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Module

CSC8204 : Secure Software Development

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Stephen Riddle
  • Lecturer: Professor Thomas Gross
  • Owning School: Computing
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The module is concerned with the principles and practices of secure software design and security analysis. It will cover model-driven security which is concerned with engineering methods to support development of security-critical software systems. In addition, it will cover program verification techniques.

Concepts taught will include formal methods, common software security vulnerabilities and threats, tools and techniques for secure software design and how they are integrated into the software development lifecycle to reason and enforce security.

Outline Of Syllabus

Syllabus will among other things include the following:
• Principles of Secure Software Development
• Model-Driven Security
• Software Vulnerabilities
• Information Flow Control
• Static Analysis
• Program Verification

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture121:0012:00Lectures in person or online synchronous.
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading221:0022:00Background reading.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching101:0010:00Practical sessions/Workshops (in person or online) synchronous scheduled.
Guided Independent StudyProject work361:0036:00Coursework.
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study201:0020:00Lecture follow-up.
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will be used to introduce the learning material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example. Students are expected to follow-up lectures within a few days by re- reading and annotating lecture notes to aid deep learning.

This is a very practical subject, and it is important that the learning materials are supported by opportunities provided by practical classes, either in person or supported online. Students are expected to spend time on coursework outside timetabled practical classes.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report1M100Exercises in secure programming, logic and verification.
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Practical/lab report1MFormative tutorial exercises.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework assessment assesses the design, tools selection and assessment skills on a substantial problem.

Reading Lists

Timetable