Please ensure that you cover all of the points in sections 3.1 to 3.3.
3.1 Overall structure of the Integrated Master’s
Please provide a high-level description of the Integrated Master’s degree. This should include, for example:
the name of the degree and the specific degree awarded (e.g., MComp, MEng, MSc etc.) the objectives and expected learning outcomes of the degree as a grounding for an
Integrated Master’s qualification
how the degree satisfies the QAA qualification framework for Master’s level
how the degree satisfies the QAA credit framework for Integrated Master’s – for example, minimum 480 credits overall with a minimum of 120 credits at level 7
the number of academic years the degree has been running and whether it is being delivered in academic year 2015 – 2016
the overall structure of the degree – e.g., the set of taught modules, which modules are core and which are optional, the number of credits awarded for each module, the number of credits awarded for individual project(s) and dissertation(s)
a table similar to Table 1 on page 8 that shows the credit allocation to computer science and cyber security across the years of the degree
a description of how the degree is structured to accommodate part-time students, if applicable
3.2 Structure of the computer science component
a. For the computer science part of the Integrated Master’s, please provide a table (Table 3.1) that shows for each taught module:
This information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and may be subject to exemptions under other UK information legislation. Refer disclosure requests to GCHQ on 01242 221491 x30306, email
Page 53 of 63
OFFICIAL
the member(s) of staff delivering the module
which Computer Science Subject Areas (1 to 10, Appendix B) the module covers – if it does not cover a Subject Area please state NONE
the number of credits in the module and its level
the percentage of the module addressing the Subject Areas
the number of credits in the module that can be considered to be addressing the Subject Areas – obtained from the product of the 3rd and 4th bullet points
Module (core/optional) Member(s) of staff Computer Science Subject Area(s) covered (1 to 10) Number of credits in module and level Estimated percentage of module addressing Subject Area(s) Estimated number of credits in module addressing Subject Area(s) Module 1 ….. Module n Table 3.1
b. Based on the above information, please provide:
the total number of computer science taught credits in the degree
the total number of computer science taught credits addressing Subject Areas 1 to
10
Where students have a choice of optional modules (e.g., any 2 modules from a set of 5), please do not sum the credits from all of the optional modules but only the number that students would actually choose. It may help to refer to point 3.2e below regarding
pathways.
c. For each module that addresses a Computer Science Subject Area, please provide a module description to include the syllabus/topics covered and the expected learning outcomes. Please include in each module description a list of the Subject Areas and Indicative Topics (Appendix B) that the module covers and the level(s) at which they are covered. The module descriptions should be placed in an appendix to section 3.
d. With reference to Subject Areas 1 to 10 in Appendix B, please provide an overview of how the topic coverage required for the Computer Science part of the Integrated Master’s is achieved by completing a table (Table 3.2) of the following form covering Subject Areas 1 to
This information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and may be subject to exemptions under other UK information legislation. Refer disclosure requests to GCHQ on 01242 221491 x30306, email
Page 54 of 63
OFFICIAL
Computer Science Subject Area Indicative
Level
Module(s) in which topics in Subject Area are covered
Level at which Subject Area is covered
1. Algorithms and Complexity 4/5
2. Architecture and organisation 4/5
3. Discrete structures 4/5 4. Information management 4/5 5. Networking and communication 4 to 6 6. Operating systems 4 to 6 7. Programming languages 4 to 6 8. Software development fundamentals 4/5 9. Software engineering 5/6 10. Systems fundamentals 4/5 Table 3.2
e. For the Computer Science component of Integrated Master’s degrees with core and optional modules please identify the permitted combinations of core and optional taught modules that DO cover all of the Subject Areas at the required level.
3.3 Structure of the cyber security component
a. For the Cyber Security part of the Integrated Master’s, please provide a table (Table 3.3) that shows for each taught module:
whether the module is core or optional the member(s) of staff delivering the module
This information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and may be subject to exemptions under other UK information legislation. Refer disclosure requests to GCHQ on 01242 221491 x30306, email
Page 55 of 63
OFFICIAL
which Security Discipline(s) (Appendix B) the module covers – if it does not cover a Security Discipline please state NONE
the number of credits in the module and its level
the percentage of the module addressing the Security Disciplines
the number of credits in the module that can be considered to be addressing the Security Disciplines – obtained from the product of the 3rd and 4th bullet points
Module (core/optional) Member(s) of staff Security Discipline(s) covered (A to H) Number of credits in module and level Estimated percentage of module addressing Security Disciplines Estimated number of credits in module addressing Security Disciplines Module 1 ….. Module n Table 3.3
b. Based on the above information, please provide:
the total number of cyber security taught credits in the degree
the total number of cyber security taught credits addressing the Security Disciplines
A to H
Where students have a choice of optional modules (e.g., any 2 modules from a set of 5), please do not sum the credits from all of the optional modules but only the number that students would actually choose. It may help to refer to point 3k below regarding pathways.
c. For each module that addresses a Security Discipline, please provide a module description to include the syllabus/topics covered and the expected learning outcomes. Please include in each module description a list of the Skills Groups (Appendix B) that the module covers and the level(s) at which they are covered. The module descriptions should be placed in an appendix to section 3.
d. With reference to Appendix B, please provide an overview of how the Cyber Security topic coverage for the Integrated Master’s degree is achieved by completing a table (Table 3.4) of the following form covering Security Disciplines A to H and Skills Groups i to xiii:
This information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and may be subject to exemptions under other UK information legislation. Refer disclosure requests to GCHQ on 01242 221491 x30306, email
Page 56 of 63
OFFICIAL
Security Discipline
Skills Group Module(s) in
which topics in Skills Group are covered Level at which Skills Group is covered A. Information Security Management i. Policy, Strategy, Awareness and Audit ii. Legal and Regulatory Environment
B. Information Risk Management
iii. Risk Assessment and Management
C. Implementing Secure Systems
iv. Security Architecture v. Secure Development vi. Control Systems
D. Information Assurance Methodologies and Testing
vii. Information Assurance Methodologies
viii. Secure Testing
E. Operational Security Management
ix. Secure Operations Management and Service Delivery
x. Vulnerability Assessment
F. Incident Management
xi. Incident Management xii. Forensics
G. Audit, Assurance and Review
Audit and Review Included in Skills Group i above
Please provide information under Skills Group i above H. Business Continuity Management
xiii. Business Continuity Planning and Management Table 3.4
This information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and may be subject to exemptions under other UK information legislation. Refer disclosure requests to GCHQ on 01242 221491 x30306, email
Page 57 of 63
OFFICIAL
e. For the Cyber Security component of Integrated Master’s degrees with core and optional modules please identify the permitted combinations of core and optional taught modules that DO cover at least 8 of the Skills Groups in Table 3.2 at the required level.
3.4 Social issues, professional practice and professional skills
a. Please describe how computer science Subject Area 11 (social issues and professional practice) is covered in the Integrated Master’s degree. By way of example, this may be through lectures, individual/group projects, coursework, etc.
b. Please describe how Security Discipline J, Professional Skills (Appendix B), is addressed in the Integrated Master’s degree. By way of example, describe how team-working,
communication skills etc. are covered within the degree programme as a whole – it is not a requirement to have a separate dedicated module covering Professional Skills.
3.5 Criteria to be applied
3.5.1 General criteria
i. The objectives and anticipated learning outcomes for students undertaking the Integrated Master’s should be clearly articulated.
ii. The degree satisfies the QAA qualification framework for Master’s level. iii. The degree satisfies the QAA credit framework for Integrated Master’s.
iv. Part-time students should cover the same breadth and depth of content as full time students.
3.5.2 Computer science criteria
i. ComSci 1: there must be a minimum of 240 taught computer science credits across levels 4 to 7.
ii. ComSci 2: there must be at least 180 taught credits that can be mapped to computer science Subject Areas 1 to 10.
iii. ComSci 3: all of the computer science Subject Areas listed in Table3.2 are covered at the appropriate levels.
iv. Permitted combinations of core and optional modules that DO cover all of computer science Subject Areas listed in Table 3.2 must be clearly identified; there must be at least one combination of core and optional modules that covers all of the Subject Areas listed in Table 3.2 at the required level.
3.5.3 Cyber security criteria
i. CySec 1: there must be a minimum of 105 taught cyber security credits across levels 4 to 7 ii. CySec 2: there must be a minimum of 75 taught cyber security credits across levels 6 and 7. iii. CySec 3: the taught cyber security credits must cover at least 8 of the Skills Groups i to xiii
shown in Table 3.4 at the following levels:
This information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and may be subject to exemptions under other UK information legislation. Refer disclosure requests to GCHQ on 01242 221491 x30306, email
Page 58 of 63
OFFICIAL
level 6 or higher: minimum of 5 Skills Groups covered
iv. Permitted combinations of core and optional modules that DO cover at least 8 Skills Groups at the required levels must be clearly identified; there must be at least one combination of core and optional modules that covers at least 8 Skills Groups at the required levels.
3.5.4 Social issues, professional practice and professional skills criteria
i. The Integrated Master’s degree should cover relevant social, ethical, legal and professional issues.
ii. The Integrated Master’s degree should address topics such as team-working, communication skills, leadership and decision making.