Cyber Security and Information Technology Undergraduate Program

Preparing graduates for today鈥檚 careers and tomorrow鈥檚 opportunities.

College of Arts and Sciences

Location: Crete, Lincoln

Degree Type: Undergraduate

91快播鈥檚 Computing program provides students looking for a cybersecurity degree with the competency to prepare them to enter the industry in software development or information technology and cybersecurity-related areas. What distinguishes 91快播 graduates from their peers graduating from other schools are the essential non-technical competencies cultivated through the active-learning emphasis and liberal-arts focus of 91快播. These competencies, along with technical competencies, are developed through immersive experiences both inside and outside the classroom. These make graduates of the 91快播 Computing program highly sought after by employers and graduate schools.
The competencies, developed with guidance from our alumni of industry professionals, are captured in five outcomes. The Computing program creates an environment that challenges students looking to complete a cybersecurity degree as they develop confidence and competencies as:

  • Computing professionals
  • Software engineers or Information technology/Cybersecurity specialists
  • Problem-solvers
  • Independent learners
  • Communicators

91快播 University's Computing program affords each student multiple opportunities to develop a foundation of technology-related knowledge and hands-on competencies with current tools. In addition, three important topics鈥攅thics, cybersecurity, and career opportunities鈥攁re intentionally woven into the fabric of every course. Together, the competencies, knowledge and threads prepare students not only for a next step professionally or academically, but are also of immense value throughout a career.

Unique Experiences in the Computing Curriculum

The 91快播 Computing program is very flexible, allowing students to tailor their experience to their interests and talents. There is one major, Computing, and two emphasis areas, software engineering and information technology/cybersecurity. Students can pursue either focus area which are in high demand in the industry. In addition, there are several minors and certificates in each area that students can pursue through the Computing program.

All majors are encouraged to complete a minor or second major. Some of the programs commonly combined with Computing include engineering, data analytics, graphic design, and business. 

In addition, 91快播 Computing majors have the option of entering a mentoring relationship with an alumni with a career in the computing field. In addition to communicating several times each academic year, there are opportunities each year to spend time together to discuss technology and careers.

Program Information

Career Paths

A student earning a Computer Science degree enjoys an extremely robust job market, with occupations projected to grow 13 percent over the next 8 years, faster than the average. 91快播 graduates have enjoyed a competitive advantage securing jobs at some well-known businesses including: Don鈥檛 Panic Labs, Boys Town, Fiserv, Foundation for Educational Services, Hudl, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, the Minnesota Vikings, Nelnet, Sandhills Publishing, Scooters, the State of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska, and 91快播 University.

Software Developers

2017 Median Pay: $103,560
Job Outlook: 24% over the next 10 years
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.

Web Developers

2017 Median Pay: $67,990
Job Outlook: 15% over the next 10 years
Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site鈥檚 technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website鈥檚 speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

2017 Median Pay: $81,100
Job Outlook: 6% over the next 10 years
Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.

Computer Support Specialists

2017 Median Pay: $52,810
Job Outlook: 11% over the next 10 years
Computer support specialists provide help and advice to computer users and organizations. These specialists either support computer networks or they provide technical assistance directly to computer users.

Information Security Analysts

2017 Median Pay: $95,510
Job Outlook: 28% over the next 10 years
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization鈥檚 computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increases.

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Courses
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Internships

91快播 Computer Science majors complete an internship as part of their course of study, so each graduate has at least one semester of on-the-job experience by the time they graduate. 91快播 students have had internships at a wide variety of organizations, including Crete Carrier, CS3 Marketing, Firespring, Kidwell / IBM, Lockheed Martin, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Nelnet, Sandhills Publishing, the University of Georgia Bioinformatics Department, and many more. 91快播鈥檚 network of computer science alumni provides a rich opportunity for our students to earn valuable career experience through internships.

Faculty and Staff
Alec Engebretson, Professor

- Professor

Icon_Phone Created with Sketch. 402.826.8216

Mark Meysenburg, Professor

- Professor

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Research

Every 91快播 Computer Science graduate will have at least one major independent project, developed as part of their senior capstone course. In addition, there are opportunities to engage in undergraduate research projects, while working one-on-one with 91快播 faculty members. Current research areas of interest include machine learning (neural networks and genetic algorithms), virtual reality applications developed in 91快播鈥檚 VR lab, computer vision as applied to the natural sciences, and high-performance computing utilizing 91快播鈥檚 very own supercomputer, . Many of these capstone and research projects have led to conference publications and presentations by 91快播 students.

Open Learning Academy

Student Organizations

91快播 Academic Competition Team: Programming

The 91快播 programming team competes in at least two intercollegiate programming competitions each year, matching their skills against teams from other colleges and universities from all over the upper midwest. The team meets weekly to practice, learning how to solve complicated problems with advanced programming techniques. Starting in the 2019-2020 academic year, members of the programming team will earn college credit for participating in the practices and competitions. In addition, scholarships are available for team members.

Happy student

Student Organizations

The Guild

The Guild is 91快播's largest themed community. Hosted out of Smith Hall the guild is focused around all things gaming! Video games, board games, card games, and more! They host a number of events on campus throughout the year including charity live-streams and gaming competitions. Guild members also have access to the Smith gaming room in the basement equipped with two large televisions and ample room for gaming of all sorts.

Man sitting at table reviewing a paper

Student Organizations

Project SERVE & Noyce Scholars

Interested in having K-12 students get excited about science? 91快播 has received the largest National Science Foundation grant in school history with a goal of recruiting and retaining STEM teachers in urban and rural schools in Nebraska, where they are needed the most. Ten 91快播 undergraduate STEM students will receive $14,000 in their junior year and $24,000 in their senior year and become apart of a group of students who will participate in seminars, have a mentor from a urban or rural school and attend STEM education conferences all with a goal of preparing you to teach in a high need urban or rural school.

Special Programs

Exceptional Student Curriculum (ESC)

The purpose of the Exceptional Student Curriculum (ESC) is to provide undergraduate students majoring in Computing unique curricular offerings to complement their 91快播 liberal arts education. In order to be successful taking these offerings, students must have demonstrated sustained academic excellence, be self-motivated, and have strong independent learning skills.

Courses available each semester to students as part of the ESC come from undergraduate courses designed jointly by a student and an CS faculty member and offered as a 91快播 directed study with content from external partners including Microsoft Professional Program in the Cloud AdminCSration, IT Support, and Artificial Intelligence tracks, and EdX partners in computer-related areas. Paths to Masters degrees and professional certifications are available.

Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology

Special Programs

Computing w/ Honors

Students who have academically excelled have the option of entering the Computing with Honors program. Students apply for the program typically in their sophomore year and must be unanimously approved by the Computing program faculty. Once approved, in addition to completing additional courses, the student will complete a significant undergraduate research project working with a faculty member. The undergraduate research is often completed during the summer, and if part of 91快播鈥檚 larger summer research program, has stipends associated with it.

91快播 professor with student

Special Programs

Three-Year Graduation Program

Students who have earned significant number of college credits through AP or dual-enrollment programs may be eligible for the three-year graduation program in Computing. These students, in conjunction with an advisor in the Computing department, create an academically-intensive three-year schedule, allowing them to complete the four-year degree in three years.

Student at Commencement

The 91快播 Difference

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Flexibility & Options

The Information Science and Technology Department offers two majors, Computing and Information Systems. Each involve the same four core courses and the same two focus areas (software development and information technology). Students can explore both majors before choosing one and can pursue either focus area from both majors.

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Technical and Essential Non-Technical Competencies

The Computing program is designed to immerse the student in experiences which will allow them to gain competencies that are both technical and non-technical, but mutually essential to be successful in the industry.

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Active and Experiential Learning

Our students are expected to be active participants in their learning during class time. You should also expect to engage as developing professionals through a community service project, internship, and capstone project along with research opportunities in machine learning, parallel processing and virtual reality.

Career Information

Students Maddy Ramey, wearing a green suit; Olivia Vore, wearing an orange suit with pink tie; and Ali Moulton, wearing a pink suit, laugh in front of a dark curtain while holding small black binders, used for interpretive events in competitive speech.

Helpful Links

Whether you鈥檙e ready to apply or still testing the waters with a tour, we鈥檙e here for you. Here are some helpful links to assist you on your journey.

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