Computer Networks & Cyber Security – BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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Course Overview

This course provides students with the computer network know-how to build secure and efficient networks and understand how hackers work. You will gain the knowledge to defend and manage the network by developing security plans, strategies and technical solutions to protect computer networks which includes physical and virtual servers and network hardware configuration. You will learn through hands on experience with Windows & Linux operating systems, services, scripting, databases, ethical hacking, virtual machines, microservices, Cisco, VMware, Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure cloud technologies. Students gain a foundation of technical knowledge, problem solving and logical thinking that gives them a competitive advantage in their career and further education. This range of practical knowledge enhances their ability to fit rapidly into different workplace cultures, adapt to change and pursue additional postgraduate studies. A work placement in Year 3 gives students an opportunity to gain valuable industry experience.

Course Details

Location

Moylish, Limerick City

Years

4

CAO Points

328

Course Code

US827

Level

8

Course Type

Undergraduate

Study Mode

Full Time

Department

Information Technology

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Communications And Applications (Credits: 5)
• Computer Mathematics (Credits: 5)
• Digital Systems Concepts (Credits: 5)
• Digital Systems Design (Credits: 5)
• ICT and Applications (Credits: 5)
• Introduction To Computer Networks (Credits: 5)
• Introduction To Programming (Credits: 5)
• Mathematical Methods (Credits: 5)
• Operating Systems Fundamentals (Credits: 5)
• Structured Programming (Credits: 5)
• Understanding Local Area Networks (Credits: 5)
• Web Development Fundamentals (Credits: 5)

Year 2

• Client-Server Technologies (Credits: 5)
• Cyber Security Operations (Credits: 5)
• Data Essentials (Credits: 5)
• Data Formats and Storage (Credits: 5)
• Database Administration (Credits: 5)
• Enterprise Network Design (Credits: 5)
• Introduction to Object Oriented Programming (Credits: 5)
• Operating Systems Scripting (Credits: 5)
• Operating Systems Structures (Credits: 5)
• Public Cloud Foundations (Credits: 5)
• Server Virtualisation & Storage (Credits: 5)
• Statistics and Probability (Credits: 5)

Year 3

• Data Comms (Credits: 5)
• Group Project (Credits: 10)
• Network Security (Credits: 5)
• Server Administration: Services (Credits: 5)
• Technical Writing & Research Skills (Credits: 5)
• Work Placement (Credits: 30)

Year 4

• Applied Cryptography (Credits: 5)
• Data Centre Design (Credits: 5)
• Digital Forensics (Credits: 5)
• Entrepreneurship (Credits: 5)
• Information Security (Credits: 5)
• Innovative Technologies & Future Skills (Credits: 5)
• IT Governance & Management (Credits: 5)
• Penetration Testing (Credits: 5)
• Research Project (Credits: 5)
• Secure Public Cloud Services (Credits: 5)
• Server Administration: Applications (Credits: 5)
• Software Defined Networks & Network Automation (Credits: 5)

Career Opportunities

• Network Administrator/Technician
• IT Customer Support
• IT Technical Support (level 1 to 3)
• Systems Administrator
• Computer Network Engineer
• Network Programmer/Analyst
• Information Systems/Network Manager

Further Study

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This program equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to build secure and efficient computer networks. It focuses on understanding how hackers operate and developing strategies to defend and manage networks. Students will learn to protect physical and virtual servers, network hardware configuration, and develop security plans and technical solutions.

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Objectives:

• Gain the knowledge and skills to build secure and efficient computer networks.
• Understand how hackers work and develop strategies to defend and manage networks.
• Develop security plans, strategies, and technical solutions to protect computer networks.
• Gain hands-on experience with Windows & Linux operating systems, services, scripting, databases, ethical hacking, virtual machines, microservices, Cisco, VMware, Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure cloud technologies.
• Develop a foundation of technical knowledge, problem-solving, and logical thinking.
• Gain a competitive advantage in their career and further education.
• Enhance their ability to adapt to different workplace cultures and pursue postgraduate studies.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Communications And Applications: Develop effective communication skills and strategies for independent learning in higher education.
• Computer Mathematics: Fundamental mathematical concepts encountered in computing.
• Digital Systems Concepts: Introduction to the structure and function of a modern computer, including processor, memory, and storage.
• Digital Systems Design: Design and implementation of digital systems, from specification to implementation as an integrated circuit (IC).
• ICT and Applications: Understanding the importance of various communication tools and methods.
• Introduction To Programming: Introduction to computer programming using a modern programming language.
• Mathematical Methods: Foundation in several mathematical methodologies encountered in computing.
• Structured Programming: In-depth analysis and implementation of Structured Programming concepts.
• Understanding Local Area Networks: Introduction to SOHO and SME switching and routing technologies used in local area networks.
• Web Development Fundamentals: Fundamentals of web page development.

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Year 2:

• Client-Server Technologies: Introduction to the client-server paradigm, including technologies and methods for implementation.
• Cyber Security Operations: Develop skills and knowledge to work as a Security Analyst in a Security Operations Centre team.
• Database Administration: Comprehensive understanding of modern techniques and challenges in commercial client/server database administration, processing, and analysis.
• Enterprise Network Design: Survey of architectures and considerations related to designing, securing, operating, and troubleshooting enterprise networks, including automation concepts.
• Operating Systems Scripting: Introduction to scripting for operating systems administration.
• Operating Systems Structures: Extension of concepts from Operating Systems Fundamentals to multi-user and network-based operating systems.
• Public Cloud Foundations: Management of computer networking components of multimedia or internet application development and introduction to Cloud Computing fundamentals.
• Server Virtualisation & Storage: Examination of principles and technologies for deploying and managing virtual servers and storage devices in data centers.

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Year 3:

• Data Comms: Broadening theoretical knowledge of data transmission/reception between network nodes.
• Group Project: Experience working in a group on a substantial computing project for a theoretical company, including analysis, design, building, implementation, and testing.
• Network Security: Examination of security concepts and skills needed for installation, troubleshooting, and management of enterprise network infrastructure devices.
• Server Administration: Services: Management of key server services by building, installing, configuring, and maintaining physical and virtual servers.
• Technical Writing & Research Skills: Development of technical writing and research skills for academic and professional communications, including research methodology, data collection, and project management.
• Work Placement: Opportunity to apply theoretical and practical knowledge in a professional IT environment, gaining valuable career experience.

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Year 4:

• Applied Cryptography: Detailed analysis of cryptographic principles and techniques.
• Digital Forensics: Introduction to the principles and practice of digital forensics.
• Entrepreneurship: Analysis of fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship, including the entrepreneurial process and skills for becoming an entrepreneur/intrapreneur.
• Innovative Technologies & Future Skills: Development of transversal skills by working collaboratively on innovative technological solutions to solve complex, real-world problems.
• IT Governance & Management: Introduction to IT Governance and Services Management, examining IT organizational design, governance models, ISO standards, and best practice frameworks.
• Penetration Testing: Development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for planning, carrying out, and evaluating penetration testing and ethical hacking of computer networks.
• Research Project: Investigation of a chosen aspect of Computer Science.
• Server Administration: Applications: Knowledge and expertise necessary to automate tasks using scripts across different server operating systems.

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Teaching:

• Hands-on experience with Windows & Linux operating systems, services, scripting, databases, ethical hacking, virtual machines, microservices, Cisco, VMware, Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure cloud technologies.
• Practical knowledge enhances students' ability to adapt to different workplace cultures and pursue postgraduate studies.
• Work placement in Year 3 provides valuable industry experience.

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Careers:

• Network Administrator/Technician
• IT Customer Support
• IT Technical Support (level 1 to 3)
• Systems Administrator
• Computer Network Engineer
• Network Programmer/Analyst

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Further Study:

Successful graduates are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programs within TUS or elsewhere.

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Other:

• The program is offered at the Moylish campus in Limerick City.
• The CAO points requirement is 319.
• The program is a Level 8, full-time, 4-year undergraduate program.
• The course code is US827.
• The program is offered by the Information Technology department.
• Students gain a foundation of technical knowledge, problem-solving, and logical thinking.
• Students gain a competitive advantage in their career and further education.
• Students enhance their ability to adapt to different workplace cultures and pursue postgraduate studies.
• A work placement in Year 3 gives students an opportunity to gain valuable industry experience.