Postgraduate taught 

Information Technology MSc

CyberSecurity Fundamentals for MSc (M) COMPSCI5063

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Computing Science
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course provides an introduction to the foundational aspects of computer security, such as protocols. It also covers ways in which these systems can be attached and techniques for thwarting these attacks.  

Timetable

TBC

Excluded Courses

Cyber Security Fundamentals (H)

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Exams (60%), Written Assignment (assessment) (20%), Portfolio (created by their labs' progress) (10%), Quiz (10%).

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No

The coursework cannot be redone because the nature of the coursework is such that it takes a significant number of days to produce it and this effort is infeasible for supporting the re-doing of such coursework over the summer.

 

Students can resit the class test

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the opportunity to develop a security mind-set by introducing students to introductory core material in the area of computer security.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Explain cyber security fundamentals concepts including Ethical hacking, Digital Forensics and Penetration testing;

2. Explain a number of different security protocols;

3. Evaluate an existing or proposed system in terms of potential vulnerabilities and recommend the most appropriate security solution to apply in a  number of different scenarios;

4. Summarise the key vulnerabilities, threats, and attacks with regards to network security and explain approaches to mitigate these issues;

5. Implement an aspect of cyber security;

6. Critically appraise a topic within the field of computer security.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.