Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security MSci/BSc (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
The course is designed to help you develop skills in the following areas:
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
2
.4
.Program Outline
Year one
Year two
Placement year
Final year
Additional year
In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.
Modules
Cyber Security Fundamentals – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to equip you with the core concepts and principles of cyber security together with the methods and technologies of protecting cyber/digital assets.
The module will cover core cyber security concepts such as the use of virtualisation, common operating systems used for security, remote access to systems, and software and systems security.
Compulsory
Introduction to Programming – 20 credits
The module will introduce the core fundamentals of programming for a prominent object-oriented programming language used in the industry.
The module will cover topics such as data types, condition and control statements, documentation and testing, and an overview of various sorting and searching algorithms.
Compulsory
Networking and Computer Architectures – 20 credits
The aim of this module is to equip you with an understanding of core concepts around computer networks and hardware architectures.
The module will cover topics such as data representation, logic elements and processor structure and operation, instruction formats and addressing mode, control structures and flow (RTL), bus topology protocols and models, and basic addressing (mac vs IP).
Compulsory
Information Security Management – 20 credits
This module aims to extend your knowledge and experience of information security planning, analysis, design, implementation, review, and improvement to overcome information security challenges in an organization and broader environments.
Compulsory
Ethics and Legal Frameworks of Cyber Security professionals – 20 credits
Security is more than just technical problems, there are also a wide range of legal, social and ethical factors that need to be considered. This module will introduce these ethical and legal frameworks as applied to cyber security. It will also cover the professional skills needed to succeed at university and at work.
Compulsory
Foundations of Computer Science – 20 credits
This module will cover some of core Computer Science concepts around security including mathematics, Boolean algebra and circuit design and cryptography.
Compulsory
In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:
Modules
Practical Penetration Testing – 20 credits
This module will introduce practical penetration skills, including penetration testing methodology and strategies for attacking remote systems. We will look at web and server-based vulnerabilities and how to exploit them.
Compulsory
Programming and Operating Systems – 20 credits
This module introduces the concepts of algorithm efficiency, complexity, process management, as well as information modelling, management and security. The platforms on which software is developed are considered, covering Operating System internals and their impact on good programming practice and security, including fundamental OS concepts such as process, memory and file system management. Key features of modern OS such as the creation and scheduling of multiple processes, and methods of communicating between them are also discussed.
Compulsory
Foundations of Networking – 20 credits
Building on the first year Networking and Architectures module, this module aims to provides you with knowledge (terminologies and concepts) of computer networks architecture, together with the core networking and security techniques.
Compulsory
Security Operations – 20 credits
The module aims to provide you with a critical awareness of the legal framework and professional issues related to security incident response, its planning, deployment and success criteria. It should enable you to develop the ability and skill to evaluate and apply appropriate methodologies and technological solutions of performing and/or managing incident response investigations.
Compulsory
Digital Forensics – 20 credits
This module will look at the fundamentals of digital forensics including evidence and data recovery.
Compulsory
The Internet and Web Technologies – 20 credits
This module will give an overview of common web technologies including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It will cover the protocols used to drive the web such as HTTP, SSL, REsT, and the use of API’s along with an understanding of the database technologies that store information.
Compulsory
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement
2
can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee
3
of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.
Modules
UK work placement – 0 credits
This module
2
provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.Optional
International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits
This module
2
provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.Optional
Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor and your Academic Personal Tutor.
Modules
Advanced Penetration Testing – 20 credits
This module will cover penetration testing methodology, including accessing, manipulating and exploring networks and systems. Countermeasures are also covered, as well as a structured methodology in which this can be reported along with an evaluation of security mechanisms.
Compulsory
Digital Security Risk and Audit Management – 20 credits
The module investigates information assurance models and addresses current implementations of security audits such as COBIT and PCI-DSS. It will be delivered through taught lectures, reinforced by work on case studies that will incorporate practical applications of audit frameworks and analysis of the results.
Compulsory
Applied Cryptography – 20 credits
This module aims to provide you with a thorough comprehension of the concepts, theory and application of cryptographic techniques to cyber security. Additionally, you should develop your experience of appropriate cryptographic tools and libraries. Advanced topics and the status of cryptographic research will also be studied.
Compulsory
Research Project Preparation – 20 credits
The module will cover topics such as forming research questions, project selection/formation, scoping and planning, critical review, state of the art/literature review. It will also consider research methods including quantitative and qualitative, initial development/implementation, project concept evaluation, professional and ethical considerations.
Compulsory
Research Project Delivery – 20 credits
This module is aimed at supporting you during the dissertation writing process.
Compulsory
Optional modules
Choose one of the following three optional modules
Reverse Engineering and Exploit Development – 20 credits
This module will focus on exploit and malware analysis, looking at reverse engineering techniques, exploit development, and obfuscation/antivirus evasion.
Secure Network Design and Management – 20 credits
This module will focus on the design and management of networked systems and technologies.
Advanced Digital and Network Forensics – 20 credits
This model will look at advanced forensic concepts such and mobile network, cloud and emerging technologies.
Optional
If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option
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, which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.Modules
Digital Security Risk and Audit Management – 15 credits
This module focuses on risk assessment and the performance of security audits primarily in accordance with the guidelines of ISO27002:2005(BS17799).
Compulsory
Cryptography – 15 credits
This module provides you with a thorough comprehension of the concepts, theory and application of cryptographic techniques to cyber security.
Compulsory
Security of Emerging Connected Systems – 15 credits
This module seeks to provide you with an appreciation of information security concepts and an understanding of how they are applied using Internet of Things (IoT) and Mobile Device (MD) technologies.
Compulsory
Automotive Cyber Security – 15 credits
This module aims to develop your critical knowledge in the field of automotive cybersecurity, which poses a major challenge to connected and autonomous vehicles.
Compulsory
Artificial Neural Networks – 15 credits
This module introduces you to the concepts used in neural networks and their application in solving real-world problems.
Compulsory
Secure Network Design and Development – 15 credits
This module will introduce technical security controls used to prevent, detect, and recover from security violations at the application or system level.
Compulsory
Cyber Security Research Project – 30 credits
In this module you should exercise and extend your skills in gathering, understanding and critically evaluating literature, performing research, and analysing findings. You will undertake a research project in cyber security or related subject areas.
Compulsory
