BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Cyber Security and Networks)

What’s the course about?

Computer networking is an essential part of modern life: from the networked applications that run on smartphones and the internet, to the secure systems demanded by global business.

This course adds a specialism in networking to a broad base in technology and software development. In the first two years you’ll find an emphasis on software development, professional programming, the modelling of systems and data and the issues that arise in a networked environment.

From this foundation you’ll learn about protocols, network design, constructing distributed applications and defending against cyber attacks. The course will enable you to create and evaluate systems and applications within a networked environment.

Your main campus is College Lane 

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.  

What will I study?

Computer Science is both an academic and a practical subject so you will be taught in different ways such as lectures, smaller group tutorials, supervised practicals (labs) and self-study including experiential learning. Assessment is by a mix of in-class tests, exams, and coursework.

The School has well equipped laboratory facilities, with PCs running Windows 7 and/or Linux and a whole range of industry-standard and educational software from Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, and others. There are specialist labs for networking, multimedia, devices, robotics, and projects.

In addition to scheduled classes, about 16 hours per week in Year 1, you will be expected to spend the same amount of time in self-study taking advantage of the University’s extensive and up-to-date facilities. These include the Learning Resource Centres (LRCs), open 24×7, with computer workstations and wifi access, Studynet – our versatile online study environment accessible on and off campus – and open access to our labs.

Most of our students own their own PC or Mac, but this is not essential since you can use the university facilities instead or as well.

What you will learn

You will learn about different aspects of networking: protocols, network design, the tools and services for constructing distributed applications, and network security – how to defend against cyber attack. In your first two years you will concentrate on building a broad integrated foundation, with your specialism in Networking building on this foundation.

First Year

You will learn the foundations of the subject including topics such as an overview of the field, programming, modelling, and computing platforms.

Second Year

You will deepen your understanding and develop more advanced skills. There are technical modules on software development, programming, databases, operating systems and networks, plus two options.

Third Year

You have the option of taking a one-year paid work placement, or you can study abroad at one of our partner universities worldwide.

Final Year

You will study computer security and project planning, specialist modules in network protocols & architecture and cyber security, plus two options. Finally you will undertake an individual project in your chosen specialism, typically an extensive piece of practical work.