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Unit outline_

CSEC5704: Cybersecurity Research Project B

Semester 2, 2024 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The Cybersecurity Research Project provides an opportunity for students to carry out a defined piece of independent research or design. These skills include the capacity to define a research or design question, show how it relates to existing knowledge and carry out the research or design in a systematic manner. Students will be expected to define an original research project that demonstrates their prior learning in their advanced cybersecurity specialist domain. The results will be presented in a final project presentation and report. It is not expected that the project outcomes from this unit will represent a significant contribution to new knowledge. The unit aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent research work in a setting and manner that fosters the development of cybersecurity skills in research.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CSEC5616 and INFO5301 and 12cp of (Cybersecurity Specialisation Core or Cybersecurity Specialist) units of study with a WAM of 75 or above
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CSEC5703 or CSEC5707 or CSEC5708 or CSEC5709 or OCSE5707 or OCSE5708 or COMP5802
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students should take INFO5993 either concurrently or prior to undertaking this project unit. The Research Project units must be taken in the final two semesters.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Xi Wu, xi.wu@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation hurdle task Project Presentation
Present the project to examiners
20% Formal exam period
Due date: 17 Nov 2024 at 23:59
Up to 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Honours thesis Thesis
Project work contributes to final thesis.
80% STUVAC
Due date: 04 Nov 2024 at 23:59
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Thesis: Each report is assessed by two examiners who meet the following requirements:

  • neither of them have played a supervisory role in the project
  • at least one of them is an academic staff from the School of Computer Science (usually both examiners meet this requirement)
  • one of them is from the area of the project and is knowledgeable about the topic of the report
  • one of them is from outside the project topic area

Presentation: Each student will be required to participate in an individual oral presentation of their project, which is compulsory. Failure to deliver a scheduled seminar will result in a fail grade for the project units.

Detailed information is available on Canvas.

Students also need to complete CSEC5702. If you are going to take 5702 in the following semester of 5704, please be aware that you are not required to submit the assessments mentioned above for 5704. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

It is a requirement of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

There may be statistically defensible moderation when combining the marks from each component to ensure consistency of marking between markers, and alignment of final grades with unit outcomes.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After 10 calendar days late, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Research Project (22 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Meetings One-to-one tuition (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. utilise prior domain knowledge to define and develop a research project relevant to a cybersecurity domain (MCyber)
  • LO2. initiate, formulate and plan a two semester-long original Cybersecurity research project based on research and development, incorporating risk mitigation strategies and following the plan methodically
  • LO3. analyse and synthesise information, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved
  • LO4. demonstrate knowledge of recent Cybersecurity research literature and possess an ability to apply research to own project
  • LO5. document, report and present project work undertaken to engage an academic and/or professional audience
  • LO6. develop, substantiate and articulate professional positions on issues relevant to the chosen area of practice. Critically reflect on and evaluate the outcomes and process of the project

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered
  • Participation in presentations is compulsory. Failure to deliver a scheduled seminar will result in a fail grade for the project units.
  • Students who take the research pathway project must have WAM>=75
  • We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. Similarity of any submitted assessment cannot be higher than 30%.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.