Cyber Science Major

Cyber Science Major

Cyber Science

Major

The Cyber Science major prepares cadets to lead in the evolving domain of cyberspace through a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum. Cadets choose between two concentrations - Cyber Science and Cyber Operations - focusing on both technical depth and broader human and organizational factors.

Offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.

Cyber is one of the fastest-growing and most critical domains in national defense, and the Cyber Science major prepares USMA cadets to lead confidently in this space. Designed for those who enjoy solving complex problems and thinking about the intersection of technology, people, and security, the major blends technical depth with broad interdisciplinary study.

 

As a cadet in the Cyber Science major, you will explore topics ranging from networks and operating systems to cyber law, digital forensics, and the human factors that impact cybersecurity. Whether your strengths lie in coding, systems thinking, or understanding people and organizations, there is a path for you.

 

The program offers two distinct concentrations:

  • Cyber Science Concentration - Focuses on the broad study of how data, software, hardware, human behavior, and organizations interact to impact the security of cyberspace. Ideal for cadets interested in leadership roles where understanding the full spectrum of cyber is critical.
  • Cyber Operations Concentration - Focuses on the low-level technical skills needed to conduct and defend against offensive cyber operations. This concentration suits cadets seeking a deep technical immersion.

 

The Cyber Science major is designed to support successful commissioning into any Army branch, not just cyber. It emphasizes leadership, analytical thinking, and ethical decision-making - skills applicable to any mission set.

 

An honors track is available for highly motivated cadets seeking additional academic challenge.

Interested Cadets

First offered to the Class of 2023, the major had its inaugural graduates in the Class of 2021. It continues to evolve alongside the cybersecurity landscape, incorporating both foundational and emerging topics.

The program includes hands-on experiences in lab environments, opportunities for research, and a capstone design project. An honors track is available for cadets who wish to pursue advanced coursework and research.

More about the Major

The Cyber Science major has 11 required courses and 6 optional courses. It also offers an honors track.

Required Courses

Cyber Foundations

  • CS380 - COMPUTER SYSTEMS & ORGANIZATN
  • CS384 - DATA STRUCTURES
  • CS400 - PRO CONSIDERATIONS IN COMPUTING
  • CY300 - PROGRAMMING FUNDAMENTALS
  • CY350 - NETWORK ENGR & MGT
  • CY460 - CYBER POLICY, STRATEGY, & OPNS
  • CY465 - ORGANIZATIONAL SECURITY

Cyber Operations Electives - choose 1

Cyber operations courses provide technical depth to the program.

  • CY392 – DEFENSIVE CYBER OPERATIONS
  • CY482 - OFFENSIVE CYBER OPERATIONS

Cyber Electives - choose 4

21 electives are offered. A sampling includes:

  • Neural Networks
  • Advanced Computer Networks
  • Cloud Computing
  • Embedded Systems Development
  • Cyber Law
  • Ethics of Technology

Complementary.  Support Courses (Cyber Foundation)

  • EE360 – DIGITAL LOGIC W/ EMBEDDED SYS
  • MA372 - INTRODUCTION TO DISCRETE MATH

Complementary Support Course (Cyber in Society Elective) - choose 1

The interactions of the cyber domain in society and the military are a critical part of understanding the impacts of cyber. 

  • LW462 - CYBER LAW
  • PY326 - ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
  • WS485 - JOINT AND MULTINATIONAL OPS

Integrative Experience for the Major

  • XE401 - INTEGRATIVE SYSTEM DESIGN I
  • XE402 - INTEGRATIVE SYSTEM DESIGN II

Science Depth

Cadets may take any academy-approved science depth choice.

  • CH102 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
  • CH275 - BIOLOGY
  • PH202 - PHYSICS II
  • PH252 - ADVANCED PHYSICS II
  • PH275 - PHYSICS II: SPACE

STEM Depth

This course also satisfies the IT/Cyber requirement by successfully completing the IT/CYBER content in the core curriculum and CY355.

  • CY355 - CYBER FOUNDATIONS – COMPUTING

Core Engineering Sequence

Cadets in this major will satisfy the core engineering requirement with the embedded CYBER Sequence courses.

Writing in the Major

Cadets in this major satisfy the West Point Writing Program requirement by successfully completing writing requirements in the core curriculum and CS400.

Learn More

Cadets in this major will have the opportunity to participate in a number of honor societies and summer internships as part of the Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program.

Opportunities to explore the depth and breadth of cyber abound within the Cyber Science program and EECS. Research and extracurriculars are primarily supported through the Cyber Research Center and include a myriad of research opportunities.

Honor Societies:

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cyber Science at the United States Military Academy is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Cybersecurity and Similarly Named Computing Programs Criteria.

Program Educational Objectives

Five to seven years after graduation, cadets who major in Cyber Science will have been successful Army officers who have:​

  • Initiated and completed tasks that identify aspects of a complex situation that can be enhanced by using computing technology.
  • Applied computing knowledge and security principles and practices individually or in diverse teams to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.
  • Used effective communication to explain new computing technology to war fighters in support of current and emerging Army war fighting doctrine.
  • Grown professionally through self-study, continuing education, and professional development.

Student Outcomes

At the time of graduation, graduates of the program will have the ability to:

  • Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of Cyber Science.
  • Communicate effectively in various professional contexts.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to Cyber Science.
  • Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.