Program Overview
This MSc Cybersecurity program prepares IT professionals for managerial or technical careers in cybersecurity through a combination of distance learning, workshops, and a flexible study approach. The program covers various cybersecurity topics aligned with industry guidelines and offers the option of undertaking a research or industry-focused project, equipping graduates with in-demand skills for the cybersecurity sector.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This MSc Cybersecurity program is designed to prepare IT professionals for managerial or technical careers in cybersecurity. It caters to individuals working in project/product/systems management, software development, software engineering, incident response, tech support, or networking who aim to transition into cybersecurity. The program aims to equip companies, government and state institutions, defense forces, and other organizations with the necessary skills to protect their entities, customers, and the public. The program emphasizes flexible blended study options, with pre-recorded lectures accessible on the VLE Platform (Brightspace). These lectures are complemented by occasional full-day workshops on campus. The program incorporates a combination of distance learning with some on-campus days, allowing for flexible learning while maintaining face-to-face interactions. Some module coordinators may deliver live online lectures periodically. The program's curriculum is aligned with the ACM/IEEE/AIS SIGSEC/IFIP Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines, preparing students for various cybersecurity roles, including managerial positions. It offers the option of undertaking a significant piece of research.
Outline:
The core MSc program comprises eight taught modules. Students then choose one of two paths to completion:
- Path 1: Three more taught modules and a 15-credit Case Study.
- Path 2: A 30-credit Project.
Year One:
- Semester 1 (Autumn term):
- COMP47920: Information Security (10 credits)
- COMP47900: Risk Assessment & Security Standards (5 credits)
- Semester 2 (Spring term):
- COMP47800: Leadership In Security (5 credits)
- LAW42160: Cybersecurity Law and Regulation (10 credits)
Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity:
Students completing the above four modules (30 credits) in the first two semesters can exit the program with a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity, preparing them for managerial and leadership roles in cybersecurity.
- Semester 3 (Summer term):
- COMP47910: Secure Software Engineering (10 credits)
- COMP47890: Applied Cryptography (5 credits)
Year Two:
- Semester 1 (Autumn term):
- COMP47880: Network Security (10 credits)
- COMP47870: Incident Response (5 credits)
Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity:
Students completing the two modules in the third semester of Year One and the two modules in the first semester of Year Two, accumulating 60 credits, can exit the program with a Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity.
- After Semester 1: Masters students accumulate a further 30 credits through one of these three options:
- Option 1: Three more taught modules (15 credits) and a Case Study (15 credits).
- Option 2: A Professional Cybersecurity Project (30 credits).
- Option 3: A Research Cybersecurity Project (30 credits).
Year 2 Case Study Track:
Students take three 5-credit modules (Ethical Hacking, Malware Analysis, and Security Research Trends) and work on a Case Study project, which usually does not require the development of a software artifact.
- Semester 2 (Spring term):
- COMP47810: Malware Analysis (5 credits)
- COMP47850: Trends in Cybersecurity (5 credits)
- COMP47860: Ethical Hacking (5 credits)
- Semester 3 (Summer term):
- COMP47840: Case Study (15 credits)
Year 2 Project Track:
Students spend both Semester 2 and Semester 3 working on their major research projects.
- Project Options:
- COMP47820: Professional Project (30 credits) It equips learners with the knowledge and skills necessary for IT professionals to pursue managerial or technical careers in cybersecurity.
- Leadership In Security: This module focuses on leadership in security, drawing on expertise from industry practitioners.
- Cybersecurity Law and Regulation: This module explores cybersecurity laws and regulations applicable to complex organizations, enabling students to apply protection measures to comply with these laws.
- Applied Cryptography: This module delves into cryptography, covering strengths and limitations of public key and symmetric/asymmetric cryptographic protocols.
- Network Security: This module focuses on network security, covering secure software systems development and cryptography.
- Malware Analysis: This module provides insights into malware analysis, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to defend against cyber threats.
- Trends in Cybersecurity: This module explores emerging trends and technologies in cybersecurity.
- Ethical Hacking: This module covers ethical hacking techniques and practices.
- Security Research Trends: This module explores current research trends in cybersecurity.
Assessment:
The program utilizes exams, group projects, and a variety of formative assessment strategies, such as journal writing, debates, presentations, and peer reviews. Students must attend UCD for one or two days at the end of each trimester to take exams in the modules taken that trimester.
Teaching:
The program employs a blended learning approach, combining pre-recorded lectures with occasional full-day workshops on campus. Teaching activities are supported by security use cases, open-source web applications, cyber ranges, and tools. The program adopts problem-based learning where applicable.
Careers:
The program prepares professionals for rewarding careers in cybersecurity, including roles such as security manager, security engineer, security analyst, or IT security specialist. Career development possibilities are excellent, with organizations of all sizes in all sectors seeking individuals with these skills.
Other:
The program emphasizes networking and teamwork between students, fostering a network of contacts for the future. It also offers the option of an academic research project under the supervision of a UCD academic.
MSc Cybersecurity (T380) EU Year 1 - € 7030 nonEU Year 1 - € 10610 EU Year 2 - € 6695 nonEU Year 2 - € 10106 MSc in Cybersecurity (90 credits, part-time over 2 years) Ireland/EU fees - € 7,030 per year (total €14,060) Non-EU fee - €10,610 per year (total €21,220) Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity (60 credits, part-time over 4 trimesters) Ireland/EU fee: € 10,200 Non-EU fee: €15,300 Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity (30 credits, part-time over 9 months) Ireland / EU fee - € 4,988 Non-EU fee: € 7,481 CPD modules in Cybersecurity (5 credits) Ireland / EU fee - € 875 per module Non-EU fee: €1,325 per module Fees are in Euros. The cost of travel and accommodation for examination and workshop trips is not included in the tuition fee and students are expected to support themselves while attending them. Scholarships may be available for non-EU students. See https://www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/