Bachelor of Computing in Information Security

Overview

The Bachelor of Computing in Information Security aims to:

  • To provide a broad-based, inter-disciplinary information security undergraduate programme within NUS.
  • To contribute to the national focus on growing the pool of cyber security professionals in Singapore.
  • To produce graduates who are able to understand information security issues and practices from both technical and organisational points of view.

Graduates of this programme are expected to have possible career choices as software engineers, systems administrators, malware researchers, security analyst, cybersecurity incident responder, and security consultant.  They are expected to find employment in industries that deal with sensitive information (e.g., banks, insurance, defence), government organisations, and firms that provide security consultation/systems/services.

This programme enables students to attain, by the time of graduation:

  • Strong knowledge of computer science foundations and fundamentals, including (a) familiarity with common computer science themes and principles, (b) high-level understanding of systems as a whole, (c) understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of computer science and their influences in practice.
  • An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, components, or program to meet the security needs.
  • An understanding of the processes and challenges that support the delivery and management of information security in an organisation.
  • An ability to function effectively in teams to accomplish a common goal.
  • An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities.
  • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organisations, and society.
  • Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development
  • An ability to use the current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for information security practice.
Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Computing (Information Security) requires at least 160 units.

Students will be required to satisfy at least 6 units of Industrial Experience Requirement by doing the following industry experience courses:

  • A 6-month internship through CP3880 Advanced Technology Attachment Programme (12 units);
  • A 3-month internships through one of the followings:
    • CP3200 Internship (6 units);
    • CP3202 Internship II (6 units);
    • CP3107 Computing for Voluntary Welfare Organisations (6 units);
    • CP3110 Computing for Voluntary Welfare Organisations II (6 units);
    •  ETP3205 Innovation & Enterprise Internship ( 6 units) .
  • IS4010 Industry Internship Programme (12 units) from the Department of Information Systems and Analytics;
  • TR3202 Start-up Internship Programme (12 units) from NUS Overseas Colleges;
  • Other forms of industry experience approved by the Department of Computer Science.

Students with Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.00 or higher may opt to replace Industry Experience Training by CP4101 BComp. Dissertation.

Students who aim for Honours (Highest Distinction) must pass the CP4101 BComp Dissertation. Students with GPA of 4.00 or higher at the end of their fifth semester of undergraduate study may opt to replace the Industry Experience Requirement by BComp Dissertation (12 units). As with other students with GPA of 4.00 or higher, these students may opt to replace Industry Experience Requirement by BComp. Dissertation.

(i) COMMON CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS1 (40 Units)

(ii) PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS (84 Units)

Computing Foundation
CS1231S     Discrete Structures
CS2030      Programming Methodology II
CS2040C   Data Structures and Algorithms
CS2100      Computer Organisation
CS2101       Effective Communication for Computing Professionals2
CS2103T    Software Engineering2
CS2105      Introduction to Computer Networks
CS2106      Introduction to Operating Systems

Information Security Requirements
CS2107      Introduction to Information Security
CS3235     Computer Security
Either
IFS4205  Information Security Capstone Project or
(CS4238  Computer Security Practice and IFS4103  Penetration Testing Practice)
IS4231        Information Security Management

Complete 8 units from the following list of courses:
CS4230      Foundations of Modern Cryptography
Either
   CS4236       Cryptography Theory and Practice; or
   MA4261      Coding and Cryptography
CS4238      Computer Security Practice
CS4239      Software Security
CS4257      Algorithmic Foundations of Privacy
CS4276      IoT Security
CS5231      Systems Security
CS5321      Network Security
CS5322      Database Security
CS5331      Web Security
CS5332      Biometric Authentication
IFS4101     Legal Aspects of Information Security
IFS4102     Digital Forensics
IFS4103     Penetration Testing Practice
IS4204      IT Governance
IS4233      Legal Aspects of Information Technology
IS4234      Governance, Regulation, and Compliance Technology
IS4238      Strategic Cybersecurity
IS4302      Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies
Other courses approved by the School of Computing UG Office

Computing Requirements

Complete 12 units of CS-coded, IS-coded, or CP-coded courses subject to the following conditions:

  • CS-coded and IS-coded courses must be at level-3000 or above.
  • At least 6 units must consist of industrial experience courses3.

Mathematics
MA1521        Calculus for Computing
MA1522        Linear Algebra for Computing
ST2334         Probability and Statistics 3

 

(iii) UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES (36 units)

Students without A-level or H2 mathematics or equivalent are required to complete MA1301/X Introductory Mathematics or equivalent as part of the UE.

Footnotes:

1 Students can refer to: https://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/academic-information-policies/undergraduate-students/general-education/for-students-admitted-from-AY2021-22 for the University Level Requirements (ULR).  CS1010 will satisfy the Digital Literacy pillar.
2 Students taking CS2103T Software Engineering must take CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals in the same semester.
3 Students pursuing a Second Major in Mathematics or Statistics should take ST2334 Probability and Statistics. If a student has taken (ST2131 or MA2216 or MA2116) and ST2132, then the student does not need to take ST2334.

NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC)

Students who attended NOC programme may:

  • count ETP3201L Innovation & Enterprise Internship (12 units) towards Industrial Experience Requirement
  • count ETP3202L Innovation & Enterprise Case Study and Analysis towards Unrestricted Electives. Students working on information-security-related projects for ETP3202L may seek approval to instead take ETP3202P which counts towards IFS4205 Information Security Capstone Project requirement.
  • count ETP3203L Innovation & Enterprise Internship Practicum (8 units) towards Computing Breadth
Summary of degree requirement for Bachelor of Computing in Information Security
Courses
Units
Subtotals
COMMON CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS 1 40
University Level Requirements: 6 University Pillars24 
Digital Literacy — CS1010 Programming Methodology4 
Critique and Expression — GEX%4 
Cultures and Connections — GEC%4 
Data Literacy —  Either GEA1000, BT1101, ST1131 or DSE11014 
Singapore Studies — GES%4 
Communities and Engagement —  GEN%4 
Computing Ethics4 
IS1108 Digital Ethics and Data Privacy4 

Interdisciplinary & Cross-Disciplinary Education 

Comprises of Interdisciplinary (ID) Courses and Cross-disciplinary (CD) Courses

Students are required to take 12 units from the above courses with at least two ID courses and no more than one CD course to satisfy the 12 units required in this group.

12 
PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS 
84
Computing Foundation
32
 
CS1231S Discrete Structures
4
 
CS2030 Programming Methodology II4 
CS2040C Data Structures and Algorithms
4
 
CS2100 Computer Organisation
4
 
CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals 2
4
 
CS2103T Software Engineering 24 
CS2105 Introduction to Computer Networks
4
 
CS2106 Introduction to Operating Systems
4
 
Information Security Requirements
28
 
CS2107 Introduction to Information Security
4
 
CS3235 Computer Security
4
 
Either
IFS4205 Information Security Capstone Projector
(CS4238 Computer Security Practice and IFS4103 Penetration Testing Practice)
8 
IS4231 Information Security Management
4
 
Programme Electives
Complete 8 units from the following list of Information Security elective courses:
CS4230 Foundations of Modern Cryptography
Either
CS4236 Cryptography Theory and Practice; or
MA4261 Coding and Cryptography
CS4238 Computer Security Practice
CS4239 Software Security
CS4257 Algorithmic Foundations of Privacy
CS4276 IoT Security
CS5231 Systems Security
CS5321 Network Security
CS5322 Database Security
CS5331 Web Security
CS5332 Biometric Authentication
IFS4101 Legal Aspects of Information Security
IFS4102 Digital Forensics
IFS4103 Penetration Testing Practice
IS4204 IT Governance
IS4233 Legal Aspects of Information Technology
IS4234 Governance, Regulation, and Compliance Technology
IS4238 Strategic Cybersecurity
IS4302 Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies
Other level-4000 or above courses approved by the School of Computing UG Office
8
 
Computing Requirements
12
 

Complete 12 units of CS-coded, IS-coded, or CP-coded courses subject to the following conditions:

  • CS-coded and IS-coded courses must be at level-3000 or above.
  • At least 6 units must consist of industrial experience courses.
12
 
Mathematics
12
 
MA1521 Calculus for Computing
4
 
MA1522 Linear Algebra for Computing4 
ST2334 Probability and Statistics 3
4
 
UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES 4 
36
Grand Total 
160

Footnotes:

1 Students can refer to: https://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/academic-information-policies/undergraduate-students/general-education/for-students-admitted-from-AY2021-22 for the University Level Requirements (ULR).  CS1010 will satisfy the Digital Literacy pillar.
2 Students taking CS2103T Software Engineering must take CS2101 Effective Communication for Computing Professionals in the same semester.
3
Students pursuing a Second Major in Mathematics or Statistics should take ST2334 Probability and Statistics. If a student has taken (ST2131 or MA2216 or MA2116) and ST2132, then the student does not need to take ST2334.
4 Students without A-level or H2 mathematics or equivalent are required to complete MA1301/X Introductory Mathematics or equivalent as part of the UE.