UDCNEISE - BEng Computer Networking and Infrastructure Security

BEng (Hons) Computer Networking and Infrastructure Security course is designed to address engineering skills-shortage in securing computer networks and make the computer networking infrastructure (both hardware and software wise) more resilient to cyber-attacks and cyber-crimes. The engineering department was one of the first in the UK to establish Cisco Academy Training Centre (CATC) in 1998 which later grew into a Super Regional Academy (RA). We are one of the very few places in the UK which has been certified by Cisco Systems to provide CCNP training.
The course is designed around Cisco and Palo Alto curriculum. All students study core modules on the latest Cisco CCNA curriculum, CCNA Cyber Ops, Palo Alto (PCCSA), CCNA Security, and CCNA Wireless. These modules are embedded in the course, which means students are provided with the additional Cisco certification trainings throughout the course. The final year project titles are continuously updated in consultation with our industrial partners to reflect recent technological advances and increase employability opportunities for our graduates. In a nutshell, the course is designed to prepare its graduates as a work-ready professional in the areas of computer network management and security, wireless and IoT (Internet of Things) security. The course with balanced theory and hands-on practice prepares motivated and academically minded graduates for entering into postgraduate studies such as MSc and/or MPhil/PhD.
Modules are mainly delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials/lab-based workshop sessions, and blended learning. Teaching materials such as lecture notes and pointers to other support learning materials are accessible via the university VLE network (e.g. WebLearn, Blackboard); Cisco Networking Academy; and School’s network facilities (e.g. web server).
Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE, the Cisco Academy, and network security toolkits in specialised engineering labs are 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.

This BEng course has been designed with the close collaboration with our Industrial Liaison Committee (ILC) and in accordance with the output standards set out by UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UKSPEC) ensuring threshold academic standard.

The course aims:
• To ensure that students are appropriately prepared to develop into professional engineers by meeting the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC;
• To produce graduates who are numerate, literate, analytical, articulate, practical, adaptive, creative, confident and inquisitive;
• To apply analytical and design techniques used to solve problems in computer networking, infrastructure security and communications systems;
• To develop analytical, practical and ICT skills appropriate for the specification, design, implementation and testing of computer networks and infrastructure security;
• To promote awareness of commercial and economic context, social and business factors that influence the choice of solution to engineering problems including health, safety and risk (including environmental risk) issues;
• To prepare students for employment by developing their transferable skills and problem-based learning skills;
• To develop organisational, teamwork and practical management approaches required by professional computer networking engineers;
• To develop critical and reflective capacities in students so that they are equipped to assess and plan their continuing developmental needs;
• To provide students with sound knowledge and skills, confidence to solve multidisciplinary problems in the engineering context;
• 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, network managements and infrastructure security.

By completing this course, it is expected that the student has developed the knowledge and the skills in five generic areas of competence aligned to UK-SPEC (3rd ed), which broadly covers:

A – Knowledge and understanding
• A1: Maintain and extend a sound theoretical approach to the application of technology in engineering practice.
• A2: Use a sound evidence-based approach to problem-solving and contribute to continuous improvement

B – Design and development of processes, systems, services and products
• B1: Identify, review and select techniques, procedures and methods to undertake engineering tasks.
• B2: Contribute to the design and development of engineering solutions.
• B3: Implement design solutions and contribute to their evaluation.

C – Responsibility, management or leadership
• C1: Plan for effective project implementation
• C2: Manage tasks, people and resources to plan and budget.
• C3: Manage teams and develop staff to meet changing technical and managerial needs.
• C4: Manage continuous quality improvement

D – Communication and inter-personal skills
• D1: Communicate in English with others at all levels.
• D2: Present and discuss proposals.
• D3: Demonstrate personal and social skills.

E – Professional commitment
• E1: Comply with relevant codes of conduct
• E2: Manage and apply safe systems of work.
• E3: Undertake engineering activities in a way that contributes to sustainable development.
• E4: Carry out and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence in own area of practice (e.g. Undertake reviews of own development needs)
• E5: Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner.

• ULO: Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

The course design refers to Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)’s Subject Benchmark Statements in Engineering (2015) set out in UK Quality Code for Higher Education.

A range of assessment methods (class tests, theory and practical examinations, coursework through logbook/ casestudy and laboratory report/ poster / artefact, viva) is employed throughout the course. The method of assessment and marking criteria for each module at each level is clearly described in the individual ‘Module Guide’ which is made available to the students at the start of the semester (via WebLearn - VLE). Every module (core as well as options) has a VLE presence providing students with comprehensive learning/teaching material including Workshops exercises. Module leaders use this site regularly to communicate with their students including providing general feedback, guidelines on how to write technical report/ effective presentations and keeping logbooks. One of the core moudules at Level 4 has a mandatory formative/summative assessment element "Learning reflection essay" to initiate and induct students to reflective learning in order to develop effective and SMART study plans for all modules.

Students are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of and the necessary skills to demonstrate, good academic practice. Particularly, students will be encouraged to complete weekly tutorials/tests and laboratory exercises as well as periodic formative progress tests to enhance their learning. During laboratory sessions students receive ongoing support and feedback on their work to promote engagement and provide the basis for tackling the summative assessments.

The volume, timing and nature of assessment enable students to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved the intended learning outcomes.
Formative and summative feedback are be provided using a variety of methods and approaches, such as online, one to one and in groups on the submitted work, at various points throughout the teaching period and in line with University's policy on assessment and feedback.

The course includes a 15-credit module on Work Related Learning (FC5W51) at Level 5. The module enables students to undertake an appropriate short period of professional activity, usually related to their course at level 5 (Intermediate level), with a business, research, or community organisation and to gain credit for their achievements. The activity may include a traditional placement, relevant part -time job, volunteering activity related to empowering London (in six key areas), approved research/development activity, an activity within LondonMet, an activity related to client’s brief or business start-up activity.
The Work Based Learning Team (WBLT) in coordination with the Careers and Employability team of the University provides advice on all stages of the selection process including developing CV, completing application forms, preparing for interview or online assessment.
In addition to the work-related module FC5W51, students can apply for a sandwich year at the end of Level 5 during the course.

A to E Learning Outcomes of the course (with detailed sub headings in para 11) are:
• A - Knowledge and understanding
• B - Design and development of processes, systems, services and products
• C - Responsibility, management or leadership
• D - Communication and inter-personal skills
• E - Professional commitment

Key to the reading the table: For example, CT4002 module learning outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3 broadly meets the “A - Knowledge and understanding” learning outcome of the course.

Degree award:
BEng (Hons) degree is awarded according to the following additional course regulations. Failing to achieve this will result in a lesser award, such as the BSc (Hons) degree, according to the University's academic regulations. Although the student will be enrolled on the BEng (Hons) programme, the final award will be determined at the end of the course.

• The proportion of failed modules deemed to be completed will be less than or equal to 20 credits in each year;
• The minimum acceptable progression marks will be greater than or equal to 30 %; and
• Degree classifications will include all modules in the final 2 years (total of 240 credits at levels 5 and 6) using the standard university weightings;
• Final year project must be passed (not just complete);
• Re-assessment and re-takes will be capped at 40%

For students starting from academic year 2022-23, a pass (or compensated pass) in every module is required. The maximum of 30 credits can be compensated over the degree programme. The minimum module mark for which compensation is allowed is 10% below the nominal module pass mark of 40%. Final year project will not be compensated.

Direct entry:
Direct entry applicants entering to final year (Level 6) must have at Level 5 (or equivalent) in relevant area and a valid Cisco CCNA (R&S) certification (or equivalent).

Direct entry applicants who do not meet this entry requirements will ONLY be accepted to the second year of the course provided that applicant has achieved 120 credits at Level 4 and 5 (or equivalent) in modules with comparable content and Learning Outcomes. Applicant is expected to have a valid Cisco CCNA (R&S) certification (or equivalent).

All direct entry students are required to attend an interview with the course leader or his/her nominee prior to being made an offer.

Certificate of Higher Education: 120 credits at Level 4 as per the course structure given in para 23.

Diploma of Higher Education: 240 credits with minimum of 120 at Level 5 as per the course structure given in para 23.

BSc: 300 credits with max. 120 at credits at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and min 60 credits at Level 6 as per the course structure given in para 23.

BSc (Hons): 360 credits with max. 120 credits at Level 4, min. 90 credits at Level 6 as per the course structure given in para 23 BUT “Course Specific Regulations” are not satisfied.

BEng (Hons): 360 credits with max. 120 credits at Level 4, min. 90 credits at Level 6 as per the course structure given in para 23 AND “Course Specific Regulations” are satisfied.

Most modules are based on lectures followed immediately by small-group tutorials, Laboratory / Workshops, individual and group case studies. These ‘after-lecture’ activities are considered to be an important part of student’s learning process. It is during these activities that students have an opportunity to reflect on their learning. For each activity, students are expected to keep a log book for their workshops giving a full account of the problems, methods of solutions, results and conclusions.

Students are expected to start their ‘Personal Development Plan (PDP) in Level-4 and to complete this during Level 6 project where students are assigned to a supervisor with whom they communicate on a weekly basis throughout the year.

Output standards set out by Engineering Council’s UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) (3rd ed) ensuring threshold academic standard.

Regular security breaches, cyber-attacks on hardware/software infrastructures and loss of personal data means you will be in high demand with much needed expertise in securing computer networks of small to large size organisations. Successful completion of this course will prepare you for career roles as a network security consultant, networking administrator or a networking engineer in a local, national or international company who designs, configures and maintains simple to complex networks.

Our previous graduates have gone on to work at companies such as Cisco Systems and CACI.

This course is also an excellent preparation for further studies or research by pursuing MSc or PhD.

This course will give you the key skills, knowledge and experience needed to succeed in the networking and security industry.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum grades CCD, one of which must be from a relevant subject (or a minimum of 88 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Progression Diploma or Access to HE Diploma of 60 credits)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C/4 or above

If you don't have traditional qualifications or can't meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree may still be able to gain entry by completing our Computer Networking and Infrastructure Security (including foundation year) BSc (Hons) degree.

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.