Major: Cyber Security
Award(s) to which this major is a Qualifying Major:
Macquarie University
| Overview and Aims of the Program | Cyber security is an important facet of all work in Information Technology. This major seeks to add a qualification in Cyber security to the existing Majors in the BIT to equip students aiming for a career in IT with the core knowledge in this area. The Major combines units from the Department of Security Studies and Criminology with those from Computing to provide a broad view of the problems and solutions in IT security. |
| Graduate Capabilities | The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows: Interpersonal or social capabilities |
| Program Learning Outcomes | By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and concepts of cryptography and information security 2. Relate information security to enterprise requirements and activities 3. Demonstrate an understanding of security issues in computer networking 4. Engage in informed, scholarly debate about cybercrime and their potential impact on globalized society 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the motives and perpetrators of cybercrime 6. Describe the protective security measures required to protect physical and digital access to information 7. Explain the key procedures and practices relevant to the management of cyber security risks and counter measures. 8. Identify security flaws that can arise from program execution and the interaction between hardware and software. 9. Develop secure software applications and demonstrate how they actively resist a range of attacks 10. Demonstrate the capacity to work effectively and ethically in a team and manage a project to deliver a solution to a client. |
| Learning and Teaching Methods | Learning and teaching in this program is by a mixture of lectures, small group tutorials and practical sessions in computer labs. In the networking units, students work in a hands-on specialised laboratory. In all Computing units, practical work forms a core part of the learning activity in the unit, supported in small group practical classes and assessed through submissions of assignment work. Students are also engaged in small group discussion in tutorials, in particular in the units run by PICT. |
| Assessment | Units in the Bachelor of Information Technology all have at least three different types of assessment. These assessments are designed not just to test discipline-specific knowledge, but all aspects of professional competency include professional practice, project work, design and communication skills. In addition to formal assessments, students are provided with informal feedback from staff and their peers throughout the semester. Assessment types are very diverse and include: Assignments – test the understanding of a learning outcome by means of small size problems Programming Assignments - allow students to demonstrate their competency in developing software of varying complexity. Reports and documents – beside essay style questions to analyse and critique different topics they also assess relevant skills involving documentation such as requirements documentation and project plans. Oral presentations - these test students ability to communicate the results of their work Group reports – are used when group projects or group laboratory work is conducted. Final exams - The majority of the units will have a final examination where the ability to synthesize and apply knowledge is assessed. Quizzes and in-class tests assess student learning part-way through the unit and provide feedback to students on learning progress. Tutorial assessment – assess students work in formal tutorial sessions where students receive the support of tutors and other staff. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning | Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit. Information can be found at: https://mq.edu.au/rpl |
| Support for Learning | Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus. |
| Program Standards and Quality | The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability | Cyber security is an important field in its own right and there is a growing need for students qualified to work as security professionals in the IT area. In addition, there is a demand for students qualifying in IT to also have a sound knowledge of cyber security issues. By developing this Major in Cybersecurity we enable students in the BIT to add this as a recognised qualification to their degree. |
| Assessment Regulations | This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program.
Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:
Physical: The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Cognition: The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Communication: The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.
Behavioural: The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
For more information see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements
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