Computer Networks & Security, BSc (Hons)
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) in Computer Networks and Security at UCLan prepares students for careers in network security and management. The program emphasizes practical learning through hands-on laboratory experiences, including network configuration and testing. Graduates are well-prepared for roles as network security analysts, systems managers, and technical support staff, and the program is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).
Program Outline
Computer Networks & Security, BSc (Hons) - UCLan
Degree Overview:
This program is designed to prepare students for a successful career in the rapidly evolving field of computer networks and security. The course emphasizes practical learning and explores the latest developments in wired and wireless computer networking and security, underpinned by relevant theory. Students will gain a breadth of knowledge and experience, including core computing skills, legal, ethical, and commercial issues, equipping them to thrive in the computing industry.
Outline:
The program is structured into three strands:
- Technical: Develops core computing skills necessary for networking and security specialists.
- Network and Security Specific: Focuses on topologies, protocols, hardware devices, security, and network management.
- Project Management: Enhances communication skills, provides experience in overseeing projects, and explores legal, social, ethical, and commercial issues.
Modules:
Year 1:
- Compulsory Modules:
- The Computing Challenge: Introduces key practical aspects of computing, develops problem-solving skills, and explores usability and interface design.
- Introduction to Networking: Covers fundamentals of networking and networked systems, including relevant standards and protocols.
- Programming: Develops programming skills, debugging techniques, software design, and advanced programming techniques.
- Systems Analysis and Database Design: Develops understanding and practicalities of database design and implementation.
- Web Technologies: Introduces modern web technologies, security concerns in web-based applications, and the structure and application of web technologies.
Year 2:
- Compulsory Modules:
- The Agile Professional: Develops project leadership skills, explores Agile working methods, reinforces social, professional, ethical, and legal aspects of computing, and introduces teamwork, project planning, and investigation skills.
- Introduction to Network Routing: Provides a thorough understanding of network functionality, including design, building, and testing router-based LANs.
- Information Security Management: Introduces information security, risk management, and assessment standards, including selection and use of applicable standards and methods, comparison and evaluation of alternative methods, and design and development of security assurance, governance, and risk management strategies.
- Network Management: Introduces IT systems management practices and principles, covering single operating systems and large-scale systems.
- Interacting with the Internet of Things: Develops understanding of IoT technologies, communication methods, design, development, testing, and evaluation of secure IoT applications, and legal, ethical, and social user experiences related to IoT.
- Cyber Security: Examines vulnerabilities and attacks on computer systems and networks, instills a vigilant attitude towards system weaknesses, and develops methods for protecting communication and computer systems.
Year 3:
- Compulsory Modules:
- Wireless and Mobile Networks: Focuses on mobile and wireless network systems, covering theory and practice, and providing hands-on experience in setup, configuration, and testing of wireless networks.
- Honours Degree Project: Involves research, study, and production of a report based on investigation of a problem and development of a solution.
- Advanced Network Routing: Extends and reinforces knowledge from previous modules, providing skills for using switches and configuring routers in a multiprotocol network environment.
- Penetration Testing: Raises awareness of penetration testing, provides experience in testing network security internally and externally, and explores legal and ethical issues related to penetration testing.
- Optional Modules:
- Cloud Computing: Introduces cloud storage and computing services, models and architecture of cloud services, and security, privacy, and accountability problems in this context.
- Advanced Cyber Security: Introduces advanced theories and methodologies in cyber defense and security, including security technologies, big data architectures, and security policies in IT systems.
Assessment:
The program is assessed through a combination of individual coursework assignments, group work, presentations, and exams. The main contribution to the degree classification comes from coursework. The final year includes an individual project.
Teaching:
The program emphasizes practical-based learning using purpose-built laboratories and the University's general computer rooms. Students have access to specialist software and can engage in activities normally forbidden on public networks, such as configuring networks or database servers, testing system security, exploring network performance under excessive workloads, and using sophisticated software to monitor protocols. Students will configure and examine wired and wireless networks. Where possible, software is made available for use on personal computers.
Careers:
Graduates of this program are well-prepared for roles in network security, management, design, and implementation. Other potential career paths include:
- Analyst
- Systems Manager
- Technical Support Staff Graduates have secured positions with major international companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Intel, Red Bull, and Fujitsu-Siemens. Some graduates have pursued teaching or postgraduate study.
Other:
- The program includes an exciting "4 Week Challenge" for first-year students, where they work in teams to design and develop a new app and create a marketing campaign.
- Teaching is informed by research and industry practice in areas such as software engineering, human-computer interaction, and cyber security.
- Students have the opportunity to undertake a placement in industry after their second year, with most placements based in the UK but international opportunities also available.
- The program is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) and fully meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
- The program is based in the School of Engineering and Computing.
- 2024/25
- UK
- Full-time: £9,250 per year
- Sandwich year: £1,500 for the sandwich year
- Part-time: £1,540 per 20 credits
- International
- Full-time: £16,500 per year