Cybersecurity
Associate in Science School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Associate in Science degree in Cybersecurity provides a firm foundation of coursework, including programming principles, threats and vulnerabilities detection, prevention at the technical (hardware and software) and human levels, response, operation, and management aspects of security. The program emphasizes applied skills, and a Cybersecurity graduate can design and create secure network architectures within a cybersecure infrastructure, configure and solve forensics problems; incident response; evaluate networks using cybersecure tools and techniques; and design and process interactive information management solutions. Cybersecurity students acknowledge the importance of technological lifelong learning and can continue their education in the Cybersecurity field.
The Associate of Science degree in Cybersecurity is available for students who meet the graduation requirements and complete the following required courses, with a minimum grade of a “C” (or P) in each course in the degree and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Program Learning Outcomes:
A. Analyze the fundamentals of cyber security and the advanced concepts of computer security, networking, and the responsibilities of a Cybersecurity professional.
B. Evaluate an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences about technical information.
C. Evaluate competency in an ability to make informed judgements in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
D. Evaluate competency in networking and cloud security including the ability to design, secure, analyze, and support computer infrastructure.
E. Analyze competency in working with servers, networks, storage, cloud, and virtualization solutions including implementing and evaluating threat and risk assessment.
F. Evaluate ability to apply security principles and practices to the environment, hardware, software, and human aspects of a system.
G. Evaluate competency in utilizing Math skills to assist in the solving of complex business, security, and networking problems.
Program Requirements:
Program Core: (44-45 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CPSC-01 | Introduction to Computer Information Systems | 4 |
| CTIS-03 | Information and Communication Technology Essentials | 4 |
| CTIS-15 | Computer Network Fundamentals | 3 |
| Programming: Plus 3 units from the following: | ||
| CPSC-05A | Application Development and Programming | 3 |
| CTIS-02 | Programming Concepts and AI Driven Methodologies | 3 |
| CTIS-04 | Programming with Python | 3 |
| CTIS-06 | Python Programming for Cyber Security | 3 |
| CTIS-07 | Linux Shell Scripting and Programming | 3 |
| Electives: Plus 27 units from the following: | ||
| CTIS-06 | Python Programming for Cyber Security | 3 |
| CTIS-09 | Cloud Computing Infrastructure and Services | 3 |
| CTIS-11 | Linux System Administration | 3 |
| CTIS-19 | Cyber Ops | 3 |
| CTIS-20 | Introduction to Information Systems Security | 3 |
| CTIS-21 | Introduction to Cybersecurity: Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| CTIS-22 | Digital Forensics Fundamentals | 3 |
| CTIS-23 | Cyber Network Defense | 3 |
| CTIS-27 | Cloud Security and AI: Foundational Concepts | 3 |
| CTIS-30 | Cybersecurity Analysis, Malware and Mobile Forensics | 3 |
| CTIS-32 | Threat Hunting, Incident Response and Crisis Management | 3 |
| CTIS-35 | Security Policy and Compliance | 3 |
| Mathematics: Plus 3-5 units from the following: | ||
| STAT-C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| STAT-C1000E | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| MATH-15 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH-15S | Finite Mathematics with Support | 4 |
| MATH-03 | Calculus for Business | 4 |
| MATH-03S | Calculus for Business with Support | 5 |
| MATH-C2210 | Calculus I: Early Transcendentals | 4 |
| MATH-C2210E | Calculus I: Early Transcendentals - Embedded Support | 5 |
| Total | 44-45 | |
Completion of MCCD-GE Breadth: (24 units)
Total Units that may be double counted: (6 units)
Elective (as needed to reach 60 units) Units: (0 Units)
Total Degree Units: (62-64 Units)