View Specification DocumentInformation Security UESTCHN4009
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Engineering
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course provides an introduction to the foundational aspects of information security, such as algorithms and protocols. It also covers the basics of blockchain technology and its potential applications.
Timetable
This course will be timetabled in blocks, typically one week in four with tutorials and on-line support available between each block.
Requirements of Entry
Mandatory Entry Requirements
None
Recommended Entry Requirements
Excluded Courses
none
Co-requisites
none
Assessment
Assessment
Examination : 75%
Set Exercise : 10%
Report. : 15%
There will be a final exam worth 75%. The lab sessions shall involve carrying out and solving some set exercise followed by submission of reports on the assigned exercises.
Main Assessment In: December
Course Aims
The course aims to equip the students with the capability to design, evaluate and analyse various constituent components of fundamental and information security.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Apply the algorithms behind a number of different cryptographic and communication solutions;
■ Interpret a number of different security protocols;
■ Evaluate an existing or proposed system in terms of potential vulnerabilities and recommend the most appropriate security solution to apply in a number of different scenarios;
■ Summarise the key vulnerabilities, threats, and attacks with regards to network security and explain approaches to mitigate these issues.
■ Evaluate the principles of distributed ledger technology (DLT) for potential applications.
■ Design and analyse various components of a DLT such blockchain.