Unit information: Individual Project in 2022/23

Unit name	Individual Project
Unit code	COMSM0117
Credit points	60
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Omoronyia
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	Successful completion of all taught units in the MSc Cyber Security (Infrastructures Security).
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	School of Computer Science
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

The aim of the unit is to undertake an individual research project, developing in-depth knowledge on a specific topic in cyber security of infrastructures as well as garner independent research & development skills including:

• systematically identifying and studying a body of literature on a cyber security topic related to infrastructures;
• identifying an open research problem or demonstration of proof-of-concept of innovative research ideas;
• undertaking research (e.g., a study, development of a novel prototype, experimental work) to address the research problem;
• systematically evaluating the research outcomes through suitable methods, e.g., analysis, experimentation, or comparative studies with other approaches in literature or practice;
• systematically describe the process and outcome of the research in the form an original research dissertation.

Your learning on this unit

1. Work independently on an infrastructure security related project with a clearly-defined set of objectives and rationale.
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of theories and techniques specific to the project topic.
3. Apply said theories and techniques in own research and development in a creative manner.
4. Apply cyber security knowledge to a specific problem pertaining to large-scale infrastructures, which may be related to one or more of human, organisational or technical factors.
5. Critically evaluate own work and that of others.
6. Effectively communicate their conclusions in terms of their motivation, methodology, results and relation to existing work.
7. Consider ethics in research and the relevant ethics review processes.

How you will learn

Regular supervision meetings with the project supervisor (at least fortnightly)

In the event of a return to fully remote teaching due to COVID-19 we will adopt the University’s recommended guidance.

For projects involving work in the testbed and labs, on-campus will be prioritised, however, where that is not feasible, Bristol Cyber Security Group host an isolated VPN network that sits alongside that of the main university. This VPN can be used to access specific services that cannot be replicated at home.

How you will be assessed

Dissertation: 75% (aligned with Intended Learning Outcomes 1-7)

Viva voce: 25% (aligned with Intended Learning Outcome 6)

The timeline below represents the full project schedule from project selection through to vivas and submission. Specific dates will be decided each year to line up with university term dates;

Early October

• Call to supervisors for project ideas
• Call to industrial partners for industry-backed projects

1^st Week November

• Project list released to students
• Supervisor presentation session to students

November-December

• Students speak to supervisors about project ideas to make project choice

End of Autumn term (mid December)

• Students submit project selection forms
• Students submit 1 page project proposal

January

• Students begin project
• Second and third markers selected

June

• Project poster day
• Informal presentation to second marker (feedback only)

August (1-2 weeks before submission)

• Project viva-voce/demo

September

• Final project submission

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMSM0117).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.