Nov 21, 2024

Graduate Catalog (ARCHIVED) 2019-2020

Graduate Catalog (ARCHIVED) 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Cyber Operations, Ph.D.

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Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Cyber Operations is intended to be a technical program firmly grounded in computer science and will emphasize applied research in cyber security. Students enrolled in the program will become a vital resource for DSU researchers, as well as for regional and national employers. The proposed program is intended to produce graduates with a commanding knowledge of cyber security, of the applications and research in cyber security, and of supporting technology in computer science.

The program will provide a particular emphasis on technologies and techniques related to specialized cyber operations activities, including data collection, software exploitation, analysis of malicious code, and reverse engineering. These technologies and techniques are critical to intelligence, military and law enforcement organizations, as well as to employers in data-intensive industries.

Residency Requirements

Students will be required to complete three on-site research seminars (CSC 890 , one credit each, taken three separate times) in a face-to-face setting at the Madison, SD campus. These research seminars will be held annually and take place over multiple days.

Program Completion

The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, with classes offered in three academic terms: fall, spring, and summer. Full-time students with a master’s degree in computer science should be able to complete this program in 3 years. The program must be completed within 7 years of the semester of the students admission.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Ph.D. in Cyber Operations

Dakota State University seeks highly motivated individuals with education and professional credentials that will enable them to be successful doctoral students. It is manditory that students must have a bachelors or master’s degree in computer science to apply.

Admission Requirements

Baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education with full regional accreditation for that degree. International students must have an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree that is the equivalent to a four-year undergraduate degree in the U.S. Students must have a bachelors or master’s degree in computer science.
Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on an alternative grading system).

Program Faculty:

Wayne Pauli, Program Coordinator
Kyle Cronin, Tom Halverson, Michael Ham, Stephen Krebsbach, Josh Pauli, Ashley Podhradsky, Josh Stroschein, Yong Wang

Supporting Courses

The doctoral curriculum assumes that a student enters the program with a master’s degree in computer science.

Core Courses (15 Credits)

CSC 840 - Cyber Operations I 3 credits
CSC 841 - Cyber Operations II 3 Credits
CSC 844 - Advanced Reverse Engineering 3 credits
CSC 846 - Advanced Malware Analysis 3 credits
CSC 848 - Advanced Software Exploitation 3 credits

Research Core (9 Credits)

CSC 803 - An Introduction to Cyber Security Research 3 credits
CSC 804 - Cyber Security Research Methodologies 3 Credits
CSC 807 - Cyber Security Research 3 credits

On-Site Research Seminars (3 Credits)

Students will be required to complete three on-site research seminars (CSC 890, 1 credit each, taken 3 separate times) in a face-to-face setting at the Madison, SD campus. These research seminars will be held annually and take place over multiple days. The research seminars are intended to acquaint students with contemporary cyber security research issues, allow students to report, present, and discuss articles pertinent to cyber security research and provide students an opportunity to meet faculty, identify a dissertation advisor, present their dissertation proposal defense, as well as completing the final dissertation defense and oral comprehensive exam.

CSC 890 - Seminar 1 credit each (3 credits required)

Dissertation (25 Credits)

CSC 809 - Dissertation Preparation 3 credits
CSC 898D - Dissertation 1-22 credits (22 credits required)

Electives (9 Credits)

Any 700 or 800 level course offering with a CSC, INFA or INFS prefix (subject to elective program approval).

Note: Program committee strongly suggest CSC 842, CSC 791 (INSuRE Research), and CSC 748 as electives.

Course Rotation

Core Courses

Course #	Course Title	FA 19	SP 20	SU 20	FA 20	SP 21	SU 21	FA 21	SP 22	SU 22
CSC 840	Cyber Operations I	X			X			X
CSC 841	Cyber Operations II		X			X			X
CSC 844	Advanced Reverse Engineering			X			X			X
CSC 846	Advanced Malware Analysis		X			X			X
CSC 848	Advanced Software Exploitation	X			X			X

Research Core Courses

Course #	Course Title	FA 19	SP 20	SU 20	FA 20	SP 21	SU 21	FA 21	SP 22	SU 22
CSC 803	An Introduction to Cyber Security Research	X			X			X
CSC 804	Cyber Security Research Methodolgies		X			X			X
CSC 807	Cyber Security Research	X			X			X

Research Seminars

Students complete three on-site research seminar courses at one credit each, three separate times during their studies. The research seminars will take place on the DSU campus in Madison, SD and will take place over a duration of multiple days during the visit.

Course #	Course Title	FA 19	SP 20	SU 20	FA 20	SP 21	SU 21	FA 21	SP 22	SU 22
CSC 890	Seminar		X			X			X

Dissertation

Students complete a three credit course of dissertation preparation and complete 22 credits of dissertation coursework.

Course #	Course Title	FA 19	SP 20	SU 20	FA 20	SP 21	SU 21	FA 21	SP 22	SU 22
CSC 809	Dissertation Preparation		X			X			X
CSC 898D	Dissertation	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

Electives

Any 700 or 800 level course offering with a CSC, INFA or INFS prefix.

Note: Program committee strongly suggest CSC 842, CSC 791 (INSuRE Research), and CSC 748 as electives.

Course #	Course Title	FA 19	SP 20	SU 20	FA 20	SP 21	SU 21	FA 21	SP 22	SU 22
CSC 748	Software Exploitation		X			X			X
CSC 791	IS: Collab Cyber Sec Research	X	X		X	X		X	X
CSC 842	Security Tool Development			X			X			X

Course Grades

Course Grades are used as an indirect measure of student attainment of specific program goals and objectives. DSU Program Guidelines require students to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program, receive no grades below a C, and have no more than 2 grades of a C. If you do not maintain the required “B” average you will be placed on academic probation and given the opportunity to raise your GPA to 3.0 within the next nine credit hours. If you do not raise your GPA to 3.0 you will be suspended from the program. If you receive more than 6 credits of “C” or any grade lower than a “C” you will be suspended from the program. You may appeal the suspension. If students have questions regarding grading, they should review the “Satisfactory Progression” Program Guidelines or speak with their advisor.

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