PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme Specification
Programme title:
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should
be detailed here and defined later in the
document)
UCAS Code (where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
Teaching institution:
Faculty:
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the
administration of the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from
UCL, such as study abroad or placements
in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS) (see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
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MSc in Information Security
MSc
From 2005 entry
University College London
University College London.
Engineering Sciences
Computer Science
http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk
Full time
http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/admissions/msc_isec/
One calendar year
Masters Level (Level 7)
N/A
http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/admissions/msc_isec/
Board of Examiners for Information Security
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Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
Educational Aims of the Programme:
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of Information
Security.
In particular the programme will provide:
1. an advanced knowledge of topics in information security
2. an awareness of the context in which information security operates in terms of safety, environmental, social &
economic aspects
3. a wide range of intellectual, practical and transferable skills
which will allow students to develop a flexible professional career in I.T.
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PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A knowledge and understanding of:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
1. Core principles and applications of
information security and associated
topics
2. Design techniques for the creation of
secure networks
3. Commercial and economic aspects,
health, safety, environmental and
other professional issues
4. Techniques applicable to research
and advanced scholarship
Acquisition of 1 to 4 is through a combination of
lectures, seminars, problem classes, tutorials, laboratory
classes and projects.
Acquisition of 2 to 4 is augmented in the projects
Students will be required to:
attend all classes,
study extensively on their own and,
prepare non-assessed course work as required.
Assessment:
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination
of written exams, presentations and vivas, assessed
tests, coursework, written reports. Projects are assessed
through written reports, vivas and formal presentations.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills –
Students will learn:
1. to use cryptographic algorithms to
secure communications,
2. to understand why computers are so
vulnerable and some of the
challenges to make them secure,
3. how to protect a computer network
against several threats hackers
(insiders and outsiders) by applying
cryptography and computer security,
4. to understand human aspects of
computer security,
5. to understand the issues involved in
making our electronic media secure,
6. develop a sound understanding of
formal techniques in software
specification and verification
7. develop a concrete understanding of
logic-based specification languages
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
Intellectual skills are taught at the same time as
specialist knowledge, using the same range of teaching
methods.
Students are gradually taught to:
1. work more independently and more as members of
teams,
2. learn actively rather than passively, and
3. include an increasingly wider range of factors in their
problem-solving, decision making and analysis
Assessment:
Intellectual skills are assessed at the same time as
specialist knowledge, using the same range of
assessment methods.
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C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills:
1. Software programming:
2. working with MAPLE, MAGMA &
MATLAB,
3. improving computer security,
4. managing the security of a computer
network,
5. increased user-friendliness of
computer security techniques,
6. programming & experimentation,
7. programming and usage of model
checkers and
8. becoming familiar with future
standards.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies
Practical skills are taught alongside specialist
knowledge, using the same range of teaching methods
supplemented by laboratory classes. Project work
provides the opportunity of greater student involvement
in the design of experiments, the design and
development of systems, and the analysis and
presentation of experimental results.
Assessment:
Practical skills are assessed through reports, written
coursework and presentation of project work.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills :
Students will learn:
1. the basics to understand many of the
documents, such as standards,
written on cryptography
2. how to use computer algebra
packages, design of cryptographic
schemes and protocols,
3. presentation skills.
Students will gain
1. an understanding of computer
security/insecurity of PCs,
workstations, computer networks etc.,
media rights issues,
2. the ability to conduct formal proofs,
3. the ability to use specification
languages,
4. the ability to use verification toolkits
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Transferable skills are not taught in separate courses
but permeate the whole range of teaching and learning
methods used in the department.
Small group tutorials are used to help students develop
management and communications skills which are
augmented in the project work carried out.
Communications skills are also developed by
encouraging discussion and interaction with fellow
students and members of staff.
Assessment:
Transferable skills are assessed at the same time as
specialist knowledge, using the same range of
assessment methods. Communications skills are also
assessed in vivas and formal presentations of laboratory
and project work.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
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content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Dr David Clark
Name(s):
Date of Production:
November 2004
Date of Review:
January 2015
Date approved by Head of
Department:
January 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee:
January 2015
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March 2015
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