Villanova Introduces Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Minor
On November 7, 2018, in an article titled “The Mad Dash to Find a Cybersecurity Force,” The New York Times reported, “A stunning statistic is reverberating in cybersecurity: An estimated 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs will be available but unfilled by 2021, according to predictions from Cybersecurity Ventures and other experts.” With dozens of reports telling the same story, Villanova University has responded with a new minor in cybersecurity, jointly offered through the College of Engineering’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and the Department of Computer Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The new minor will prepare graduates to enter the workforce as cybersecurity professionals by providing them with a solid foundation in the principles of cybersecurity, and equipping them with the technical skills and knowledge to address constantly evolving cybersecurity threats. Given Villanova’s commitment to lifelong learning, the program will also promote independent study and self-reliance so students can keep pace with rapid technological advancement.
The cybersecurity minor requires 27–29 credits, comprised of requisite foundational courses and a selection of core and elective courses, including Information Security & Protection, Digital Forensics, Engineering Secure-Cyber-Physical Systems, Computer Architecture, Computer Networks, Software Engineering and more. Students in the minor must also complete a cybersecurity-focused senior capstone project.
In addition to the minor, Villanova’s College of Engineering offers an on campus or on-line master’s degree in Cybersecurity for full time students or working professionals. Current Computer Engineering undergraduates can also earn the Cybersecurity master’s degree through a five-year BS/MS program.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor and Department Chair Dr. Bijan Mobasseri says, “Our goal is to be on the leading edge in educating tomorrow’s cybersecurity professionals!”