COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at University of Colorado Denver is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in cybersecurity operations, computer systems, and digital defense strategies needed to protect modern organizations from cyber threats. The 120-credit curriculum combines technical computing knowledge with specialized cybersecurity training to prepare graduates for careers in information security, network defense, cyber operations, and related technology fields. Students complete 24 credits in the CU Denver Core Curriculum, which develops communication, analytical thinking, and general education skills, along with 15 credits in mathematics and science that strengthen logical reasoning and technical problem-solving abilities. The program also includes 31 credits in computer science core coursework, giving students essential knowledge in programming, systems, algorithms, and computing technologies that support cybersecurity applications. Specialized cybersecurity core courses, totaling 32 credits, focus on areas such as network security, cyber defense, ethical hacking, system protection, risk management, digital security operations, and threat analysis, helping students develop practical skills for protecting data, systems, and infrastructure from cyberattacks. Students further customize their education through 15 credits of cybersecurity electives that allow them to explore advanced or specialized topics aligned with career goals and industry interests. In addition, engineering design coursework provides hands-on experience in solving real-world technical and security challenges through project-based learning. The curriculum combines theoretical understanding with practical application, preparing students to analyze vulnerabilities, secure digital systems, respond to security incidents, and support organizational cybersecurity operations. Graduates are prepared for careers in cybersecurity analysis, network defense, information security, systems security, cyber operations, and technology consulting, as well as for professional certifications and advanced graduate studies in cybersecurity and computer science.