University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Engineering > School of Computer Science > Cyber Security (Infrastructures Security) (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 4COSC012T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Inah Omoronyia
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Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
School/department | School of Computer Science |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Provisionally accredited by (NCSC) the National Cyber Security Centre (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/) |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
The programme aims to develop the students’ interest in and knowledge and understanding of securing large-scale infrastructures that service society. The cyber security of such infrastructures is paramount – their disruption can have large-scale impacts on society as well as massive business losses. The programme aims to impart students with a deep understanding of fundamental concepts, design principles, building blocks and equip them with the right skills and tools to understand and mitigate against cyber security threats against critical infrastructure. At the end of the programme students will be able to apply these fundamental principles and methods to analyse and secure large-scale infrastructures in real-world scenarios and develop, deploy and utilise practical tools and techniques to identify security issues as well as implement solutions. Key to this will be the hands-on experience that the programme offers. There is a major shortage of cyber security professionals worldwide – and the specialist nature of critical infrastructures makes the problem even more acute.
Students will gain both foundational and conceptual understanding via lectures and reading. They will acquire hands-on experience of applying their knowledge to real devices and systems by working on specialist equipment in the labs (drawing upon BCSG state-of-the-art CNI and IoT testbed, including teaching equipment specially developed at Bristol) to hone their skills through supervised lab sessions – guided by lecturers and teaching assistants. Lab workbooks will enable formative assessment of their knowledge and skills as they advance through the programme. Students will develop confidence in their abilities to solve problems unaided through extension exercises that will follow-on from the lab workbooks on a weekly basis.
Group work, for example large case studies, will be utilised in order that students gain an understanding of leveraging and applying their knowledge. These group working skills are key in this sector as securing such infrastructures requires teamwork and collaborative effort and leveraging understanding from a diverse range of perspectives. Group work will involve undertaking security analysis of systems and infrastructures (through attacks and defences) or analysing non-trivial case studies through in-depth modelling.
Students will also develop their individual analytical and problem-solving skills by applying the knowledge gained in the programme to case studies or development of security applications or tools.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Group and individual work will be built into each unit to ensure that students are stimulated and challenged both by the coursework itself and by working as a team. Lectures will be interspersed with lab sessions in order to ground and embed the taught material. Extension exercises will be incorporated to ensure that students are both stimulated to stretch themselves and inquire further into the subject matter. Office hours will be scheduled by all teaching staff to ensure that students are fully supported in their work. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Formative: Weekly lab sessions and workbook or hands-on work on a case study; Extension exercises Summative: Coursework (100%) - Group work 40%; Individual work 60%
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Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Group and individual work will be built into each unit to ensure that students are stimulated and challenged both by the coursework itself and by working as a team. Lectures will be interspersed with lab sessions in order to ground and embed the taught material. Extension exercises will be incorporated to ensure that students are both stimulated to stretch themselves and inquire further into the subject matter. Office hours will be scheduled by all teaching staff to ensure that students are fully supported in their work. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Formative: Weekly lab sessions and workbook or hands-on work on a case study; Extension exercises Summative: Coursework (100%) - Group work 40%; Individual work 60%
|
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Group and individual work will be built into each unit to ensure that students are stimulated and challenged both by the coursework itself and by working as a team. Lectures will be interspersed with lab sessions in order to ground and embed the taught material. Extension exercises will be incorporated to ensure that students are both stimulated to stretch themselves and inquire further into the subject matter. Office hours will be scheduled by all teaching staff to ensure that students are fully supported in their work. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Formative: Weekly lab sessions and workbook or hands-on work on a case study; Extension exercises Summative: Coursework (100%) - Group work 40%; Individual work 60%
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This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Masters |
It is our expectation that students will be driven by the subject matter, the challenge offered by the course and the field, the intellectual stimulation and hands-on experience offered by the programme, and the opportunities that are presented to them following completion. For a Postgraduate Certificate, students will have developed a broad understanding of foundations of cyber security along with in-depth understanding of network security and systems security. Alternatively, they would have developed a broad understanding of cyber security and in-depth knowledge of network security and industrial control systems security. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
It is our expectation that students will be driven by the subject matter, the challenge offered by the course and the field, the intellectual stimulation and hands-on experience offered by the programme, and the opportunities that are presented to them following completion. For a postgraduate diploma, students will have developed a broad understanding of foundations of cyber security along with in-depth understanding of network security and systems security. They would also possess in-depth knowledge, understanding and problem-solving with regards to systems and devices utilised in large-scale infrastructures, specifically industrial control systems, IoT and IIoT. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
It is our expectation that students will be driven by the subject matter, the challenge offered by the course and the field, the intellectual stimulation and hands-on experience offered by the programme, and the opportunities that are presented to them following completion. For a Master’s degree, students will have developed a broad understanding of foundations of cyber security along with in-depth understanding of network security and systems security. They would also possess in-depth knowledge, understanding and problem-solving with regards to systems and devices utilised in large-scale infrastructures, specifically industrial control systems, IoT and IIoT. Furthermore, they will develop and demonstrate in-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art and ability to undertake independent research on a specific topic and evaluate it systematically. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
The programme is directly linked to the strong cyber security research activities in SCEEM. Cyber Security is a priority research area for the University.
Bristol Cyber Security Group host class-leading experimental facilities (critical national infrastructure and IoT testbed) and state-of-the-art bespoke and unique teaching equipment.
The programme will seek provisional masters certification through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – Bristol Cyber Security Group has led the development of the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) – that underpins the current Certification Programme for MSc degrees by the NCSC who use CyBOK as the basis for describing the course content of certified undergraduate and postgraduate cyber security degree programmes. CyBOK is also being utilised as a basis to set up the qualification requirements being developed as part of the new professional body for cyber security in the UK: the Cyber Security Council.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/engineering/research/cyber-security/
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Foundations of Cyber Security | COMSM0118 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Security of Industrial Control Systems | COMSM0120 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) Security | COMSM0119 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Network Security | COMSM0123 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Fundamentals of System Security | COMSM0122 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Individual Project | COMSM0117 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Foundations of Cyber Security | COMSM0118 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Network Security | COMSM0123 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Security of Industrial Control Systems | COMSM0120 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
70 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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