Jul 04, 2025  
Xavier University Catalog 2025-2026 
    
Xavier University Catalog 2025-2026

Computer Science, B.A. with a Concentration in Cybersecurity


Xavier’s Computer Science degree with a concentration in Cybersecurity program provides the fundamentals of cybersecurity at the hardware, systems, and compliance levels. The program follows recommendations from the Joint Taskforce on Cybersecurity Education, convened by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE CS), the Association for Information Systems Special Interest Group on Security (AIS SIGSEC), and the International Federation for Information Processing Technical Committee on Information Security Education (IFIP WG 11.8) to cover all of the fundamental knowledge units recommended by the National Security Agency / Department of Homeland Security for Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

Requirements


In addition to the requirements for the Computer Science, B.A.   major, the following courses are required for the concentration:

  • MATH 156 Statistics or MATH 256 Introduction to Probability and Statistics 
  • CSCI 190 Computer Systems and Security
  • CSCI 340 Networking 
  • CSCI 360 Systems Security Fundamentals 
  • CSCI 365 Penetration Testing 
  • A CSCI course designated as a Cybersecurity Elective

 

Curriculum


Freshman Year


First Semester


  • CSCI 170 Computer Science I
  • ENGL 101 English Composition or ENGL 115 Rhetoric
  • MATH 156 - General Statistics
  • Second Language Elective
  • THEO 111 Theological Foundations
  • CORE 101 Goa

Second Semester


  • CSCI 180 Computer Science II
  • CSCI 190 Computer Systems and Security
  • MATH 225 Foundations of Higher Math
  • Second Language Elective 2
  • CORE 100 First Year Seminar
  • CORE 102 Goa 2 

Sophomore Year


First Semester


  • CSCI 220 Data Structures & Algorithms
  • 2nd major or minor
  • Scientific Perspectives Lecture and Lab
  • PHIL 100 Ethics as Intro to Philosophy
  • Literature & the Moral Imagination

Second Semester


  • CSCI 260 Software Engineering
  • CSCI 250 Languages & Automata
  • CSCI 340 Networking
  • 2nd major or minor
  • Natural Science Lecture and Lab

Junior Year


First Semester


  • Systems Security Fundamentals
  • 2nd major or minor
  • Creative Perspectives
  • Social Science Elective
  • Historical Perspectives 

Second Semester


  • Penetration Testing 
  • Theological Perspectives​
  • 2nd major or minor
  • General Elective or Oral Communication Flag
  • E/RS Elective 

Senior Year


First Semester


  • CSCI 390 Senior Seminar and Project
  • 2nd major or minor
  • 2nd major or minor
  • Solidarity and Kinship Elective
  • General Elective

Second Semester


  • Cyber Defense
  • 2nd major or minor
  • 2nd major or minor or CSCI Elective
  • Philosophical Perspectives
  • Humanities Elective
  • CORE 499 

TOTAL Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 120 Semester Hours