OnRamp To A Cybersecurity Career

Curriculum

The URI OnRamp To A Cybersecurity Career program consists of three courses, CSC 201, CSF 202 and CSF 432, that start from assuming no technical background and go on to teach you the technical background necessary to start the Professional Science Master’s In Cybersecurity (PSM) program. OnRamp students must meet these requirements to be admitted to the PSM:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in any subject with least a 3.0/4.0 GPA is required for admittance to the OnRamp program
  • A grade of B or higher in each CSC 201 and CSF 202 is required to continue in the OnRamp program
  • Once you have taken CSC 201 and CSF 202, we will inform you of your PSM admission decision within two weeks. This will be a contingency admission to the PSM program pending your performance in CSF 432.
  • A grade of B or higher in CSF 432 is required for final acceptance to the PSM program.
  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals (CSF 202, 4 credits, Summer) – this is an asynchronous, instructor-supported, online course run in URI Summer Session III (mid-May thru the end of July). Its topics include:
    1. Introduction to cybersecurity concepts
    2. Computing hardware
    3. Operating systems
    4. Networking basics
    5. Introduction to digital forensics
    6. Virtual machines

After taking CSF 202, students are prepared to take the A+ Industry Certification exam if they wish.

  • Introduction To Computer Programming (CSC 201, 4 credits, Summer) this is an asynchronous, instructor-supported, online course run in URI Summer Session III (mid-May thru the end of July).& Its topics include:
    • Introduction to computer programming in the the Python language, assuming no programming background
    • Variables, functions, conditional statements and logic, loops, dictionary and array data structures, file input/output, Python libraries (graphics, data science and others)
  • Network And Systems Security (CSF 432, 4 credits) – this the first full course in URI’s PSM in Cybersecurity program. It is taught online with full instructor-led pacing and support. Topics include: network protocols, network devices, operating system security, physical security, and hardware/software tools for cybersecurity.

After taking CSF 432, students are prepared to take the Net+ Industry Certification exam if they wish.

Note that OnRamp students may place out of CSC 201 and/or CSF 202 if they have credit in an undergraduate course equivalent to that course.

OnRamp Schedule

  • April 1 -Applications To OnRamp program.
  • May 1 – On Ramp Program Acceptance notification
  • Mid-May thru July – take CSC 201 and CSF 202 concurrently and achieve at least a grade of B in each course.
  • July 1 – Application for PSM due
  • August 30 – PSM contingency admission decision
  • Fall Semester– Take CSF 432 and achieve a grade of B or better.
  • Spring Semester – matriculate to the PSM program, if you qualify.