Cyber Science

Major

The Cyber Science major prepares cadets to lead in the evolving domain of cyberspace through a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum. Cadets choose between two concentrations - Cyber Science or Cyber Operations - focusing on both technical depth and broader humand organizational factors.

Offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Cyber is one of the fastest growing and most critical domains in national defense, and the Cyber Science major prepares USMA cadets to lead confidently in this space. Designed for those who enjoy solving complex problems and thinking about the intersection of technology, people, and security, the major blends technical depth with broad interdisciplinary study.

As a cadet in the Cyber Science major, you will explore topics ranging from networks and operating systems to cyber law, digital forensics, and the human factors that impact cybersecurity. Whether your strengths lie in coding, systems thinking, or understanding people and organizations, there is a path for you.

The program offers two distinct concentrations:

Cyber Science Concentration - Focuses on the broad study of how data, software, hardware, human behavior, and organizations interact to impact the security of cyberspace. Ideal for cadets interested in leadership roles where understanding the full spectrum of cyber is critical.
Cyber Operations Concentration - Focuses on the low-level technical skills needed to conduct and defend against offensive cyber operations. This concentration suits cadets seeking a deep technical immersion.

The Cyber Science major is designed to support successful commissioning into any Army branch, not just cyber. It emphasizes leadership, analytical thinking, and ethical decision-making - skills applicable to any mission set.

An honors track is available for highly motivated cadets seeking additional academic challenge.

Interested Cadets

Required Courses

Cyber Foundations

CS380 - COMPUTER SYSTEMS & ORGANIZATN
CS384 - DATA STRUCTURES
CS400 - PRO CONSIDERATIONS IN COMPUTING
CY300 - PROGRAMMING FUNDAMENTALS
CY350 - NETWORK ENGR & MGT
CY460 - CYBER POLICY, STRATEGY, & OPNS
CY465 - ORGANIZATIONAL SECURITY

Cyber Operations Electives

Choose 1

CY392 – DEFENSIVE CYBER OPERATIONS
CY482 - OFFENSIVE CYBER OPERATIONS

Cyber Electives

Choose 4 from 21 courses

Complementary. Support Courses (Cyber Foundation)

EE360 – DIGITAL LOGIC W/ EMBEDDED SYS
MA372 - INTRODUCTION TO DISCRETE MATH

Complementary Support Course (Cyber in Society Elective)
The interactions of the cyber domain in society and the military are a critical part of understanding the impacts of cyber.

Choose 1 of 3.

LW462 - CYBER LAW
PY326 - ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY
WS485 - JOINT AND MULTINATIONAL OPS

Integrative Experience for the Major

XE401 - INTEGRATIVE SYSTEM DESIGN I
XE402 - INTEGRATIVE SYSTEM DESIGN II

Curriculum Requirements

This section describes how cadets in this major satisfy various curriculum requirements.

Science Depth
Cadets may take any Academy-approved science depth choice.

CH102 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
CH275 - BIOLOGY
PH202 - PHYSICS II
PH252 - ADVANCED PHYSICS II
PH275 - PHYSICS II: SPACE

STEM Depth

This course also satisfies the IT/Cyber requirement by successfully completing the IT/CYBER content in the core curriculum and CY355.

CY355 - CYBER FOUNDATIONS – COMPUTING

Core Engineering Sequence

Cadets in this major will satisfy the core engineering requirement with the embedded CYBER Sequence courses.

Writing in the Major

Cadets in this major satisfy the West Point Writing Program requirement by successfully completing writing requirements in the core curriculum and CS400.

Learn More

Cadets in this major will have the opportunity to participate in a number of honor societies and summer internships as part of the Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program.

Opportunities to explore the depth and breadth of cyber abound within the Cyber Science program and EECS. Research and extracurriculars are primarily supported through the Cyber Research Center and include a myriad of research opportunities.

Honor Societies:

To learn more about enrichment for this major, visit the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cyber Science at the United States Military Academy is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Cyber Science and similarly named engineering programs.

Current ABET Cyber Science Accreditation Commission (EAC) Student Outcomes

Student outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation.

Cadets who qualify for graduation with a Cyber Science major from USMA will demonstrate:

an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

ABET Cyber Science program educational objectives

Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve.

The Cyber Science program seeks to prepare future Army officers for productive and rewarding careers in engineering or related professions for service to the nation.

Five to seven years after graduation, cadets who majored in Cyber Science will have been successful Army officers who:

Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of Cyber Science.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to Cyber Science.
Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

For the current and recent enrollment and graduate statistics, click the link for “View by Major” under the section "Enrollment for Select Majors."