I want to change my major to Cybersecurity. What do I need to do to start this process?
You will need to email the KFSCIS Advising team at advising@cs.fiu.edu to request a change of major. An email will be sent to you after the KFSCIS Change of Major Committee reviews your request and comes up with a decision. The whole process takes about two weeks.
Do I need to take CGS 1920 Intro to Computing?
CGS1920 will be waived for students transferring at least 55 credits or a bachelor’s degree.
Where can I see a list of the interdisciplinary courses?
You will have to do some research to find courses that could be used toward the Interdisciplinary requirement.
One place to get information is to speak with an adviser in the minor or certificate area of your interest. Ask the advisor what courses are needed to complete the minor or certificate, then take nine of those credits (usually three courses).
Another place to look for information is in the FIU Catalog. Go to https://catalog.fiu.edu.
- Select the catalog current year
- Undergraduate
- Admissions and Registration Information
- Academic Programs
This page will list all the majors, minors, and certificates that are offered at FIU. Select the minor or certificate that interests you and look up the catalog information. The minors are listed in the same section where the bachelor programs are listed, by offering department. All certificates have their own section in the catalog, by offering College or School.
Be sure that all nine credits are applicable to the same minor or certificate. The nine credits cannot overlap with UCC courses, core courses or major electives.
Would Business Calculus take care of the Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry requirement?
Business Calculus will not satisfy the Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry requirement. You may complete the pre-calculus and trigonometry requirement for the BS in Cybersecurity program with any of these options:
- MAC1147 – Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry
- MAC2311 or MAC2281 – Calculus 1
Can certifications take the place of courses?
Currently, we could waive some courses with valid proof of completion of a certificate; however, no credit is received towards graduation. When a class is waived, then the requirement is met, but no credits are granted.
Students who declared the major after Summer 2010
CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Linux+
The IT Technician Exams along with the Linux+ exam can be used to waive the CGS3767.
CompTIA Network+
The Network+ exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CCNA
The CCNA exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CompTIA Security+
The Security+ exam can be used to waive CNT4403.
Students who declared the major before Fall 2010
CompTIA A+
The IT Technician Exams can be used to waive the classes CGS3767 and CDA3003 (formerly COP3643).
CompTIA Network+
The Network+ exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CCNA
The CCNA exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CompTIA Linux+
The CompTIA Linux+ Exam can be used to waive COP3353 (formerly COP3348).
In terms of career, how are the IT and Cybersecurity degrees different?
With an IT degree, you would be hired as a member of a technical support staff. Some of your responsibilities my include adding user accounts, installing software and hardware, troubleshooting hardware and software, administering a network, database, or web server, etc.
With a Cybersecurity degree, you would be hired as a member of a technical staff to protect databases, networks, and computer systems from unauthorized access.
What classes that were taken as a CS major can be applied to the CYB degree?
The following CS classes can be applied to the CYB program:
- COP2210 will satisfy COP2250
- COP3337 will satisfy COP3804
- MAC2311 or MAC2281 will satisfy the Pre-Calculus Algebra with Trigonometry requirement
I am a student at MDC. What classes can I take at MDC that will meet requirements for the CYB program?
In the link below you can access the BS in Cybersecurity MDC Transfer guide. It indicates what MDC courses will satisfy requirements for the CYB program.
I am a transfer student with an AA degree. What courses should I take during my first semester at FIU?
All transfer students must sign up and attend a Transfer Orientation. During Transfer Orientation you will meet with a CIS and will be advised courses for your first semester.
I am a student at BC. What classes can I take at BC that will meet requirements for the CYB program?
In the link below you can access the BS in Cybersecurity MDC Transfer guide. It indicates what MDC courses will satisfy requirements for the CYB program.
What are general electives?
Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn a BA or BS degree from the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences (KFSCIS). If you complete all of your requirements for the degree in less than 120 credits, then the remaining credits are general electives. You can take just about any course to earn these credits. Check with an advisor if you have a doubt.
What is the difference between the IT degree and the CYB degree?
The IT degree will train you to be a technical support professional: add user accounts, install software and hardware, administer networks, administer web servers, etc.
The CYB degree will train you to be a technical support professional in charge of protecting computer systems, devices, and networks from unauthorized access to data.
I am a CYB student and would like to declare the Minor in Computer Science. What should I do to add it?
Students majoring in Cybersecurity cannot declare the Minor in CS.
Could I receive college credit if I sign up for an internship?
Everything that you need to know about internships can be found in the Student Internship Manual.
Completing an internship will not satisfy any KFSCIS major requirements. However, students planning to do an internship could request class permission to register COP3949 or COP4949 to receive general elective credit(s). Please follow the instructions in the link below: