BEng/BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cyber Security (with a year in industry) drafted

Program Overview

Become a skilled practitioner in the principles and practice of cyber security. Develop in-demand skills to help protect organisations from the threat of cyber crime.

The BSc in Computer Science with Cyber Security (with a year in industry) produces multi-skilled, highly competent graduates who are equipped to become leaders in their career field and who understand the implications of their work both for themselves and for society as a whole.

You will spend a year in industry, furthering your knowledge, networking and getting real-life experience.

Through the programme, you will study two integrated strands of work which help you to develop both your computational thinking and your skills as an engineer. It is the combination of these two areas that will make you attractive to employers, enabling you to make an immediate contribution when you move into employment.

The programme will provide you with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of Computer Science, including coding, mathematics and basic engineering; with breadth in Computer Science and related technical disciplines; and with advanced training in the focused area of Cyber Security.

Key aspects of modern Cyber Security are covered, from the theoretical building blocks of identity and trust, through to real-world implementations, and discussion of the wider impacts that Cyber Security has on society.

You will understand engineering trade-offs that cross disciplines, such as between hardware and software, and you will be able to participate effectively in multidisciplinary teams. You will also develop the skill to contribute professionally to solving complex commercial and industrial engineering problems having undertaken a focused project in the field of Cyber Security.

Accreditation

The intention is for the programme to be accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the BCS (the Chartered Institute for IT) – both professional bodies of computing and engineering. The intention is also to submit the programme for certification by the National Cyber Security Centre when possible. The unaccredited version of the programme will be called the BSc in Computer Systems Engineering with Cyber Security.

Program Outline

All students will study our core topics in computer science, which we have designed to be consistent with the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) curriculum guidelines. These core topics provide the fundamental knowledge that all computer science graduates should possess, and the foundation required to specialise in the third year. The core topics are structured into eight streams:

At least 25% of the course content will be in your specialist area of Cyber Security.

Year 1

You will focus on establishing a solid foundation regardless of your previous experience of programming and computing.

Core Modules:

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online

Academic Integrity module

This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.

This module will:

Year 2

Year Two of the course will build upon the solid foundations you will have laid down in Year One. You’ll take modules from streams 1 to 5 to deepen your learning and start on two further streams studying intelligent systems and undertake a group engineering project. You should develop your interests which you will then begin to focus on in Year Three.

Core Modules:

Year 3

You will spend this year out in industry if you successfully obtain a placement. You will be supported in achieving this by our dedicated Industrial Placements Team, who is there to help you with your CV, give you interview tips, arrange interviews on campus, and will keep in touch with you while you are on your placement to ensure everything is going well. We have excellent relationships with a strong portfolio of companies from large multinationals such as IBM and Airbus UK, to smaller companies such as YorkTest and Informed Solutions.

Your year in industry gives you a chance to use what you have learned during your degree. As well as being paid a good salary, students who take a year in industry generally achieve better grades, develop a broader range of skills and are more attractive to future employers. Some students even find a job with their placement company before they graduate.

Find out more about a year in industry

Before starting a placement that forms part of your course, you are likely to be asked by the placement provider to sign a confidentiality agreement. This is to ensure that you do not disclose any information that is confidential to the placement provider.

Year 4

In Year Four, you will really get under the skin of the specialist areas which interest you.

Core modules

Option modules

You will also study one option module. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.