Engineer working on components

Cybersecurity Engineering Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Be prepared for careers related to hardware security, operational technology security and cyber informed engineering.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems underscore the urgent need for skilled professionals to secure critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity engineers play a pivotal role in safeguarding essential services such as energy, water, transportation and healthcare from devastating cyber threats.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
126

Why earn a Cybersecurity Engineering degree at UND?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Safeguard the future by securing the systems that power modern life with UND's online or on-campus Cybersecurity Engineering degree. Protect critical infrastructure life energy grids, transportation networks and healthcare systems from cyber threats. Through this forward-thinking program, you’ll learn to not only defend systems but design resilient ones — an investment in your career and the safety of our world.

Perfect for problem-solvers who are passionate about public safety, innovation and national security, this major offers a hands-on approach to learning. You’ll engage with real-world scenarios that mirror the challenges faced by industry leaders today, mastering the state-of-the-art skills in areas like SCADA security, smart cities and industrial automation. With a curriculum designed to anticipate future trends, you’ll graduate equipped to lead in high-demand and rapidly evolving jobs.

Skills You'll Learn

Through this program, you'll:

  • Develop practical skills through real-world scenarios and simulations that reflect the latest cybersecurity engineering challenges.
  • Build the confidence and knowledge to take on leadership roles in high-demand industries that prioritize public safety and innovation.
  • Work with advanced software and hardware used in top organizations to solve complex problems.
  • Hone your ability to analyze, design and implement secure and resilient systems in high-stakes environments.
  • Tailor your education with electives or specializations that align with your career goals and interests.

Cybersecurity Engineering Degree Online or On-Campus

  • Study at a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) in Cyber Research (CAE-R), endorsed by the National Security Agency (NSA) for its exceptional education and research in reducing vulnerabilities in national infrastructure.

  • Expand your global perspective and gain international business insights by studying abroad with programs like the Norwegian School of Management.

  • Access targeted scholarships for cybersecurity students, including research grants.

  • Collaborate with students, faculty, and researchers in the Center for Cyber Security Research (C2SR) to explore the cutting-edge field of cybersecurity across departments in UND's College of Engineering & Mines.

  • Take classes 100% online. You never have to come to campus.

  • Build your career through internships, mentorships and job placement opportunities made possible by UND’s collaboration with industry leaders and government agencies.

Careers in Cybersecurity Engineering

21%

Projected job outlook for information security analysts through 2035

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

147k

Annual average salary for cybersecurity professionals, 2024

ISC2

Graduates of the B.S. in Cybersecurity Engineering program are equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

With the increasing demand for cybersecurity expertise across various sectors, you will be able to explore roles in industries such as government, finance, healthcare, technology and more. Potential career paths span both technical and advisory roles, providing students with the flexibility to tailor their careers to their strengths and interests. These roles include:

  • Cybersecurity Engineer: Design and implement secure network solutions that defend against cyber threats. Assess system vulnerabilities, conduct regular security audits and ensure compliance with evolving cybersecurity standards.
  • Information Security Analyst: Monitor and protect an organization’s computer systems and networks by analyzing threats, managing security protocols and responding to incidents. Work to prevent data breaches by implementing security measures, maintaining firewalls and educating employees on best practices for safeguarding sensitive information.
  • Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker): Simulate cyber attacks to identify security weaknesses in an organization’s systems. Design and execute tests to uncover vulnerabilities, provide detailed reports and recommend solutions to fortify defenses.
  • Security Consultant: Provide expert advice to organizations on securing their information systems and developing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. Evaluate current security measures, conduct risk assessments and design customized solutions to mitigate potential threats.
  • Network Security Administrator: Oversee and maintain the security of an organization’s network infrastructure, monitoring network activity for suspicious behavior and managing access controls to ensure only authorized users can access critical resources.

Cyber Security Engineering Degree Graduates

UND graduates can expect a range of opportunities in careers with many kinds of institutions, and in many different industries. Industries actively seeking cybersecurity professionals include:

  • Utilities: Protecting SCADA/OT assets.
  • Information Technology: Developing and securing software, hardware, and network systems.
  • Financial Services: Protecting sensitive financial data and ensuring compliance with regulations.
  • Healthcare: Safeguarding patient information and medical records.
  • Government: Defending national security assets and critical infrastructure.
  • Retail: Securing customer data and transaction information.

Online Cyber Security Engineering Degree

National Community of Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) Institutions

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Academic Influence

170+

online programs

UND is a top choice for an online Cyber Security Engineering degree for flexibility and affordability. Plus, the program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET ensuring it meets certain standards of quality and rigor.

Flexibility is important to our online students. That’s why we’ve designed the online Cyber Security Engineering degree to be 100% online and never require a campus visit.

Compare the cost of UND’s online Cyber Security Engineering degree. You’ll find it’s one of the most affordable programs in the nation. All online Cyber Security Engineering students pay the same tuition rate regardless of their residency.

Flexible Cyber Security Engineering Online Classes

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Online Student Services

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Cybersecurity Engineering Degree Courses

EE 111. Digital Circuits. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the fundamentals of digital circuit design. Logic gates; Boolean algebra; Karnaugh maps; Mathematical operations; Flip Flops; Counters. Corequisite: EE 111L. F,S.

CSCI 160. Computer Science I. 4 Credits.

An introduction to computer science, with problem solving, algorithm development, and structured programming in a high-level language. Emphasis on learning how to design, code, debug, and document programs, using techniques of good programming style. Includes laboratory. F,S,SS.

CSCI 250. Assembly Language. 3 Credits.

Introduction to machine language and assembly language programming. Concepts of assembly language and the machine representation of instructions and data of a modern digital computer are presented. Requires students to practice assembly language programming techniques on ARM and Intel x86 architectures. Prerequisite: CSCI 160. F.

CSCI 475. Cyber Physical Systems & Component Security. 3 Credits.

This course provides an introduction to security issues relating to various cyber-physical systems including industrial control systems and those considered critical infrastructure systems. Topics include: Industrial cyber security history and threats, hacking industrial control systems, securing industrial control systems, advanced cyber-physical systems security concepts, and privacy in cyber-physical systems and hardware components. Prerequisite: CSCI 389. S.

EE 221. Electric Circuits I. 3 Credits.

Introduces the foundations of electrical engineering, applying these concepts in developing the fundamentals of energy conversion, electronics and circuit theory. Prerequisite: MATH 165 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: EE 221L. F,S.

CJ 320. Cybersecurity Law and Investigations. 3 Credits.

Cybersecurity Law and Investigations will explore the regulatory, legal, and policy framework of cybersecurity. More specifically, this course will examine laws and policies to reduce cyber threats and address cyber privacy concerns. This course will provide students with a framework for understanding state and federal laws and regulations that govern this emerging field, as well as investigative techniques and strategies for investigation and enforcement on a global scale. S.

FAQs

Cybersecurity Engineering focuses on protecting the physical and digital systems that support critical infrastructure. Along with cybersecurity coursework, you'll study electric circuits, electronics, embedded systems, computer hardware, engineering reliability and cyber-physical system security. The program emphasizes hardware security, operational technology (OT) security and cyber-informed engineering.

By comparison, the Cybersecurity B.S. focuses more heavily on software, data and network security, while the Computer Science B.S. provides a broader foundation in programming, algorithms, operating systems and computing. Cybersecurity Engineering is the better fit if you want to apply cybersecurity principles to systems where hardware, software and physical infrastructure interact.

No. You do not need prior programming experience to start the Cybersecurity Engineering degree. You’ll begin with CSCI 160, Computer Science I, which introduces problem-solving, algorithm development and programming in a high-level language. From there, you’ll progress into more advanced coursework in areas such as assembly language, secure software engineering, exploit analysis and penetration testing.

Cybersecurity Engineering has a substantial engineering math component. You'll complete 23 required credits in mathematics and statistics: Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Introduction to Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, Elementary Differential Equations and an approved probability or statistics course.

You can complete the Cybersecurity Engineering degree entirely online without coming to campus. Electrical engineering and cybersecurity labs are completed remotely using lab kits and other required materials, allowing you to carry out hands-on work where you live. The specific components you need depend on the course and are provided after enrollment.

Required chemistry or physics labs outside the College of Engineering & Mines are also offered online during the summer. In some cases, you may be able to complete an equivalent lab locally and transfer it to UND if you receive approval in advance.

In the Cyber Practicum, you gain practical cooperative experience in a cybersecurity-related industry, giving you an opportunity to apply what you have learned in a professional environment.

The Cyber Capstone is a two-semester culminating project. In Cyber Capstone I, you develop a research or software, network or database project through a proposal, review of previous work, and a complete design or research plan. In Cyber Capstone II, you complete the project and present your work through written documentation, demonstrations and oral presentations.

Eligibility for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and professional engineering licensure depends on the requirements of the state or territory where you plan to become licensed. Because licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, you should check with the appropriate licensing board for the state where you plan to practice.

 

Leaders in Engineering

Helping you fulfill your aspirations is our highest priority. We'll work with you to design a custom educational plan that meets your goals.

 

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