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Even a cursory glance at the media these days will tell you that computer-based crime is on the increase - it affects individuals, businesses and governments, with potentially huge impact. This has led to the implementation of university courses designed to develop graduates who can harden computer systems, and improve computer security.
There has also been an increase in demand for those who can investigate incidents and provide evidence, often in association with the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts the field of computer forensics.
On this course, you'll explore specialised areas of study such as network security, systems hardening, the process of forensically gathering evidence and analysing captured data, and the legal requirements for those who work in computer security and forensics.
The course can lead to professional certifications in networking and security, including Microsoft, Cisco and CompTIA, and includes presentations from leading professional experts and visits to related organisations and companies.
The BSc (Hons) Computer Security and Forensics course focuses on the whole of the security lifecycle covering identification of risks and threats, securing systems, testing security measures and the responses required if security measures fail. The breadth of the course offers graduates a wide range of possible careers other than just Security Testing or Forensics practice - many medium-to-large-sized companies are also increasingly concerned with security.
The practical element of the course focuses on the tools and techniques that are used in industry and will give graduates essential experience that will help with employment opportunities. During the course there will be various related industry visits and talks by experienced practitioners to give students insight into the working practices used within the industry.
During the course you will:
Areas of study you may cover on this course include:
The assessment strategy requires the students to articulate their analysis and response to complex situations in a context, which replicates a vocational environment. The assessment extends and promotes the students learning and is directly applicable to the environment of computer networks.
The course uses a variety of assessment strategies, which include computer based assessment, closed book examinations, practical tests, case study based coursework, group work and presentations. These will be used to ensure the learning outcomes of each unit are tested at the appropriate level.
At level one of the course the assessments have been adopted to test core knowledge and will prepare students for levels two and three of the course.
At levels two and three the core knowledge is built upon and conceptual themes are introduced to develop the students cognitive development and problem solving skills.
Complex problems and scenarios are introduced through industrial case studies and assignments, which will require the student to develop their problem solving techniques by applying the knowledge and understanding that has been developed in the units and throughout the course.
The aim of the course is to develop competent computer security professionals with the requisite skills to implement secure computer infrastructures in all sectors of the computing community. Emphasis is placed on the development of strong technical skills in combination with skills in the management and implementation of security with consideration for client and business requirements.
To achieve this aim, a set of educational objectives have been developed to:
The Computing Security and Forensic course has been developed around three main themes: technical knowledge, analysis and design of client requirements and the ability to project manage the entire life cycle of a computer security project. To achieve these, the following objectives have been established to develop:
All students are supported by induction sessions at the start of each year, by personal and project tutors, by academic advice sessions and by dedicated technical support staff.
A full course of induction week activities is offered for all new students in the department of Computer Science and technology during the first week of your course.
During the induction and PPAD All students undertake Computer Assisted Diagnostic assessment designed to identify the need for any specialist support (e.g. dyslexia). The results of such diagnostics enable a personalized program to address individual learning requirements in basic Mathematical or Language skills. Academic advice is provided both at field level and also at Corporate level via University of Bedfordshire Disability Support Unit.
The department is pro-active in trying to identify students at risk using students at risk (STAR) panels, enabling issues of concern to be identified at an early stage and to assist in the retention of students who may be encountering particular difficulties. Students deemed at risk of failing, can use their personal tutor to ensure they have received appropriate advice and guidance. Other tutorial appointments are available via a booking system for you to meet with your personal tutor or academic staff and discuss aspects of your work and academic and personal development. Students can book time with staff during their staff office sessions, which are posted on the course notice boards.
Students will be allocated a personal tutor and will regularly meet with the tutor throughout the year. You should have a minimum of three formal one-to-one personal tutorial sessions during the academic year in order to monitor your progress.
The course manager will provide guidelines about the course. Individual unit co-ordinators will give advice on specific subjects and assessment issues. In your final year during the major project, the personal tutor role will transfer to the allocated project supervisor.
Student support is provided on a formal basis by the personal tutor system and in practical sessions as well as informal support in the use of Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. The University provides general help for learning skills through a centralized support tutor system as well as academic English units mainly for International students.
The Subject Librarian at the University of Bedfordshire is pro-active in assisting computer science and Technology students and contributes study support elements where required.
The University and Student Union provide centralised advisory sessions for students.
Group assessments are part of many units and the skills needed to work with others are specifically addressed as part of preparing for professional life. As such, students will come across group working as a core concept within this degree. They will be expected to contribute to team discussions, complete tasks as part of a team and, in general, be able to show that they are able to work with others.
Career:
Graduates of this degree will be able to go into any of the following positions:
and many other computing related positions.
Further study:
MSc in a Computer Security, Computer Forensics or any other related topic; MPhil / PhD.
Standard:
Standard entry requirements for UK students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/ukugentryreqs
Students from the European Union - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/eu/guides
International students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/apply
A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
The general requirement is one of the following:
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.
(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)
We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.
Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.
Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section
APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.
Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `
The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.
We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.
Return your completed application to:
University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk
Physical impairment in the form of depreciated visual, audio, mobility and neurological cognitive faculties will, where identified and practicable, be ameliorated by the deployment of appropriate hardware, software and individual support.
The philosophy of the department is to support and facilitate all students regardless of disability in their chosen field of study whenever practicable; the department disability tutor is tasked with providing assistance for such students. There is wheelchair access to all art and design facilities.
Communication:
Communication skills are assessed at the start of each course and individualised help is provided as required. In addition many assessments address the need for the development of both written abilities, especially with regard to technical subjects, and spoken and visual communication in presentations.
To help with the development students will be involved with oral communication that will be practiced and tested in presentations and individual critiques. Written and verbal communication skills will be developed and assessed as part of the contextual studies units. Students will be asked to produce work of different lengths and formats that should be properly referenced. Visual and verbal communication skills will be taught through all the practice units.
Information Literacy:
Create written reports for your assignments (using, for example, Microsoft Word, Visio). Students will also gain experience with a wide range of networking-specific tools and systems which will enhance their experience to develop throughout the course. Students will receive inductions from the University of Bedfordshire Learning Resources Team. To enhance their information literacy they will also have access to a wide range of Learning Resources courses (e.g. referencing) and their Professional Personal and Academic Development unit will develop their skills.
Students will be able to complete a complex search using appropriate primary and secondary sources and draw accurate conclusions independently using the subject methodology. Searching and evaluating internet sources is taught and will analyse the information found using appropriate techniques. This will be introduced by services of the Learning Resources Centre where specialist staff will be able to disseminate best practice on this.
Research and Evaluation:
Be taught the basics of problem solving and lateral thinking during your course. Students will be expected to work independently and to produce assignments which show their ability to synthesise and evaluate disparate sources in order to come to a successful conclusion.
To help with the development of this you will have to decide on action plans and implement these effectively in order to complete work. You will have to clearly identify criteria for success and evaluate your own performance against those criteria. The importance of action plans, strategies and success criteria will be measured for both your individual work and any group work that you may be involved in.
Students will have the opportunity to work in teams and through their own records or progress and from feedback, will monitor the group's progress and evaluate its individual effectiveness to achieve its aims. Working individually, you have to set your own tasks to achieve your research goals, drawing on previous learning experience to achieve creative solutions to common problems.
Creativity and Critical Thinking:
To help with the development of this you will be involved with a series of practical learning activities at the heart of which will be the development of solutions to visual problems or ideas Students will be taught how to problem solve, be given general scenarios from which they need to devise solutions and generally be able to develop critical arguments to support their hypotheses.
You will be encouraged to become self-reliant and you will have to decide on action plans and implement these effectively in order to complete work. You will produce creative and realistic solutions to complex problems that will include time management, monitoring your progress in working to deadlines. You will have to clearly identify criteria for success and evaluate your own performance against those criteria. The importance of action plans, strategies and success criteria will be measured for both individual work and group work.
The Department of Computing Science and Technology adheres to the professional standards and codes of conduct and code of practice of the British Computer Society.
As undergraduates on this course students will be expected to adhere to these standards at all time particularly when undertaking their final year project along with other relevant standards and codes of practices from industry bodies such as the (ISC) 2 and the ISSA.
To ensure that standards are adhered to, the course has been designed so that students will be educated about the professional standards of their field (this is covered within the Fundamentals of Computing unit at year 1, as well as the Social, Professional Project Management unit at year 3).
In order to meet the requirements of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 as modified by the Police and Justice Act 2006 and to comply with the advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, students using dedicated facilities to the course will be expected to sign an ethical agreement covering the usage of tools.
It is also expected that students undertaking their final year project will sign an ethical form to show that the work they undertake during their project will be conducted in an ethically accepted manner.
