Cybersecurity and Software Development (Professional Diploma)

Program Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity and Software Development is a two-year, part-time program that combines cybersecurity and software development training to prepare students for the digital age. Delivered online and asynchronously, the program features a blend of cybersecurity fundamentals, secure software development techniques, and real-world experience through an industry internship or capstone project. Graduates will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in cybersecurity, software development, and related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity and Software Development is a Level 9, two-year, part-time program offered by the School of Computer Science at University of Galway. It is designed to prepare students for the demands of the digital age by reskilling and upskilling them in Cybersecurity while simultaneously training them for software development. The program aims to bridge the gap between software development and security teams by equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills to develop secure software.

Objectives:

• To provide students with a solid foundation in key computing knowledge at the industry level.
• To specialize in Cybersecurity, making participants aware of cyber threats, vulnerabilities and attacks, threat models, secure software development (DevSecOps), Crypto API, including programming languages such as Java, Java Enterprise, JavaScript (NodeJS) and Python.
• To prepare students for a career in Cybersecurity and Software Development.

Outline:

The program is delivered over two years, part-time, and online. It is structured into four semesters, with 15 ECTS credits per semester, totaling 60 ECTS credits.

Year 1:

• Semester 1:
• Cybersecurity Essentials
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• OO Programming 1
• Semester 2:
• Enterprise Java Programming
• Secure Web Programming

Year 2:

• Semester 3:
• Applied Cybersecurity
• Database Systems
• Architecture, Operating Systems & Networks
• Semester 4:
• 8-month industry internship/placement or capstone group project with academic supervisors.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Continuous assessments in the form of lab-based assignments.
• End-of-semester exams.

Teaching:

• The program is delivered asynchronously, allowing students to maintain their existing full-time or part-time employment while taking the course.
• The course is taught by a team of experienced faculty members, including:
• Dr. Mamoona Asghar (Programme Director)
• Dr. Enda Howley
• Dr. Malika Bendechache
• Dr. Effirul Ramlan
• Dr. Attracta Brennan
• Dr. Jamal Nasir
• Mr Enda Barrett
• Dr. Attracta Brennan
• Dr Jamal Nasir
• Dr Effirul Ramlan

Careers:

Graduates of the program will be eligible to apply for a variety of roles in the Cybersecurity and Software Development fields, including:

• Application security engineer
• Network security/Cybersecurity engineers
• Cybersecurity specialists
• Information security, cybersecurity, or vulnerability analysts
• Penetration Tester
• DevSecOps Engineer
• Cybersecurity Architect
• Software Developer/Engineer (Java, C#, Frontend JS)
• Backend Developer
• Database Analyst
• Software Analyst
• IT Manager
• Automated Test Engineer

Other:

• The program has been developed in tandem with the industry on the advice of the regional skills fora and informed by discussions within the ITAG Cyber Forum.
• It has been designed in consultation with start-up enterprises, SMEs, and large multinationals to give students the expertise and knowledge required to progress their career.
• The placement process (CV preparation, interview skills, events, internship opportunities, interviews) is fully supported by dedicated staff within the University Career Development Centre (CDC).
• Students can also source their own placement in consultation with the CDC.
• Where students wish to remain with their current employer, they will undertake the group project.

Fees: EU €3,860 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25 Fees: Tuition €3,790 p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Student levy €70 p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Non EU € In 2023/24 Course was government-funded, via Springboard scheme https://springboardcourses.ie/