Homeland Security Sciences, Master of Science (0413)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/physics/
Program Coordinator
Ivan S. Novikov, ivan.novikov@wku.edu, (270) 745-6197
This multidisciplinary program prepares science and technology professionals for careers in the Homeland Security area. The program features hands-on research components to enable students to apply their training to real-world problems.
Applied Physics in Homeland Security (APHY) Concentration involves study of physical threats and applications of physics and chemistry to detect, quantify, prevent and (if needed) decontaminate radiological, nuclear, explosive, and chemical threats as well as threats due to earth and space weather threats.
The Cybersecurity Concentration provides real-world focused, hands-on cybersecurity training that covers in-demand skills such as cybersecurity fundamentals, Linux essentials, ethical hacking and penetration testing, network defense and countermeasures, computer forensics, and cybersecurity policy.
The EMDS concentration involves awareness and management of emergency preparation and response to natural and technological hazards, and terrorism.
- Applied Physics in Homeland Security Sciences (APHY)
- Cybersecurity (CYBE)
- Emergency Management Disaster Science (EMDS)
Program Admission
For the APHY and EMDS Concentrations, in addition to Graduate Studies requirements, admission to the program requires a Bachelor’s degree in related STEM-H field or approval of the program administrator.
For the Cybersecurity Concentration, in addition to Graduate Studies requirements, admission to the program requires a Bachelor’s degree in an information-technology related area or the student must score at the satisfactory level on an information technology general aptitude assessment or complete CIT 310 and CIT 312 with a C-grade or better or equivalent.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (30 hours)
Applied Physics in Homeland Security Sciences (APHY) Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 560 | Introduction to Physics Applications in Homeland Security | 3 |
| CIT 550 | Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity | 3 |
| EMDS 500 | Emergency Management Policy and Practices | 3 |
| CHEM 560 | Chemical Agents and Explosives | 3 |
| PHYS 599 | Thesis Research / Writing | 6 |
| Electives 1 | ||
| Select 12 hours from the following: | 12 | |
| Optical Detection Methods of Biological and Chemical Agents | ||
| Nuclear / Radiological Detection and Remediation and Nuclear / Radiological Detection and Remediation Laboratory | ||
| Physical Principles of CBE Detection and Remediation and Physics CBE Detection and Remediation Laboratory | ||
| Graduate Seminar | ||
| Principles of Environmental Health | ||
| Air Quality Management | ||
| Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology | ||
| Environmental Toxicology | ||
| Solid and Hazardous Wastes | ||
| Public Health Management of Disasters | ||
| GIS Analysis and Modeling | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Cybersecurity (CYBE) Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 560 | Introduction to Physics Applications in Homeland Security | 3 |
| CIT 550 | Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity | 3 |
| EMDS 500 | Emergency Management Policy and Practices | 3 |
| CHEM 560 | Chemical Agents and Explosives | 3 |
| CIT 552 | Cybersecurity Fundamentals | 3 |
| CIT 554 | Operating Systems for Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CIT 556 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 |
| CIT 558 | Cybersecurity Defense & Countermeasures | 3 |
| CIT 560 | Incident Response & Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CIT 562 | Cybersecurity Programs and Policies | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Emergency Management Disaster Science (EMDS) Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 560 | Introduction to Physics Applications in Homeland Security | 3 |
| CIT 550 | Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity | 3 |
| EMDS 500 | Emergency Management Policy and Practices | 3 |
| CHEM 560 | Chemical Agents and Explosives | 3 |
| EMDS 501 | Understanding Natural and Technological Disaster Risks | 3 |
| EMDS 502 | Terrorism, Violence, Resiliency, and Response | 3 |
| EMDS 503 | Advanced Disaster Planning, Management, and Preparedness | 3 |
| Electives 1 | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| Trends in Disaster Preparedness and Management | ||
| Continuity of Operations Programs | ||
| Critical Infrastructure Assessment and Protection | ||
| Incident Meteorology for Safety Professionals | ||
| Recreation and Sport Facility Development | ||
| Facility and Event Security Management | ||
| Applied Methods in Public Health Practice/Field Epidemiology | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Electives determined by the student's specialized area of study and subject to approval by the student's departmental advisor.
Emergency Management Disaster Science Concentration Experiential Credit Option
Students admitted to the Homeland Security Sciences (HSS) Master’s program may apply to receive graduate credit for successful completion of advanced specialized training and/or professional certifications delivered / awarded by or in conjunction with federal or state accredited emergency services entities.
Examples of entities whose programs may qualify include:
- Federal Bureau of Investigations
- Federal Bureau or Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Various branches of the Military including National Guard and Reserves
- Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies
The before mentioned training and/or certifications must have been awarded as part of their professional career development during active service or employment and must be directly aligned to course content within the existing HSS master’s program.
Graduate credit of up to twelve hours is possible for the master’s degree level. Submissions for credit must include a detailed description of the content including active contact hours. Examples of acceptable documentation may include a syllabus, catalog, or an official certificate of successful completion. A minimum of 40 contact hours of submitted training must be documented for each 3 hours of graduate credit.
Credit equivalency will be assessed on a case-by-case basis upon review of the student’s application for credit. The evaluation will be conducted by a faculty member within the program, and their recommendation submitted to the appropriate Department Head or Associate Dean for approval.