Bachelor of Cyber Security
Course handbook
On this page you will find:
General Information
Overview
Cybercrime is rapidly on the rise. Get qualified and help fill the global shortage of cyber security professionals. Learn the fundamentals, including encryption systems, access control and how network architecture and the internet is used to defend online data. Prepare for an in-demand and well-paid career across industries – from defence to media, health, business and more.
Study structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Cyber Security requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Web Development
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS10005 |
|
ICT Inquiry Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT10022 |
|
Network Administration
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE10005 |
|
Networks and Switching
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE10006 |
|
Introduction to Programming
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS10009 |
|
Technology in an Indigenous Context Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS10025 |
|
ICT Project A
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT30017 |
|
ICT Project B
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT30018 |
| Major units | |
|
Network Routing Principles
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE20002 |
|
ICT Design Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT20025 |
|
Network Security and Resilience
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE30009 |
|
IT Security
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30015 |
|
ICT Innovation Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT30016 |
|
Secure Remote Access Networks
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE30012 |
|
Malware Analysis
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20030 |
|
Cyber Security Ethics, Law and Policy
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
LAW30030 |
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Animation
- Biotechnology
- Business Analysis
- Business Analytics and Analysis
- Cinema and Screen Studies
- Climate and Social Justice
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing and Literature
- Criminology
- Data Analytics
- Digital Advertising Technology
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Sustainability
- Ethics and Technology
- Finance
- Financial Planning
- Games and Interactivity
- Global Studies
- History
- Human Resource Management
- Indigenous Studies
- Information Systems
- Journalism
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Media Industries
- Neuroscience
- Perspectives on Globalisation
- Philosophy
- Politics and International Relations
- Politics, Power and Technology
- Professional and Creative Writing
- Professional Writing and Editing
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Screen Production
- Screen Studies and Popular Culture
- Social Media
- Space Technology
Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Psychology
- Aviation
- Biomedical Science
- Biotechnology
- Branded Environments
- Chemistry
- Cinema and Screen Studies
- Climate and Social Justice
- Communication Design
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing
- Criminology
- Data Analytics
- Data Science
- Design History and Theory
- Design Principles and Processes
- Digital Marketing
- Diversity and Multiculturalism
- Editing
- Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Ethics and Technology
- Film and Television Theory
- Finance
- Games and Interactivity
- Health Statistics
- Healthy Societies
- Higher Mathematics
- History
- Human Resource Management
- Indigenous Studies
- Industrial Design
- Information and Communication Technology
- Innovation
- Interior Architecture
- Interior Documentation and Construction
- International Relations and Security
- Journalism
- Literature
- Management
- Management for Health
- Managing Information Systems
- Marketing
- Media Industries
- Motion Design
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition
- Perspectives on Globalisation
- Philosophy
- Photomedia
- Physics
- Politics and International Relations
- Professional and Creative Writing
- Public Relations
- Screen Studies and Popular Culture
- Social Impact
- Social Media
- Sociology
- Space Technology Minor
- UX Interaction Design
- Web Development
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - Major (12 months) | |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Information and Communication Technology
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
ICT20013 |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B - Information and Communication Technology
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
ICT20014 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
| or | |
| Professional placement - Minor (6 months) | |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Information and Communication Technology
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
ICT20013 |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
- CHE10007 Introduction to Forensic Science
- COS20001 User-Centred Design
- COS30008 Data Structures and Patterns
- COS30017 Software Development for Mobile Devices
- COS30020 Advanced Web Development
- COS30031 Games Programming
- COS30041 Creating Secure and Scalable Software
- COS30045 Data Visualisation
- COS40003 Concurrent Programming
- CRI10002 Fundamentals of Criminology
- FOR10001 Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- ICT30015 Technology Internship
- SWE20001 Managing Software Projects
- SWE30001 Real-Time Programming
- SWE30009 Software Testing and Reliability
- TNE10005 Network Administration
- TNE30018 Enterprise Network Server Administration
- TNE30019 Unix in the Internet
- TNE80013 Software Managed Networks
Outcomes and course rules
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- identify the need for cyber security and ICT solutions, elicit information from relevant stakeholders, and integrate principles of data rights and sovereignty within an Indigenous context.
- assess and analyse the appropriateness of methodologies and technologies for the design and implementation of cyber security and ICT solutions.
- identify, investigate, and appraise cyber security situations by applying appropriate methodologies, practices, technologies, ethical and legal issues, utilising generic and specialised software tools used by cyber security professionals.
- communicate effectively using written and oral communication skills in a professional context, adapt personal interaction style to a given audience, work efficiently in a team, guide and direct other team members.
- plan and implement a cyber security strategy considering the requirements of the organisation and consult with stakeholders.
- apply knowledge of the technologies that make up secure infrastructure to exploit and defend against idealised and real-life cyber security threats.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course will have developed extensive skills associated to the cyber security of systems, networks, and programs. Via a combination of technical units and those with embedded industry-relevant projects, graduates will have demonstrated contemporary technical abilities, teamwork, oral and written communication skills. Examples of specific careers include cyber analysts, penetration testers, security consultants, and information security officers.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Cyber Security students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
- eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
- eight [8] units of study from the cyber security major (100 credit points)
- eight [8] units of other studies (100 credit points) comprising a co-major, minor, advanced minor or electives.
Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL professional placement.
Students complete no more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.
Volume of learning
The Bachelor of Cyber Security of 300 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points. The volume of learning for the Bachelor of Cyber Security is typically 3 years.
Professional placements
Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be required to change courses in order to complete a placement and should consider visa implications and extended study duration prior to applying.
Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:
- eight [8] cyber security core units (100 credit points)
- eight [8] units of study from the cyber security major (100 credit points)
- four [4] units of study from the professional placement co-major (100 credit points); and
- six [6] units of other studies (75 credit points) comprising a minor, advanced minor or electives.
Students who undertake a six-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:
- eight [8] cyber security core units (100 credit points)
- eight [8] units of study from the cyber security major (100 credit points)
- two [2] units of study from the professional placement minor (50 credit points); and
- seven [7] units of other studies (87.5 credit points) comprising a minor, advanced minor or electives.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Computer Science is 200 credit points (normally 16 units).
Professional Recognition
The Bachelor of Cyber Security is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) at the professional level.
Admission criteria
Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.
Interested in the Bachelor of Cyber Security?
From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.