of approved electives including the third core course above to make up the total of 14-15 credit hours.

Managerial Track

In addition to the integrative course MGS 650* Information Assurance, students must take:

• MGS 651 Network Management
• MGS 659 Seminar in E-Commerce.

The remaining two or more courses could be taken from the list of approved electives to make up the total of 14-15 credit hours.

Approved Electives

CSE 505 Fundamentals of Programming Languages
CSE 510 Intelligent Agents in E-Commerce
CSE 512 Operating Systems Internals
CSE 516 E-Commerce Technology
CSE 530 Computer Communications
CSE 562 Database Systems
CSE 589 Modern Networking Concepts
CSE 616 Multiagent Systems
CSE 626 Data Mining
LAW 858 Technology and Intellectual Property Colloquium (1 credit)
LAW 933 Intellectual Property and the Internet: Cyber Piracy (1 credit)
MGA 615 Fraud Examination
MGS 613 Database Management Systems
MGS 614 System Analysis and Design
MGT 681 Intellectual Property
MTH 529/530 Introduction to the Theory of Numbers I/II
MTH 567 Stream Ciphers

For course description, refer to the respective departmental webpages. This Certificate program is open to currently enrolled M.S. and MBA students who like to specialize in Information Assurance. Such students can obtain a Certificate by properly choosing courses to meet the Certificate requirements as well as their own program core requirements in a way that doesn't unduly extend their stay beyond the normal four semesters of study. Candidates who already have an M.S. or MBA or applicants from industries who may just want to obtain this certificate could subscribe to this program through University's normal admission process. The admission mechanism is currently being put in place and will be advertised soon. The basic admission requirement is a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and Engineering, or Mathematics, or Business Administration or a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The Certificate will also satisfy the IA concentration for DoDs Information Assurance Scholarship Program participants.

* Should have MGS 602 (Information Technology/ Data Communications) or equivalent as a prerequisite (or co-requisite)