Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Introduction

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity (M.Sc. Cybersecurity) is a specialized postgraduate program that prepares graduates to safeguard digital infrastructures, mitigate cyber threats, and lead secure digital transformations in both public and private sectors. The program combines advanced technical skills with policy, governance, and ethical perspectives, ensuring graduates can address complex challenges across national, regional, and global contexts.

Somalia and the Horn of Africa are undergoing rapid digitalization, with expanding e-government, banking, telecom, and cloud-based services. These developments demand a workforce capable of defending systems against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. This program responds to urgent need while equipping graduates to participate in the global cybersecurity workforce, contributes to research, and strengthens digital resilience in fragile and emerging economies.

Specific Objectives

Graduates will be able to:

Analyse global internet governance frameworks and their security implications.
Implement advanced security protocols and cryptographic techniques.
Conduct ethical hacking, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments.
Manage identity, access control, and data protection systems.
Audit and evaluate organisational cybersecurity readiness.
Lead cyber operations and incident response teams.
Apply forensic methods in digital investigations and legal proceedings.
Design and conduct independent cybersecurity research contributing to policy and practice.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

Analyse global internet governance frameworks and their security implications.
Implement advanced security protocols and cryptographic techniques.
Conduct ethical hacking, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments.
Manage identity, access control, and data protection systems.
Audit and evaluate organisational cybersecurity readiness.
Lead cyber operations and incident response teams.
Apply forensic methods in digital investigations and legal proceedings.
Design and conduct independent cybersecurity research contributing to policy and practice.

Human Resources and Facilities

The program is taught by experts in computer science, cybersecurity engineering, and digital forensics, complemented by industry practitioners. Students have access to:

Computer laboratories equipped with penetration testing and digital forensic tools.
Licensed software (Kali Linux, Wireshark, EnCase, Splunk, etc.).
University e-library with access to IEEE, ACM, and cybersecurity journals.
Partnerships with ICT companies, government agencies, and NGOs for internships and practicum placements.

Examination & Progression Regulations

Assessment: Coursework (labs, projects, case studies, presentations) 60% + Final Exam 40%.
Progression: Students must achieve a minimum of 50% per course and maintain a CGPA of 3.0.
Research: The dissertation requires a proposal defence, supervised study, and oral defence.
Integrity: Academic honesty and ethical conduct in research and practice are mandatory.

Award of the Degree

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree is awarded upon successful completion of:

All core courses (33 credit hours).
A research dissertation (6 credit hours).
A minimum total of 39 credit hours with a CGPA ≥ 3.0.
A successful defence of the dissertation.

Curriculum

Edit Content

Core
Code	Course	CU
ECO7101	Microeconomics Theory	3
ECO7102	Macroeconomics Theory	3
ECO7103	Mathematical Economics	3
ECO7201	Econometric Methods	3
ECO7202	Research Methodology	3
ECO7203	Economic Policy Analysis	3
Elective Courses
ECO7301	International Economics	3
ECO7302	International Trade	3
ECO7303	International Finance	3
ECO7304	Financial Economics	3
ECO7305	Monetary Economics	3
ECO7306	Applied Financial Econometrics	3
ECO7301	Labor Economics	3
ECO7401	Advanced Applied Econometrics	3
ECO7402	Applied Time Series Analysis	3
ECO7403	Development Economics	3
ECO7404	Environmental Economics	3
ECO7405	Managerial Economics	3
ECO7406	Industrial Economics	3

Applicants must have:

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a closely related field with a minimum of Second Class Honours or equivalent.
Professional certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+) are an added advantage.
A statement of purpose and at least one academic/professional referee.

Semester Fees: USD 475
Tuition Fees: USD 2,850 for two years

FIRST TRIMESTER (I)	SECOND TRIMESTER (II)	THIRD TRIMESTER (III)
September, 2025	January, 2026	May, 2026

Semester 1:

September To December

Semester 2:

January To April

Semester 2:

May To August