Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dallascollege.edu/hb1508.
(Associate of Applied Science Degree)
Richland campus only
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
- Complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College.
Degree Plan Code: AAS.CYBER.SECURITY
This degree is designed to prepare students for various entry-level technician opportunities in the information security sector with emphasis in cyber security and digital forensics arena in government, private sector, and law enforcement agencies. The program consists of five emphasis leading to the Associate of Applied Science Degree. Students may specialize in the Cyber Defense, Digital Forensics, Information Assurance, Network Security Administration, or System Security Administration.
The Cyber Defense emphasis combines both networking and systems administration fundamentals with a focus on defensive strategies to securing networks and systems.
The Digital Forensics emphasis places emphasis on investigative techniques and digital forensic analysis applicable to computers, mobile, and network devices.
The Information Assurance emphasis places more emphasis on computer operating systems, network security, and incident response to security threats.
The Network Security Administration emphasis combines networking fundamentals with the requisite network security concepts and best practices required to implement and administer secure network environments.
The System Security Administration emphasis combines systems administration fundamentals with the requisite security concepts and best practices required to implement, administer, and harden operating systems.
This program is intended to provide a foundation on which the graduate can build an information security or computer forensic career through expanded experience and/or further education.
FIRST YEAR CURRICULUM
Semester 1 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
ENGL 1301 |
Composition 1I |
3 |
MATH 1314 |
College Algebra |
3 |
ITCC 1314 |
CCNA 1: Introduction to Networks |
3 |
ITSC 1316 |
Linux Installation and Configuration |
3 |
ITSC 1325 |
Personal Computer Hardware |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Semester 2 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
SPCH 1321 |
Business and Professional Communication |
3 |
ITSY 1300 |
Fundamentals of Information Security |
3 |
ITDF 1300 |
Introduction to Digital Forensics |
3 |
ITMT 2305 |
Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure |
3 |
ITSC 1305 |
Introduction to PC Operating Systems |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Minimum Hours Required |
30 |
A student must complete Semesters 1I and 2II, and all courses in one of the following in Semesters 3III and 4IV in order to be awarded the AAS in Cyber Security.
CYBER DEFENSE EMPHASIS
Semesters 1 and 2 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
Semesters 1 and 2 Curriculum |
30 |
Semester 3 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
++Elective |
Humanities/Fine Arts |
3 |
ITMT 1357 |
Administering a Windows Server Operating System |
3 |
ITSE 1370 |
Introduction to Python Programming |
3 |
ITSY 1342 |
Information Technology Security |
3 |
ITSY 2301 |
Firewalls and Network Security Design |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Semester 4 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
+Elective |
Social/Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
ITSC 2325 |
Advanced Linux |
3 |
ITSY 2341 |
Security Management Practices |
3 |
ITSY 2345 |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
3 |
ITSY 2372 |
Ethical Hacking and System Defense OR |
3 |
ITSY 2386 |
Internship-Computer and Information Systems Security |
(3) |
Semester Total |
15 |
Cyber Defense Emphasis Minimum Hours Required |
60 |
DIGITAL FORENSICS EMPHASIS
Semesters 1 and 2 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
Semesters 1 and 2 Curriculum |
30 |
Semester 3 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
++Elective |
Humanities/Fine Arts |
3 |
ITSE 1370 |
Introduction to Python Programming |
3 |
ITDF 1305 |
Digital Data Storage Forensics |
3 |
ITDF 2320 |
Digital Forensics Collection |
3 |
ITDF 2325 |
Digital Forensics Tools |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Semester 4 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
+Elective |
Social/Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
ITSY 2342 |
Incident Response and Handling |
3 |
ITSY 2345 |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
3 |
ITDF 2330 |
Digital Forensics Analysis |
3 |
ITDF 2335 |
Comprehensive Digital Forensics Project OR |
3 |
ITSY 2386 |
Internship-Computer and Information Systems Security |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Digital Forensics Emphasis Minimum Hours Required |
60 |
INFORMATION ASSURANCE EMPHASIS
Semesters 1 and 2 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
Semesters 1 and 2 Curriculum |
30 |
Semester 3 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
++Elective |
Humanities/Fine Arts |
3 |
ITMT 1357 |
Administering a Windows Server Operating System |
3 |
ITSE 1370 |
Introduction to Python Programming |
3 |
ITSY 1342 |
Information Technology Security |
3 |
ITSY 2301 |
Firewalls and Network Security Design |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Semester 4 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
+Elective |
Social/Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
ITSY 2342 |
Incident Response and Handling |
3 |
ITSY 2345 |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
3 |
ITSY 2359 |
Security Assessment and Auditing |
3 |
ITSY 2341 |
Security Management Practices OR |
3 |
ITSY 2386 |
Internship-Computer and Information Systems Security |
(3) |
Semester Total |
15 |
Information Assurance Emphasis Minimum Hours Required |
60 |
NETWORK SECURITY ADMINISTRATION EMPHASIS
Semesters 1 and 2 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
Semesters 1 and 2 Curriculum |
30 |
Semester 3 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
++Elective |
Humanities/Fine Arts |
3 |
ITCC 1344 |
CCNA 2: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials |
3 |
ITSE 1370 |
Introduction to Python Programming |
3 |
ITSY 2301 |
Firewalls and Network Security Design |
3 |
ITSY 2342 |
Incident Response and Handling |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Semester 4 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
+Elective |
Social/Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
ITCC 2343 |
Network Security |
3 |
ITSY 1342 |
Information Technology Security |
3 |
ITSY 2345 |
Network Defense and Countermeasures |
3 |
ITSY 2372 |
Ethical Hacking and System Defense OR |
3 |
ITSY 2386 |
Internship-Computer and Information Systems Security |
(3) |
Semester Total |
15 |
Network Security Administration Emphasis Minimum Hours Required |
60 |
SYSTEM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION EMPHASIS
Semesters 1 and 2 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
Semesters 1 and 2 Curriculum |
30 |
Semester 3 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
++Elective |
Humanities/Fine Arts |
3 |
ITMT 1357 |
Administering a Windows Server Operating System |
3 |
ITSE 1370 |
Introduction to Python Programming |
3 |
ITSY 2300 |
Operating System Security |
3 |
ITSY 2301 |
Firewalls and Network Security Design |
3 |
Semester Total |
15 |
Semester 4 |
Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
+Elective |
Social/Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
ITMT 2304 |
Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure |
3 |
ITSC 2325 |
Advanced Linux |
3 |
ITSY 2342 |
Incident Response and Handling |
3 |
ITSY 2345 |
Network Defense and Countermeasures OR |
3 |
ITSY 2386 |
Internship-Computer and Information Systems Security |
(3) |
Semester Total |
15 |
System Security Administration Emphasis Minimum Hours Required |
60 |
+Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Social/Behavioral Sciences.
++Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.