Technological University Dublin - City Campus

Cyber Security - Applied

The Masters in Applied Cyber Security is designed to produce highly knowledgeable and skilled graduates to counter the cyber security threat. This course focuses on developing hands-on skills backed by theoretical knowledge. An essential part of the master's degree is the creation of a body of work presented as a thesis which demonstrates ability in research methods, analytics and report writing. The graduates of this programme will be independent learners, good problem solvers and experienced researchers.

Students on this MSc in Applied Cyber Security will also have the opportunity to take part in Capture-the Flag competitions and through their course work, engage with real world problems with companies so that graduates from the programme have the necessary skills to make a difference in the work place.

The course is suitable for both entrants to a new discipline that require a broader range of taught modules to familiarize themselves with the skills and knowledge of the discipline and for specialist employees who want to up-skill in their specialist areas and require research skills.

MSc in Computing programme is of particular value to holders of a primary degree in computing, IT, or equivalent, working as IT professionals. It is also of value to individuals with a computing degree background who wish to develop their career towards working within a research-oriented environment at a postgraduate level.

Entry requirements

Second Class Honours grade 2 (GPA 2.5 or equivalent) in a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Bachelor of Science in Computing level 8 or Graduate Diploma or equivalent.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this programme should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Part Time Option
The minimum entry requirement for standard entrants to the Master of Science in Computing is 2nd Class Honours Grade 2 (GPA 2.5 or equivalent), in a Bachelor of Science in Computing (level 8) course, or equivalent.

Students progressing through the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (BN509) who wish to enter the M.Sc. in Computing must attain a 2nd Class Honours Grade 2 (GPA 2.5) on the course.

In the event of a student not attaining this standard level , students must achieve an acceptable standard for progression by other means approved by QQI.

The acceptance of candidates with third class honours degrees and appropriate work experience and industrial certification on this course will be allowed provided there is evidence that the candidate can cope with the learning objectives of the course.

Candidates may be interviewed to assess their suitability to undertake the level of work required and to assess their commitment to succeeding on the Masters Programme.

Duration

1 Year Full Time Monday & Wednesday

2 Years Part Time

Part Time Schedule
Online - Tuesday and Thursday 6.00pm -10.00pm

Careers or further progression

The MSc in Applied Cyber Security will give the skills and knowledge to secure business and personal data and allow graduates to work as security professionals in any of the business and industry sectors.

Former graduates currently work in Deloitte, Integrity360, Fidelity Investiments, Triology, Forcepoint, Rits, Espion, BH-Consulting, Liberty IT, Cobalt Technology, Ward Solutions and larger international companies like Qualcomm, IBM, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Grant Thornton, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Ericsson, Zurick Insurance and many more.

Further enquiries

Subjects taught

Course Content
Pathway 1: One option is to take three more taught modules and a 30-credit research project. This path would suit students who are new to the discipline and require more taught modules and a smaller research project.

Pathway 2: The other path is to take a 60 credit research project module route. This path would suit students who have a background in the discipline and who wish to dedicate more time to the research element of the masters and develop their research capabilities.

The MSc Research Project is a significant amount of work as it comprises from one-third to two-thirds of the credits for the masters. The research project will have at it core an applied component and incorporate the collecting and analyzing data for improving decision making purposes.

Pathway 1: 60 credits taught with a 30 credit Research project

Semester 1
Digital Forensics
Secure Communication and Cryptography
Network Security

Semester 2
Research Skills and Ethics

Electives (Choose any two electives):
Biometrics
Secure Programming
Application Security
Business Continuity and Cloud Security
Cyber Crime Malware
Security Intelligence

MSc Research Project

Students must complete 6 modules and a thesis. All Modules are 10 ECTS Credits. The Research project is 30 ECTS Credits.

Pathway 2: 30 credits taught with a 60 credit Research project

Semester 1

Group Elective 1:
Digital Forensics
Secure Communication and Cryptography
Network Security

Group Elective 2:
Cyber Crime Malware
Secure Programming
Application Security

Group Elective 3:
Security Intelligence
Business Continuity and Cloud Security
Biometrics

Semester 2

MSc Research Project: 90 ECTS credits to be comprised of the Research Project (60 ECTS credits) with the balance made up of 30 credits to be taken from one of the group electives (GE1, GE2 or GE3) in semester 1.

A choice of modules across streams will be offered over an academic year.

Electives will only be available at the discretion of the institute, subject to availability of lecturing staff and sufficient expression of interest from students.

Course Content Part Time

Year 1 Semester 1
Digital Forensics
Secure Communications & Cryptography

Year 1 Semester 2
Network Security
Cyber Crime Malware

Year 2 Semester 3
Business Continuity Management
Research Skills & Ethics

Year 2 Semester 4
MSc Research Project

Note: Students must complete 6 modules and a thesis. All Modules are 10 ECTS Credits. The MSc Research Project is 30 ECTS Credits. The order of Module Delivery may differ from the listing above.

An award of 'Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Computing' may be granted if learners leave this programme having completed 6 taught modules and attained 60 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00.