Bachelor of Cyber Security
2019 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2019 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Cyber Security |
| Course Map | If you started your course before 2019, please refer to the plan your study page or contact a Student Adviser |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 091336M Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | S334 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Deakin’s Bachelor of Cyber Security provides a solid foundation of the cyber security literacy and technical skills required by industry for a cyber security professional including those allowing you to be able to investigate and combat cyber-crime and cyber terrorism.
The digital world is central to the way we live, work, communicate and conduct business. Now more than ever, it’s vital that the data and systems providing these services be safeguarded by ethical professionals with strong cyber security literacy and technical skills.
Whether it’s keeping in touch with friends on social networks, paying bills online, or using water or electricity, we depend on secure networked systems to keep our confidential information safe and rely on the assurance provided by custodians of this information to carry out activities in our day-to-day lives. Governments, military, financial institutions, hospitals and other businesses are all facing an unprecedented sophistication of cyber-attacks and there is a shortage of people with the skills and capability needed to ensure security in cyberspace.
This course will teach you how to identify, diagnose, analyse and manage the challenges of Cyber security. You’ll cover areas such as computer crime and digital forensics, evaluating software for security vulnerabilities, designing secure databases, securing operating systems, assessing and reinforcing the security of websites, integrating security requirements into new developments, designing secure network architectures, performing risk assessments and responding to cyber security incidents.
Classes use specialised software to enable practice of real world cyber-attack and response scenarios. You’ll consequently get the chance to reflect on the need for cyber security in a working environment, and the various solutions that might apply.
The degree focuses on technical elements and sets you up with strong skills in critical thinking and problem solving. You’ll be able to apply your learning in the workplace, and capably deal with imminent threats and challenges from the digital space where interconnected vehicles, drones, smart home gadgets, mobile and wearable devices, and health-kits prosper.
The course will help you develop strong interpersonal skills and a capacity for team-work. You’ll also build your written and oral communications skills, which means that you’ll graduate as a qualified and highly employable IT professional.
Career options include work as a security analyst, project manager, security system manager, cryptographer, business analyst, consultant, security system developer or programmer, information security auditor, law enforcement personnel or IT security engineer. An honours year is available for high-achieving students upon completion of this degree.
As a graduate of this degree you’ll be eligible for professional recognition with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) - Australia’s leading professional association for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. As a member, you’ll receive international recognition for your skills as well as professional development opportunities, networking and information resources.
Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Cyber Security is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Career opportunities
Career options include work as a security analyst, project manager, security system manager, cryptographer, consultant, security system developer or programmer, information security auditor, business continuity or IT security engineer.
Participation requirements
Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Equipment requirements
For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the School of Information Technology's website, www.deakin.edu.au/information-technology/students or telephone 03 9244 6699.
Combined courses
The Bachelor of Cyber Security is also available as a combined course with Criminology, please refer to D380 Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes
|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop a broad, coherent knowledge of the IT discipline including its dynamic environment, with detailed knowledge of project management principles and in depth knowledge in IT Security. Design, develop and implement IT systems and software, and associated policies and procedures for optimal use and apply industry standards and best practice in one or more specialised areas of IT. Acquire in-depth knowledge and skills to develop, implement and manage security solutions for systems, networks, and data according to industry-accepted standards and best practice. |
| Communication | Communicate in an IT context to inform, motivate and effect change utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Utilise a range of digital technologies and information sources to discover, analyse, evaluate, select, process and disseminate both technical and non-technical information. |
| Critical thinking | Evaluate specialist IT information using critical and analytical thinking, technical skills and well-developed judgement to identify problems, analyse user requirements and propose solutions. |
| Problem solving | Apply theoretical constructs and skills and critical analysis to real-world and ill-defined problems and develop innovative IT solutions. |
| Self-management | Apply knowledge and skills to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of IT with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. Apply understanding of reflective practice and self-critique skills within broad parameters to plan for their own future continuing professional development. |
| Teamwork | Apply the principles of effective teamwork as a member of diverse IT teams to demonstrate responsibility for own learning within broad parameters. |
| Global citizenship | Apply professional and ethical standards and accountability for own learning to the development, design, construction and management of localised IT solutions. |
Approved by Faculty Board 7 June 2018
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Cyber Security, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- 17 core units (which includes a compulsory internship unit - SIT306 IT Internship or STP301 Industry Based learning)
- 7 elective units
- completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- completion of SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- completion of STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- level 1 - maximum of 10 credit points
- levels 2 and 3 - minimum of 14 credit points over both levels
- level 3 - minimum of 6 credit points of which at least 4 must be SIT-coded units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Course structure
Course structure
Electives
Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. In some cases you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course Certifications
Students enrolled in S334 Bachelor of Cyber Security (and combined course - D380 Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security) will have the opportunity to complete the following certifications, noting that these certifications are not part of your course requirements:
| SIT001 | Cyber Security Fundamentals (0 credit points) |
| SIT002 | Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (0 credit points) |
| SIT003 | Certified Ethical Hacker (0 credit points) |
| SIT004 | Certified Security Analyst (0 credit points) |
Course structure
Core
Level 1 -Trimester 1
| SIT124 | Exploring I.T. |
| SIT105 | Thinking Technology and Design |
| SIT182 | Real World Practices for Cyber Security |
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| SIT010 | Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
Plus one elective unit
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SIT103 | Data and Information Management |
| SIT102 | Introduction to Programming |
Plus two elective units
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SIT223 | Professional Practice in Information Technology |
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics |
| SIT384 | Cyber Security Analytics |
| STP010 | Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit points) |
Plus one elective unit
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SIT202 | Networks and Communications |
| SIT281 | Cryptography |
| SIT284 | Cyber Security Management |
| SIT282 | Computer Crime and Digital Forensics |
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| SIT374 | Project Design ~ |
| SIT379 | Ethical Hacking |
Plus one unit in:
| SIT306 | IT Placement ^ |
or
| STP301 | Industry Based Learning |
Plus one elective unit
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SIT302 | Project Delivery |
| SIT382 | System Security |
Plus two elective units
^ offered in Trimester 1, trimester 2 and trimester 3
~ Note: Students are expected to undertake SIT374 and SIT302 in consecutive trimesters. Students should seek advice from the
unit chair if they are unable to complete SIT374 and SIT302 consecutively.
Work experience
This course includes a compulsory work placement where you will be required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours in industry, providing professional work experience with an approved host organisation. Alternatively, high achieving students may have the opportunity to undertake an extended full-time paid industry-based learning placement between 6 – 12 weeks (conditions apply, please refer to deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.)
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Other learning experiences
To broaden your experience of the world, you will have an opportunity to participate in overseas placements and study tours as an elective option in your course.