As the first course in a two-part capstone sequence, CYBR 498 provides students with the foundational framework to conceptualize, research, and plan a rigorous cybersecurity project. This course guides students through the identification and formulation of a well-defined research problem, leveraging current cybersecurity trends, industry challenges, and emerging threats. Students will conduct a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing insights from scholarly research, industry reports, and additional learning resources to support the development of a viable cybersecurity solution. Emphasis is placed on problem definition, scope of work, and research methodology, ensuring that students construct a strong theoretical and practical foundation for their capstone project. In addition to technical research, students will explore legal, ethical, and compliance considerations relevant to cybersecurity research and professional practice. To further enhance career readiness, students will develop and implement a cybersecurity career readiness plan, engaging in professional development activities, refining technical and interpersonal skills, and leveraging industry resources to prepare for career advancement. By the end of the course, students will have developed a formal capstone project proposal, which they will present and defend using academic technical writing standards for instructor approval.
First day attendance is mandatory.
Prerequisites: The student must have completed at least 12-upper-division credits from CYBR courses (i.e., three 300-level or above CYBR courses) OR Instructor Permission. Note: This course should be taken in the second last semester before the student graduates. Students are responsible to both be aware of and abide by prerequisites for CFS/CYBR/ICS courses for which they enroll, and will be administratively dropped from a course if they have not met prerequisites.