Computer Science with Cyber Security BSc (Hons)

On this course, you’ll be taught both the theoretical and the practical elements of computer science and cyber security. After all, many of the big challenges in the cyber security field use both computer science and software engineering techniques to find solutions or to develop the next generation of security products. 

Why study Computer Science with Cyber Security BSc(Hons) at Huddersfield?

• In your first year, you’ll follow the core computing programme to give you a broad understanding from which to build on. Then, from your second year onwards, you’ll take specialist cyber security modules, covering topics such as cryptography, biometrics and access control, and vulnerability assessments.
• Your tutors will encourage you to tackle challenging problems, ensuring you are in the best position to make a real difference in the sector. Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities, and you'll find many of our academics are at the forefront of impactful research.
• The University's Centre for Cyber Security, for example, aims to develop and demonstrate advanced knowledge beneficial to understanding and mitigating cyber threats.
• You can also undertake an industrial placement in your third year, which can help boost your CV and make you attractive to graduate recruiters.
• Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles (in organisations including BBC, West Yorkshire Police, Evri, Microsoft, BT, and Amazon UK). These include software engineer, server and storage analyst, senior developer, research software development engineer, and systems security engineer.
• Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT, enrolment onto this course will help you on your way to registration as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and achieving Chartered Engineer status.

Year 1
Core modules:

Introduction to Procedural Programming

This module aims to introduce you to the core programming concepts using procedural programming fundamentals. In addition, you will gain knowledge of variables, operators, and control flow including loops and branches, functions and data types.

• Computing Science and Mathematics
• Computer Network Fundamentals
• Project 1
• Computer Organisation and Architecture
• Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

Year 2
Team Project

• Working as a part of a team, you’ll have the opportunity to design and develop a software application, or explore some aspect of information systems. You’ll be encouraged to explore theories and principles of team working and project management through the development of your chosen application. 

Alongside your team work you will also explore important legal and professional issues for people working in the IT industry.

• Cyber Security
• Introduction to Digital Forensics
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Algorithms and Data Structures

Option Modules:
Choose one from a list which may include:

• Computational Mathematics 1
• This module covers the mathematical foundations required for scientific computing. You’ll be introduced to fundamental concepts in algebra and be supported in developing an understanding of both analytical and numerical methods for solving equations in one variable. You'll also be introduced to error analysis and proof.

Operating Systems

Year 3 – optional placement year

• This course offers an optional one-year work placement after Year 2.

Final year
Core modules:

• Distributed and Client Server Systems
• This module provides a detailed analysis of a range of techniques for the development of distributed and client-server systems architectures. You will indicatively explore remote method invocation, CORBA (Common Object Request Broker: Architecture and Specifications), web and cloud services. 

You will also examine some typical distributed systems, including distributed file systems, distributed databases, and other common architectures.

• Computational Mathematics 2
• Individual Project
• Advanced Cyber Security
• Data-driven Artificial Intelligence

Teaching and assessment

• You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and practical sessions and an average of 20 percent of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online). The course emphasis is on the development of sound practical skills, alongside an understanding of theory.
• Assessment is varied and includes primarily coursework, quizzes, in-class tests, presentations and demonstrations. There are opportunities for group working, in addition to individual assessments.

Your module specification documents will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to the modules in your course.

• Written feedback is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the academic year in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results.

Further information

• The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing around May/June.
• Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course, you may have to attend every day of the week.
• Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.
• If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.