Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University have partnered to offer a new 4-year degree in Computer and Information Systems Security (CISS). Students can start with Whatcom's 2-year Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) in Cybersecurity, then transfer to WWU to complete the BS in CISS. The AAS-T prepares students for mid-level IT security jobs, while the BS prepares graduates for advanced, high-paying security roles like network administrator and forensic specialist.

1. CYBER/COMPUTER/INFO SECURITY
Whatcom Community College and Western
Washington University have partnered to offer
a new baccalaureate degree in Computer and
Information Systems Security (CISS), available for
students to start now.
Exciting new opportunity in
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Partial support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation’s Scholarship for Service (SFS) program under Award No. 1241624. Any opinions, findings, and
conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Start at WCC
Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) in
Cybersecurity (91 Credits)
Whatcom’s Cybersecurity AAS-T program prepares
students to enter into the workforce in a variety
of IT positions, including high-demand security-related
fields, or apply to continue their education at
Western to earn the CISS Bachelor of Science degree.
Mid-level Positions - $26.60/hour and up:
u Computer Support Specialist
u Network Support Specialist
u Information Security Analyst/Specialist
u Network and Computer Systems Administrator
u Computer Network Architect
u Other Computer/IT Occupations
Continue on at WWU
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer and
Information Systems Security
(Additional 92 Credits)
Graduates of Western’s CISS bachelor’s degree
will be prepared to fill the urgent need for trained
personnel in professional, high-wage positions.
Advanced Positions-$40.81/hour and up:
u Network and Computer Systems
Security Administrator
u Computer Network Architect
u Computer and Information Systems Manager
u Secure Software Development Specialist
u Digital Forensic Specialist
For more information about this exciting opportunity and to
start developing the right plan for you, make an appointment
with an academic advisor today!
WWC: WWU:
Dave Knapp Jenny Hebert
(360) 383-3080 (360) 650-7780
dknapp@whatcom.ctc.edu jenny.hebert@wwu.edu

2. Associate in Applied Science –
Transfer (AAS-T) - Cybersecurity
Whatcom Community College’s Cybersecurity AAS-T program prepares students to transfer to four-year degree programs at certain colleges and universities in a variety of high-demand security-related fields, including cybersecurity, computer information systems security, computer forensics, information security engineering and information security analysis. Students with prior experience are encouraged to meet with the program coordinator for placement in the program.
PREREQUISITE: CIS 105 with a C (2.0) grade or better is required for admission to the core requirements.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS/RELATED INSTRUCTION
Course ID Course Title Credits
CS 140 Computer Programming Fundamentals I 5
CS 145 Computer Programming Fundamentals II 5
CIS 106 Open Source Operating Systems 5
CIS 110 Introduction to Computer Security 3
CIS 116 Virtualization 3
CIS 205 Computer Operating Systems II 5
CIS 214 Network Security I 5
CIS 215 Network Security II 5
CIS 216 Industrial Control Systems Security 5
CIS 226 Cisco Networking I 5
CIS 227 Cisco Networking II 5
CIS 228 Cisco Networking III 5
CIS 229 Cisco Networking IV 5
Total 61
Course ID Course Title Credits
ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5
MATH& 141 Precalculus I 5
MATH& 142 Precalculus II 5
Math& 151 Calculus I 5
Choose two courses from:
BUS& 201 Business Law 5
PHIL 130 Introduction to Ethics 5
PHYS& 221 Engineering Physics I 5
POLS& 202 American Government 5
Total 30
TOTAL CREDITS 91
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Computer and Information Systems Security
Western Washington University’s College of Science and Engineering new baccalaureate degree pathway in Computer and Information Systems Security will prepare graduates to fill the urgent need for trained personnel in professional roles such as computer network security administrator, secure software development specialist or digital forensic practitioner.
Students must first complete the AAS-T degree in Cybersecurity at WCC with a GPA of 2.5 or better and apply to be accepted to both WWU and the CISS degree program.
REQUIRED COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
SECURITY (CISS) COURSES
Course ID Course Title Credits
CISS 247 Computer Systems I 5
CISS 301 Formal Languages and Functional Programming 5
CISS 349 Computer System Administration 4
CISS 360 Operating Systems Concepts 3
CISS 461 Computer Security 4
CISS 495 Computer Security Project 3
Total 24
REQUIRED SUPPORT COURSES
Course ID Course Title Credits
ENG 302 Introduction to Technical Writing 5
ISTM 201 Science Literacy 3
MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 5
MATH 341 Probability and Statistical Inference 4
PHYS 162 Physics and Calculus II 5
Total 22
CISS ELECTIVES (choose four courses)
Course ID Course Title Credits
CISS 346 Secure Software Development 4
CISS 421 Computer Forensics 4
CISS 422 Dynamic Analysis of Software 4
CISS 423 Software Reverse Engineering 4
CISS 464 Penetration Testing 4
CISS 469 Advanced Network System Security 4
CISS 478 Cryptographic Techniques 4
Total 16
RECOMMENDED GUR COURSES
Course ID Course Title Credits
JOUR 190 Introduction to Mass Media 5
JOUR 375 Diversity, Mass Media & Social Change 4
LBRL 325 Surveillance, Voyeurism and the Culture of Suspicion 4
MGMT 271 Law and the Business Environment 4
PHIL 360 Society, Law and Morality 3
PLSC 250 The American Political System 5
PLSC 346 Politics of Inequality 5
Total 30
TOTAL CREDITS 92
CORE REQUIREMENTSCOMMUNITY COLLEGE
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