Cybersecurity (Conversion) (with optional Placement/Project year) MSc

An essential skill for postgraduate students is the ability to investigate topics with the objective of identifying facts , theories, ideas, methodologies, etc., that could inform the development of new insight for further research.  A major aspect of this is critical analysis of information. The module aims to develop critical reasoning in students and an understanding of other researchers’ work.  Students will learn how to use current research literature and relevant sources to gain new insight for a new research.  They will learn how to support their research report with relevant facts, theories, ideas, etc.  They will develop their ability to understand approaches and methodologies adopted in existing research toward writing a literature review and handling full research projects in their subject area.

The learning content also includes:

• Time management, library skills and literature search
• Evaluation of information sources
• Ethical issues in science, technology and engineering research (including intellectual property and plagiarism)
• Writing for research: styles and rules for presentation (including referencing standards)
• Choosing a research area and evaluating source material
• Hypothesis formation
• Design and application of questionnaires & interviews
• Quantitative and statistical tools for researchers (e.g. R, Python, SPSS)

The module introduces key cyber security concepts and their associated techniques. The modules introduces the analysis of computer programming from a cyber security perspective. The module introduces a variety of different cyber security threats and possible resolutions to them. In addition the module provides a fundamental introduction to implementing secure computing systems.

The module is about Information Security Management and it will develop the student's understanding of the implications of cybersecurity to today's businesses, how businesses can gain market advantage by leveraging simple and yet robust cybersecurity principles, and the government's cybersecurity strategy for businesses in the UK. As the Cybersecurity programme is designed with conversion students in mind, this module will prepare students with useful cyber skills to lead or easily be part of cybersecurity efforts in their organisations.  The learning content will include:

• Core security standards (e.g., ISO27001, ISO27032), policies and governance etc.
• Information Risk Management and Business Continuity Management
• Audit, Assurance and Review
• Understanding the threats and risks businesses face today. Illustrative part of how this (or what) might be covered include:
  • Through problem based learning and possible industry collaboration
  • Exploring Social Engineering, the Least Resistance Path, Incident Response, Defence Indepth etc.
• Government strategy on Cybersecurity

This module provides an in-depth exploration of penetration testing, active defence, digital forensics, and incident response to provide a comprehensive approach to organizational security. Students will explore the methodologies attackers use to exploit systems and the tools and techniques which ethical hackers/penetration testers use to identify threats, the module also seeks to investigate and respond to security incidents. Emphasizing practical skills, this module covers penetration testing, active defence strategies, anti- and counter-forensics, malware analysis, and cyber threat intelligence. Through the coverage of these key concepts, the module enables students to understand key security vulnerabilities, allows threats to be thoroughly understood and enables students to recognise key security challenges enabling them to propose and design secure systems to respond to cyber threats.

The databases and security module involves the development of databases and their querying through the use of SQL. Databases will be discussed both theoretically and in practice. Students will have opportunies to develop and practice database creation and development. Database security will be discussed and shown how to apply in practice.

This module introduces students to the fundamentals and applications of artificial intelligence, particularly in engineering and real-world problem-solving. It covers key AI techniques, including machine learning algorithms, data-driven decision-making, and their applications in cybersecurity, financial predictions, and multimedia analysis. The module emphasises both theoretical understanding and hands-on implementation through programming exercises, group projects, and open-source datasets. Ethical and legal considerations in AI are also explored, ensuring responsible application. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to design, implement, and evaluate AI models for a variety of modern use cases.

The Robotics module provides an introduction to the foundational principles of robotics, exploring the theoretical aspects that underpin the design, application, and ethical considerations of robotic systems.

You will begin by examining the fundamental question: What is a robot? This includes understanding the diverse applications of robots across industries and their role in society. The module also delves into the ethical implications of robotics, such as their impact on employment, privacy, and safety.

Key technical topics include an overview of mechatronics, which integrates mechanical, electronic, and computer engineering; sensors, which enable robots to perceive their environment; and control systems, which ensure robots can perform tasks accurately and autonomously.

The Research Project is the pinnacle of a taught, academic course of master’s level study. It is a demonstration of academic, subject-specific, and research capabilities. Projects are a significant and substantial piece of individual work that draw upon the knowledge, technical abilities, and problem-solving skills developed in earlier modules. Students need to apply high-level research skills to a defined, complex problem. A distinguishing feature of the research project is that it is largely self-directed and independent, with support from an academic supervisor.