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Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) currently has a Master of Science in Computer Science with a Specialization in Cybersecurity, a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with Emphasis in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a specialization in Cybersecurity, and a PhD in Applied Science and Engineering with a Supplementary Area of Study of Computer Science with an emphasis in Cybersecurity.
These programs are the only of their kind in Puerto Rico. Programs at PUPR have consistently received accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS), ABET, and the Council of Education of Puerto Rico (CEPR). Current estimated enrollment figures at PUPR are over 4,500 students specifically in the engineering disciplines. PUPR has become a strategic STEM Research & Education Minority Serving Institution (MSI) in the Caribbean.
One of PUPR’s specific goals is “To develop research skills in the students and to provide scientific research within the academic community”. All these programs service a large, mainly Hispanic under-represented student population. Since the development of the two graduate certificates in Forensics and Cybersecurity, more than 100 students have received the certificates, and 60 more students are currently enrolled in both certificate programs.
PUPR has also graduated more than 150 students from the MS CS program in the Cybersecurity specialization. Many of these are now working with the DoD, NavSea, Air Force, FBI, CIA, NSA, DHS, MITRE, John Hopkins, MIT Lincoln Labs, Sandia Labs, Navy, Oak Ridge, LLNL, Los Alamos National Labs, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, DoE, among others. This is proof that cyber security education is in great demand in federal organizations, providing career opportunities that are well remunerated. PUPR is a reliable pipeline to supply this demand.
We offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS CS) of 122 credits. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is one of the few CS programs accredited by ABET. The summary of the program components is as follows:
| Table 1. Summary of BS CS Curriculum | |
| Component | Credits |
| Mathematics | 14 |
| Basic Science | 14 |
| Socio-Humanistic Studies & Language | 18 |
| Engineering Sciences | 3 |
| Basic Computer Science | 58 |
| Management Courses | 3 |
| Cybersecurity Track | 12 |
| Total: | 122 |
Students take courses such as: Data Structure, Advanced Programming, Software Engineering, Computer Architecture for CS Majors, Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Database Systems, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Computational Theory, and Final CS Project Design, among others.
The emphasis for these NSF-SFS Scholars is to develop a Final Project Design in Cybersecurity. The following four (4) cybersecurity courses are considered for the Track: Network Security, Ethical Hacking, Computer Forensics, and Reverse Engineering & Software Protection. All these cybersecurity courses have been offered at the Institution since 2010.
These courses prepare students for careers in cybersecurity and related disciplines.
We also offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BS CpE) of 149 credits. Students eligible for the NSF-SFS will be enrolled in a cybersecurity track that has a key component of three courses (3 credits each for a total of 9 credits). The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is also accredited by ABET.
The summary of the program components is as follows:
| Table 2: Summary of BS CpE Curriculum | |
| Component | Credits |
| Mathematics | 15 |
| Basic Science | 14 |
| Socio-Humanistic Studies & Language | 21 |
| Engineering Sciences | 9 |
| Basic Computer Engineering | 81 |
| Cybersecurity Track | 9 |
| Total: | 149 |
Students take courses such as: Data Communication and Networks, Software Engineering; Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Microprocessors, Database Systems, DSP, Capstone Design, among others.
The emphasis for these NSF-SFS Scholars is to develop a Capstone Design in Cybersecurity. The following cybersecurity courses are considered for the Track: Network Security, Ethical Hacking, Computer Forensics, and Reverse Engineering & Software Protection. All these cybersecurity courses have been offered since 2010 at the Institution.
These courses prepare students for careers in cybersecurity and related disciplines.
The MS CS program offers a thesis option and a non-thesis option. Degree requirements for the thesis option are thirty-three (33) credits, which include the completion of twenty-seven (27) credits of coursework and six (6) credits of approved thesis work. The thesis subject matter is to be approved by the student’s graduate advisor and the thesis committee. Degree requirements for the non-thesis option are thirty-nine (39) credits that include thirty-six (36) credits of coursework and three (3) credits of a final project course. Core courses provide students with a solid foundation for technology applications and advanced studies in networking, computer security, computer forensics, and other CS topics.
Annual offerings demonstrate that there is a demand for the courses and sufficient enrollment to maintain a solid MS CS program.
Please see curriculum and program structure below:
Core Courses: (Required: 15 credits for Thesis and non-Thesis Option) – Advanced Design and Analysis of Algorithms; Computational Theory; Principles of Information Security; IT Operations; and Computer Forensics.
Specialization in Cybersecurity Courses: (Required: 12 credits for Thesis and Non-Thesis Option) – Advanced Database Systems; Computer Security; Network Security; and Advanced Computer Forensics.
After completing the required Core and Cybersecurity Specialization courses the student with the non-thesis option may opt for one of these Emphasis Areas:
Emphasis Areas (9 credits).
Non-Thesis Project Option – Non-thesis option students are required to complete the Final Project (3 credits) after completing the core, specialization, and emphasis area courses.
Thesis Project Option – Thesis option students are required to complete the Final Thesis Project (6 credits) after completing the core and specialization courses.
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) is also offering a PhD program where security is one of the core research areas. Initiative focuses on developing an Interdisciplinary PhD in Engineering Science. Students will master two core areas (in Computer Science and Engineering) straddling the interdisciplinary research area of security. The program structure and curriculum are shown below:
Program Structure/Curriculum: Engineering and Applied Sciences Ph.D. Degree The interdisciplinary Engineering and Applied Sciences Ph.D. Degree requires completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours of approved graduate level course work.
Figure 1 presents a block diagram of the program structure.
The interdisciplinary Engineering and Applied Sciences Ph.D. degree requires a Principal Area of Study (major) in the field of Engineering. PhD students that are candidates for the NSF-SFS will be in the Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs.
In addition, they will seek the degree in the Supplementary Area of Study of Computer Science with the emphasis in Cybersecurity that includes courses in topics such as: Network Security, Digital Forensics, Data Mining and Warehousing, and Computer Security, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, among others.
There is a great demand for professionals that can bring solutions through collaboration, public awareness and the introduction of new methods of Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is an area that presents great challenges requiring solutions that can only be obtained by means of research and innovation, which leads to the introduction of new products and services.
Dr. Alfredo Cruz, Executive Director of the PUPR-CAE CD designation has strengthened the Cybersecurity specialization in the Master of Science in Computer Science program, and the Master of Science in Computer Engineering, by offering excellent curricular alternatives that provide students the security skills and knowledge to react to real world situations in the workplace (Government and Industry).
We also continue to attract and retain high-profile researchers in Computer Science and Engineering thus increasing the number and quality of Hispanic student and faculty participation by fostering the integration of research and education in Cybersecurity.
Dr. Alfredo Cruz and Dr. Duffany, have contributed significantly to the development of the Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance and Security (GCIAS) in 2009, and the development of the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics (GCDF) in 2012. PUPR has also developed a Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (GCIADA) in 2025. All of these certificates have local accreditation and are in great demand.
The GCIAS provides students and IT security professionals from private and public sectors with theoretical components and hands-on-practice in a curriculum that is specially designed to cover the managerial and technical aspects of Information Assurance and Security.
The GCDF provides an in-depth introduction to key topics of digital forensics and provides a balanced teaching philosophy that contains both theory and hands-on practice. It attracts people from local and national law enforcement agencies (and other public and private sectors) that need the background in this area to enhance their job skills and overall performance. The certificate provides exposure to current problems in a rapidly changing field and to encourage participants to experiment and learn firsthand innovative ideas and approaches.
The GCAIDA provides an in-depth introduction to key topics of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics. They provide both theory and hands-on practice in these fields that are in great demand. This certificate provides exposure to current problems in a rapidly changing field and encourages participants to experiment and learn firsthand innovative ideas and approaches. The certificate provides an in-depth introduction to key topics of Artificial Intelligence in the field of Cybersecurity. Students will learn how to detect email threats such as spamming and phishing using AI; Categorize APT, zero-days, and polymorphic malware samples; Overcome antivirus limits in threat detection; Predict network intrusions and detect anomalies with machine learning; Verify the strength of biometric authentication procedures with deep learning; Evaluate cybersecurity strategies and learn how you can improve them; among others.
In 2009 Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) was recognized as the first and only institution in Puerto Rico to be granted the special distinction from the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE).
PUPR was one of the first 100 institutions to obtain this designation in the Nation. With this designation as a CAE/IAE PUPR has obtained scholarships and fellowships that help outstanding students to pursue graduate studies in IA/CD, enabling them to work with the Federal Government or other federal institutions and agencies. The Institution is also constantly applying for Scholarships for Service (SFS) awards from the NSF; funds for faculty and student research; and many other benefits that are available for designated centers nationwide.
PUPR received recognition and an official certificate during the June 2009 CNSS Awards Ceremony, which were held at the 13th Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE). This certificate, signed by the CNSS Chair, was valid through June 2014. The Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) program provides consistency in training and education for the information assurance skills that are critical to our nation.
In the process of obtaining the CAE/IAE designation Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico also became the first academic institution in the Caribbean to be certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). The Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) program validated the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico courseware as meeting all of the elements of the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) National Training Standards for: Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professionals, NSTISSI No. 4011 System Administrators (SA), CNSSI No. 4013 Entry Level As a result of CNSS certification:
In 2014 PUPR received re-designation as a new CAE IA/CD designated by the DHS and the NSA. We still have the honor of being the first and only institution designated in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, having a strategic position in the southeast of the United States. The Institution counts with excellent resources to support the initiative of increasing local Information Assurance and Cyber Security education; and to develop outreach activities.
In 2021 PUPR received re-designation as a CAE CD. The efforts to fulfill and maintain the required criteria to be designated as a CAE CD were supported by the Director of the Center for Information Assurance for Research and Education (CIARE), Dr. Alfredo Cruz. He networked with the Graduate School (where he is Graduate Program Director) and the ECECS Department to enhance the curriculum; develop courses, programs, and certificates that strengthen cybersecurity education at PUPR.
PUPR is seeking re-designation in 2027 for the 4th time as a CAE Cyber Defense and Education. The efforts to fulfill and maintain the required criteria to be designated as a CAE CDE are being supported by the Director of the Center for Information Assurance for Research and Education (CIARE), Dr. Alfredo Cruz. He is networking with the Graduate School (where he is Graduate Program Director) and the ECECS Department to enhance the curriculum; develop courses, programs, and certificates that strengthen cybersecurity education at PUPR.
“The Center of Information Assurance for Research and Education (CIARE) of Puerto Rico in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science has the mission of promoting research, undergraduate and graduate education, and public outreach to benefit the Cyber Defense (CD) academic community and public in general, serving as a forum for students, faculty, and Cybersecurity professionals from different sectors of the economy. CIARE will help to produce more professionals with cybersecurity expertise in various disciplines to secure and protect local and national information resources and cyberspace infrastructures.” In particular, the goals of CIARE are:
