Program Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity from UCD is a blended learning program designed for IT professionals seeking to transition into cybersecurity. It offers a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on security principles, risk assessment, incident response, and secure software engineering. Delivered through online lectures and on-campus workshops, the program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for cybersecurity careers.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This program, the Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity, 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 are seeking to transition into cybersecurity. The program aims to:
- Upskill staff in cybersecurity to fill new roles within companies, government institutions, defense forces, and other organizations.
- Protect organizations, customers, and the public from cyber threats.
- Facilitate professional learners through flexible blended study options.
Outline:
The program is structured as a part-time, blended learning experience, delivered over four trimesters (15 months). It combines online lectures with occasional full-day workshops on campus, offering flexibility while maintaining face-to-face interactions.
Course Schedule:
- Year One:
- Semester 1 (Autumn term):
- COMP47920 - Information Security (10 credits)
- COMP47800 - Leadership In Security (5 credits)
- Semester 2 (Spring term):
- COMP47900 - Risk Assessment & Security Standards (5 credits)
- LAW42160 - Cybersecurity Law and Regulation (10 credits)
- Year Two:
- Semester 3 (Summer term):
- COMP47910 - Secure Software Engineering (10 credits)
- COMP47890 - Applied Cryptography (5 credits)
- Semester 4 (Autumn term):
- COMP47880 - Network Security (10 credits)
- COMP47800 - Leadership In Security: This module focuses on leadership in security, equipping students with the skills to lead and manage security teams effectively.
- COMP47900 - Risk Assessment & Security Standards: This module delves into risk assessment techniques, security standards, and their application in complex organizations.
- LAW42160 - Cybersecurity Law and Regulation: This module explores cybersecurity laws and regulations, enabling students to identify applicable laws and implement protection measures for compliance.
- COMP47910 - Secure Software Engineering: This module covers secure software development principles and practices, including vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and patch development.
- COMP47880 - Network Security: This module covers network security concepts, design, configuration, and implementation of networked, software, and distributed systems technologies.
Assessment:
The program utilizes a combination of summative and formative assessment strategies:
- Summative Assessment: Exams and group projects.
- Formative Assessment: Journal writing, debates, presentations, and peer reviews. Students are required to attend UCD for one or two days at the end of each trimester to take exams in the modules completed during that trimester.
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods:
- Online lectures delivered through the VLE Platform (Brightspace).
- Occasional full-day workshops on campus.
- Live online lectures (e.g., via Zoom) periodically.
- Security use cases, open-source web applications (e.g., WebGoat), cyber ranges (Kypo Cyber Range), and tools (e.g., Metasploit).
- Problem-based learning where applicable.
- Faculty:
- Experienced academic staff from UCD with leading cybersecurity experts in law enforcement and industry.
- Collaboration with staff from the UCD School of Law and the Smurfit Business School for specific modules.
Careers:
The program aims to address the cybersecurity skills shortage and prepare professionals for rewarding careers in cybersecurity, including roles such as:
- Security Manager
- Security Engineer
- Security Analyst
- IT Security Specialist The program highlights the excellent career development possibilities in this field, with organizations of all sizes in various sectors seeking individuals with these skills.
Other:
- The program is aligned with the ACM/IEEE/AIS SIGSEC/IFIP Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines.
- It emphasizes networking and teamwork among students, fostering a network of contacts for the future.
- The program offers a flexible structure and part-time distance-learning options, allowing students to combine study with full-time work and other commitments.
- The program is designed to deliver cutting-edge, up-to-date techniques, strategies, and tactics to understand and tackle emerging trends in cybercrime.
- It offers the possibility of undertaking a significant piece of research.
- The program has been reviewed and advised on by specialist cybersecurity practitioners and industry experts.
GradDip Cybersecurity (F249) Part Time EU fee per year - € 10200 nonEU fee per year - € 15300 Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity (60 credits, part-time over 4 trimesters) 2023/2024 Ireland/EU fee: € 10,200 2023/2024 Non-EU fee: €15,300 2024/2025 Ireland/EU fee: € 10,200 2024/2025 Non-EU fee: €15,300 Fees are subject to change
