Bachelor of Science in Data and Cyber Security (B.Sc. DCS)

CS3
CS2
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:

Four 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; OR

3. Successful completion of Foundation Program requirements. 

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.

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

 

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

2024-2025 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 l MATH1020 OR AMPII Score of 85% - 3 3 0
Effective & Experiential Learning Elective: Select 1 of 2

EFFL1001

Effective Learning

- - 3 3 0
EFFL1002 Applied & Experiential Learning - - 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

INFT1201

Computer Hardware

-

- 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
DACS2101 Discrete Structures INFS1101 - 3 2

3

INFS2101

Web Technologies I

INFS1201 - 3 2 3
INFT2101 Networking I INFS1201 OR Min 16 Credits - 4 3 3
MATH1050 Linear Algebra - - 3 3 1
Semester 4 Total: 13 10 10
SEMESTER 5
DACS2201 Introduction to Data & Cyber Security

INFT2101

- 3 2 3
DSAI2201 Introduction to Data Science & AI INFS1201 - 3 2 3
INFS2201 Database Management Systems INFS1201 - 3 2 3
INFS3102

Object Oriented Programming 

INFS1201 

- 3 2 3
Semester 5 Total: 12 8 12
SEMESTER 6
SOFT2301 Software Project Management Min 50 Credits  - 3 2 3
Social Sciences, Humanities, & the Arts Elective: Select 1 of 6      
SSHA1001 Islamic & Arab Civilization - - 3 3 0
SSHA1002 Introduction to Sociology - - 3 3 0
SSHA1003 Introductory Psychology - - 3 3 0
SSHA1004 Ethical Reasoning - - 3 3 0
SSHA1005 Law & Society - - 3 3 0
SSHA1006 Introduction to the Arts - - 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

- 3 2 3
INFT3101 Networking II INFT2101 - 3 2 3
INFT2201 Introduction to Operating Systems 

INFS1201 & (INFT1201 OR SOFT2301)

- 3 2 3
Global Awareness and Regional Challenges Elective: Select 1 of 4    
ECON1001 Global Economic Concepts - - 3 3 0
GARC1001 Qatar History & Society - - 3 3 0
GARC2001 Human Development in Qatar - - 3 3 0
GARC2002 Globalization & Environment - - 3 3 0
Semester 7 Total: 12 9 9
SEMESTER 8
DACS3201 Network Security INFT3101 - 3 2 3
DACS3202 Cyber Security Analytics & Visualization DSAI2201 - 3 2 3
DACS3203 Secure Software Development INFS3102 - 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
Global Awareness and Regional Challenges Elective: Select 1 of 4      
ECON1001 Global Economic Concepts - - 3 3 0
GARC1001 Qatar History & Society - - 3 3 0
GARC2001 Human Development in Qatar - - 3 3 0
GARC2002 Globalization & Environment - - 3 3 0
Semester 9 Total: 6 6 0
Year 3 Total: 30 23 21

 

COURSE
NUMBER
COURSE TITLE requisite HOURS/WEEK
PRE-req CO-req CR LEC LAB
SEMESTER 10
COMP4101 Practicum Min 80 Credits - 3 1

6

DACS4101 Security Engineering Principles DACS3101 - 3 2 3
DACS4103 Scripting for Cyber Security INFS3102 - 3 2 3
Elective: Select 1 of 3          
DACS4102 Web Security

INFS3201

- 3 2 3
DACS4105 Cyber Physical Architectures & Protocols INFT3101 - 3 2 3
DACS4210 Cyber Security Policies, Strategies & Procedures DACS3301 - 3 3 0
Semester 10 Total: 12 8 12
SEMESTER 11
COMP4201 Capstone Project COMP4101 - 3 0 9
DACS4206 Security Monitoring & Incident Response DACS3202 - 3 2 3
Elective: Select 2 of 6          
DACS4202 Penetration Testing DACS3203 - 3 2 3
DACS4203 IoT & OT Hacking DACS2201 INFS3102 - 3 2 3
DACS4204 Cloud Security DACS3201 - 3 2 3
DACS4205 Digital Forensics DACS3203 - 3 2 3
DACS4208 Industrial Control Systems Security DACS4105 - 3 2 3
INFT4208 Governance & Management of IT INFT3101 - 3 3 0
Semester 11 Total: 12 7 15
SEMESTER 12
COMP4301 Work Placement COMP4201 - 9 360 Total HRs
Semester 12 Total: 9 0 0
Year 4 Total: 33 15 27
B.Sc. DC Program Total: 126 90 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:

Dr. Abdullatif Shikfa
Department Head, Cybersecurity