About the course
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
Cyber Security is a rapidly expanding area with exciting career opportunities. Digitally enabled technologies and services support most aspects of modern life, including mobile phones, tablets, computers, televisions, home automation systems, bank accounts, healthcare, and education. Ensuring that this information is safe, and that services are kept running, is the responsibility of cyber security practitioners and computer security experts. The type of person that our course develops in successful graduates.
The need for Cyber Security skills expertise has become a significant issue in recent years, both in the UK and globally. The shortfall of technology security skills requirements increased between 2013 to 2015 from 56% to 62% and this gap is predicted to continue to grow to 75% by 2019, according to The Frost and Sullivan 2015 (ISC) Global Information Security Workforce Study. In short, the report demonstrates that demand for cyber security personnel is outstripping supply and that jobs in the sector are extremely well paid.
The need for skilled cyber security practitioners, in all walks of life, has been recognised by the UK Government who recently launched the National Cyber Security Strategy 2016-2021 that commits the investment of £1.9 billion over the five year period to develop skills and jobs in the field, alongside the opening of a new National Cyber Security Centre in January 2017.
The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security with Foundation Year programme addresses the advances in cyber security through an in-depth understanding of IT security, hacking, forensics, and the future and emerging technologies associated with this rapidly changing field. Developed to be in line with our research strengths within the computing department, our course is not all about theory; you will have the opportunity to undertake real life projects in your second and third years, preparing you for work within the industry.
Opportunities are given to students to build and configure computer and networked systems, as well as the necessary support systems, to enable them to work effectively in a range of employment environments. Additionally the course explores the issues associated with managing these types of systems and in particular the necessary aspects of network security.
This degree combines aspects of computer science, computer programming, network technologies, and software development with computer security specialisms. You will gain an understanding of cyber security, new techniques and future developments and learn through practical tasks enabling you to become a versatile and knowledgeable practitioner.
KEY COURSE FEATURES
- Hands-on teaching of a range of cyber security skills, techniques and tools, such as: cryptography; authentication; access control; viruses and malware; penetration testing; risk management; and forensic investigation.
- Extensive PC and networked computer facilities with Internet access.
- The course team have strong links to the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster, an industry-led forum for cyber security practitioners and employers, and students on the programme have opportunities to attend and be involved with their meetings and events.
- Award-winning Computing department – judged ‘world leading’ in the last UK research assessment (REF 2014).
- The University is home to ARCLab, which specializes in research in the field of Computing and Computer Science.
- Host of biennial Internet Technologies and Applications research conference, attracting delegates from across the world.
WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?
YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)
The foundation year provides students with the knowledge and confidence in the use of formula, data manipulation and representation. You will gain an understanding of the core hardware and software associated with the use of computer systems, as well as keeping up to date with current developments in technology. There will be numerous opportunities to work on practical activities such as robots, CAD design which will be further developed at degree level.
MODULES
- Computing Mathematics
- Computer Hardware and Software
- Developments in Technology
- Design and Technology
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)
This year contains essential fundamental material that is relevant in all of our computing programmes and supports your studies in subsequent years. You will learn both subject specific skills along with transferable skills, which will increase your employability prospects.
With the support of your tutors, you will learn about some of the essential facts, concepts, techniques, design process and context of computer science and security. You will also learn about hardware issues, including interfacing and data communications and their impact on the overall design and performance of computer based systems.
MODULES
- Network technologies
- Computer Systems
- Managing Data
- Problem Solving with Programming
- Fundamentals of Networks and Security
- Computing Mathematics
- Computational Thinking*
- Professional Development in Computing: Information Engineering*
*Please note these modules are for 2019 only
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)
Your second year continues teaching you the fundamentals of the discipline as more specialist modules start to be introduced, such as the Cybersecurity and Forensics and Security in Context modules, which explore how computer systems can be configured to resist and identify cyber attacks. You will enhance your computing and investigative skills by applying them in laboratory and practical work, to areas that are relevant to the discipline of cyber security.
MODULES
- Responsible Computing
- Data Structures and Algorithms (Group Project Design)
- Applied Programming (Group Project Implementation)
- Cybersecurity and Forensics
- Security in Context*
- Computer Systems Integration*
*Please note these modules are for 2019 only
YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)
Once you reach your final year, you will further develop your skills through taught modules and research, with a focus on the latest developments in cyber security and study the specialist modules of Network Security and Ethical Hacking, both of which will prepare you to deal with a range of security threats and attacks. You will also undertake an individual final year project, which will help prepare you for the kind of tasks and situations you may encounter in the workplace. The final year practical and project work will further develop your in-depth specialist knowledge, understanding and practical skills within key areas of the discipline, as applied to the development of telecommunications systems and services using current and emerging technologies.
MODULES
- IT Project Management
- 21st Century Computing
- Network Security
- Ethical Hacking
- Project
Part-time students will cover the same modules but their diet will vary depending upon their availability to attend the scheduled classes.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.