The module will further enhance the learner's skills in designing and developing object-oriented programs.

1. Introduce object-oriented design and the concepts of encapsulation, abstraction, inheritance, and polymorphism.
2. Design, implement, test, and debug simple programs using object-oriented concepts
3. Compare and contrast the notions of overloading and overriding methods in an object-oriented language.
4. Develop code that responds to exception conditions raised during execution.
5. Implement simple programs involving interfaces and abstract classes.
6. Explain, use, and modify source code which implements introductory sort and search algorithms.

Students will develop expertise in applying calculus to curve description and its application to problem solving. The course will also include statistical analysis of data. The module is geared to providing students with the mathematical skills relevant for research and dissertation later in the course.

1. Apply calculus methods for optimisation and rate of change
2. Calculate probability of an event and establish number of permutations possible
3. Use a variety of methods to explore, summarise and present data.
4. Use inferential statistical models to analyse data and make predictive estimation

To introduce the learner to network standards and technologies in order to design and modify data networks.

1. Analyse and Evaluate the OSI model and the TCP/IP suite.
2. Evaluate and recognise the role of internetworking device technology in a LAN.
3. Configure, test and troubleshoot Switches as part of a Local Area Network.
4. Identify, analyse and evaluate the subnetting of a network.

This module will further develop the concepts of ethical hacking. The learner will review the concepts of reconnaissance, scanning and exploitation. The learner will develop skills and knowledge in hacking frameworks. The learner will critically evaluate hacking processes, frameworks and mitigation measures.

1. Install, configure, test and troubleshoot ethical hacking frameworks and hackable services.
2. Scan, enumerate and discover hosts for exploit purposes using a range of tools and techniques.
3. Search, identify and explore appropriate exploits.
4. Evaluate complex ethical hacking processes and develop comprehensive countermeasures against threats

The module extends learning on the concepts, methodologies and procedures of digital forensics, inclusive of exposure to file systems, data carving, timeline generation, windows 10 forensics and live forensics using both windows and linux platforms.

1. Distinguish the principle characteristics of at least one file system
2. Explain the context, methods and detail of data carving
3. Construct the appropriate toolkit for conducting digital forensics
4. Explain the nature and context of digital artefacts in a Windows10 system.
5. Select an appropriate toolset to conduct live analysis.
6. Evaluate the role and importance of metadata in digital forensics

This subject will introduce the learners scripting. Learners will design and implement object oriented programs for use in the administration of server systems.

1. Create scripts implementing data structures as appropriate to the business use case
2. Create objects which implement object relationships with reference to efficient code.
3. Apply basic error handling and debugging techniques
4. Evaluate and implement best practices for scripted programs.

This module aims to develop an understanding of algorithms and data structures commonly required by computer applications.

1. Describe, analyse, and apply stack, queue, list, tree, hash, and graph data structures.
2. Use big O to determine relative efficiencies of algorithms and construct empirical tests to verify and tabulate efficiencies.
3. Explain, implement, and apply recursive algorithms.
4. Choose and apply appropriate data structures to solve particular application problems.

The module will explore both the theoretical and practical implementation of objects and structures relevant to relational and non-relational database systems. Transaction management, database administration, and query optimisation, will be examined and applied.

1. Develop database objects and structures applicable to relational and non-relational databases.
2. Illustrate transaction management techniques in a DBMS.
3. Examine and apply query optimisation concepts.
4. Apply administration and security concepts relating to database systems.
5. Examine and discuss recent database technologies and trends.

This module will provide the learner with the underlying knowledge to plan, implement and maintain networked services. The learner will investigate securing services and layer 2 devices.

1. Configure and maintain services for the support of a LAN.
2. Devise code for the configuration and management of networked services.
3. Identify and apply appropriate security measures to the networked services.
4. Analyse and configure key components of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).

This module will examine the security of web application architectures and identify vulnerabilities. The learner will review relevant security methodologies and protocols used in web applications. The learner will go on to examine the security and vulnerabilities of web platforms and develop best practice in the area.

1. Critically evaluate Web Application architectures and vulnerabilities.
2. Assess and review web application security methodologies and web protocols.
3. Review and critically evaluate web platform security and vulnerabilities.
4. Investigate and assess web application attacks and develop web application security best practice.
5. Formulate, test and evaluate appropriate Web App mitigation techniques.

The aim of the module is to confer students with an appreciation of critical aspects of digital forensics, including virtual machine, network, memory, mobile, cloud and database forensics. The module will in addition provide an appreciation of the ethics involved in digital forensics practice.

1. Develop an appreciation of the realities imposed by password protection and encryption.
2. Examine virtual machines and network packet captures to identify and evaluate digital artefacts in a forensic context.
3. Differentiate the tools and techniques required for digital forensics of mobile devices and cloud based systems.
4. Investigate and outline the critical methodologies and procedures used in multimedia, memory and database forensics.
5. Outline the role and responsibilities of a witness and identify ethical issues including chain of custody.

This subject will introduce the learners scripting. Learners will design and implement object oriented programs for use in the administration of server systems.

1. Carry out a comparative analysis of the various automation tools and languages
2. Automate the management of task control as part of a business workflow
3. Create, configure and deploy virtual machines in an automated manner
4. Write scripts to automate performance and monitoring tasks.

Object oriented analysis and design is concerned with the preparation and management of the requirements specification for a software system. An industry standard modelling technique supported by CASE technology will then be employed to represent these requirements.

1. Compare alternative approaches to the systems development life cycle.
2. Design data gathering techniques as part of requirements elicitation.
3. Identify and document requirements.
4. Appraise and evaluate UML.
5. Apply the use of CASE technology to model a system using UML.

The objective of this module is to provide the student writer with a detailed exposure to the general process of academic writing and to then relate this general process to the specific process of writing an academic report in the computing domain.

1. Develop a research specification which includes a research question and corresponding thesis,
2. Gather, evaluate and synthesise high quality evidence to support their thesis,
3. Plan and implement a writing strategy which is logically and rhetorically correct for the writing task
4. Critically review and revise initial drafts of the document against the research specification, against the conventions of academic writing and against the usual standards of grammar and style.

To introduce the learner to advanced network device configuration and dynamic routing protocols. This module will build on previous knowledge and develop themes in the secure provision of local and wide area routing and switching, Internet connectivity.

1. Identify and implement VLSM.
2. Design and implement typical routing protocols within and between Autonomous Systems using both IPv4 and IPv6.
3. Configure, test and troubleshoot Routers as part of a Local Area Network.
4. Configure, test and troubleshoot Dynamic Routing protocols.
5. Implement basic network security and analysis

This module will provide the learner with the underlying knowledge to plan, implement and maintain a server or virtual server with an emphasis on security issues.

1. Select and configure a server environment for specific application purposes.
2. Investigate server security issues and implement strategies to deploy secure services.
3. Implement performance and security monitoring and preventive maintenance in a server environment.
4. Identify and analyse the risks associated with providing remote and public access to services.
5. Implement a quality assurance and provenance scheme using contemporary techniques, policies and procedures.

This module aims to provide a general introduction to the key principles and rules of the Law of Evidence and to enable the student to relate and apply the Laws of Evidence to and in the contextual setting of the Forensics and digital information environment and the court environment.

1. Describe a variety of categories, rules and principles of the Law of Evidence.
2. Explain the structure and workings of the Irish court system and trial process.
3. Assess the role and factors that influence the value of evidence in the context of court proceedings.
4. Relate the Law of Evidence to Computer Forensics.

The student will learn both the theoretical concepts underpinning vulnerabilities and also how to implement remediation strategies in a modern object oriented programming language.

1. Evaluate the issues involved in designing, developing and implementing a secure application.
2. Evaluate security vulnerabilities and propose solutions for a security-conscious environment.
3. Develop memory management techniques, evaluate problems and discuss strategies and practical solutions to these issues in a modern object oriented programming language.
4. Discuss future trends in the field of software security.

This module is designed to teach the essential skills students need to make effective contributions and to have an immediate impact on the accomplishment of projects in which they are involved. Students will learn techniques required to plan, manage and control projects

1. Compare and contrast different approaches to project management, including agile programming methodologies.
2. Apply risk management techniques.
3. Appraise techniques used to estimate project cost and duration.
4. Prepare graphical representations to plan and control a project.
5. Compare and contrast team organisations and select a suitable organisation based on project characteristics.

This module will examine data analysis strategies and methods and the importance of data and business intelligence to an organisation. It will introduce the use of a statistical programming language and the evaluation of methods required to pre-process, condition and extract data prior to evaluation. Furthermore, the learner will develop an understanding of how to select and implement data analytic techniques, generate insight and interpret data visualisations.

1. Identify suitable data sources for an assigned use case and evaluate pertinence of captured data.
2. Manage datasets and evaluate content for pre-processing, conditioning and extraction.
3. Apply data analytic techniques to derive insight and value from datasets.
4. Analyse the importance of data analytics in deriving insight for business intelligence.
5. Critically appraise data analytics technologies and techniques across a broad range of use cases.
6. Apply research, information gathering, critical analysis, design and implementation techniques appropriately and effectively

The module will provide students with experience that closely approximates a real-world commercial project. Students will analyse, design, develop, implement and test an application. The module will also enable students to develop confidence in being able to work and contribute as part of a team.

1. Select and specify a project.
2. Produce a requirements specification to industry standards.
3. Implement the software system.
4. Demonstrate and document the software artefact.

This module will build on previous learning to provide the learner with the capability to plan, implement and maintain network services with an emphasis on secure implementation.

1. Select and configure a network environment with security being a primary consideration.
2. Investigate network security vectors and implement strategies to deploy secure services.
3. Implement security based on cryptographic principles.
4. Identify and mitigate risks associated with provision of specific services.
5. Implement a quality assurance and provenance scheme using contemporary techniques, policies and procedures.

This module is designed to introduce the students to the basic concepts surrounding private key cryptography and looks at some of the well-known but antiquated methods and shows how they can be described in a mathematical way. Algebraic structure of sets of numbers will be stressed from the outset, culminating in a consideration of the concepts of groups rings and fields. To that end numerical techniques and calculations will be studied through the course of the module. The core ideas of prime and relatively prime pairs will get much attention.

1. Recognise different classes of numbers such as the natural numbers, integers, rationals and real numbers and will be able to summarise the main drawbacks of representing these numbers in a computer.
2. Discuss the computer equivalents of the standard sets of numbers.
3. Use Euclid’s Algorithm for computing the greatest common divisor of two positive integers and the multiplicative inverse in a finite arithmetic.
4. Encipher and decipher plaintext using a number of fundamental approaches to cipher such as the Caesar cipher, Vignere Cipher etc.
5. Recognise when an algebraic structure has enough structure to be a group, ring or field.

Image processing theory and practice has for years provided students with an intuitive testing bed for programming. Their visual intuition feeds naturally into the theory and then extends itself to programming where the program methods produce intuitive output. As such this makes image processing a valuable tool; for strengthening programming skills as well as introducing students to subtle ideas from image processing theory which may be utilised later in areas such as steganographic, or biometric applications.

1. Develop pixel-based image transforms for a range of uses.
2. Discuss and contribute meaningfully to the theory behind such concepts as colour, image transforms, image formation and capture.
3. Program image transforms such as histogram equalisation.
4. Conceive, analyse and discuss image compression techniques.
5. Compare and contrast DCT and DWT transforms.

Software engineering is an engineering discipline which is concerned with all aspects of software production, it is concerned with theories, methods and tools for professional software development . This module builds on what learners have already covered in previous modules and teaches the discipline of software engineering. Learners will evaluate the engineering methods, processes, techniques and measurements which are part of software engineering.

1. Compare and contrast software process models, including considerations of agile methodologies where relevant, and select a suitable software process model for use on a software project.
2. Evaluate quality in the software process and process improvement initiatives.
3. Appraise software quality models.
4. Establish a software measurement programme.
5. Manage software configuration for a software project.

This module will give students practice in academic research with the freedom to express their personal interests in the field of computing. Students will have an opportunity to critically analyse and synthesise pertinent literature regarding their area of exploration. Students will gain an appreciation of iterative development, critique and an ability to devise a plan for practical development.

1. Appraise and evaluate emerging trends from information sources and present findings.
2. Develop and document detailed aims and objectives from preliminary research with due consideration of current wider challenges such as, for example, the key issue of sustainability.
3. Critically analyse and evaluate pertinent literature succinctly.
4. Analyse advancements in technology with regard to their impact on research and industry.
5. Develop and document a design solution using appropriate methodologies for the field of study.
6. Develop and present a prototype of high academic and technical standard.

This module will provide the learner the knowledge about how software defined networking is changing the way communication networks are managed, maintained and secured. This course will also provide knowledge about wireless network architecture, design, protocols, and security.

1. Design, analyse and implement wireless LAN communication, protocols, and architecture.
2. Design and understand security vulnerabilities, attacks, and mitigation techniques for wireless security.
3. Appraise the challenges of adopting software-defined network over the traditional network
4. Design and implement software-defined network and centralised controller with security considerations.
5. Analyse the architecture and design requirements of a software-defined network

To provide the student with skills and knowledge to understand and appreciate the governance, risk management procedures and mandatory compliance requirements necessary for the successful administration and coordination of an organization.

1. Critically appraise the available best practices for IT governance.
2. Justify the selection of appropriate governance strategies for a given set of business goals and requirements.
3. Align IT strategic, tactical and operational planning to meet strategic business needs.
4. Identify, remediate, monitor, exploit and manage enterprise IT risks according to typical methodologies or standards.
5. Critically assess and audit compliance with relevant mandatory and best practice standards in enterprise IT.

This module features a rigorous introduction to modern cryptography, with an emphasis on the fundamentalcryptographic primitives of public-key encryption, digital signatures, pseudo-random number generation, digital currency models, and basic protocols and their computational complexity requirements.

1. Describe and classify cryptographic protocols
2. Synthesise cryptographic protocols to form a coherent understanding of the role of cryptography in computer security
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the mathematical underpinning of cryptography
4. Perform simple mathematical proofs for cryptographic schemes
5. Critique the mathematical building blocks of modern cryptographic systems

Students should become sensitized to the ethical and social implications of the growing use of computers and will develop an understanding of the legal issues inherent in the discipline of computing.

1. Evaluate the utility of philosophical ethical theories in solving computer related ethical issues.
2. Examine what it means to be professional at work, in conduct and practice.
3. Discuss the consequences of pertinent legal and social issues on software developers and the role of relevant enforcement organisations.
4. Evaluate current computer-based threats.

This module will offer the student the opportunity to present the synthesis of their computing skills through a personally chosen and independently developed software artefact and supplementary document. Project Development will encourage independent investigation, design skills, revision and reflection on a specific area of computer science relevant to the student's course of study. The software artefact should be a direct response to a research investigation carried out in the Research in Computing with Emerging Technologies module.

In the submission of an accompanying document, it is expected the student will evidence the employment of an appropriate software design methodology, critical thinking and problem solving with regard to issues raised during development. The excellent student will synthesise material from modules they have taken over their course of study and bring this knowledge to bear on their chosen topic.

1. Demonstrate independent technical investigation.
2. Choose and apply an appropriate software design methodology for the development of a software artefact.
3. Demonstrate good software development skills, including efficient code, code commenting, code revision, extensibility, bug testing, and deployment.
4. Demonstrate the ability to document and explain development activities in a project report that adheres to academic standards.
5. Deliver a comprehensive presentation on the conception, research, design and development phases which led to their software artefact.

Steganography and Biometric Imaging is a study of imaging in a range of security related fields: steganography, watermarking and biometric security. It involves the study of the design and evaluation of relevant methods. Through this work the student will develop in depth knowledge of digital media and computer security .

1. Analyse and critique steganographic methods using an array of criteria
2. Advise and direct non specialists who are interested in employing watermarking technology
3. Construct a toolkit suitable for use in steganography and watermarking activities
4. Apply, develop and critique a range of techniques to enhance and match fingerprint images.
5. Present coherently a concise and comprehensive analysis of the dangers, weaknesses, uses and abuses of biometric identification methods.
6. Integrate methods from image processing such as transform mapping to the end of advancing biometric success, such as iris scanning, minutiae extraction or constellation mapping.