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Information Assurance Degree: Course Curriculum for an Information Assurance Degree Program

Published Sep 07, 2009

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Information Assurance experts protect digital data on computer systems from hackers, viruses and malware. They typically work for organizations, such as the government and large corporations. They may have a bachelor's or master's degree in Information Assurance with a course curriculum covering topics in computer security and cyber forensics.

Course Curriculum for a Bachelor's Degree in Information Assurance

A bachelor's degree in Information Assurance mainly covers courses in mathematics and computer science. Few schools have a dedicated Information Assurance department. However, those that do, offer specific courses in computer and systems security. Some schools offer a bachelor's degree in Information Assurance in conjunction with degrees in criminal justice or computer science.

The curriculum for a bachelor's degree in Information Assurance may focus on policy, theory, practices, technology and operational procedures. Because Information Assurance is a new, rapidly growing and changing field, the curriculum will likely include components on the future of Information Assurance. Common courses offered in a bachelor's degree program may include:

Cryptography Systems administration
Computer forensics Computer security management
Programming languages Number theory
Discrete mathematics Software engineering
Internet systems development Computer architecture
Data structures Operating systems

Course Curriculum for a Master's Degree in Information Assurance

Courses for a Master of Science in Information Assurance may be taken from the computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mathematics, logistics, operations and management information systems, industrial and manufacturing systems engineering and political science departments of a university. Classes help students understand the functions and relationships between software, hardware, firmware and other information systems. Students learn to design an efficient system from which data can be accessed quickly and easily, but which can also be defended against attempts of unauthorized access. They learn to assess the possible risks to a computer network and its data, identifying and protecting its vulnerabilities.

The curriculum courses teach students to create contingency plans for various scenarios, including system infiltration and destruction. In such instances, Information Assurance courses cover disaster recovery plans. Courses may include Information Assurance analytics, managing cybercrime, cyber forensics, along with advanced seminars designed to address the most recent developments in the field of Information Assurance. Students interested in working for corporations may be expected to take business classes.

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