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B-SC in Cyber Security at VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is Cyber Security at VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS) Chennai?
This B.Sc. Cyber Security program at Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies focuses on equipping students with essential skills to combat the evolving landscape of cyber threats. It covers foundational computing, network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and cyber laws, preparing students for critical roles in safeguarding digital assets within the rapidly expanding Indian IT and defense sectors. The program emphasizes practical application and industry relevance.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates from 10+2 academic or vocational streams with a keen interest in computer science and a passion for problem-solving in security. It caters to aspiring cyber security analysts, ethical hackers, forensic investigators, and network security specialists seeking entry into a high-demand field. Individuals looking for a robust foundation before pursuing higher studies or specialized certifications will also find it beneficial.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including Cyber Security Analyst, Ethical Hacker, Security Consultant, Digital Forensic Investigator, and Network Security Engineer. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 LPA, with significant growth potential for experienced professionals. The curriculum aligns with requirements for certifications like CompTIA Security+, CEH, and provides a strong base for roles in government, private tech firms, and critical infrastructure protection.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Programming Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Build a strong base in C and C++ programming, which are crucial for understanding system-level operations and developing secure applications. Actively solve coding problems daily to solidify logical thinking.
Tools & Resources
HackerRank, GeeksforGeeks, CodeChef, institutional programming labs
Career Connection
Essential for any role in cyber security, from understanding vulnerabilities in code to developing security tools and scripts, enhancing problem-solving for technical interviews.
Develop Digital Logic and Data Structures Acumen- (Semester 1-2)
Thoroughly understand digital fundamentals and data structures. These subjects are the bedrock for comprehending how computers work at a low level and for efficient algorithm design, critical for security applications.
Tools & Resources
Logic gate simulation software, online data structure visualizations, competitive programming platforms
Career Connection
Foundational for network protocols, cryptography, and efficient security tool development. Strengthens analytical thinking and problem-solving for technical roles.
Engage in Collaborative Learning & English Proficiency- (Semester 1-2)
Form study groups to discuss complex topics in English, enhancing both technical understanding and communication skills. Actively participate in English language enhancement courses for professional readiness.
Tools & Resources
College library resources, online English learning platforms, peer study groups, departmental seminars
Career Connection
Strong communication is vital for presenting security findings, writing reports, and collaborating in a globalized industry, crucial for interviews and professional growth.
Intermediate Stage
Hands-on with Operating Systems and Databases- (Semester 3-4)
Gain practical experience with Linux commands, shell scripting, and SQL. Understand OS security mechanisms and database vulnerabilities through dedicated lab exercises and mini-projects.
Tools & Resources
VirtualBox/VMware for Linux VMs, MySQL/PostgreSQL, various open-source OS tools
Career Connection
Directly applicable to roles like Security Administrator, Database Security Specialist, and understanding system-level attacks and defenses, crucial for IT security operations.
Explore Ethical Hacking and Network Security Tools- (Semester 4-5)
Actively participate in ethical hacking labs, using industry-standard tools like Nmap, Metasploit, and Wireshark. Practice penetration testing methodologies on simulated environments to develop defensive skills.
Tools & Resources
Kali Linux, OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, CTF Capture The Flag competitions
Career Connection
Directly prepares for roles as Ethical Hacker, Penetration Tester, Vulnerability Analyst. Builds practical skills highly valued by employers in the cybersecurity domain.
Build a Portfolio of Security Projects- (Semester 4-5)
Start working on small, personal projects related to cyber security, such as building a secure web application, implementing a cryptographic algorithm, or creating a simple network intrusion detection system.
Tools & Resources
GitHub, Python, Java, web development frameworks, open-source security libraries
Career Connection
A strong project portfolio demonstrates practical skills and initiative, significantly boosting resume value for internships and placements in the competitive job market.
Advanced Stage
Intensive Placement and Interview Preparation- (Semester 6)
Focus on specialized interview questions for cyber security roles. Participate in mock interviews, aptitude tests, and technical discussions. Refine your resume and LinkedIn profile to attract potential employers.
Tools & Resources
InterviewBit, LeetCode, company-specific interview guides, career services department
Career Connection
Direct preparation for securing placements as Cyber Security Analysts, Incident Responders, or Security Engineers in leading Indian and multinational companies.
Specialized Elective Skill Development & Certifications- (Semester 5-6)
Deep dive into your chosen electives such as Digital Forensics, Cloud Security, or IoT Security. Pursue relevant industry certifications to validate specialized knowledge and gain a competitive edge.
Tools & Resources
Official certification study guides e.g., CompTIA Security+, CEH, specialized labs related to electives, online courses Coursera, Udemy
Career Connection
Differentiates you in the job market, providing verified expertise in niche areas, opening doors to specialized roles and potentially higher salary brackets.
Real-world Project and Industry Engagement- (Semester 5-6)
Undertake a comprehensive final year project or industrial training addressing a real-world cyber security problem. Attend industry workshops, conferences, and networking events to build professional connections.
Tools & Resources
Research papers, industry forums, professional networking platforms, project mentors
Career Connection
Provides invaluable experience, builds professional networks, and can lead directly to job offers or entrepreneurial ventures, demonstrating readiness for the professional world.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A pass in the Higher Secondary Examination (10+2 academic or vocational stream) conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu or an examination accepted as equivalent thereto by the Standing Committee of Academic Affairs, VELS University.
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22LENG1101 | Foundation English I | Language | 3 | Listening Skills, Speaking Skills, Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Grammar and Vocabulary |
| 22TAM1101 / 22HIN1101 / 22FRE1101 | Tamil / Hindi / French - I (Choice Based) | Language | 3 | Prose, Poetry, Grammar, Translation, Letter Writing |
| 22BCS1101 | Programming in C | Core | 4 | C Fundamentals, Operators and Expressions, Control Statements, Functions and Arrays, Pointers and Structures |
| 22BCS1102 | Digital Fundamentals | Core | 4 | Number Systems, Boolean Algebra, Logic Gates, Combinational Circuits, Sequential Circuits |
| 22BCS11P1 | Programming in C - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | C Program Execution, Conditional Statements, Looping Structures, Array Operations, Function Implementation |
| 22BCS11P2 | Digital Fundamentals - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Logic Gate Verification, Boolean Expression Realization, Adder/Subtractor Circuits, Flip-Flops, Counters |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22LENG1201 | Foundation English II | Language | 3 | Advanced Reading, Comprehension, Writing for specific purposes, Presentation Skills, Group Discussions |
| 22TAM1201 / 22HIN1201 / 22FRE1201 | Tamil / Hindi / French - II (Choice Based) | Language | 3 | Drama, Short Stories, Literary Criticism, Advanced Grammar, Essay Writing |
| 22BCS1201 | Object Oriented Programming with C++ | Core | 4 | OOP Concepts, Classes and Objects, Constructors and Destructors, Inheritance, Polymorphism |
| 22BCS1202 | Data Structures | Core | 4 | Array and Linked Lists, Stacks and Queues, Trees, Graphs, Sorting and Searching Algorithms |
| 22BCS12P1 | Object Oriented Programming with C++ - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Class and Object Implementation, Inheritance Programs, Polymorphism Examples, File Handling, Exception Handling |
| 22BCS12P2 | Data Structures - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Array Operations, Linked List Implementations, Stack/Queue Applications, Tree Traversal, Graph Algorithms |
| 22LCSA1201 | Professional English | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Resume Writing, Interview Skills, Email Etiquette, Presentation Techniques, Report Writing |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22BCS1301 | Operating Systems | Core | 4 | OS Structure, Process Management, CPU Scheduling, Deadlocks, Memory Management |
| 22BCS1302 | Database Management System | Core | 4 | DBMS Architecture, ER Model, Relational Model, SQL Queries, Normalization |
| 22BCS1303 | Python Programming | Core | 4 | Python Basics, Data Structures in Python, Functions and Modules, Object-Oriented Python, File Handling |
| 22BCS13P1 | Operating Systems - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Unix/Linux Commands, Shell Scripting, Process Scheduling Algorithms, Memory Allocation, Inter-process Communication |
| 22BCS13P2 | Database Management System - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | DDL and DML Commands, Joins, Stored Procedures, Triggers, Views |
| 22BCS13P3 | Python Programming - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Basic Python Programs, List/Tuple/Dictionary Operations, Function Definition, File I/O, Object-Oriented Programming |
| 22LENG1301 | Communicative English | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Spoken English, Public Speaking, Debate, Role Play, Vocabulary Building |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22BCS1401 | Java Programming | Core | 4 | Java Fundamentals, OOP in Java, Packages and Interfaces, Exception Handling, Multithreading |
| 22BCS1402 | Computer Networks | Core | 4 | Network Topologies, OSI/TCP-IP Models, Network Devices, Routing Algorithms, Network Security Basics |
| 22BCS1403 | Information Security | Core | 4 | Security Concepts, Cryptography, Network Security, Application Security, Cyber Laws |
| 22BCS14P1 | Java Programming - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Basic Java Programs, Class and Object creation, Inheritance and Polymorphism, GUI Programming (AWT/Swing), Database Connectivity |
| 22BCS14P2 | Computer Networks - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Network Configuration, Socket Programming, Packet Analysis (Wireshark), Network Security Tools, Client-Server Communication |
| 22BCS14P3 | Information Security - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Cryptography Tools, Password Cracking, Firewall Configuration, Vulnerability Scanning, Digital Forensics Tools |
| 22LCSA1401 | Quantitative Aptitude | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Number Systems, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Data Interpretation |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22BCS1501 | Web Technology | Core | 4 | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Web Servers, PHP Basics |
| 22BCS1502 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | Core | 4 | Hacking Phases, Footprinting, Scanning, Enumeration, System Hacking, Web Application Hacking |
| 22BCS15E1 | Cloud Computing (Elective I) | Elective | 4 | Cloud Models, Virtualization, Cloud Security, Service Providers, Cloud Deployment |
| 22BCS15E2 | Big Data Analytics (Elective I) | Elective | 4 | Big Data Concepts, Hadoop Ecosystem, MapReduce, Data Warehousing, Data Visualization |
| 22BCS15E3 | Artificial Intelligence (Elective I) | Elective | 4 | AI Introduction, Search Algorithms, Knowledge Representation, Machine Learning Basics, Expert Systems |
| 22BCS15E4 | Digital Forensics (Elective II) | Elective | 4 | Forensic Process, Data Acquisition, File System Analysis, Network Forensics, Mobile Forensics |
| 22BCS15E5 | Mobile Application Development (Elective II) | Elective | 4 | Android Studio, UI Design, Activity Lifecycle, Data Storage, Networking |
| 22BCS15E6 | Machine Learning (Elective II) | Elective | 4 | Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Regression, Classification, Neural Networks |
| 22BCS15P1 | Web Technology - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | HTML/CSS Design, JavaScript Validation, Server-Side Scripting (PHP), Database Integration, Responsive Design |
| 22BCS15P2 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing - Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Nmap, Metasploit, SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting, Buffer Overflow Attacks |
| 22BCS15PJ | Project I / Industrial Training | Project | 2 | Problem Identification, Literature Survey, System Design, Implementation, Documentation |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22BCS1601 | Cyber Law and Ethics | Core | 4 | Cybercrime Laws, IT Act 2000/2008, Intellectual Property, Privacy Issues, Ethical Hacking Ethics |
| 22BCS16E1 | Internet of Things (IoT) (Elective III) | Elective | 4 | IoT Architecture, Sensors and Actuators, Communication Protocols, IoT Platforms, Security in IoT |
| 22BCS16E2 | Data Mining and Data Warehousing (Elective III) | Elective | 4 | Data Preprocessing, Association Rules, Classification, Clustering, Data Warehousing Concepts |
| 22BCS16E3 | Game Programming (Elective III) | Elective | 4 | Game Engines, Graphics Programming, Physics Engines, AI in Games, Game Design |
| 22BCS16E4 | Information Security Auditing (Elective IV) | Elective | 4 | Audit Process, Risk Assessment, Vulnerability Assessment, Compliance Audits, Security Frameworks |
| 22BCS16E5 | Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (Elective IV) | Elective | 4 | VR/AR Hardware, 3D Graphics, Interaction Techniques, Development Platforms, Applications |
| 22BCS16E6 | Software Project Management (Elective IV) | Elective | 4 | Project Planning, Estimation Techniques, Risk Management, Project Scheduling, Quality Management |
| 22BCS16PJ | Project / Viva Voce | Project | 6 | Project Execution, Testing, Report Writing, Presentation, Viva Voce |
