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Unit outline_

OCSE5707: Cybersecurity Capstone Project A

Semester 2a, 2024 [Online] - Online Program

The Cybersecurity Capstone 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 choose a research/development project that demonstrates their prior learning in the cybersecurity 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 investigative research or design work in a setting and manner that fosters the development of cybersecurity skills in research or design. Eligible students for the Cybersecurity Capstone project will be required to complete both DATA5707 (6 CP) and DATA5708 (6 CP), totalling 12 CP.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
A candidate for Master of Cybersecurity (online) who has completed a minimum of 24 credit points including 12 credit points Cybersecurity Core and 12 credit points of (Cybersecurity Specialist or Specialisation Core) units of study may take this unit
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CSEC5702 or CSEC5703 or CSEC5704 or CSEC5707 or CSEC5708 or CSEC5709 or COMP5802
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ali Anaissi, ali.anaissi@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 16 August 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Project Proposal
Project proposal document
10% Week 01
Due date: 04 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Proposal document, 1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment Progress Report I
Report writing, feasibility study, and exploring potential solutions
5% Week 03
Due date: 18 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Progress report ~ 10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Progress Report II
Report writing, feasibility study, and exploring potential solutions
15% Week 04
Due date: 25 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Progress report ~ 25 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Dissertation Project Presentation
Presenting your capstone project work (During tutorial session)
15% Week 06
Due date: 08 Sep 2024 at 23:59
20 - 30 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Final Proposal Report
Final report and conclude the capstone project
45% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2024 at 23:59
Maximum of 50 pages in length
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Weekly Progress & Discussion
Capstone project discussion and reporting the progress
10% Weekly 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Assessment Overview: The Cybersecurity Capstone Project is performed by an individual expert working with supervisors and other stakeholders.
  • Proposal and Progress Report *: A Project Proposal is a one-page document showing the proposed idea/area to explore for the Capstone Project. The Progress Reports should include problem/task specification, literature survey, proposed methodology, expected outcomes, progress, and the proposed timeline.
  • Presentation *: Each student must participate in an oral presentation. Presentations will be approximately 25-30 minutes duration. Participation in presentations is compulsory. Failure to deliver a scheduled seminar will result in a failing grade for the Capstone Project unit.
  • Final Report *: Maximum length is 50 pages (including tables, figures and references, but not appendices). Students should closely consult the report template and marking sheet for content and formatting requirements.
  • Weekly Progress & Discussion: Students will report the project state to supervisor(s) and seek feedback and confirmation. It is a compulsory component of this unit.

​* indicates an assessment task that must be repeated if a student misses it due to special considerations.

Students will receive a mark of UC (Unit Continuing) for Cybersecurity Capstone A if they have shown sufficient progress to warrant continuing to Cybersecurity Capstone Project B. The final grade for Cybersecurity Capstones A & B is based on the work done in Cybersecurity Capstone Projects A & B. Any marks awarded in Cybersecurity Capstone A will be incorporated into calculations for the final grade of the two units. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

 

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 of a very high standard, a credit of a good standard, and a pass of 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 unit's learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard. 

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that to pass this unit; a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more.

Students not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45, regardless of their average.

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

 

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A penalty of 5% per day late, e.g., a good assignment that typically gets 9/10 and is 2 days late loses 10% of the total 10 marks, i.e. new mark = 8/10. An average assignment that typically gets 5/10 and is 5 days late loses 25% of the total 10 marks, i.e. new mark = 2.5/10. Assignments more than 5 days late get 0. No late submission is permitted for the weekly tasks since it is part of the continuous assessment from the weekly synchronous sessions.

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
Week 01 Introduction to Cybersecurity Capstone Project (Lecture Videos and Readings) Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction to Cybersecurity Capstone Project (Project Work) Independent study (15 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction to Cybersecurity Capstone Project (Live Session) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Literature Review and Research Question Formulation (Lecture Videos and Readings) Independent study (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Literature Review and Research Question Formulation (Project Work) Independent study (15 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Literature Review and Research Question Formulation (Live Session) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Experimental Design and Ethical Considerations (Lecture Videos and Readings) Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Experimental Design and Ethical Considerations (Project Work) Independent study (15 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Experimental Design and Ethical Considerations (Live Session) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Project Proposal Writing: Objectives and Methodology (Lecture Videos and Readings) Independent study (4 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Project Proposal Writing: Objectives and Methodology (Project Work) Independent study (15 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Project Proposal Writing: Objectives and Methodology (Live Session) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Project Proposal Writing: Literature Review and Timeline (Lecture Videos and Readings) Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Project Proposal Writing: Literature Review and Timeline (Project Work) Independent study (15 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Project Proposal Writing: Literature Review and Timeline (Live Session) Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Capstone Approval and Finalising Project Planning (Lecture Videos and Readings) Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Capstone Approval and Finalising Project Planning (Project Work) Independent study (15 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Capstone Approval and Finalising Project Planning (Live Session) Tutorial (1.5 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 project relevant to a cybersecurity domain (MCyber).
  • LO2. Initiate, formulate and plan a semester-long cybersecurity project, 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 literature and possess an ability to apply investigative research to their 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.

This unit OCSE5707 is designed over the on-campus CSEC5707: Cybersecurity Capstone A

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.