CSIBridge (with a soft c, as in SCI for science, CY for cyber, or CSI for Crime Scene Investigation) is our preparatory program for promising candidates who lack the required computer science background. CSIBridge was expressly designed with mid-career people in mind who feel they are suited for a career in digital forensics and cyber security but have never studied formal computer science or are missing some elements of the preparation required. There are several options.
This is a new state approved graduate certificate program designed to provide the computer science background needed to study digital forensics and cyber security at the graduate level with PhD computer scientists. It is an intensive program comprised of four courses. Two are accelerated preparatory courses and two are core courses in the degree program.
The above two preparatory courses are followed by two core courses in the degree program that round out preparation for the advanced technical courses.
Some candidates prefer the more relaxed pace and generic approach provided by taking core computer science and math courses to gain the background required for admission. A program of study will be prepared for you by the program director tailored to your background. It might include undergraduate courses in operating systems, programming, algoritums, data structures, networks, and discrete math. These courses can be taken at most colleges and universities. In any case, an optimal program is developed with the program director. You are free to take these courses before you apply to the program to shore up your profile.
Candidates who did not take higher level science and math courses and who are novices to computing are typically required to take some undergraduate courses in computer science and/or math in order to test their mettle. Once they show their potential, they may switch to the graduate prep courses that are part of CSIBridge.
Admissions requirements are the same as for applicants who have computer science backgrounds except for the needed undergraduate computer science and math courses. Applicants who lack some or all of an academic computer science background are considered for admission to CSIBridge. This often applies to candidates who have extensive backgrounds in information technology but lack formal computer science training.
CSIBridge students are required to demonstrate ample progress in each course toward gaining the background required for transfer to the degree program. The program admissions committee reviews student progress along the way to assess readiness for the transfer.
