CSC8430 : Ethics and Security
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Rasha Ibrahim
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
In this module the apprentices will learn about the security principles and considerations that should be adopted in the software engineering process from requirements, design, through to development and testing. The module also puts a particular emphasis on the ethical, legal and social considerations of software engineering when applied to the workplace.
*Apprentices and their employers who wish to apply a project from their workplace must consult with the Module Leader to ensure the scope is manageable in the semester, and the project criteria is met.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover
• Cyber Security:
o The need for security
o Foundations of security
o Privacy
o Practical security
o Information Governance: ethical, legal and social issues involved in data management
and analysis
• Ethical, social and legal consideration in cyber security
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 13:00 | 13:00 | Preparation for the End Point Assessment (EPA), apprentices to record reflections into APTEM. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 4:00 | 16:00 | Report on Security Principles |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Sessions on security, ethics and leadership.[online non-synchronous] |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Work in a supervised environment to develop skills and professional practices.[PIP] |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Apprentices will undertake specific research or reading on their own as directed by academic staff |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Apprentices to apply skills and knowledge in the workplace to reinforce their learning. |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Directed work, students to reflect on the knowledge and skills developed. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Staff available to answer student queries at a pre-specified time, online or PIP.[online sync] |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Directed group work by apprentices undertaken without staff being present. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
One day a week of in person sessions of workshops and practicals will provide structure, continuous feedback, and opportunities for apprentices to develop their skills in security and ethics.
In persons include:
• Workshops led by instructor(s) and their guest speakers to help structure and guide the apprentices work and link theories and concepts covered online to the apprentices’ projects, host seminar style discussions on case studies around ethical, social and legal issues, and
• Practical sessions for applying the concepts they’ve learned in the disciplines of ethics and security to cybersecurity projects evaluation and for tackling and completing technical exercises, as well as drop-in surgeries for troubleshooting issues.
Online sessions include:
• Introduction to theoretical concepts
• Pre workshop and practical readings,
• Pre workshop or practical activities,
• Discussions to increase deeper understanding of concepts and build community
• Optional formative assessments to support in-person activities
On the Job may include:
• Observing and reflecting on the practice of an experienced software engineer
• Reviewing and supporting on an experienced software engineer’s project
• Identifying and suggesting ideas or approaches to a (potential) cyber-security issue at work
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 100 | 4,000 word report on security principles & considerations taught throughout the module |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | Draft report including sample of reflective work, final report structure and formatting |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
This module is coursework based with one report submission (as it is 10 credits only). For this report, apprentices will apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge in recognising and recommending security solutions to a given scenario with consideration of the ethical, social and legal factors.
Other activities that exist to support mastery of learning, but not formatively assessed, include weekly workshops, and skills practice in the workplace. Workshops allow the instructor to meet with groups regularly for a status update on their work towards their final project, help address issues, and provide feedback. In addition to this, workshops are an opportunity to learn from researchers and practitioners through seminars and activities that build apprentices interpersonal skills.
This apprenticeship recognises that not all learning can be mastered in one day, therefore there is time allocated for practising skills, meaning apprentices can transfer their knowledge and skill into the workplace. These opportunities need to be identified during tri monthly tripartite meetings with the apprentice, their manager and their teaching fellow. These events are then documented in another platform (APTEM) which members of the tripartite conversation can access.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8430's Timetable