Take a look at the classes I’ve taken at Mercyhurst that have taught me about Cyber Security, Computer Science, and more.
CIS 100 – Introduction to Computer Science
This course was taught to me by Professor Decker, it introduced me to fundamental concepts in computer science. Including topics such as problem solving, algorithm development, computer programming in a high level language, debugging programs, abstract data types, variables, assignment, loops, conditionals, functions.
CIS 160 – Introduction to Cyber Security
This course was taught by Professor Pearson, it introduced me to concepts in cyber security including: fundamentals of secure policy design: least privilege, fail-safe defaults, separation, minimize trust, economy of mechanism, minimize common mechanism, least astonishment, open design, layering, abstraction, modularity, linkage, interaction, social engineering attacks, cybersecurity user education, sensitive personal data, identifying and documenting security requirements for software and systems.
CIS 200 – Linear Data Structures
This course was taught by Dr. Mansour, it introduced me to linear and non-linear data structures and algorithm analysis. Topics include: arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (search, balanced), heaps, hash tables, graphs, arrays, and data frames. Take a look at the projects I did in this class in PyCharm
CIS 210 – Non-Linear Data Structures
This class was taught by Professor Maddumala, it introduced me to non-linear data structures: trees (binary, balanced, and n-ary) and graphs and how to use them to design efficient algorithms to solve fundamental computing problems such as sorting data and searching for information.
CIS 220 – Digital Logic & Computer Organization
This class was taught by Dr. Platte, it introduced me to principles of digital logic and computer organization. Topics include: binary number system; hexadecimal notation; logic gates; Boolean algebra; processor, memory and I/O organization; instruction set architecture; performance optimization; hardware security and supply chain risks.
CIS 230 – Operating Systems
This course was taught by Dr. Mansour, it introduced me to computer system administration using standalone and networked UNIX/Linux systems. Topics Included system design and installation, file systems, BASH shell, user and process management, backup/restore, common administrative tasks, troubleshooting, and networking service administration.
CIS 260 – Computer Communications and Networks
This course was taught by Dr. Platte, it introduced me to networks, protocols, and distributed systems. Topics included: OSI model, TCP/IP, LAN and WAN, layer 2 and layer 3 architecture, resource management, naming, addressing and routing, reliable communication, security, and higher-level services.
CIS 261 – Information Security
This course was taught by Dr. Mansour, it introduced me to the concept of securing data in transfer or during storage. This includes a discussion on information security objectives: data integrity, authentication, and data privacy: classical ciphers and block ciphers: cryptography (secret key cryptography, public key cryptography), cryptographic algorithms used; message digests; password-based, address based, and cryptographic authentication; and end to end security.
CIS 262 – Digital Forensics
This class was taught by Professor Pearson, it introduced me to the principles and practice of digital forensics. Topics include: computer crime, intellectual property, privacy issues, legal codes; risks, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures; methods and standards for extraction, preservation, and deposition of legal evidence in a court of law.
In this class we used the tool Autopsy to conduct multiple investigations of data provided to us by the professor. In addition to this, we used labs provided by Infosec Learning to learn different forms of Digital Forensics.
CIS 360 – Computer Systems Security
This class was taught by Dr. Mansour, it introduced me to the concept of the design of secure computing systems. This includes networks security and protocols, intrusion detection and prevention systems, access control, firewalls, email security, web security, hardware security and trust, and IOT and control systems security.
In this class, we also used virtual labs provided by the school’s partnership with EC-Council to complete their Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) v1 labs.
CIS 361 – Network Security
This course was taught by Professor Maddumala, it allowed me to review on information security, networking and cryptography concepts followed by the practical techniques to manage implementation of network security solutions for any organization. I additionally learned how to design and implement cybersecurity mechanisms for an organization’s network.
In this class, we used CISCO’s Packet Tracer to learn how to create and enable networks. We also used Snort to create detection rules and Nmap to test the rules we created by sending different scans, such as SYN, FIN, UDP, and XMAS.
CIS 401 – Ethical Hacking
This class was taught by Professor Pearson, it introduced me to the principles and techniques of ethical hacking. The course topics included reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and result reporting. We had hands on experience in exploiting various vulnerabilities and weaknesses in computer systems and networks.
In this class we used tools such as Nessus and Nmap to conduct a penetration test against a Metasploitable 2 and VulnHub virtual box.
CIS 500 – Computing & Info Science Concepts
This class was taught by Dr. Mansour, it allowed me to study the design, application, use, impact, and ethical implications of computational principles and technology. Topics covered include: computer organization, data structures, computer programming, networking concepts, computer security, and ethics.
CIS 502 – Penetration Testing
This class was taught by Dr. Mansour, it was an advanced level of the Ethical Hacking course. It allowed me to review the principles and techniques of penetration testing and ethical hacking, as well as giving me insight to more advanced topics and techniques. Course topics included: reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and result reporting. I also learned how system vulnerabilities can be exploited and the way to avoid such problems.
In this class we used EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) labs through their CyberQ program.
CIS 560 – Cyber Networks
This class was taught by Dr. Mansour, it allowed me to better understand today’s cyber networks and how they can support the requirements of organizations. It reviewed networking basics and demonstrates how networks can support the increasing demands of advanced communications. The course examined networking standards, protocols, architectures, management and security.