Secure and Dependable Computing Systems

Academic Certificate

The University of Idaho offers academic certificates in various academic disciplines. An academic certificate is a coherent body of work designed to reflect specialized expertise. Earning a certificate may provide professional advancement opportunities and build a strong foundation for future graduate study. College of Engineering certificate courses already exist in the graduate curricula, and all required courses are delivered online by Engineering Outreach.

The Department of Computer Science offers the Secure and Dependable Computing Systems Academic Certificate, which provides a concentrated focus on computer security and dependability.

Prerequisites

A completed undergraduate degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (required prior to enrolling in a 500-level course);
Admission to the University of Idaho;
Nondegree students must obtain permission from the instructor prior to registering for a 500-level course;
All students must submit the Academic Certificate Declaration on page 2 of the Change of Curriculum form to the certificate coordinator for department chair approval;
Review Steps to Certificate Completion
Students must contact the certificate coordinator to discuss background qualifications prior to starting the certificate.

Course Selection
This academic certificate consists of 12 credits selected from the courses listed below and approved by the certificate coordinator. Refer to the University of Idaho General Catalog for course descriptions and prerequisite requirements. Students must earn a grade of 'B' or better in each course to qualify for a College of Engineering certificate; course work may not be more than five (5) years old unless it is being used in conjunction with the completion of a graduate degree. View the current Engineering Outreach courses and watch a sample session.

Required courses (6 credits)		Credits
CS 438/538	Network Security	3
CS 536	Advanced Information Assurance Concepts (CS 436 joint list dropped in Summer 2010)	3
Electives (6 credits)
CS 441/541	Advanced Operating Systems	3
CS 448/548	Survivable Systems and Networks	3
CS 449/549	Fault-Tolerant Systems	3
CS 504	Special Topics (as approved by the certificate coordinator)	3

Admission and Transfer Credits
Students must be admitted to the University of Idaho prior to starting a certificate; discuss admission category options and qualifications with the certificate coordinator prior to applying.

Nondegree students must earn all certificate course credits from the University of Idaho unless they plan to continue working toward a graduate degree in the same department. A maximum of 12 approved credits taken as a nondegree student or at another institution can be transferred toward a master's degree; students considering transferring credits into a graduate program must contact the department for early advising. Nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid.
Graduate students may use up to three (3) approved transfer credits toward the certificate, with department approval.
Course credits earned as an undergraduate student may not be applied toward this certificate.

Certificate Coordinator
James Alves-Foss, Ph.D.
Department of Computer Science
Phone: (208) 885-5196 or (800) 824-2889, press 1, ext. 5196