Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Delivery
This 8-week course is multi-modal with asynchronous and synchronous work and meetings. You will have asynchronous online work using Canvas. We have four synchronous meetings, or Live Sessions, for an hour and a half using Zoom. Live Sessions are 7:00 - 8:30 pm (Central Time) on Wednesdays in weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7.
Course Prerequisites
The following courses are prerequisites for this course: ACS 5113 Programming Principles and ACS 5213 Mathematics for Computer Science.
Course Materials
The following text book is required for the course:
- Stallings, W. & Brown, L. (2024). Computer Security Principles and Practice (5th Ed.). Pearson.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
- Apply critical thinking and data-driven analysis to dissect complex computing challenges and devise effective computing solutions.
- Assess and adjust to current and evolving technological trends to create innovative solutions and optimize software development processes.
- Utilize software design and development principles and methodologies to create efficient, maintainable, scalable and high-quality applications.
- Communicate technical concepts clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to technical and non-technical audiences.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) Alignment
| CLO | Description | PLO |
|---|---|---|
| A | Analyze and manage risks with data security. | PLO-1, 2 |
| B | Analyze and identify security breaches in a computer network. | PLO-1 |
| C | Identify and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of cryptographic algorithms and protocols underlying network security applications. | PLO-3 |
| D | Demonstrate familiarity with various software tools and applications used to discover and exploit security vulnerabilities in deployed software, computing, and networked systems. | PLO-2 |
| E | Communicate security and technical concepts to a wider audience. |
PLO-4 |
Grades
Breakdown of Grading for Course
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
|
Weekly Assignments |
|
50% |
|
Exams |
|
25% |
|
Project |
|
12.5% |
|
Oral Presentation |
|
7.5% |
|
Live Session Participation |
|
5% |
|
|
Total | 100 |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Weekly Assignments
You will be assigned weekly homework beginning week 1. All weekly assignments are due the following week. Points will be deducted for late submissions. Weekly assignments consist of both homework problems and discussion board posts.
Homework based on the textbook
Beginning week 1, you will complete weekly homework assignments based on the textbook. The written assignments address a variety of data security principles, tools and issues.
Discussion Board
You will engage in discussions with your classmates on current data security topics and issues.
Exams
There will be two exams given during the course. A midterm and final which will correspond to content in weeks 1- 4 and 5- 7. This is subject to change based upon learning outcomes achieved.
Course Project
You will research and apply a real-world problem as related to a topic of your choice in the course material. The project deliverables are a research paper, presentation of your project and written summary of a class peer's written project.
Oral Presentation
You will present the findings of your project in an oral manner. If you are unable to attend the live session in which there will be presentations, you will be responsible for providing a video recording.
Live Session
We will have Live Sessions on Wednesdays, during the odd weeks of the course, weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7. The agenda will be posted before the Live Session. We will have demonstrations, discussions of current topics, guest speakers and Q & A for questions you have from the week's work. Attend at least one of the four Live Sessions. Extra credit is available if you attend all four Live Sessions.
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to reach me, please utilize my OU email listed above, as it is the preferred method. I ask that you include the course title in the subject line and note that I will do my best to respond within 2 business days at most.
Feedback
As this is an online course with multiple deliverables each week, it is my goal to complete all grading within 3 - 5 days of final weekly deliverable for each week's assignments.
Late Policy
If you need to turn work in late due to unforeseen circumstances, it is your responsibility to notify me in in advance as early as possible. Late assignments will have points deducted. Anything greater than 7 days late will receive an automatic zero.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying or using third party applications (for example AI tools such as ChatGPT). OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|