Cyber Science - Interdisciplinary Approach to Cyber Studies

Abstract

Cyber Science - Interdisciplinary Approach to Cyber StudiesAbstractCyber Science is a course developed through a collaboration of math, science, engineering,computer science, and liberal arts faculty. The primary goal of the course is to help teachers andstudents become better cyber-citizens who help, rather than hinder, security efforts by makingthem aware of the benefits and dangers of cyberspace while driving them to fundamentalconcepts across the disciplines. Course content exposes students to multiple topics of cyberspaceincluding: the history of cyberspace, ethical and social issues, computer programming, and needfor and use of security in cyberspace.Faculty members from the College of Engineering and Science teamed up with the College ofLiberal Arts to develop an engaging experience aimed at high school students. During the 2011academic year the course was piloted at a regional school with 21 students. In summer 2011, theprogram expanded to 6 participating schools in the region. During the summer of 2012, 21teachers from 12 high schools participated in professional development for the course. TheCyber Science course was a natural expansion of the Cyber Discovery program developed by________ University. The course consists of discussion sessions, hands on labs, cryptographicproblems, film sessions, and a final cyber challenge each of which integrate the history, ethicalissues, applications, and theory behind cyberspace, security, and cryptography.Developing a cyber curriculum that is truly interdisciplinary in focus – cutting across both thesciences and the liberal arts – demonstrates a national model for implementing similar programsat other institutions. This integrated approach to teaching strives to educate new scholars whounderstand not only the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics but also the political,social, historical, ethical, and legal aspects of this evolving discipline.Results of the project include activities developed such as: historical/policy essay assignments,robotic challenges, as well as computer science fundamentals. This paper will describe theapproaches used in addressing ethical and social issues related to cyber technology, as well ashow STEM fundamentals are enhanced by integrating with liberal arts.