Aims: 
 
In this module students gain a fundamental understanding of the way computer networks operate and the core components of computer systems.  

This module introduces the fundamental principles and features that underpin all modern computing systems. Students will learn about computer and network components and their functions, as well as how network communication is structured.  

By the end of this module, students will understand the core components of computer systems, be able to build local area networks (LANs), configure and manage switches, and implement IPv4 and IPv6 address infrastructures. 

INDICATIVE CONTENT 

• Introduction to computer architecture and systems, including memory, I/O devices and interfaces, CPU, memory and buses 

• Structure and variety of Operating systems 

• High and low level languages, device drivers and processes 

• Memory (internal, external and cache) in computer systems 

• CPU structure, function and instruction sets 

• Digital logic (Boolean algebra, gates and circuits) 

• Build and configure a PC 

• Introduction to network protocols and models 

• IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and address resolution 

• Network services and routing 

• Packet and Datagram structures 

• Basic device network configuration 

• Switching concepts and configuration 

• Build a small network 

The module introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of cyber security and digital forensics. It consolidates your understanding of numerical skills, providing a foundation of mathematical and statistical knowledge, skills and concepts for applications in cryptography and cyber security. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Confidentiality, integrity and availability in computer systems 
• Authentication and identification schemes 
• Malware and viruses 
• Cryptography 
• Network security threats and defences 
• Security planning, policies and training 
• Digital Forensics 
• Cyber law and standards 
• Numerical and algebraic processes and two-dimensional geometry 
• Computer number systems, e.g. binary, hexadecimal, etc. 
• Set theory and logic 
• Symmetric block ciphers, e.g. DES (triple-DES), AES (Rijndael) and  
• Public-key ciphers, e.g. RSA including prime numbers, modular arithmetic and exponentiation 
• Classical ciphers, e.g. shift, substitution, transposition, poly-alphabetic 
• Statistics and probability 

This module will build your employability skills to prepare you for work placement and your future career.  It will develop your skills in problem solving, group working, communicating, innovating, and reflective learning. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Professionalism and ethics  
• Placement workspace  
• Client engagement and intrapreneurship  
• Personal performance planning and appraisal processes  
• Career planning   
• Pre-placement preparation 
• CV writing and covering letter  
• Employer engagement  

This module introduces practical computer programming using a procedural problem-solving approach. It will develop your awareness of the design and implementation of programs in a modern, industry-standard programming language. 

 
You’ll study topics such as: 

• Procedural programming concepts 
• Problem solving and top-down design 
• Software development processes: specification, design, implementation, testing 
• Data structures  
• Algorithmic analysis and design 
• Input/output  
• String and file handling 
• Procedures and functions, parameters, and return values 
• Program quality  

This module introduces the theoretical insights and practical skills required to administer and maintain a secure database using industry-standard database systems and tools. It will develop your understanding of database design and the provision of data integrity as well as your critical thinking to validate a database administration strategy in a business context. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Database administration to support security measures: authentication, authorisation, views, stored procedures, trigger 

• Database programming 

• Backup and recovery strategies: data transfer, data type transformation, enforcing integrity 

• Employability skills: personal responsibility and teamwork. 

• Social, ethical, professional, legal, and sustainable practice and values, including equality, diversity, and inclusion 

This module introduces the legal and practical tools required to gather, store and analyse digital evidence from security incidents. In will develop your understanding and application of intrusion detection and incident response approaches to mitigate cyber-attacks. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Digital storage technologies  
• Audit and log trails in computer operating systems  
• Copying, securing and documenting potential forensic information  
• Tools and software for analysing and recording digital forensic information  
• Sources of forensic information within an IT infrastructure  
• Mobile, portable and internet based forensic information  
• Legal and ethical considerations  
• Classifying and assessing the risk of vulnerabilities 
• Network data features to aid forensic analysis, incident response and cyber security 
• Capturing, filtering and analysis of network traffic and malicious content 
• Host- and network-based intrusion detection systems 
• Anomaly and signature approaches to network defence 
• Threat intelligence 

This module develops your understanding of project requirements to design, develop and deliver a solution against a client project.  As you engage with the client, you will enhance your project management and teamworking skills while being introduced to models and techniques that are commonly used in information system development.  You will critically assessing successes and failures of the project, and reflect on your personal and professional performance. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Project management methodologies 

• Systems development methodologies 

• Collaboration, equality, diversity and inclusion considerations 

• Identifying stakeholders 

• Understanding requirements 

• Requirements and systems modelling techniques 

• Project planning 

• Time management 

• Task management 

• Social, professional, ethical, and legal issues 

• Presentation of information 

• Report writing, oral presentation 

• Project evaluation 

• Professional reflection 

The aim of the module is to enable students to analyse and test common security vulnerabilities through ethical hacking and to apply appropriate intrusion detection and incident response approaches for their mitigation. 

Indicative content 

Module content may vary in response to changing technical and professional landscapes but could include: 

• Security Requirements for Networks and Networking Devices over TCP/IP layers. 

• Data Confidentiality through Encryption, Public-Key Cryptography, Digital Signature and Data Integrity, including Access Control (local and remote) and Blockchain Technology. 

• Understanding wireless Networks and Wireless security 

• Secure Socket Programming (client-server) and Secure Application Development to maintain CIA Triad & transparency and trust for data and maintaining network security.  

• Understanding Security Policies, Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery, Relevant legislation, such as licences, data protection and storage security. 

• Fundamentals of operating systems. 

• Installation, management and monitoring of typical networked services and operating systems. 

• Configuration and management of user and group authentication polices and services. 

• Networked file systems, and the management of secure access to content stored/made available through these file systems. 

This module critically evaluates advanced digital forensics tools and techniques, developing expert witness presentations to a variety of audiences within the UK legal system. You’ll explore the UK criminal justice system and the role of expert witnesses, developing skills to manage the flow of admissible evidence from a crime-scene to a courtroom.   

You’ll study topics such as: 

• File systems artefacts for a digital forensics investigation 

• Forensics tools and scripting language for evidence analysis 

• Common system architectures relevant to digital forensics 

• Static and dynamic analysis of Malware 

• Digital media in law and limitations of forensic investigations  

• The analysis of viruses, worms, ID theft and related laws 

• Evaluation of digital forensics case studies  

• Critical thinking to produce and evaluate expert reports 

• Ethical practice, EDI, responsibility and conventions 

• Organisational culture in digital forensics and incident response 

This module critically evaluates and applies information security methodologies and principles to reduce organisational risk.  

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Information security management standards and frameworks 

• Identification of controls to meet standards requirements 

• Risk management and assessment methodologies 

• Developing security awareness training programmes 

• Development of policies, standards and procedures supporting an ISMS 

• Business continuity planning 

• ISMS scoping, planning and policies 

This module enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a consultancy or employer-led research project, exploring a specific research or consultancy topic. You’ll review existing literature, choose appropriate methods and provide suitable recommendations to the existing body of knowledge. 

 
You’ll apply your skills and learning to:  

• Analysing and synthesising library resources, literature and databases 

• Methods for the specification, design, implementation and outcomes 

• Time management and project planning 

• Report writing, presentation and demonstration 

• Critical evaluation and reflection  

• Due consideration of ethics, values in the workplace and professionalism 

• What it means to be a computing professional 

• Awareness of employability issues 

• Enhancing your own employability