Program Overview

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Undergraduate Pathway in Computer Science and Cyber Security

Duration

• 2 semesters

Intakes

• September
• January

Location

• Aberdeen

Degrees Available

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security

Cyber security professionals are in high demand across the world, and this course will ensure you are industry-ready. Upon graduating, you will have the knowledge, skills and experience to prevent and minimise cyber security threats and incidents. You will also know how to protect critical systems from internal and external threats across a wide range of industries.

BSc (Hons) Computer Science

In choosing Computer Science, you will study object-oriented software design, learn systems development skills and understand how to apply them in practice. This technical knowledge will form the basis for a career as a professional software developer, enabling you to work effectively across a variety of computing platforms.

BSc (Hons) Data Science with Artificial Intelligence

Step into the future with a career in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). With this course, you will draw insights from data using a range of techniques. You will learn how to present your findings with data visualisation tools and optimise AI to become an expert in Machine Learning.

School of Computing

Year | Location | Duration | Fee

• First Year Degree | ICRGU | 2 semesters | ICRGU Fees
• Second Year Degree | School of Computing, RGU | 2 semesters | RGU Fees
• Third Year Degree | School of Computing, RGU | 2 semesters | RGU Fees
• Final Year Degree | School of Computing, RGU | 2 semesters | RGU Fees

Course Details

Semester 1 - Modules

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication (ILSC)

To develop a range of academic and communicative skills necessary for successful study in Higher Education. To develop independent learning and encourage students to take responsibility for their personal, academic and professional development. To develop the knowledge and ability to use a range of digital technologies.

• Mode of delivery: Face-to-face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 50, Self-directed study hours: 90
• How will I be assessed?: Assessment A,B,C (70%) and closed book examination (30%). These modules carry a standard minimum progression requirement: pass mark 50% with minimum of 50% in each component. This module will only be marked as PASS or FAIL on certificate of attainment.
• Recommended Reading:
  • Bailey, S. (2014). Academic Writing: a Handbook for International Students. (4th ed). London: Routledge
  • De Chazal, E (2014) English for Academic Purposes Oxford University Press
  • Denscombe, M. (2010) The Good Research Guide: for Small-scale Research Projects. 4th ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
  • Godfrey, J. (2013) How to Use Your Reading in Your Essays. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Powell, M. (2011) Presenting in English: how to give successful presentations. Cengage Learning: London.
  • Schmitt, D. and Schmitt, N. (2011) Focus on Vocabulary 2: Mastering the Academic Word List. UK: Pearson Education

Problem Solving & Modelling

To provide students with the understanding of problems which arise in computing situations and the practical skills for the efficient solution of these problems.

To develop appropriate skills in problem solving and critical thinking, and applying these tools and techniques in a variety of settings.

• Mode of delivery: Face to Face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 48, Self-directed study hours: 100
• How will I be assessed?: Mid-term exam (50%) final exam (50%). In order to pass the module students must achieve at least a grade D overall – 40% AND a minimum of 35% in each examination and coursework weighted 30% and above.
• Recommended Reading: TBC

Computing Skills

Describe computer systems and develop software in a high-level language. Recall and express the skills needed to design, develop and evaluate solutions to problems. Develop fundamental skills in Information Technology. Provide students with the competencies needed to design and develop simple computer programs using C#.

• Mode of delivery: Face to Face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 48, Self-directed study hours: 100
• How will I be assessed?: Mid-term assessment (50%) and Final in-class assessment (50%). In order to pass the module students must achieve at least a grade D overall – 40% AND a minimum of 35% in the examination and coursework weighted 30% and above.
• Recommended Reading:
  • Deitel, P. & Deitel, H. (2021). C# How to Program (11th ed.). Pearson.
  • Richter, J. (2019). CLR via C# (4th ed.). Microsoft Press.

Exploring Computing Devices

To enable students to develop interactive physical systems using software development tools.

To learn single-board computers that are capable of processing data captured from physical sensors and controlling actuators for output.

To learn implementation of hardware devices.

• Mode of delivery: Face to Face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 48, Self-directed study hours: 100
• How will I be assessed?: Mid-term assessment (50%) and Final in-class assessment (50%). In order to pass the module students must achieve at least a grade D overall – 40% AND a minimum of 35% in the examination and coursework weighted 30% and above.
• Recommended Reading:
  • WALDRON, R. and Backstop Media. 2015.JavaScript Robotics: Building NodeBots with Johnny-Five, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and BeagleBone
  • Rinehart, M., 2015. Javascript object programming
  • Stallings, W., 2012. Computer Organization and Architecture. 9th ed. Pearson Education.
  • Dunbar, N., 2020. Arduino Software Internals: A Complete Guide to How Your Arduino Language and Hardware Work Together
  • Seneviratne, P., 2017. Building Arduino PLCs: The Essential Techniques You Need to Develop Arduino-Based PLCs

Semester 2 - Modules

Object Orientated Programming

This module aims to introduce you to reading, designing and writing computer code using Java. It is important that you develop both your coding skills and your design skills by completing all the exercises which you are given at each lab session. Along the way you will also pick up skills in debugging and testing code.

To be successful on this module you need to keep up with the module content and do all the exercises before the next lecture. The lecture builds on previous lectures and it is very easy to fall behind.

• Mode of delivery: Face to face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 48, Self-directed study hours: 100
• How will I be assessed?: Mid-term in-class assessment (50%) Fina in-class assessment (50%). In order to pass the module students must achieve at least a grade D overall – 40% and a minimum of 35% in the examination and coursework weighted over 30% and above.
• Recommended Reading: Big Java Late Objects by Cay Horstmann

Computer Systems and Networking

Provides a general introduction to computer systems and computer networks. It provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge about the computer system architecture, the way data is represented, how to set up, configure, and manage network devices and computer networks.

• Mode of delivery: Face to face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 48, Self-directed study hours: 100
• How will I be assessed?: Mid-term exam (50%) and Final coursework submission (50%). In order to pass the module students must achieve at least a grade D overall – 40% and a minimum of 35% in the examination and coursework weighted 30% and above.
• Recommended Reading:
  • Computer Systems: John L. Hennessy, David A. Patterson, Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, Morgan Kaufmann, 2011
  • Networking: Troy McMillan, Cisco Networking Essentials, Sybex, 2015

Computing Information Systems

Provide a general introduction to information systems, including information architecture and the development of web-based information systems. It provides students with practical knowledge of the information system development process, associated techniques and technologies with a focus on web-based information systems.

• Mode of delivery: Face to face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 48, Self-directed study hours: 100
• How will I be assessed?: Coursework written submissions (50%) project work/presentation (50%). In order to pass the module students must achieve at least a grade D overall AND a minimum of 35% in the examination and coursework
• Recommended Reading:
  • Rutter, R. et al. 2006. Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance.
  • Any suitable HTML textbook
  • W3Schools, (HTML site created by web standards regulator W3C, most up to date resource)

Cyber Security Fundamentals

Provide students with a strong foundation in key concepts, enabling them to identify attack patterns, apply attach modelling techniques, and develop practical skills in the ethical use of adversary tools, preparing them for advanced studies and empowering them to address Cyber Security challenges responsibly and effectively.

• Mode of delivery: Face to face
• Contact hours (per semester/module): Contact hours: 48, Self-directed study hours: 100
• How will I be assessed?: Coursework (100% – subject to change). In order to pass the module students must achieve at least a grade D overall AND a minimum of 35% in the examination and coursework
• Recommended Reading:
  • Diogenes, Y., & Ozkaya, E. (2022). Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Strategies: Improve your security posture to mitigate risks and prevent attackers from infiltrating your system. Packt Publishing Ltd.
  • Brooks, C. J., Grow, C., Craig Jr, P. A., & Short, D. (2018). Cybersecurity essentials. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Stallings, W. (2021). Network Security Essentials. Pearson.
  • Rush, G. (2023). Introduction to Cyber Security Operations and the Incident Management Lifecycle. Wiley.
  • Erickson, J. (2020). Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. No Starch Press.
  • Ransome, J., & Misra, A. (2018). Core software security: Security at the source. CRC Press.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the minimum ICRGU Academic Entry Requirements, students applying for the Computing programmes are required to hold a high school qualification in Maths.

Popular careers

• IT Security Engineer
• IT Risk and Fraud Specialist
• Digital Forensics Expert
• Software Developer
• Computer Programmer

Campus Facilities

Robert Gordon University’s beautiful riverside campus provides the perfect learning environment. The School of Computing boasts the following facilities:

• Nine IT labs
• 335 desktop workstations
• A specialist networking lab with kit dedicated to the teaching of network security

Take a tour of our industry-standard facilities and find out what RGU has to offer.

Tour the Campus