Cybersecurity (Certificate)

The Certificate in Cybersecurity provides a firm foundation of coursework, including programming principles, threats and vulnerabilities detection, prevention at the technical(hardware and software) and human levels, response, operation, and management aspects of security. The program emphasizes applied skills, and a Cybersecurity graduate can design and create secure network architectures within a cybersecure infrastructure, configure and solve forensics problems; incident response; evaluate networks using cybersecure tools and techniques; and design and process interactive information management solutions.  Cybersecurity students acknowledge the importance of technological lifelong learning and can continue their education in the Cybersecurity field.

The Certificate of Achievement in Cybersecurity is available for students who complete the following required courses, with a minimum grade of a “C” (or P) in each course in the degree and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

A.     Demonstrate the fundamentals of cyber security and the advanced concepts of computer security, networking, and the responsibilities of a Cybersecurity professional.

B.     Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences about technical information.

C.     Demonstrate competency in an ability to make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.

D.     Demonstrate competency in networking and cloud security including the ability to design,secure, analyze, and support computer infrastructure.

E.     Demonstrate competency in working with servers, networks, storage, cloud, and virtualization solutions including implementing and evaluating threat and risk assessment.

F.     Demonstrate ability to apply security principles and practices to the environment,hardware, software, and human aspects of a system.

G.    Demonstrate competency in utilizing Math skills to assist in the solving of complex business, security, and networking problems.

Total units___37___ (all units are semester units) 

This program introduces the cybersecurity skills needed to help meet the growing demand for entry-level Cybersecurity professionals. After completing the coursework for this degree the student will be able to gain industry standardized certificates from CompTIA, Cisco, Cloud Security Alliance such as the A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+, Cloud+, Server+, Cisco CyberOps, CCNA Security, CCSK Certifications. Therefore, we are fulfilling all the bulleted goals of lifelong learning, basic skills, CTE, transfer, and degree/certificate programs in line with Merced Colleges mission. 

The Cybersecurity Certificate, the students will learn the soft and technical skills needed to provide the platform to be successful as entry-level Cybersecurity Technology Professionals in government,health, education, defense, and private businesses. The students will also be able to develop occupational skills and receive certifications. The program also enables students to get fundamental knowledge in the areas of penetration testing, forensics, risk assessment, incident handling, networking, and system security. The program aims to develop quality and quantity of technical professionals that will be able to design and implement security policies for organizations of all sizes in the central valley. 

The Cybersecurity Certificate, the students will learn the soft and technical skills needed to provide the platform to be successful as entry-level Cybersecurity Technology Professionals in government, health, education,defense, and private businesses. The students will also be able to develop occupational skills and receive certifications. The program also enables students to get fundamental knowledge in the areas of penetration testing,forensics, risk assessment, incident handling, networking, and system security.The program aims to develop quality and quantity of technical professionals that will be able to design and implement security policies for organizations of all sizes in the central valley. 

Computer Network Fundamentals