At the undergraduate level, students interested in cybersecurity or security studies typically acquire a background in computer science, information systems, sociology and political science. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Individualized Study with a concentration in Cybersecurity can create a pathway into the Master of Science in Cybersecurity at UMBC. Employment opportunities include technologists, managers, directors, and cybersecurity leaders. Employment opportunities include working within the fields of technology, law enforcement, policy, and intelligence analysis.
All students are required to take the INDS core curriculum as part of their self designed degree.
- INDS 330 Ways of Knowing
- INDS 335 Degree Plan Writing Seminar
- INDS 430 Special Topics or INDS 410 Internship
- INDS 480 Capstone Project Seminar
- INDS 490 Capstone Project
Other course work in your self designed degree may be drawn from the following. You are not limited to these courses. Your INDS degree theme could include courses from other disciplines. Be sure to check the prerequisites for any course you want to take. It is recommended that you work with your INDS advisor as you develop your own list and timeline which will be formalized in INDS 335.
Other courses to consider
- CMSC 304 Social and Ethical Issues in Information Technology
- CMSC 313 Computer Organization & Assembly Language
- CMSC 341 Data Structures
- CMSC 421 Principles of Operating Systems
- CMSC 426 Principles of Computer Security
- CMSC 443 Cryptology
- CMSC 444 Information Assurance
- CMSC 449 Malware Analysis
- CMSC 463 Data Privacy
- CMSC 481 Computer Networks
- CMSC 487 Introduction to Network Security
- CMSC 491 Active Cyber Defense
- IS 300 Management Information Systems
- IS 303 Human Computer Interaction
- IS 304 Ethical Issues in Information Systems
- IS 310 Software and Hardware Concepts
- IS 427 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Concepts and Applications
- IS 428 Data Mining Techniques and Applications
- IS 430 Information Systems and Security
- IS 450 Data Communications and Networks
- IS 452 Internetworking
- IS 471 Data Analytics for Cybersecurity
- IS 472 Software Security
- STAT 351 Applied Statistics for Business and Economics
- MGMT 210 The Practice of Management
- MGMT 385 Business Ethics and Society
- MGMT 489 Seminar on Management in Business
- SOCY 201 Social Problems in American Society
- SOCY 330 Deviance in Contemporary Society
- SOCY 369 Causes of Crime and Delinquency
- SOCY 370 Sociology of Law
- SOCY 371 Criminology and Penology
- SOCY 372 Juvenile Delinquency
- POLI 280 International Relations
- POLI 385 International Security
- POLI 388 International Conflict and Cooperation
- POLI 390 American Foreign Policy
- POLI 395 National Security Policy of the United States
- POLI 431 Spies, Assassins and Cyber-Warriors: Modern National Security Law
- HIST 208 Global Terrorism
- HIST 313 US Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
- HIST 348 American Intelligence: The Revolution to 9/11
- HIST 365 War in the Modern World
- GLBL 483 International Negotiation
- GES 286 Exploring the Environment: A Geospatial Perspective
- GES 312 Natural Hazards
- GES 386 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
As you develop your INDS degree idea with a concentration in cybersecurity, keep in mind the rule in INDS: we cannot duplicate another major on campus. Make comparisons of your course list with the following:
Computer Science with a Concentration in Cybersecurity B.S.
Information Systems B.S.
Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate
Examples of students with INDS degrees in Cybersecurity:
Zachary Neuhaus, class of 2021 *currently a System Analyst for USDOD
Christopher Speck, class of 2018 *currently a Cyber/IA/RMF Program Analyst at Reliability & Performance Technologies
Schedule an Appointment with an Advisor today!
Updated 04/22/25