Computer Networks and Security - BSc (Hons)

This module forms part of the Research and Enterprise strand that runs through each programme curriculum from level 4 to 7. It builds on the core concepts, which were introduced to you at level 4 in the practice based computing related modules and the underpinning role innovation plays in this.

As you have chosen to major in developing your technical capability, knowledge and skills required for you chosen career path, this module is designed to draw upon your technical learning framework through Reflection, Evaluation, Entrepreneurialism and Management (REEM). REEM forms the principles of this module allowing you to explore and to further build on your strengths and achievements to pursue excellence in a professional context.

The module provides you with an opportunity to build on the learning and to develop knowledge of cyber security and how it relates to information and network security. This module will allow you to learn how to protect a network system from issues of cybercrime, based on security principles and the principles of how to defend networks from attack.

Within the module Server Systems, you will learn that servers are the engines that deliver the data of the worldwide Internet and cloud revolution. In this module you will learn how to design, configure and troubleshoot servers to provide both the data and network services required in modern networks. You will spend a lot of time actually configuring and troubleshooting servers in this module to give you the hands-on skills required by industry. This will be backed up by theory delivered via videos and reading and short lectures.

This module builds on your foundational programming knowledge and skills developed during the Level 4 Computer Programming module to extend and focus these towards the area of network engineering. It provides an essential skillset for network engineers to manage and develop networks/networking applications. This aids the management of complex networks by allowing the automation of regular tasks and the potential reduction of human error when configuring multiple devices.

In this module you will have the opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills required for Network Technologies. This module builds your knowledge and underpinning theory for the networking modules and you will review the requirements from a small to medium scale network deployment engineering context.

This module allows you to examine network technology, applications and protocols to enable you to gain a thorough understanding of the developments in this area. Routing and switching will be investigated theoretically and practically using a variety of different network operating systems and devices. The module content builds on the networking technologies introduced previously, and focuses on developing design and implementation skills relevant to achieving industry certification applicable to small and medium enterprise networks.

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40- week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree. 

The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace. 

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project. 

The module provides you with an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of Ethical Hacking and information security within a global context. This module builds on the knowledge and underpinning theory from the networking modules and reviews the requirements for a secure network communication system.

The module gives you an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of wireless network design. This module builds on the knowledge and underpinning theory from the networking modules and reviews the requirements for a secure wireless network communication system.

The module consists of:

• Subject specific lectures/workshops to introduce knowledge and skills relevant to wireless networking and the corresponding state of the art technologies.
• Lectures/workshops to introduce principles and techniques for secure communication within a wireless network and ensuring security of data in transit.
• Global view on information security and the changing requirements for information and data communication security.

The module provides you with an opportunity to gain experience and critically reflect on the skills of software and information security within a global context. This module builds on the knowledge and underpinning theory from the networking modules and reviews the requirements for a secure network communication system.

The module is an opportunity for you to learn and critically reflect on the skills of network and information security within a global context. This module builds on the knowledge and underpinning theory from the networking modules and reviews the requirements for a secure network communication system.