Royal Holloway - University of London

Postgraduate

MSc and Postgraduate Diploma in Information Security

Structure & Syllabus

For Online Distance Learning Study

The MSc consists of six modules and a project. The Postgraduate Diploma consists of six modules:

Four compulsory core modules

Security management [690IC01]

An introduction to cryptography and security mechanisms [690IC02]

Network security [690IC03]

Computer security [690IC04]

Two optional modules chosen from:

Secure electronic commerce and other applications [690OPT5]

Standards and evaluation criteria [690OPT7]

Advanced cryptography [690OPT8]

Database Security [690OPT9]

Information crime [690OP10]

Smart cards/tokens security and applications [690OP12]

PLUS

MSc Project [6900011]

Notes:
· The compulsory core modules are available as Short courses. Students who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc may also register for any optional modules offered by the programme.

Course Structure - Full-time / Part-time students at Royal Holloway

The MSc can be studied through two distinct pathways:

• Technical Pathway

• Secure Digital Business Pathway

The Technical Pathway through the MSc places considerably more emphasis on Computer and Network Security, whereas the Secure Digital Business Pathway focuses on security infrastructures and legal aspects. Each pathway has its own set of prescribed (core) modules which are listed in the diagram below.

The MSc degree is taught in course modules. Each module usually consists of three hours of lectures per week, sometimes with tutorials and practical work. As a general rule these lectures are all held on the same day. The duration of a module is one term, which amounts to eleven weeks of lectures (in the first term there is an additional week for induction purposes). As mentioned above, the modules are timetabled to be convenient for part-time students, so that they can attend classes one day per week. For such students this implies a total of 44 days of lectures spread over two years.

The curriculum for the MSc degree consists of six taught modules and a project. Of the six taught modules, four are mandatory core modules and the other two are optional modules chosen by the student from a list of options. The four core modules will be taught in the first term, and the optional modules will be taught in the second term; examinations for all modules will take place in the third term. The project must be submitted by the Friday of the 50th week of the academic year.

The MSc degree thus has three main elements:

• a core element, made up of the four core course modules;

• an options element, made up of the two optional course modules, and

• a project element.

Each element will be separately assessed, and the Assessment will then be combined to yield the final degree result.

All of the available modules and their relationship to the two pathways are summarised in the next diagram. Note that the two pathways share two modules, namely Security Management and Introduction to Cryptography and Security Mechanisms.

The MSc in Information Security programme is made up of a series of different modules. Depending on the pathway chosen (Technical or Business) different modules are compulsory.

• IY5501 Security Management
• IY5502 An Introduction to Cryptography and Security Mechanisms
• IY5511 Network Security
• IY5512 Computer Security (Operating Systems)
• IY5522 Security Technologies
• IY5521 Legal and regulatory aspects of electronic commerce
• IY5601 Application and Business Security Developments
• IY5602 Standards and Evaluation Criteria
• IY5603 Advanced Cryptography
• IY5604 Database Security
• IY5605 Computer Crime
• IY5606 Smart Cards/Tokens Security and Applications
• IY5607 Software Security
• IY5608 Trusted Computing
• IY5500 MSc Project

Full-time students:

In their first term, full-time students will take the four core modules that are appropriate for their chosen pathway, and two or more optional modules in their second term.

Part-time students:

Course modules are timetabled to enable part-time students to attend lectures at most one day per week throughout their course of study. In their first year, part-time students will normally take two of the four core modules in the first term, two optional modules in the second term, and the examinations for these four modules in the third term. In their second year, they will take the other two core modules in the first term, up to two optional modules in the second term, and the examinations for these modules in the third term. Part-time students will normally submit their projects in their second year.

Full time students will take the four core modules in their first term from September to December and two optional modules in their second term from January to March. Examinations are held in third term between April and June. The Project submission deadline is at the beginning of September.

Continuing Professional Development

The University recognise that many professionals need to update their knowledge by focusing on particular subjects. As a result, the modules are also available on a stand-alone basis for the purposes of CPD. You may choose to register for any of the compulsory core modules. On the successful completion of each module you will receive a University of London certificate. If you meet all the necessary entrance requirements you may later apply to register for the MSc and gain credits for the modules you have already passed.

*Induction Module

Students are strongly advised to look at the induction module(external link) for further details about learning materials and online support. If you have any questions regarding the induction module please email: info@mscsecurity.org (Note: this is for queries regarding the induction module only).