The major in information assurance offers a broad-based program of study designed to prepare graduates to be information assurance leaders (in both government and industry), with a global outlook, interpersonal skills, leadership and management skills, and awareness of current issues in the field. The curriculum focuses on the practices, policies, operational procedures and technology, and future of information assurance. The major prepares students for careers as information systems security professionals, senior system managers, and system administrators responsible for information systems and security of those systems.

The student who graduates with a Major in Information Assurance will be able to

• Identify the basic terms, functions, and interrelationships among the hardware, software, firmware, and other components of an information system.



• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles and practices of information security and the policies and procedures required to ensure reliability and accessibility of information systems and prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data.



• Conduct risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems to identify vulnerabilities, risks, and protection needs.



• Define and apply to scenarios or case studies the responsibilities of the senior system manager in addressing approval to operate, accreditation, compliance, acquisitions and establishing security controls.



• Identify and address information technology workforce planning and management issues such as recruitment, retention, and training.



• Develop systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures.



• Evaluate ethical issues related to information systems, work productivity, and human factors.

A degree with a major in information assurance requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major (indicated by Δ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Coursework for a major in information assurance includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (9 credits): IFSM 310, 430, and 450
• Required core courses (6 credits): IFSM 433 and 454
• Supplemental major courses (12 credits): Chosen from BMGT 305; CMIT 320; IFSM 350, 431, 432, 457, and 459; and EMGT 312
• Required capstone course (3 credits): IFSM 485

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the Major in Information Assurance. Since some recommended courses fill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)
Note: Placement tests are required for MATH and WRTG courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or MATH 106 a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
(prerequisite to later courses)

CMIS 102 Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design (3)
(prerequisite to later courses)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement

Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing requirement

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to satisfy the first behavioral and social sciences requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to satisfy the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to satisfy the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
(prerequisite to later courses)

ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3)
or a foreign language course (recommended elective)

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers
or other course to satisfy the communications/writing or speech requirement

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
(satisfies the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 393 Advanced Technical Writing (3)
or other course to satisfy the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement

Δ IFSM 310 Software and Hardware Concepts (3)

Δ IFSM 430 Information Systems and Security (3)

Δ IFSM 450 Telecommunication Systems in Management (3)

Δ IFSM 433 Information Security Needs Assessment and Planning (3)

Δ IFSM 454 Information System Security Mechanisms (3)

Δ IFSM 350 Wireless Telecommunications (3)
or other supplemental major course

Δ IFSM 431 Policy Planning for Security Architects (3)
or other supplemental major course

Δ IFSM 432 Disaster Recovery Planning (3)
or other supplemental major course

Δ IFSM 457 Cyberterrorism (3)
or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

Δ IFSM 485 Trends and Projects in Information Assurance (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (40)

Total credits for BS in Information Assurance: 120