The Computer Security Track
The Computer Security track is intended for students who wish to develop state-of-the-art knowledge of
computer and network security technologies. Security considerations pervade personal, corporate, military,
governmental, and national infrastructure systems and networks. This track will help you develop leading-edge
knowledge in security.
Track Advisor
Prof. Steven M. Bellovin
is the advisor for Masters students following this track. E-mail: smb@cs.columbia.edu.
Overall Requirements
Students must complete at least a total of 30 graduate credits.
1. Fulfill the 12-credit core breadth requirement; two core courses COMS W4115 and COMS W4118 are prerequisites for this track.
2. Two required courses (6 credits): COMS W4180 (Network Security) and COMS W4261 (Introduction to Cryptography)
3. Three elective courses (9 credits) selected from the list below; at least two of these courses must be 6000-level CS courses.
4. One general elective graduate CS course (3 credits), at 4000-level or above
5. Students using Special Considerations to credit previous courses in fulfilling core requirements may complete
the 30 graduate credits by expanding their electives beyond the base track requirements above.
Core Breadth Requirement:
Students must complete at least four Core courses out of the following six:
COMS W4115: Programming Languages and Translators
COMS W4118: Operating Systems
COMS W4156: Advanced Software Engineering
CSOR W4231: Analysis of Algorithms
COMS W4701: Artificial Intelligence
CSEE W4824: Computer Architecture
Candidates must complete the core courses W4115 and W4118 or equivalent courses, to develop a fundamental
understanding of computer systems. Ideally, students should complete these courses prior to pursuing track
courses, but they may be taken concurrently with track courses.
Required Track Courses
Candidates are required to complete the following two courses:
COMS W4180: Network Security
COMS W4261: Introduction to Cryptography
Students who have completed equivalent courses with grades of at least 3.0/4.0 scale may apply these
courses to satisfy these requirements and devote more credits to pursue elective courses.
Elective Track Courses
Candidates are required to complete 3 courses out of the following list; at least two courses must be 6000
level CS courses.
Note: The list of electives may be updated to reflect changes in the schedule of course
offerings.
CSEE W4119: Computer Networks
COMS W4187: Security Arcitecture and Engineering
COMS W4995: VOIP Security
COMS E6998: Advanced Topics in Security
COMS E6998: Advanced Topics in Cryptography
COMS E6185: Intrusion and Anomaly Detection
COMS W6183: Advanced Topics in Network Security
COMS E6118: Operating Systems,II
COMS E6181: Advanced Internet Services
COMS E6901: Projects in Computer Science
ELEN E4703: Wireless Communications
ELEN E6761: Computer Communication Networks
ELEN E6950: Wireless & Mobile Nets, I
ELEN E6951: Wireless & Mobile Nets, II
General Electives
Candidates are required to complete at least one Columbia graduate course, approved by your Advisor.