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 skilled cyber security practitioners, in all walks of life, has been recognised by the UK Government in 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 the National Cyber Security Centre in 2017.
The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security 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.
The option of an Industrial Placement Year (2019 entry only) is a defining feature of this programme. It takes place in year 3 after which students return to complete the final year of the course. The Industrial Placement Year provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience of the workplace, put the knowledge and skills developed so far into practice, and to acquire new information and abilities in a practical setting.
You can also choose to study this course as an Industrial Placement year in 2019 BSc (Hons) Cyber Security (with Industrial Placement)* UCAS Code: CYIP
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.
- The optional Industrial Placement Year gives students the opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand and gain valuable employment experience for the future. (2019 only)
- 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.
WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
Your first year contains essential fundamental material that is relevant in all of our computing programmes and supports your studies in years two and three. 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
- Computer Systems
- Managing Data
- Computing Mathematics
- Problem Solving with Programming
- Professional Development in Computing: Information Engineering
- Computational Thinking*
- Fundamentals of Networks and Security*
*Please note these modules are for 2019 entry only
Year 2 (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
Core
- Server Technology
- Data Communications and Networks
- Responsible Computing
- Cybersecurity and Forensics
- Data Structures and Algorithms (Group Project Design)
- Applied Programming (Group Project Implementation)
- Security in Context*
- Computer Systems Integration*
Optional
- Industrial Placement*
*Please note these modules are for 2019 entry only
YEAR 3 (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.