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CSCI 4017/5017 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

CSCI 4017/5017 - Introduction to Information Assurance

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course presents critical concepts and skills that are related to protecting information assets from harm.

The topics studied in this course include:

  • the history of information security
  • basic security-related terminology and concepts
  • major classes of threats to information security
  • model strategies for protecting against those threats
  • computer forensics
  • best practices in information assurance.
Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  • Learn and understand managerial aspects of information security and assurance.
  • Become proficient in topics which include access control models, information security governance, and information security program assessment and metrics.
  • Reinforce key concepts through coverage of the foundational and technical components of information security.
  • Study current information on changes in the field, and learn how to access and follow this information through sources such as national and international laws and international standards like the ISO 27000 series.
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

CSCI 3222 or permission of instructor

Course Topics:
  • Planning for Security
  • Planning for Contingencies
  • Information Security Policy
  • Developing the Security Program
  • Security Management Models
  • Security Management Practices
  • Risk Management: Identifying and Assessing Risk
  • Risk Management: Controlling Risk
  • Protection Mechanisms
  • Personnel and Security
  • Law and Ethics
Specific Course Requirements:

Students must have access to a broadband connection and have the authority to download and install software on a machine that will be used to work the exercises in this course (administrative rights on a machine are required).

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

None.

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

Both examinations will be administered during the designated exam period. The mid-term and final exams are not proctored. The exams can be taken at the student’s convenience during that time from any computer with an internet connection. The exams will be up to 1 hour in duration, and will be open book and open notes. This process is subject to change dependent on the prevailing procedures at the time of the examinations.

Grading Procedures:

Assignments will be graded on the basis of correctness, completeness, relevance and where applicable, ease of use and efficiency of design. A complete and correct answer accommodates all requirements specified in the assignment in a manner that is acceptable and workable in the designated environment. Your grade will be based on the weighted average of points derived from each module. The total number of points depends on the number of assignments. Your grade will be calculated using the following percentages:

Class Participation (6 assignments): 9% 
Homework (6 Assignments ): 24% 
Labs (4 assignments) 12% 
Quizzes (10 assessments ) 20% 
Project (1 project) 5% 
Mid-Term15% 
Final 15% 

 

Grading Scale:

A 90-100 4.0
B 80-89 3.0
C 70-79 2.0
D 60-69 1.0
F 0-59 0.0

Assignments and Projects:
Class Participation:

You will need to login to the course several times per week to check for updated emails, announcements and other items related to your assignments. You are responsible for checking the content of each assignment for updates and/or changes during the week that it is due. If you download all assignments at the beginning of the semester, please double-check the assignment online to be sure it has not changed before working through the material.

Late Policy:

There are no make-ups for quizzes or discussions. You may turn in homework and lab assignments up to 2 days late with a 20% penalty. The late assignments will have their own dropbox.

Some assignments may be accepted up to 2 days late. There will be a 20% penalty for work turned in late. If there is a late dropbox for the assignment, then it will be accepted late. If there is no late dropbox, then the assignment may not be turned in late.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021