COMP SCI 7101A - Cyber Security Research Project Part A

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 1 - 2024

This is an advanced research project conducted individually under the guidance of an academic supervisor. It gives students the chance to investigate and contribute to an area at the cutting edge of cyber security. As part of the project students will present their work to an audience and write a major report detailing their results. Project topics vary from year to year depending on staff availability and research focus.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code COMP SCI 7101A
    Course Cyber Security Research Project Part A
    Coordinating Unit Computer Science
    Term Trimester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites COMP SCI 7308 or COMP SCI 7307
    Restrictions Only available to students in the Master of Cyber Security
    Course Description This is an advanced research project conducted individually under the guidance of an academic supervisor. It gives students the chance to investigate and contribute to an area at the cutting edge of cyber security. As part of the project students will present their work to an audience and write a major report detailing their results. Project topics vary from year to year depending on staff availability and research focus.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Sherif Haggag

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Upon completing this course, you will be able to:  

    identify and evaluate a current, specialized problem in cyber security within the research context
    develop an appropriate, applied research question
    scope and design a research project with clear milestones
    conceptually map proposed research within the wider literature and industry context
    present and report on research data and project progress
    appraise and select relevant research methodologies consistent with research principles, best-practice tools, techniques and relevant theories.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    2,3

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    3,4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Course readings list

    You can find the full course readings list, and access those readings here Links to an external site.. The readings are also available via the 'course readings' link in the left navigation pane.

    Independent reading and research

    As you progress through the course and the development of your own individual research project, it is expected that you will conduct substantial independent reading of academic and grey literature.

    Your supervisor can assist you with this, and you can find extra guidance and useful resources around finding and evaluating literature for research in module 4.
    Recommended Resources
    Non-compulsory readings

    This is a project-based course so there are no prescribed compulsory readings: you'll be engaging extensively with literature related to your topic as you progress your project.


    Online Learning
    Conferences

    The following conference publications may be useful:

    IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy Links to an external site.
    ACM Symposium on computer and communications and security Links to an external site.
    Key project and data references

    Wherever possible, resources that are open-access or available through the University of Adelaide Library have been provided.

    In some cases, additional resources have been flagged that may not be provided through the Library. These are not required textbooks.

    Depending on the specific needs of your research project, and your own professional interest, you may wish to consider purchasing access to them individually for your own reference, though the course does not require this of you.

    If you are struggling to find or access relevant reference materials and resources to support you with components of your research, you should consult with your Supervisor, who can help you find appropriate alternatives.

    Additional recommended and supplementary readings are also provided within individual modules and sections throughout the course as relevant.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    You should meet weekly with your supervisor
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    You need to work at least 20 hours per week on this course
    Learning Activities Summary
    Upon completing this course, you will be able to:  

    identify and evaluate a current, specialized problem in cyber security within the research context
    develop an appropriate, applied research question
    scope and design a research project with clear milestones
    conceptually map proposed research within the wider literature and industry context
    present and report on research data and project progress
    appraise and select relevant research methodologies consistent with research principles, best-practice tools, techniques and relevant theories.
    Specific Course Requirements
    no specific requirements for this course
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    You will need to submit 3 submissions for 3 marked assignments
    Assessment Related Requirements
    As you progress through your research project, you will complete four assessments: a personal Project Planner, a research proposal, a literature review, and a presentation of your analysis. These assessments have been structured to support you to develop your research project. The feedback you receive on each submission will help you further refine your ideas and progress your project.

    All assessments adhere to the University of Adelaide Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

    Please familiarise yourself with the assessment details below. The assessment brief and rubric information is also available via the 'Assignments' link in the navigation menu on the left.
    Assessment Detail
    Research Proposal
    20% of total
    20 Points

    Midterm Report
    20% of total
    20 Points

    Final report
    60% of total
    60 Points 
    Submission
    All submission dates are listed on myuni
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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