Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Data and Cyber Security (B.Sc. DCS) is a four-year program which provides students with the applied knowledge and skills needed for a dynamic career in the field of Data and Cyber Security (DCS). The program includes DCS courses alongside various foundational computing discipline courses, enabling graduates to contribute to the operational context of DCS functions. The interdisciplinary nature of cyber security includes elements of data security. It focuses on how hardware and software systems can be designed and operated to ensure business or institutional security by reducing the threat of unauthorized access or intervention. The B.Sc. DCS program develops students’ abilities to design, implement, and maintain advanced security mechanisms, policies and procedures within information technology environments. This is supported by exposure to data security techniques offering students a solid understanding of cyber risk assessment and safe data management strategies. These skill sets, when consolidated through the completion of an industry work placement and a capstone project, will prepare graduates for an exciting career in modern-day DCS.

Program Duration:

4 years

Admission Requirements:

1. 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

2. Two-year Information Technology Diploma or equivalent approved by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
1. 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 Directorate OR

2. 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

3. Successful completion of Foundation Program requirements.
1. Must achieve the required score on the University Math Placement Test; OR

2. A valid SAT Report Form with minimum score of 480.
1. 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.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation from the Bachelor of Science in Data and Cyber Security (B.Sc. DCS) program, graduates will be able to:

PEO01. Manage information technology, data, and cyber security environments

PEO02. Develop policies and procedures for approval by executive officials to ensure adherence to best practices in information technology and data protection

PEO03. Evaluate current and emerging safeguards for use to ensure the safety and authenticity of an organization’s data

PEO04. Provide threat and vulnerability analyses along with security solutions and business advisory services

PEO05. Engage in lifelong learning, professional development, and ethical practices

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Data and Cyber Security (B.Sc. DCS) program, graduates will be prepared to:

SLO01. Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions

SLO02. Develop, implement, and evaluate computing-based solutions to meet requirements in the context of the program’s discipline

SLO03. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts

SLO04. Demonstrate professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles

SLO05. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline

SLO06. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats

To see the 2022-2023 Study Plan pages, please CLICK HERE!

 

To see the 2023-2024 Study Plan pages, please CLICK HERE!

 

To see the 2024-2025 Study Plan pages, please CLICK HERE!

2025-2026 Study Plan:

COURSE
NUMBER		 COURSE TITLE REQUISITE HOURS/WEEK
Pre-req CO-req CR LEC LAB
SEMESTER 1
COMM1010 English Communication I - - 3 3 0
INFS1101 Introduction to Computing & Problem Solving - - 3 2 3
MATH1030 Calculus I MATH1020 OR AMPII Score of 85% - 3 3 0
Elective - Effective & Experiential Learning: select 1 of 3
EFFL1001 Effective Learning - - 3 3 0
EFFL1002 Applied & Experiential Learning - - 3 3 0
EFFL1003 Experiential Learning & Entrepreneurship - - 3 3 0
Semester 1 Total: 12 11 3
SEMESTER 2
COMM1020 English Communication II COMM1010 - 3 3 0
INFS1201 Computer Programming INFS1101 - 4 3 3
INFT2101 Networking I INFT1201 or INFS1101 - 4 3 3
MATH1040 Statistics - - 3 3 1
Semester 2 Total: 14 12 7
SEMESTER 3
INFS1301 Computing Ethics & Society - - 3 3 0
Elective: select 1 of 2
SCIE1001 Science & Its Applications - - 3 3 0
SCIE1002 Science & the Environment - - 3 3 0
Semester 3 Total: 6 6 0
Year 1 Total: 32 29 10
COURSE
NUMBER		 COURSE TITLE REQUISITE HOURS/WEEK
Pre-req CO-req CR LEC LAB
SEMESTER 4
INFS2101 Web Technologies I INFS1201 - 3 2 3
DACS2201 Introduction to Data & Cyber Security INFT2101 - 3 2 3
DACS2101 Discrete Structures - - 3 2 3
MATH1050 Linear Algebra - - 3 3 1
Semester 4 Total: 12 9 10
SEMESTER 5
DACS2202 Introduction to Computing Systems DACS2101 or INFT2102 AND INFS1201 - 4 3 3
DSAI2201 Introduction to Data Science & AI - - 3 2 3
INFS2201 Database Management Systems INFS1201 - 3 2 3
INFS3102 Object Oriented Programming INFS1201 - 3 2 3
Semester 5 Total: 13 9 12
SEMESTER 6
SOFT2301 Software Project Management Min 50 Credits - 3 2 3
Elective: select 1 of 4
ECON1001 Global Economic Concepts - - 3 3 0
GARC1001 Qatar History & Society - - 3 3 0
GARC2001 Human Development in Qatar COMM1020 - 3 3 0
GARC2002 Globalization & Environment - - 3 3 0
Semester 6 Total: 6 5 3
Year 2 Total: 31 23 25
COURSE
NUMBER		 COURSE TITLE REQUISITE HOURS/WEEK
Pre-req CO-req CR LEC LAB
SEMESTER 7
DACS3101 Applied Cryptography DACS2101 AND MATH1050 - 3 2 3
INFT3101 Networking II INFT2101 - 3 2 3
INFT2201 Introduction to Operating Systems INFS1201 & INFT1201 OR SOFT2301 - 3 2 3
DACS3203 Secure Software Development DACS2201 AND INFS3102 - 3 2 3
Semester 7 Total: 12 8 12
SEMESTER 8
DACS3201 Network Security DACS2201 AND INFT3101 - 3 2 3
DACS4101 Security Engineering Principles DACS3101 OR DACS3203 - 3 2 3
DACS3202 Cyber Security Analytics & Visualization DSAI2201 - 3 2 3
INFS3201 Web Technologies II INFS2101 & INFS2201 & INFS3102 - 3 2 3
Semester 8 Total: 12 8 12
SEMESTER 9
DACS3301 Privacy in the Digital Era DACS2201 - 3 3 0
Elective - Global Awareness and Regional Challenges: select 1 of 4
ECON1001 Global Economic Concepts - - 3 3 0
GARC1001 Qatar History & Society - - 3 3 0
GARC2001 Human Development in Qatar COMM1020 - 3 3 0
GARC2002 Globalization & Environment - - 3 3 0
Semester 9 Total: 6 6 0
Year 3 Total: 30 22 24
COURSE
NUMBER		 COURSE TITLE REQUISITE HOURS/WEEK
Pre-req CO-req CR LEC LAB
SEMESTER 10
COMP4101 Practicum Min 80 Credits - 3 1 6
DACS4103 Scripting for Cyber Security INFT2201 AND DACS 2201 AND INFS3102 - 3 2 3
DACS4202 Penetration Testing DACS3201 AND DACS4101 - 3 2 3
Elective: select 1 of 9
DACS4102 Web Security DACS2201 AND INFS3201 - 3 2 3
DACS4210 Cyber Security Policies, Strategies & Procedures DACS3301 - 3 3 0
DACS4105 Fundamentals of Cyber-Physical Systems DACS3201 - 3 2 3
DACS4208 Industrial Control Systems Security DACS4105 - 3 2 3
DACS4203 IoT & OT Hacking DACS4202 - 3 2 3
DACS4204 Cloud Security DACS3201 - 3 2 3
DACS4205 Digital Forensics DACS3201 - 3 2 3
INFT4208 Governance & Management of IT INFT3101 - 3 3 0
DACS4110 Selected Topics in Data and Cyber Security DACS4101 - 3 2 3
Semester 10 Total: 12 7 15
SEMESTER 11
COMP4201 Capstone Project COMP4101 - 3 0 0
DACS4206 Security Monitoring & Incident Response DACS3201 AND DACS3202 - 3 2 3
Elective: select 2 of 9
DACS4102 Web Security DACS2201 AND INFS3201 - 3 2 3
DACS4210 Cyber Security Policies, Strategies & Procedures DACS3301 - 3 3 0
DACS4105 Fundamentals of Cyber-Physical Systems DACS3201 - 3 2 3
DACS4208 Industrial Control Systems Security DACS4105 - 3 2 3
DACS4203 IoT & OT Hacking DACS4202 - 3 2 3
DACS4204 Cloud Security DACS3201 - 3 2 3
DACS4205 Digital Forensics DACS3201 - 3 2 3
INFT4208 Governance & Management of IT INFT3101 - 3 3 0
DACS4110 Selected Topics in Data and Cyber Security DACS4101 - 3 2 3
Semester 11 Total: 12 6 9
SEMESTER 12
COMP4301 Work Placement COMP4201 ; CGPA>2.0 - 9 0 0
Semester 12 Total: 9 0 0
Year 4 Total: 33 13 24
Program Total 126 87 83

Graduate Future Pathways:

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Data and Cyber Security (B.Sc. DCS) program may choose to further specialize or pursue graduate studies in their area.

Graduate Career Opportunities:

The Bachelor of Science in Data and Cyber Security (B.Sc. DCS) is an applied program with learning outcomes closely linked to the labor market. A wide range of career opportunities in the field currently exist, and include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Computer Systems Security Analyst
  • Cyber Security Analyst
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Information Security Risk Analyst
  • Data Security Manager
  • IT Auditor
  • Penetration and Vulnerability Tester (Ethical Hacker)
  • Digital Forensic Specialist
  • Governance, Risk and Compliance Officer

Program Contact:

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Dr. Abdullatif Shikfa
Department Head, Cybersecurity
Email
abdullatif.shikfa@udst.edu.qa
Phone
+974-4495-2081