Master of Science in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics
MSc Cyber Forensics
2 Years / BlendedAll UCU Study Centres (programme offered 70% online)Intakes: May & September
Overview
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at Uganda Christian University equips students with advanced knowledge and exemplary practices in the fields of Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics. The programme is designed to provide a cohesive and critical understanding of theoretical frameworks, research methods, and techniques pertinent to these disciplines. Students will develop the skills to critically assess current research and practices, engage in academic discussions in specialised areas of cyber security and digital forensics, and adeptly connect theoretical concepts with practical applications while adopting an epistemological mindset
Entry Requirements
- Bachelors degree in a STEM field or STATISTICS or ECONOMICS (STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
Registration & Mode of Delivery
- Registration: All UCU Study Centres (programme offered 70% online).
- Mode of delivery: Blended (70% online).
1. Admission Requirement
- The general admission requirements shall be decided and revised periodically by the senate and made available by the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVC AA). All applicants should meet the minimum entry requirements for postgraduate programmes at Uganda Christian University.
- Additional admission requirements shall consist of the following:
- A) Admission to MSc CyberSecurity and Digital Forensics by Research
- B) Admission to MSc CyberSecurity and Digital Forensics by Coursework
- C) Credit transfer from another University to the MSEC programme
- D) Exchange programmes and credit transfer
2. MSc Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (Plans and Configurations)
- 2.1 MSEC Postgraduate diploma entry: The prerequisite to joining any of the two MSEC Plans stated below is a Postgraduate Diploma.
- 2.1.1 Plan A: Master of Science in CyberSecurity and Digital Forensics (By Research).
- 2.1.2 Plan B: Master of Science in CyberSecurity and Digital Forensics (By Coursework).
- 2.2 MSEC Direct entry: Applicants may opt to join the MSEC directly from undergraduate and undertake a first year of coursework equivalent to the workload of a postgraduate diploma.
Course Curriculum
Plan A: By Research (Postgraduate diploma entry)
Semester 1
Total CU: 22
Semester 1
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8410b | CyberSecurity Seminars and Practicum | C | 3 |
| SEC8409b | CyberSecurity Research – Proposal | C | 15 |
| SEC8107 | Security Project Management | E | 4 |
Semester 2
Total CU: 30
Semester 2
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8411 | Cyber Security Dissertation | C | 15 |
| SEC8412 | Digital Forensics Dissertation | C | 15 |
Plan B: By Coursework (Postgraduate diploma entry)
First Year Semester 1
First Year Semester 1
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8107b | Advanced Security Project Management | C | 4 |
| SEC8410b | CyberSecurity Seminars and Practicum | C | 3 |
| CSC8203 | Elective (Security): Blockchain and Cryptographic Techniques | E | 4 |
| DSC8305 | Elective (Security): Threat Intelligence & Cloud Security | E | 4 |
| SEC8108 | Elective (Security): Artificial Intelligence & CyberSecurity | E | 4 |
| SEC8109 | Elective (Forensics): Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering | E | 4 |
| SEC8110 | Elective (Forensics): Forensic Science and Criminology | E | 4 |
| SEC8111 | Elective (Forensics): Mobile Device Forensics | E | 4 |
First Year Semester 2
Total CU: 30
First Year Semester 2
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8413 | Cyber Security Project | E | 15 |
| SEC8414 | Digital Forensics Project | E | 15 |
Direct entry (PGD-equivalent year + MSc)
First Year Semester 1
Total CU: 16
First Year Semester 1
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8101 | Security Governance and Compliance | C | 4 |
| SEC8102 | Advanced Applications of Cybersecurity and Forensics | C | 4 |
| RSM8101 | CyberSecurity Research Methods and Publications | C | 4 |
| TST8131 | Advanced Christian Ethics | C | 4 |
First Year Semester 2
Total CU: 18
First Year Semester 2
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8103 | Digital Forensic Analysis and Cybercrime Investigations | C | 4 |
| SEC8104 | Cybersecurity Audit and Risk Management | C | 4 |
| SEC8105 | Security Monitoring and Incident Response | C | 4 |
| SEC8106 | Advanced Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing | C | 4 |
| SEC8410a | CyberSecurity Seminars and Practicum 1 | C | 2 |
Second Year Semester 1
Second Year Semester 1
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8107b | Advanced Security Project Management | C | 4 |
| SEC8410b | CyberSecurity Seminars and Practicum II | C | 2 |
| CSC8203 | Elective (Security): Blockchain and Cryptographic Techniques | E | 4 |
| DSC8305 | Elective (Security): Threat Intelligence & Cloud Security | E | 4 |
| SEC8108 | Elective (Security): Artificial Intelligence & CyberSecurity | E | 4 |
| SEC8109 | Elective (Forensics): Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering | E | 4 |
| SEC8110 | Elective (Forensics): Forensic Science and Criminology | E | 4 |
| SEC8111 | Elective (Forensics): Mobile Device Forensics | E | 4 |
Second Year Semester 2
Total CU: 30
Second Year Semester 2
| Code | Course | Type | CU |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC8413 | Cyber Security Project | E | 15 |
| SEC8414 | Digital Forensics Project | E | 15 |
Competencies to Obtain
Security fundamentals and threat thinkingDigital forensics process, evidence handling concepts, and reportingSecurity governance, risk, and compliance awarenessResearch methods for security and forensics topics
Career Prospects
- Cybersecurity analyst roles
- Digital forensics support roles
- Security governance and audit support roles