2023-2024 Course Catalog

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Integrated Security (ISDA) Minor

Please Note: There are 3 options to choose from in the Integrated Security Pathways Minor. All students in all 3 options will take the introductory and Capstone courses together. This minor is open to all students regardless of major. Tracks are denoted below by A - General Security Track, B - Securing Cyber Track, C - Human Security Track.

Also note: no more that 50% of the graded course credit hours required for the Minor in Integrated Security may be double-counted by a student also enrolled in his/her major.

The Integrated Security Minor requires a minimum of 18-21 hours depending on minor track listed below: 

I. Introductory Course
BIT/CS/PSCI 2164Foundations of Contemporary Security Environments (Pathway 5f ; Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences ; Intercultural Global Awareness) 13
Subtotal3
II. Middle Courses
Select one of the following:12-15
A. General Security Track
B. Securing Cyber Track
C. Human Security Track
Subtotal12-15
III. Capstone Course
BIT/CS/PSCI 4164Future of Security: Integrative Solutions for Complex Security Systems (Pathways Concept 1 - Discourse ; Ethics) 1,23
Subtotal3
Total Credits18-21
1

Pathways courses

2

Courses with prerequisites. Please consult the University Course Catalog, or check with your advisor.

Tracks

A. General Security Track

Select one course from each block
Block 1
CS 1014Introduction to Computational Thinking (Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking)3
CS 1054Introduction to Programming in Java3
CS 1064Introduction to Programming in Python3
CS 1114Introduction to Software Design3
SOC 2104Quantitative Approaches to Community Research (Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking) 13
STS/HIST/SOC 2604Introduction to Data in Social Context (Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities) 13
HD 3024Community Analytics (Advanced/Applied Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking) 13
BIT 4604Data Governance, Privacy and Ethics (Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities) 1,23
Block 2 (Human Security)
HIST 1354Conflict and Security in Modern East Asia (Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities ; Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
PSVP 2044Peace and Violence (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences)3
PSCI 3104Security Studies: Theories and Concepts 13
PSCI 3114Global Security 23
PSCI 3134Global Conflict and War3
PSCI 3184Human Security 23
HIST 3714War and Medicine3
BIT 4604Data Governance, Privacy and Ethics 23
Block 3 (Cybersecurity)
HIST 2716History of Technology (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
PSCI 3044The Politics of Internet Governance 23
PSCI 3054The Dark Web and Threat Analytics3
PSCI 4074The Politics of Cybersecurity 23
FIN 4014Cyberlaw and Policy (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
BIT 4614Information Security 23
ECE 4560Computer and Network Security Fundamentals 23
CRIM 4474Cyber Criminology (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
CS 4264Principles of Computer Security 23
Block 4 (Environmental Security)
AAEC 1264Peace Economics (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences)3
AAEC 3324Environment and Sustainable Development Economics (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences ; Pathways Concept 7 - Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States) 13
GEOS 1034Earths Natural Hazards (Pathways Concept 4 - Reasoning in the Natural Sciences) 1,23
GEOG 2004Water, Environment, and Society (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
GEOG 2034Geography of Global Conflict3
GEOG 3104Environmental Problems, Population, and Development (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
PSCI 3344Global Environmental Issues: Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
STS 2454Science, Techology, and Environment (Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities) 13
1

Pathways courses.

2

Courses with prerequisites. Please consult the University Course Catalog, or check with your advisor.

B. Securing Cyber Track

Select one course from each block
Block 1 (Cybersecurity Infrastructure)
CS 1014Introduction to Computational Thinking (Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking ( Pathway 5f )) 13
CS 1064Introduction to Programming in Python3
CS 1054Introduction to Programming in Java3
CS 1114Introduction to Software Design3
Block 2 (Cybersecurity and Society)
CRIM 4474Cyber Criminology (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences ; Ethical Reasoning) 13
GEOG 2034Geography of Global Conflict3
HIST 2716History of Technology (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
PSCI/IS 3054The Dark Web and Threat Analytics3
PSCI 4074The Politics of Cybersecurity 23
Block 3 (Cybersecurity Risk and Governance)
FIN 4014Cyberlaw and Policy (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences or Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities ; Ethical Reasoning) 13
BIT 4604Data Governance, Privacy and Ethics (Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities ; Ethical Reasoning) 1,23
BIT 4614Information Security 23
ECE 4560Computer and Network Security Fundamentals 23
BIT 4624Cybersecurity Analytics for Business 23
CS 4264Principles of Computer Security 23
Block 4
Select one additional course from any of the above blocks in the Securing Cyber Track3
1

Pathways courses.

2

Courses with prerequisites. Please consult the University Course Catalog, or check with your advisor.

C. Human Security Track

Select 9 credit hours from Block 1, 6 credit hours from Block 2
Block 1 (Foundations of Human Security)
GEOG/IS/PSCI 2054Introduction to World Politics (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences) 13
PHIL 2304Global Ethics (Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities ; Ethics) 13
IS/PSCI 3184Human Security 23
Block 2 (Exploring Human Security)
AAEC 1264Peace Economics (Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences)3
PSVP 2044Peace and Violence3
GEOG 2034Geography of Global Conflict3
SOC 3004Social Inequality 23
IS/PSCI 3104Security Studies: Theories and Concepts3
IS/PSCI 3114Global Security3
IS/PSCI 3134Global Conflict and War3
IS/PSCI 3154Topics in Global Public Policies3
IS/PSCI 3175Global Development3
PSCI/UAP 3344Global Environmental Issues: Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
IS/PSCI 3634Human Rights: Global Issues3
HIST 3714War and Medicine3
IS 4014International Development3
IS/PSCI 4024Seminar in Diplomacy and Security3
SOC 4444Schools, Violence, and Justice3
1

Pathways courses.

2

Courses with prerequisites. Please consult the University Course Catalog, or check with your advisor.

General Security Track Notes

  • One course in addition to the two required courses must be a designated a Pathways course that meets a third Pathways objective.
    Example: If Foundations of Security is taken as a Pathways Computational Thinking course, and Security Solutions is taken as a Discourse Pathways course, then the student must choose his or her third Pathways course from the selected courses that meets a third Pathways objective, such as Reasoning in the Social Sciences, Critical Thinking in the Humanities, etc.
  • In addition to the Future of Security course, 3 credit hours must be taken at the 3000/4000 level.
  • No more than 50% of courses in the minor can be duplicated in the major.

Securing Cyber Track Notes

  • One course in addition to the two required courses must be a designated Pathways course that meets a third Pathways objective.
    Example: If Foundations of Security is taken as a Pathways Computational Thinking course, and Security Solutions is taken as a Discourse Pathways course, then the student must choose his or her third Pathways course from the selected courses that meets a third Pathways objective such as Reasoning in the Social Sciences, Critical Thinking in the Humanities, etc.
  • No more than 50% of courses can count towards the student’s major.

Human Security Track Notes

  • One elective must be taken at the 3000/4000 level.
  • No more than 50% of the courses may be duplicated in the major.

Declaring a Minor and Advising

  • Declare the Integrated Security Pathways Minor by emailing abrantly@vt.edu
  • Please see an advisor in Political Science during pre-registration in 531 Major Williams for questions and assistance.
  • Once a minor is declared, a student cannot graduate until she or he has either satisfied the requirements for the minor or withdrawn from the minor by notifying the IS-DA academic advisors in 531 Major Williams Hall.