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CYBR 498 Cybersecurity Capstone I Concepts, Research and Planning

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.

Special information

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.
2 Undergraduate credits

Effective August 15, 2022 to present

Learning outcomes

General

  • Analyze current cybersecurity trends, challenges, and industry needs to identify a concrete and well-defined research problem.
  • Conduct and synthesize a comprehensive literature review, integrating information from research outlets and additional learning resources to support project development.
  • Formulate and justify a problem statement, scope of work, and research methodology to propose a viable cybersecurity solution.
  • Assess, apply, and evaluate legal, ethical, and compliance considerations in cybersecurity research, ensuring responsible data handling, privacy protection, and adherence to professional ethical standards.
  • Develop, present, and defend a formal capstone project proposal using academic technical writing standards for instructor approval.
  • Develop and implement a cybersecurity career readiness plan by engaging in professional development activities, enhancing technical and interpersonal skills, and leveraging industry resources to prepare for career advancement.

Spring 2025

Section Title Instructor books eservices
50 Cybersecurity Capstone I Concepts, Research and Planning Witt, Sahar Books for CYBR-498-50 Spring 2025 Course details for CYBR-498-50 Spring 2025

Summer 2025

Section Title Instructor books eservices
50 Cybersecurity Capstone I Concepts, Research and Planning Witt, Sahar Books for CYBR-498-50 Summer 2025 Course details for CYBR-498-50 Summer 2025

Fall 2025

Section Title Instructor books eservices
50 Cybersecurity Capstone I Concepts, Research and Planning Witt, Sahar Books for CYBR-498-50 Fall 2025 Course details for CYBR-498-50 Fall 2025
51 Cybersecurity Capstone I Concepts, Research and Planning Tandon, Rohit Books for CYBR-498-51 Fall 2025 Course details for CYBR-498-51 Fall 2025