University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Mathematics > Mathematics of Cybersecurity (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 2MATH002T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Oliver Johnson
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Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Mathematics |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This one-year Postgraduate Masters programme combines rigorous mathematical techniques, an understanding of the underlying problems of cybersecurity and the modern software and analytical tools required to solve them. It will give an appreciation and understanding of real-world data and its relationship to mathematical abstractions. Graduates of the programme will be able to think flexibly and creatively to solve problems, to work effectively in teams, to manage complex projects and communicate their findings effectively. By working on industrially-inspired problems, they will gain real-world skills which will greatly enhance their employability. The 60 credit point project will test students' understanding and synthesis of the mathematical concepts which they have gained in the lecture phase of the course, and require them to implement novel solutions to important problems in mathematical cybersecurity.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
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Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
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Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
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This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
For a postgraduate Certificate, students are required to complete 60cp of taught units (roughly corresponding to the first term taught units in the programme). The degree programme has been designed to engage the student in a cumulative process of developing skills and knowledge through a sequence of complementary stages. In the first term, all Certificate, Diploma and Masters students develop foundational knowledge and understanding of Mathematical Cybersecurity. They develop general intellectual skills and attributes necessary for that knowledge and understanding; and are required to develop several practical skills. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
For a postgraduate Diploma, students are required to complete all the taught units in the programme. In the second term, all Diploma and Masters students acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding of more specific areas of Mathematical Cybersecurity. These units explore more advanced topics that nevertheless build on the material learned in the first term. The intellectual and practical skills learned in the first term are also developed, applied and extended. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
The project acts as the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme, as they apply a synthesis of the appropriate technical, methodological and intellectual skills that have been developed to a challenging problem supervised by a staff advisor and located clearly within Mathematical Cybersecurity. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/maths/
School of Mathematics
University Walk
Bristol
BS8 1TW, UK
Postgraduate admissions
Tel: +44 (0)117 9288126
pgsec-maths@bristol.ac.uk
1st Floor, Royal Fort House Annexe
University of Bristol
Bristol
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Anomaly Detection | MATHM0030 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1B |
Complex Networks 4 | MATHM6201 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Cybersecurity Project Preparation | MATHM0031 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Cybersecurity Project | MATHM0027 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Data Science Toolbox | MATHM0029 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Introduction to Mathematical Cybersecurity | MATHM0028 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Select 40cp units from the following list, with: | ||||
No more than one unit from each group | ||||
No more than 30 credit points at level 6 | ||||
Group 5 | ||||
Stochastic Optimisation | MATHM0044 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Group 7 | ||||
Information Theory 3 | MATH34600 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Quantum Information Theory | MATHM5610 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Group 13 | ||||
Number Theory | MATH30200 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Algebraic Number Theory 4 | MATHM6205 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Group 15 | ||||
Quantum Computation | MATHM0023 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Bayesian Modelling | MATH30015 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Group 17 | ||||
Multivariate Analysis 34 | MATHM0510 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Topics in Discrete Mathematics 34 | MATHM0009 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
External units | ||||
Cryptology | COMS30021 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000