Computer Science for Cyber Security (with Integrated Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-06-30 |
| 2024-01-23 | - |
| 2024-04-24 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
This integrated programme is designed to prepare and support UK students for a strong and rewarding experience in their selected discipline,
Computer Science for Cyber Security
, immediately aligning students to the fundamentals of computing from the moment they enrol.In addition to providing all necessary science, technology, engineering and mathematics background to allow students to confidently enter year one of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Cyber Security programme, the first year of study will also develop transferable skills such as communication, professionalism, teamwork and creativity, and provide an excellent transition period in preparation for learning and teaching methodologies used in the UK to support high engagement and achievement in the discipline.
The foundation year is taken in common with four complementary engineering disciplines (
Biomedical
,Chemical
,Civil & Structural
,Mechanical
) and the following year in common withComputer Science
, andSoftware Engineering
, allowing students to transfer after this common year if they feel an alternative programme better suits their emerging interests and career aspirations. Therefore, prior to being immersed in the technical depth of your selected area in the final two years of study, your education includes developing an understanding of the relation and importance of other technological areas to your own discipline, thereby broadening career options and employability on graduation.Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate (CDIO) forms a core element of programme delivery, based around developing innovative and sustainable solutions to real-world problems and closely linked to our well-developed industrial collaborations.
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the
BCS
, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.Program Outline
What you will study
All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.
First year
Foundation Mathematics 1
Foundation Mathematics 2
Foundation Mechanics
Foundation Physics
Fundamentals of Materials
Information and Communication Technology
Second year
Third year
Fourth year
and/or
Study AbroadFinal year
Core
Option
Learning and assessment
At Foundation level, cognitive and personal skills are developed in more open-ended problem solving and design exercises, often tackled by working in small groups supported by members of academic, technical, and library staff. Project work is used to bring various aspects of the programme together.
Typically, each module will involve students in 72 hours of scheduled contact except Mathematics, for which students will have 96 hours of scheduled contact for each module. An expected weekly attendance commitment will be around 21 hours.
Students will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments and a consistent balance between direct academic delivery, and individual and group study. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, practiced in associated tutorials and seminars, and demonstrated and experimented in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratory sessions.
The programme includes a number of innovative and active learning methods. For example, Team Based Learning (TBL) strategies are integrated within a number of modules. In addition, we endeavour to use team teaching methods where lecturing staff are able to contribute their highly specialised research and knowledge into the curriculum.
Throughout the programme, we make use of case studies so that students can apply their theoretical understanding to real-world issues. In this way, abstract concepts are brought to life through practical activities.
In addition to the standard technology enhanced learning approaches, we embed technologies to deliver key concepts in an interactive environment that strongly links theory with practical skills. For example: in programming lectures, a remote desktop application allows lecturers to demonstrate coding in an environment identical to that in our cutting-edge labs; our stage 2 Enterprise-Pro module requires and supports students to develop their projects using an industry standard tool for collaborative team-based software development. This allows them to develop industry standard skills based on real working practice.
In the Enterprise Pro module, the students work on a project for external clients or our collaborators in industry and academia. The projects are specifically tailored to be aligned with the studies and the topics that the students have studied.
Through these projects, the students gain crucial industry knowledge and experience to improve their employability prospects and professional skills as well as knowledge of industry developments and their needs, which helps enhance their skills. The clients end up with software products that could be potentially used by their organisations.
The students working in small groups are closely supervised and supported through laboratory practical sessions to ensure they have the right technical input to support the project and are delivering on time and keeping on track. Their interactions within the teams and with the external clients are continuously monitored by a group tutor.
Official programme specification
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the
Careers
website.Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
Career prospects
The importance of cyber security is growing in every area of our technology driven, interconnected society – from state sponsored hacking, to industrial espionage to personal privacy, the subject is now high profile and high priority.
Knowledge in this area is in high demand, and there is a significant skills gap – meaning you’ll be highly employable. A range of other career opportunities will also be open to you on graduation.
Computers are what underpin, support and transform science, business, society and every aspect of modern life. Our graduates have been highly regarded and sought after.
Recent graduates from our computer science courses have gone on to work in many fascinating areas and industries, working at companies such as:
Inspiring the female IT leaders of the future
We are committed to increasing diversity in IT, as women are still under-represented across the industry, especially at higher echelons, and they're also likely to be paid less than their male counterparts for the same work.
The University of Bradford is a great place for women aspiring to work in the IT sector, offering a highly inclusive environment in which to develop your skills and learn from outstanding academics and professionals. Our IT Director Juliette Atkinson was
recently shortlisted for three Women in Tech Excellence Awards
.