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Data Science, Algorithms, and Complexity in the Cyber Context

Learn to:
  • Design and implement appropriate algorithms that satisfy the needs of a particular situation within cyber security
  • Critically evaluate a variety of common algorithms, algorithmic strategies and data structures used in cyber security
  • Analyse and assess the complexity and efficiency of an algorithm
  • Critically evaluate the appropriateness of a given algorithm in cyber security


Why is this important?

Algorithms are essential in all advanced areas of technical cyber security and related subjects, including artificial intelligence, databases, data science, distributed computing, graphics, networking, operating systems, programming languages and security.

An important part of using them well is the ability to select algorithms appropriate to particular purposes and to apply them, recognising the possibility that no suitable algorithm may exist. This relies on understanding the range of algorithms that address an important set of well-defined problems, recognising their strengths and weaknesses, and their suitability in particular contexts in combination with complementary data structures. Efficiency is a pervasive theme and a clear understanding of algorithmic complexity is essential if efficient algorithms are to be designed and used.


Content

This module develops the central concepts and skills required to design, implement and analyse algorithms for solving problems

Module content will cover:

  • basic analysis
  • algorithmic strategies
  • fundamental data structures and algorithms
  • basic automata, computability and complexity
  • topics in data science and machine learning


Delivery and assessment

8 half-day sessions will be regularly spaced across Year 3. Within each half day session, there will be a mix of lecture, tutorial and practical activity.

Assessment is 50% coursework and 50% examination for this module.

Essential information

Entry Requirements
A level: AAA (STEM subjects preferred)

IB: 36 points (STEM subjects preferred), with a minimum of 4 in English

UCAS Code
H651

Award
Degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Duration
3 years full time (30 weeks per academic year)

Tuition fees
Find out more about fees and funding

How to apply Undergraduate admissions