Program Overview

Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics BSc (Hons)

Overview

This course is excellent preparation for jobs in cybersecurity and digital forensics, which is a rapidly growing area given the rise in computer-related crime. At the same time, the course also covers all the fundamentals of computing, leaving your career options open.

Course Structure

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, and laboratory sessions. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects.

Year 1 (national level 4):

• Software Engineering (20 credits): Explore a wide range of software engineering techniques and industry practices, designed to promote the production of high-quality, efficient, reliable, and secure software.
• Computer Systems, Architectures and Networks (20 credits): Gain an overview of how a computer works, from the moment it is switched on.
• Introduction to Programming (20 credits): Learn about the fundamental programming concepts, including how to write computer programs using a high-level programming language such as Python or C#.
• Full Stack Development (20 credits): Explore both front-end and back-end web development, and use frameworks to create a fully dynamic web application.
• Specialist Project (20 credits): Explore and develop an individual project based around your preferred area of study.
• Emerging Technologies (20 credits): Delve into the emergence of novel tools and techniques within computer science.

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Advanced Programming (20 credits): Propose solutions to programming problems through OO software design modeling, using UML diagrams, notations, and techniques.
• Cybersecurity (20 credits): Analyse security principles and the core technology used to enforce and maintain security of data and computer systems.
• Enterprise Project (20 credits): Participate in the organising, running, controlling, and monitoring of a team tasked to produce a computer-based solution to a client-posed problem.
• Secure Networks (20 credits): Gain a substantial understanding of key network security principles and methods.
• Digital Forensic Computing Practice (20 credits): Delve into forensic techniques, including the examination of Windows, Unix, and Macintosh.
• Virtualisation and Cloud Infrastructure (20 credits): Gain knowledge of a range of cloud models, and analyse these in relation to realistic scenarios.

Optional placement:

• Industrial Placement (120 credits): Spend 48 weeks on placement working within the industry.

Final year (national level 6):

• Project (40 credits): Articulate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of your chosen research topic.
• Cyber Threat Landscape (20 credits): Gain a holistic understanding of the cybersecurity threat landscape, and of cyber risk assessment and management.
• Web Application Security (20 credits): Understand the most prevalent web application vulnerabilities, their causes, and their consequences.
• Digital Forensic Investigations (20 credits): Discuss and investigate advanced applications in computer forensics.
• Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking (20 credits): Evaluate the technical, legal, and business issues involved in developing, implementing, and testing secure systems.

Facilities

This course is based at the David Goldman Technology Centre, a high-tech computing environment with strong links to software companies and a constant exchange of ideas and people.

Entry Requirements

Our typical offer is:

• Irish Leaving Certificate: 120 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
• QQI/FETAC 5: Pass profile overall. For entry, we also require H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths and English from Irish Leaving Certificate.

Fees and Finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

• £9,535 if you are from the UK/Europe
• £16,500 if you are an international student

Career Ready

This course has a strong emphasis on real-world learning that boosts employability and equips you to make a bigger contribution in the workplace.

Graduate Success

In your final year of the course, you'll undertake a major individual project with research-active staff. This adds to your hands-on experience and, in some cases, leads to a job offer that can be taken up as soon as the course ends.

Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts, and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways, and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.