UDCOMNCS - BSc Computer Networking and Cyber Security

The School of Computing and Digital Media is one of the first in the 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 certification trainings 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 hours/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); School’s 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.

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 Network 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 IT Security.

• To develop analytical, practical and ICT skills appropriate for the specification, design, implementation and testing of computer networks and security measures in network 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.

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;
UL8. Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

Subject benchmark: Computing [March 2022]
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements/computing

• 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;
• Online submission of assessment will be used, as appropriate, via University VLE

Inclusive development and assessment are the leading principle in our learning, teaching and assessment provisions. Each module development and assessment design take account of the students’ background and groups. 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. Students express their views through the VLE discussion board, Student Hub, emails, face-to-face discussions and through student representatives. Students are encouraged to raise issues such as fairness of marking and allocations, the academic support process and accessibility of assessments. The team review the issues during staff and course committee meetings in the presence of Student Representatives

Students take the module CS6W50 Career Development Learning at Level 6. The School works with the Employability Service and Careers Service teams to provide support in finding relevant opportunities. The module enables students to undertake an appropriate short period of professional activity, related to their course at level 6, with a business or community organization and to gain credit for their achievements. The activity can be a professional training, a volunteering activity, employment activity, placement or business start-up activity.

British Computer Society (BCS) accreditation is awarded according to the following additional course regulation:
The project must be passed in order for a student to obtain BSc (Hons) Digital Forensics and Cyber Security.
The project must be passed without compensation.

All modules are core-compulsory.

• 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.

This course is accredited as fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) registration.

On graduating, you'll be eligible to apply for Membership of the British Computer Society (MBCS).

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in law enforcement, government or other related agencies, and commercial IT departments or security consultancies. This course is also an excellent preparation for further research or studies such as MSc or PhD.

You’ll complete this course ready to pursue a career in computer networking and/or cyber security, or within the wider IT industry.

Our communications technology and mathematics graduates have gone on to work as electronics engineers, evaluation analysts and mathematics teachers at businesses such as Concurrent Technologies and Legal and General.

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to attend regular student enterprise workshops, where you’ll have the chance to network with potential employers. You’ll also be able to gain valuable work experience through our optional work placement module.

This course is also an excellent preparation for further study or research.

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

• a minimum of grades BB or CCE (or a minimum of 80 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma; or Advanced Diploma; or Progression Diploma; or Access to HE Diploma of 60 credits)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C/grade 4 or above

If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing our Computer Networking and Cyber Security (including foundation year) BSc (Hons) degree.

Applicants with relevant professional qualifications or extensive professional experience will also be considered on a case by case basis.

Important information for applicants applying for advanced entry: If you're applying for advanced entry to start in Year 2 you will be required to have approved and valid Cisco CCNA 1 and 2 certificates before you start your studies in September. If you're applying for advanced entry to start in Year 3 you will be required to have Cisco CCNA 1, 2, 3 and 4 certificates before you start.