Course Overview!

The Undergraduate Certificate in Cyber Defense at Auburn University is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in cybersecurity. The program focuses on equipping students to address real-world security threats, offering practical experience and skills highly valued by the industry. Successful completion of the certificate program demonstrates a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices. The program's curriculum is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of digital forensics, computer and network security, secure cloud computing, secure software processes, and cybersecurity threats and countermeasures.

Course Structure

The certificate requires the completion of five core courses, each worth 3 credit hours, for a total of 15 credit hours. The courses cover a range of critical cybersecurity topics including: Digital Forensics (COMP 5350), Computer and Network Security (COMP 5370), Secure Cloud Computing: Principles, Practice, and Applications (COMP 5530), Secure Software Process (COMP 5700), and Cybersecurity Threats and Countermeasures (COMP 5830). Successful completion requires a minimum grade of C in each course. Students are expected to have a strong background in computer science and software engineering, indicated by prior completion of specific foundational courses including those covering fundamentals of computing, programming languages, algorithms, computer organization, operating systems, software modeling and design, computer networks, computer ethics, and database systems.