The Diploma in Data and Cyber Security (Dip. DCS) 2-year program prepares graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to enter a career in data and cyber security. After completing this hands-on diploma program, graduates will possess a foundation in networking concepts, programming languages, cybersecurity and Web technologies currently being used in the field.
The Diploma in Data and Cyber Security program is distinguished by:
- Building a strong foundation in Data and Cyber Security.
- Preparing graduates to be adaptable to changes in the computing industry.
- Alignment with the needs of the cyber security industry.
- Integrating applied real-world experience in learning.
- Alignment with and mapped to international requirements of leading professional bodies
Graduates will be well positioned to implement and maintain cyber security within computing environments, and to support organizations in protecting data confidentiality, integrity and availability. Students gain hands on experiential learning through applied assignments and a required 9-week Data and Cyber Security work placement. Diploma in Data and Cyber Security (Dip. DCS) graduates are eligible for entrance into the third year of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Data and Cyber Security (B.A.Sc. DCS).
Admission Requirements
High school graduation certificate or equivalent approved by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education with a minimum average of 60%, plus two courses: one final year Mathematics, and one final year Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) or Technology (Algorithms, Programming, Network, Computer Science, or equivalent);
OR
One-year Advanced Information Technology Diploma from UDST, or equivalent.
The required score on the University English Placement Test or a passing score from another approved internationally recognized English language test, as validated by the Admissions & Registration Department;
OR
A valid (within two years) IELTS Academic Test Report Form with an overall band of 5.0 with no individual band score (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) below 5.0;
OR
Successful completion of Foundation Program requirements.
Must achieve the required score on the University Math Placement Test;
OR
A valid SAT Report Form with minimum score of 480.
Admission is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked based on their overall final year (Grade 12 or equivalent) high school percentage, placement tests rankings, and Admission Priority Category.
Degree Plan and Courses
| COURSE NUMBER |
COURSE TITLE | PRE | CO | HOURS/WEEK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR | LEC | LAB | ||||
| SEMESTER 1 | ||||||
| INFS1101 | Introduction to Computing & Problem Solving | - | - | 3 | 2 |
3 |
|
EFFL1001 OR EFFL1002 |
Effective Learning Applied & Experiential Learning |
- | - | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| COMM1010 | English Communication I | - | - | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| INFT1201 | Computer Hardware | - | - | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Semester 1 Total: | 13 | 11 | 6 | |||
| SEMESTER 2 | ||||||
| COMM1020 | English Communication II | COMM1010 | - | 3 | 3 | 0 |
|
MATH1030 OR MATH1040* OR MATH1050 |
Calculus I
Statistics
Linear Algebra |
- | - | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| INFS1201 | Computer Programming | INFS1101 | - | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| INFT2101 | Networking I | INFT1201 | - | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| *MATH1040 is 3CR & 4 Contact Hours (3 Lec, 1 Lab) so the totals will have to be modified for students who choose this option | ||||||
| Semester 2 Total: | 14 | 12 | 6 | |||
| SEMESTER 3 | ||||||
| INFS2101 | Web Technologies I | INFS1201 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| DACS2201 | Introduction to Data & Cyber Security | INFT2101 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Semester 3 Total: | 6 | 4 | 6 | |||
| Year 1 Total: | 33 | 27 | 18 | |||
| COURSE NUMBER |
COURSE TITLE | PRE | CO | HOURS/WEEK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR | LEC | LAB | ||||
| SEMESTER 1 | ||||||
| INFS2201 | Database Management Systems | INFS1101 | - | 3 | 2 |
3 |
|
INFT3101 |
Networking II |
- | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| INFS3102 | Object Oriented Programming | INFS1201 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| INFS3201 | Web Technologies II | INFS2101 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Semester 1 Total: | 12 | 8 | 12 | |||
| SEMESTER 2 | ||||||
|
MATH1030 OR MATH1040* OR MATH1050 |
Calculus I Statistics Linear Algebra |
- | - | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| DACS3201 | Network Security | INFT3101 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| DACS4102 | Web Security | INFS3201 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| DACS4103 | Scripting for Cyber Security | INFS3102 | - | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| *MATH1040 is 3CR & 4 Contact Hours (3 Lec, 1 Lab) so the totals will have to be modified for students who choose this option | ||||||
| Semester 2 Total: | 12 | 9 | 9 | |||
| SEMESTER 3 | ||||||
| COMP2301 | Work Placement | All prior diploma courses | - | 9 | 0 | 40 |
| Semester 3 Total: | 9 | 0 | 40 | |||
| Year 2 Total: | 33 | 17 | 61 | |||
Career Opportunities
A wide range of career opportunities in field currently exist and they include but are not limited to the following:
| IT Security Operations Trainee | Data Security Engineering Assistant |
Information Systems Security Officer |
| Cyber Security Analyst | Network Engineer Technician | Information Security Technician |
| Data and Cyber Security Monitoring Support | Solutions Architect Assistant | Threat Monitoring Analyst |
| Data Protection Technician | Security Compliance Technician | Cyber Security Consultant |