The College of Information Science's Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations (BSCO), offered on main campus and online, combines hands-on, real-world training with the skills and insight to launch your career in cybersecurity.
120
Units to Complete Degree, Includes:
42 Upper-Division Units
2
Ways to Study:
On Campus
Online
2
Emphasis Areas:
Artificial Intelligence
Security
Learning Outcomes
The BS in Cyber Operations is a robust program with learning outcomes designed to position graduates for essential careers in cybersecurity. In the BSCO, students will:
- Evaluate and apply legal and ethical principles to make informed and responsible decisions in complex cybersecurity scenarios.
- Evaluate network architectures, functions and protocol implementations to assess security risks.
- Analyze the motivations, methods and goals of cyber threat actors to develop defensive strategies.
Emphasis Areas
The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations offer two emphasis areas:
Artificial Intelligence
In the Artificial Intelligence emphasis area, students:
- Apply core concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning (including supervised and unsupervised learning, machine learning, neural networks and deep learning) to analyze cybersecurity problems and evaluate potential solutions.
- Implement AI-driven security solutions: develop and deploy AI-driven tools and algorithms that enhance the detection, prevention and response to cyber threats.
CAE-Cyber Artificial Intelligence Designation
Security
In the Security emphasis area, students:
- Perform static and dynamic analysis to identify software vulnerabilities to strengthen future software releases.
- Plan and execute cyber operations in simulated contested environments to discover network-based vulnerabilities to identify necessary protective measures.
CAE-Cyber Operations Designation
Sample Four-Year Plans
120 units are required for graduation.
Click to view sample courses for each emphasis area by semester and year:
Artificial Intelligence Emphasis
Year 1 | Fall
| WRIT 101: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| MATH 112: College Algebra Concepts and Applications | 3 units |
| UNIV 101: Introduction to the General Education Experience | 1 unit |
| CYBR 101: Principles of Cyber Operations I | 3 units |
| CYBR 103: Scripting for Cyber Operations I | 3 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 1 | Spring
| WRIT 102: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| MATH 162/263: Basic Statistics | 3 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| CYBR 102: Principles of Cyber Operations II | 3 units |
| CYBR 104: Scripting for Cyber Operations II | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 2 | Fall
| CYBR 226: Networking for Cyber Operations I | 3 units |
| ISTA 130: Computational Thinking and Doing | 4 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| General Education | |
| General Education | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Spring
| CYBR 228: Networking for Cyber Operations II | 3 units |
| CYBR 342: Statistics in the Information Age | 3 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| Elective | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 3 | Fall
| CYBR 329: Cyber Ethics | 1 unit |
| CYBR 371: Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Operations I | 3 units |
| ISTA 322: Data Engineering | 3 units |
| CYBR 320: Computational Thinking and Doing | 3 units |
| First-Semester Foreign Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Spring
| UNIV 301: General Education Portfolio | 1 units |
| CYBR 361: Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 units |
| CYBR 379: Cloud Computing | 3 units |
| CYBR 333: Cryptography for Cyber Operations | 3 units |
| Second-Semester Foreign Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 14 units |
Year 4 | Fall
| CYBR 483: Machine Learning in Cyber Operations | 3 units |
| CYBR 485: Deep Learning in Cyber | 3 units |
| CYBR 400: Active Cyber Defense | 3 units |
| CYBR 473: Violent Python | 3 units |
| Elective | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Spring
| CYBR 474: Advanced Analytics for Security Operations | 3 units |
| CYBR 484: Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Operations II | 3 units |
| CYBR 498: Cyber Operations Capstone | 3 units |
| Elective | 3 units |
| Elective | 2 units |
| TOTAL | 14 units |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS | 120 units |
Security Emphasis
Year 1 | Fall
| WRIT 101: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| MATH 112: College Algebra Concepts and Applications | 3 units |
| UNIV 101: Introduction to the General Education Experience | 1 unit |
| CYBR 101: Principles of Cyber Operations I | 3 units |
| CYBR 103: Scripting for Cyber Operations I | 3 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 1 | Spring
| WRIT 102: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| MATH 162/263: Basic Statistics | 3 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| CYBR 102: Principles of Cyber Operations II | 3 units |
| CYBR 104: Scripting for Cyber Operations II | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 2 | Fall
| CYBR 226: Networking for Cyber Operations I | 3 units |
| First-Year Foreign Language | 4 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| General Education | |
| General Education | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Spring
| CYBR 228: Networking for Cyber Operations II | 3 units |
| Second-Year Foreign Language | 4 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| General Education | 3 units |
| Elective or Minor | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Fall
| CYBR 329: Cyber Ethics | 1 unit |
| CYBR 310: Introduction to Security Programming I | 3 units |
| CYBR 470: C Programming | 3 units |
| CYBR 479: Wireless Networking | 3 units |
| Elective or Minor | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 3 | Spring
| UNIV 301: General Education Portfolio | 1 units |
| CYBR 311: Introduction to Security Programming II | 3 units |
| CYBR 379: Cloud Computing | 3 units |
| CYBR 333: Cryptography for Cyber Operations | 3 units |
| Elective or Minor | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 13 units |
Year 4 | Fall
| CYBR 388: Cyber Investigations and Forensics | 3 units |
| CYBR 471: Assembly | 3 units |
| CYBR 400: Active Cyber Defense | 3 units |
| CYBR 480: Cyber Warfare | 3 units |
| Elective or Minor | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Spring
| CYBR 454: Malware Threat and Analysis | 3 units |
| CYBR 489: OS for Security Professionals | 3 units |
| CYBR 498: Cyber Operations Capstone | 3 units |
| Elective or Minor | 3 units |
| Elective | 2 units |
| TOTAL | 14 units |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS | 120 units |
This is a sample plan and is subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc. The official degree requirements may be found in the University General Catalog and all University of Arizona students should refer to the Academic Advising Report for specific graduation requirements.
Curriculum & Courses
Bachelor's in Cyber Operations students take a mix of foundations, general education, core major and electives courses, subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc.
Choose from either the Artificial Intelligence or Security emphasis area.
View the BS in Cyber Operations curriculum, including checklist, sample four-year plans and course/information options:
View or Download BS in Cyber Operations Degree Curriculum Checklist (PDF)
Course offerings may vary, so be sure to meet with your academic advisor to plan the path that works best for you.
View All College of Information Science Undergraduate Courses
Technical Requirements
The CyberApolis virtual desktops are accessible through the student VPN and remote desktop protocol application, or through a web browser.
System specifications for CyberApolis virtual learning environment:
- Windows: Version 7 or later
- Mac: OS 12.0 or later
- Linux: Modern 64-bit distribution released in the last 3-5 years (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian).
- Memory: 4 GB or higher (RAM)
- Hard Drive: 60 GB (Mac OS High Sierra and Windows 10 require 16 GB)
- Processor: Intel i3 (equivalent or higher) with a minimum of 400 kbps bandwidth with less than 100ms of latency
View more details on technical requirements at Arizona Online.