Handbook

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Bachelor
Bachelor of
of Cyber
Cyber Security
Security

Course
Course 240
240 credit
credit points
points

Overview

The digital age has brought unprecedented opportunities and risks. As our lives become increasingly
intertwined with technology, the threat of cybercrime looms larger than ever. Skilled cyber security
professionals are in high demand to protect sensitive data and critical systems from malicious attacks.
The Bachelor of Cyber Security equips you with the cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills to excel in this
thrilling Jeld. Through a comprehensive curriculum covering applied cryptography, offensive security, digital
forensics, security management, data privacy, and cyber laws, you'll gain a holistic understanding of the cyber
security landscape.
Developed in collaboration with industry experts and the Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub, this
program provides direct pathways to invaluable experiences. You'll have access to scholarships, internships,
and work opportunities with top industry partners, allowing you to gain hands-on experience and earn credits
towards your degree.
The culminating capstone unit challenges you to tackle real-world cyber security management scenarios,
preparing you for a successful career at the forefront of this critical Jeld.

Award
Award abbreviation:
abbreviation:
BCyberSec

Course
Course type:
type:
Specialist Bachelor Degree

Volume
Volume of
of learning:
learning:
Equivalent to 3 years

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 AQF
AQF level:
level:
Level 7

Course
Course duration:
duration:
Full time: 3 years

CRICOS
CRICOS code:
code:
099143M

Learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to

1.
1. Demonstrate well-developed core Information Technology knowledge and skills, including in
programming, web technologies, data storage and modelling, machine learning, cyber security and
networking.

2.
2. Exercise problem solving skills, creative thinking and judgement to address realistic cyber security
challenges and increase cyber resilience.

3.
3. Communicate effectively and work productively as a team member on industry-relevant projects.

4.
4. Describe and explain cyber security issues in relation to organisational and societal contexts,
particularly regarding ethics, cybercrime, human factors, policies and regulatory frameworks.

5.
5. Use a range of communication strategies and techniques to effectively convey cyber security
threats, risks, policies and strategies to technical and non-technical audiences.

6.
6. Describe concepts and apply techniques and tools to increase data security, provide data
assurance and protect privacy..

7.
7. Develop software and web applications according to best security practices, ensuring their
immunity to a range of known attacks.

8.
8. Adhere to highest ethical standards and display professionalism, especially when assessing and
exploiting the vulnerabilities of a system or an organisation.

9.
9. Leverage insights into the motivations, mindsets, capabilities and skills of cybercriminals in order
to evaluate the security of existing systems and procedures as well as designing and implementing
safer ones.

10.
10. Analyse and manage cyber security risks in practice based on key policies and procedures
covering technology, people and processes.

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 Course structure

Core
Core Zone
Zone 200 credit points

Essential
Essential units
units 170 credit points

Complete each unit below.

COMP1000 - Introduction to Computer Programming

COMP1010 - Fundamentals of Computer Science

COMP1300 - Introduction to Cyber Security

COMP1350 - Introduction to Database Design and Management

MATH1007 - Discrete Mathematics I

STAT1170 - Introductory Statistics

COMP2100 - Systems Programming

COMP2110 - Web Technology

COMP2200 - Data Science

COMP2270 - Networking and Cloud Computing

COMP2300 - Applied Cryptography

COMP2310 - Digital Forensics

COMP2700 - Project Management and Professional Practice

PICT2001 - Cybercrime

COMP3300 - Data Privacy and Information Security

COMP3330 - Offensive Security and Ethical Hacking

COMP3850 - PACE: Computing Industry Project

Elective
Elective unit
unit 10 credit points

Complete 10 credit points from the following options.

COMP3310 - Secure Applications Development

COMP3120 - Advanced Web Development

COMP3130 - Mobile Application Development

Elective
Elective unit
unit 10 credit points

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 Complete 10 credit points from the following options.

ACCG3025 - Cyber Security and Privacy

ACCG3060 - Cyber Security Governance and Ethics

Capstone
Capstone unit
unit 10 credit points

Complete the capstone unit below.

COMP3320 - Cyber Security Management in Practice

Flexible
Flexible Zone
Zone 40 credit points

40cp of elective units. You can use your cexible zone to enrol in any Undergraduate unit for which you meet
the requisites. You may also use your cexible zone to complete a minor.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Cyber Security is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.

Course speciJcations

Learning
Learning and
and teaching
teaching methods
methods

In this course students will build their knowledge and skills in the technical and theoretical aspects of
computing. The course is intended to meet the Australian Computer Society professional standards for ICT
and cyber security courses which includes the underlying core body of knowledge in IT and the professional
and ethical responsibilities relevant to working in the IT industry.

The units in the course are taught using a combination of lecture and small-group classes, augmented by
learning activities outside of class.

Lectures introduce concepts and techniques, particularly by example, and provide an opportunity for staff and
students to discuss areas of dieculty. In some units, lectures are augmented by prepared videos that cover
the basic material and the classes are mostly used for clarifying discussion.

Small-group classes (e.g., small group teaching activities and practicals) give students an opportunity to work
on exercises that reinforce the concepts and techniques from lectures with the guidance of an academic.
Many units feature practical exercises that are completed in a computer laboratory or on a student's own
computer.

Learning materials are selected as appropriate from textbooks, locally-produced lecture notes and exercises,
and online materials. In many units students will learn to use software and tools to achieve practical
outcomes. We have a preference for open source software that students may obtain and study without cost
or prohibitive licensing.

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 Computing units require signiJcant work by students outside of class to explore and experiment with the unit
material on their own or in a group.

Assessment
Assessment

Units in the Bachelor of Cyber Security have assessments that are designed not just to test discipline-speciJc
knowledge, but all aspects of professional competency including 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 - several units have a Jnal examination where the ability to synthesise and apply
knowledge is assessed.
Module exams - each session has 2 to 3 modules, and a module exam assesses students' ability to
synthesise and apply knowledge, happening after the end of the module.
Quizzes and in-class tests assess student learning part-way through the unit and provide feedback to
students on learning progress.
In class assessment - assess students work in formal class sessions where students receive the
support of tutors and other staff

Support
Support for
for learning
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.

Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/

Student Wellbeing contact details:

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 Course
Course standards
standards and
and quality
quality

This course has been accredited by Macquarie University in accordance with the requirements of the Higher
Education Standards Framework. This course 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.

Assessment
Assessment regulations
regulations

This course is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those speciJed in the
Assessment Policy, Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Progression Policy, Special Consideration Policy,
and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policy documents visit goto.mq/policycentral.

Graduate
Graduate destinations
destinations and
and employability
employability

Employability is embedded through the course with work-relevant problems used to motivate and drive the
learning experience. The capstone unit in particular will be a vehicle for developing work readiness and
expose students, where possible, to employers and work practices.

The course aims to ensure that students have a range of experiences through their study, for example through
the use of different tools and technologies across various units, our goal is to provide students with a wide
array of experience to help them understand the range of choices of tools and techniques available to them.
Similarly, assessment types are coordinated over the program to ensure that students experience a balance of
practical and written assessment in the course.

Careers include Cyber Security Analyst, GRC oecer, Data Privacy Analyst, Helpdesk, Security Administrator,
Security Operations Centre Analyst, Source Code Auditing,Vulnerability Assessor, Risk Analyst, Security
Consultant, Ethical Hacker / Penetration Tester, Data and Information Security Analyst, SOC Manager, Chief
Information Security Oecer, Chief Privacy Oecer, etc.

Employers range across the board from IT and Telco companies (Fujitsu, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Optus,
Telstra) to consultancies (EY, KPMG, PwC, Deloitte), Jnancial sector (banks and insurance companies) and
government. These days everyone has data and is crying out for our graduates to keep it secure.

Additional requirements

University-wide inherent requirements

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 About
About inherent
inherent requirements
requirements

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. For more information
see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements.
Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:

Physical
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
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
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
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.

 Timetable
Timetable  Student
Student fees
fees  University
University glossary
glossary

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 Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed online in the Macquarie
University Handbook. However the information is subject to change. The University reserves the right to vary, without
notice, any information relating to the provision of courses or units of study including the content, mode of offering of
such courses or units, the withdrawal of any course or unit for whatever reason, and the fees applicable to enrolment of
any course or unit of study.

© Macquarie University
CRICOS Provider 00002J TEQSA Provider PRV12032
ABN 90 952 801 237

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