PMCNCSWE - MSc Computer Networking and Cyber Security with Work Experience

The course is designed to equip its graduates to work at a professional level in areas of Computer Networking and Cyber Security or for entering MPhil/PhD research program.

The course has been designed to have a well-balanced coverage of Computer Networking and Cyber Security. There are four core modules; two in Networking and two in Cyber Security. There are a further four optional modules; two of which are related to Networking and two related to Cyber security. Students must select one from each of the options in each semester.

The course is supported by a number of specialised laboratories in Advanced Networking and Cyber Security. Students in each of the specialized modules spend a considerable part of the module in these laboratories providing opportunities to practice what they have learnt in the formal lectures and seminars. Students will investigate, design, implement, evaluate, test and document a variety of real-world examples in the fields of Networking and Cyber Security. These sessions are performed individually or as part of a group.

The University was one of the first Cisco Academies in UK and has four, up-to-date Cisco laboratories supporting CCNA, CCNP, Security and Wireless Networking.

Tutorial exercises and short phase tests are used to provide students with feedback on their progress. Summative assessment of students’ knowledge and their understanding is incorporated into formal in-course tests, exercises, case studies and a final unseen examination.

Cybersecurity modules take place in the universities innovative Cybersecurity centre. Our MSc students mix with other MSc and PhD students as well as people from industry and have opportunities to be involved in major projects.

Students have access to the Graduate centre to meet and discuss their courses. The campus library has recently undergone a successful refurbishment and offers specialised group study areas as well as access to a comprehensive range of textbooks, journals and online learning resources. There are open areas on the ground floor of the Tower building and the green lounge at Benwell Road which provide open study areas. These areas all have access to IT facilities with several computers in each area.

All students joining the programme will be encouraged to become Student Members of the British computer Society (BCS) who has accredited this MSc and take advantage of the recourses available. In addition, students can become a member of Engineering & Technology (IET). This membership provides students access to one of the largest on-site and on-line libraries in the world as well as automatic invitation to seminars and conferences in the areas of their course. Students have access to number of professional on-line lectures in specialized areas of Networking and Cyber Security. This membership also enables students to be automatically transferred to the rank of Member of the IET once they have graduated from the course. Being a member of the IET has significant merits both in academia and in the industry. It provides students with the opportunity to become eligible for the Charted Engineering (CEng) Status for both after a few years of work experience

• to provide students with an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the principles of, and developments in computer networking and Cyber Security.
• to integrate and work effectively in a real enterprise environment undertaking business roles and working on specific projects related to design and management of Computer Networking and Cyber Security.
• to provide students with knowledge of analytical and practical techniques for evaluating, planning, designing and implementing a variety of secured computer networks in different applications.
• to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the importance and the necessity of network and Cyber Security.
• to develop the practical and theoretical skills essential for professional secured network designed to adapt to a rapidly changing technology.
• to enable students to research, design and critically appraise specific systems.
• to provide an awareness of the newly developing opportunities in computer networking and Cyber Security.
• to allow students to acquire knowledge appropriate to their interests and career, complimenting and enhancing the knowledge, skills and professional perspectives from their previous education and work-related experience.
• to understand the strategic process for deployment and implementation of Cyber Security within a small to large scale organization.
• to understand and critically discuss the professional, legal and ethical, economical and global environmental issues and their impact relevant to computer networking and Cyber Security.

LO1 Knowledge and understanding
1.1 Comprehensive knowledge of selecting the most appropriate devices to provide industry standard solutions to practical networking and security issues
1.2 Critically evaluate the performance of a current Networking and Security systems and design high performance secure networks with consideration to the future needs of business.

1.3 Apply advanced tools and techniques that may be used when developing and managing computer networks and Cyber Security systems, and apply these in real world situations.

1.4 Critical awareness of current issues in networking technology and new and future developments.
1.5 Discuss the professional, legal and ethical, economical and global environmental issues through the development of Networks, Security and their impact.

LO2 Cognitive / intellectual skills
2.1 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current and future techniques/technology used to increase the capabilities of computer networks.

2.2 Select appropriate analysis and design procedures to solve problems in a creative and innovative manner and apply those solutions in a real-world situations.

2.3 Deal with Cyber Security issues both systematically and creatively.

2.4 Analyse, specify, design, implement and evaluate the performance behaviour of various computer network scenarios and apply these in real world situations.

2.5 Assess critically published academic papers and produce original work of a standard and in a form suitable for publication.

LO3 Key and transferable skills
3.1 Critically and systematically apply knowledge and skills to real applications in the workplace thereby enhancing employability and career prospects.

3.2 Use initiative and take responsibility to plan, organise and implement a programme of work.

3.3 Communicate effectively orally and in writing to specialists and non-specialist audiences.
3.4 Think critically in respect of their own and others’ work.
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3.5 Ability to work and study independently and/or as member of a team.
3.6 Select and use appropriate computer-based tools for analysis and troubleshooting.
3.7 Locate and retrieve appropriate information from electronic sources.
3.8 Communicate effectively orally and in writing to specialists and non-specialist audiences.
3.9 Select, configure and use appropriate Networking Infrastructure equipment

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

The programme design has been informed by the “Subject Benchmark Statement Master’s Degrees in Computing” 2019.

Inclusive development and assessment are the leading principle in our teaching, learning and assessment provisions. Each module’s development and assessment design take account of the students’ background. In this process, we ensure that all aspects of learning, teaching and assessment are fair and accessible for all students, particularly minority and those with disabilities. In the module and assessment design process, students are involved to review the content, marking criteria and delivery methods. We create awareness of professional body requirements from the start, so students prepare themselves according to what is required by both IET and the industry. Students express their views through the VLE discussion board, emails, face-to-face discussions and through student representatives. Students are encouraged to raise issues such as fairness of marking and mark allocations, the academic support process and accessibility of assessments. The team review issues during staff and course committee meetings with student representatives.
A range of assessment instruments are used to enable students to demonstrate their individual skills and competencies. These include formal written exams, MCQ tests, practical exams, essays, laboratory and case study reports, logbooks, project report and viva-voce.
Students are given opportunity to seek one to one feedback during regular laboratory sessions as well as prior to assessment and can submit draft work for formative feedback in case of substantial pieces of written work.

During key core modules and course committee meetings, students are educated about the assessment process, the role of moderators, and the role of the external examiner, the ratification of marks, and the ways in which individual assessments are aggregated as a part of their final award.
Students are encouraged to set themselves realistic targets and work positively towards achieving those targets.

Every piece of assessment such as coursework, assignments including workshop logbooks and reports accompanies comprehensive guidelines on how to succeed and achieve excellence. The guidelines include a detailed assessment category where the tutors use to assess students work (the actual marking criteria).

The standard as well as the assessments of every piece of work is assessed and approved by an independent internal moderator as well as the external examiner from another institution or relevant industry.

The assessment of the final individual project will be by dissertation and a viva.
For fairness and consistency, a panel designated by the Module Leader will look at all project reports as part of the moderation process.

The student will complete a six-month work experience placement after completing all core modules. The work experience forms an integral part of the degree and will be assessed formally by the academic supervisor. It is an important part of the student's education that they spend an appropriate time in work with a view to establishing good professional practice that will enrich their learning and prepare them for the world of work.
To ensure students on Tier 4 (General)/ Student visas are able to benefit from enhanced learning through work placements, the following must be followed to remain compliant with the Home Office regulations on work placements and not endanger their visas to study in the UK.

Work placements as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are those placements which are an integral and assessed part of the course.

Work placements must be reported to UKVI before they start and the dates and placement details cannot be changed without prior approval from the module leader, the Work Based Learning team and the International Support and Compliance Team.

Students holding Tier 4 (General)/ Student visas must:
• Ensure the placement is agreed by the module leader as well as the Work Based Learning team before starting the placement.
• Provide all relevant paperwork and placement details to the Work Based Learning team before starting the placement
• Start the placement in the term the module is registered. If this needs to be changed because a placement is not available, this must be communicated to the Work Based Learning team
• Ensure weekly, signed timesheets are provided to the Work Based Learning team for all external placements
• Ensure they communicate any changes to the placement immediately to the module leader, Work Based Learning team and the International Support and Compliance Team.
• Direct any questions about work placements to visa.compliance@londonmet.ac.uk

Part-time students may select one or two modules per semester. The number of the modules taken will affect the course duration

This course shall conform to both framework and University Academic Regulations. In addition, this course has specific regulations which have been formally approved by the University and by the British Computer Society (BCS) requirement as specified below.

“All awards are only obtainable without condonement or compensation of any modules.”

To obtain the MSc Computer Networking with Work Experience award the students need to complete successfully all 6 taught modules the work experience module and the MSc project module (a minimum of 200 credits with a minimum mark of 50%.).

If the student will not take the work experience module they will obtain the MSc Computer Networking award by complete successfully all 6 taught modules and the MSc project module (a minimum of 180 credits with a minimum mark of 50%).

The student will obtain Postgraduate Diploma if they do not take the project (120 credits)

The student will obtain Postgraduate Certificate if they achieve (60 credits)

PDP is an important element in the course design and a requirement by the BCS for accreditation. There are elements in the taught modules but central in the assessment of the Work Placement module (in the work experience pathway). Students have to identify learning objectives for their placement and keep a diary critically assessing the progress they made. In addition, the reflective reports they produce include critical commentary on their experience and performance. When developing their MSc project at the end of the course, the students are required to include PDP in their report. The marking scheme assesses critical analysis and reflection and students are required to include it.

The course places a strong emphasis on students’ employability and the development of marketing skills takes place through a continuous process of self-development embedded in all core modules. There is an underlying philosophy of linking the acquisition of knowledge to real-world scenarios. Students are placed in the best possible position after graduation to pursue rewarding and successful careers in the areas of Cybersecurity Architect, Computer Networking Architect virous senor positions in the field of cyber security

All of our master’s graduates will also be equipped to continue academic study at a higher level, for example for a PhD.

Successfully pass this course and you will receive Cisco accreditation.

You could enjoy a career as a network engineer, network manager, network security and cyber security consultant, crime and computer forensic or network security professional.

You will be required to have:

• a lower second class (2:2) UK degree (or equivalent) in Computer Networking and Cyber Security, Computer Security, Computer Science, Computing, Electronics and Communications, or a closely related discipline
• applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered

Please note the networking modules are based on CISCO CCNP curriculum and are very practically assessed. You are strongly advised to either study CISCO CCNA or ensure that you are competent in configuring CISCO devices before you enrol to ensure success in this MSc program.

London Metropolitan University has an established Cisco Academy and can provide advice on CISCO training and certifications.