Course specification and structure
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UDCOMNCS - BSc Computer Networking and Cyber Security

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Science Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Science
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Computing and Digital Media
Subject Area Computer Science and Applied Computing
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS  
Part-time 4 YEARS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

The School of Computing and digital Media is one of the first in UK to become a Cisco Academy in 1999. The course is designed around Cisco curriculum and all students study the complete CCNA modules which are embedded in the course. This means students are provided with the additional Cisco certifications throughout the course. This course includes substantial practical/hands-on content with increasing emphasis on project/group work as its students’ progress through the course.

The delivery for teaching for this course shall be 30 weeks formal scheduled contact time. Modules are mainly delivered through a combination of lectures (1 hour/week), tutorials/lab-based workshop (2 hour/week) sessions, and blended learning. Teaching materials such as lecture notes and other support learning materials are accessible on the university VLE network (e.g. WebLearn, Blackboard);Faculty network facilities (e.g. web server) are also available to support teaching and learning activities.

Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE, the Cisco Academy, and network security toolkits will be used to facilitate and support student learning, in particular, to:

  • deliver course content;
  • encourage active learning;
  • provide formative and summative assessments, and prompt feedback;
  • enhance student engagement and learning experience.

Course aims

This course is designed with our Cisco Academy to equip its graduates to work at a professional level in the areas of Telecommunications and Computer Networking with the emphasis on Cyber Security. It is also an excellent preparation for further research or studies such as MSc or PhD. The aims of the course are:

  • To apply analytical and design techniques used to solve problems in computer networking and Cyber Security.
  • To develop analytical, practical and ICT skills appropriate for the specification, design, implementation and testing of computer networks and security measures in cyber security.
  • To promote awareness of commercial and economic context, social and business factors that influence the choice of solution to engineering problems including health,
  • To promote awareness in students of ethical issues concerning their work, their potential roles to operate within the appropriate code of professional conduct, recognising their responsibilities and obligations to society, the profession and the environment.
  • To provide a broad educational base with an emphasis on project-oriented activities where students will gain appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding to prepare them for a professional career in the field of computer networking and Cyber Security.

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to

LO1. Understand the scientific, mathematical and ITC principles and methods relevant to Computer Networking and cyber security;

LO2. Appreciate the problems and solutions in the relevant social, environmental, ethical and legislative context including health, safety and risks issues;

LO3. Be able to select and apply appropriate scientific, mathematical and technical methods to model, analyse and solve problems related to Computer Networking and Cyber Security;

LO4. Identify problems and create solutions using appropriate professional simulation and design tools;

LO5. Recognise the need for continuous personal development and plan to achieve this showing confidence and self-awareness, reflect on own learning, and be self-reliant and constructively self-critical;

LO6. Design a variety of different computer networking configuration taking account of industrial and commercial restraints and network security issues;

LO7. Evaluate and carry out performance analysis, critical appraisals and evaluation of computer networks and their security requirements;

LO8. Apply and use various project management techniques.

LO9. work effectively as an individual or as part of a team and develop the skills associated with problem solving, relationship management, communication and time management in the context of a work-related learning experience

Principle QAA benchmark statements

QAA:

  • http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-Computing-consultation-15.pdf
  • http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Subject-benchmark-statement-Computing.aspx.pdf

Benchmarking standards are defined at threshold and modal:
1. Threshold
This is interpreted to mean that all students (taken over all years) graduating with an honours degree in the discipline of Computing will have achieved this. Students who reach this will be characterised by being able to:

  • demonstrate a requisite understanding of the main body of knowledge for their program of study;
  • understand and apply essential concepts, principles and practice of the subject in the context of well-defined scenarios, showing judgment in the selection and application of tools and techniques;
  • produce work involving problem identification, the analysis, the design and the development of a system with appropriate documentation. The work will show some problem solving and evaluation skills drawing on some supporting evidence, and demonstrate a requisite understanding of the need for quality;
  • demonstrate transferable skills and an ability to work under guidance and as a team member;
  • identify appropriate practices within a professional and ethical framework and understand the need for continuing professional development;
  • discuss applications based upon the body of knowledge.

2. Modal
This is the average (taken over all years) of all the students graduating with an honours degree in the discipline of Computer Forensics and Cyber Security. Students reaching this will be able to:

  • demonstrate a sound understanding of the main areas of the body of knowledge within their programme of study, with an ability to exercise critical judgment across a range of issues;
  • critically analyse and apply a range of concepts, principles and practice of the subject in an appropriate manner in the context of loosely defined scenarios, showing effective judgment in the selection and use of tools and techniques;
  • produce work involving problem identification, the analysis, the design and the development of a system, with accompanying documentation. The work will show problem solving and evaluation skills, draw upon supporting evidence and demonstrate a good understanding of the need for quality;
  • demonstrate transferable skills with an ability to show organised work as an individual and as a team member and with minimum guidance;
  • apply appropriate practices within a professional and ethical framework and identify mechanisms for continuing professional development and lifelong learning;
  • explain a wide range of applications based upon the body of knowledge.

Assessment strategy

  • Modules of this course are assessed mainly by the combination of coursework, case studies report and presentation, lab logbooks and workbooks, class-test, unseen examinations, and final-year project reports, presentation and viva.
  • A balanced assessment load per module and a careful distribution of concurrent assessment deadlines will be ensured;
  • Constructive and timely feedback in written and/or oral modes will be delivered, with 15 working days of completing/submitting an assessment;
  • Online submission of assessment will be used, as appropriate, via University VLE

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

In addition to the work related core module FC6W51 Work Related Learning II, students have the opportunity to apply for a sandwich year at the end of Level 5 during the course. The Faculty provides support in finding relevant employers.

Course specific regulations

If attendance falls below 75% on a module, reassessment opportunities will not be available and instead the module will have to be retaken the following year with attendance and payment of fees. Mitigating circumstances cannot be claimed for missed classes; however Module Leaders will take account of absences that are a consequence of recorded disability or otherwise recorded as 'Authorised Absence' when applying the 75% threshold.

Modules required for interim awards

All modules are core-compulsory except one 30-credit yearlong module or autumn&15-credit&designate module and one spring&15-credit&designate module at level six.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

  • A process of personal development planning takes place throughout the course to help students to think about and make sense of what is being learnt and why, plan ahead and relate to what has been learned and their own future.
  • Students will be expected and encouraged to produce such as reflective commentaries and graduation statements on the learning activities and tasks that they carry out to complete their work.
  • Students are invited to include PDP via learning journals, case books, annotated sketchbooks, and/or blog environment.

Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance

This course is designed around Cisco curriculum and all students study the complete CCNA modules which are embedded in the course. This means students are provided with the additional Cisco certifications.

The Faculty of Life Sciences and Computing’s World of Work (WOW) Agency offers opportunities to enhance employability skills, gain real experience and 'earn while you learn' through placements into real client-driven projects - working with business and industry.

Other external links providing expertise and experience

Cisco Academy, Metropolitan Police force ,and IT/cyber Security companies and digital investigative companies

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2016/17 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 11 Jan 2017 Last validation date 13 Apr 2023  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes I250 (Systems Auditing): 100%
Route code COMNCS

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Not currently offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
CC4002 Information Systems Core 30        
CS4001 Programming Core 30        
CT4001 Communications Engineering Core 30        
CT4004 Networking Concepts (CCNA1 and 2) Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
CC5004 Security in Computing Core 30        
CC5052 Risk, Crisis and Security Management Core 15 NORTH AUT THU PM
CS5001 Networks and Operating Systems Core 30        
CS5052 Professional Issues, Ethics and Computer Law Core 15        
CT5004 LAN & WAN (CCNA 3 & 4) Core 30        

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
CC6051 Ethical Hacking Core 15 NORTH SPR THU AM
CT6004 Network Security (CISCO) Core 30        
FC6P01 Project Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED PM
FC6W51 Work Related Learning II Core 15        
CC6003 Digital Crime Investigation Option 30        
CC6004 Network and Cloud Security Option 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED AM
CS6002 Distributed and Internet Systems Option 30