Cyber Security

Master of Software EngineeringSpecialisation (formal)Year: 2025

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, graduates will:

  • Discuss the interaction between cybersecurity theory and the working computer security infrastructure;
  • Apply security principles and techniques to identify and remedy security concerns in computer systems.

Last updated: 1 March 2025

Structure

50 credit points

The Cyber Security specialisation is completed by undertaking 50 credit points of required study.

Note:

Students entering the course with advanced standing who plan on completing a specialisation may need to enrol in core specialisation subjects in their commencing semester. Please check and follow the structure outlined for your intended specialisation and seek course planning advice.

To obtain a specialisation in Cyber Security, students must complete:

  • 25 credit points of Year 2 core specialisation subjects
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 3 core specialisation subject
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 3 Cyber Security electives

Year 1

  • 62.5 credit points of Year 1 compulsory subjects
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Software Engineering selectives
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Group A electives
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Group B electives

Year 2

  • 75 credit points of Year 2 compulsory subjects
  • 25 credit points of Year 2 core specialisation subjects

Year 3

  • 50 credit points of Year 3 compulsory subjects
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 3 core specialisation subject
  • 12.5 credit points of Year 3 Cyber Security electives
  • 25 credit points of electives including
    • A minimum of 12.5 credit points of Software Engineering electives
    • A maximum of 12.5 credit points of Approved electives

Progression:

The core subject lists are divided into specific year levels, reflecting the recommended order of completing the course. There is, however, some flexibility between Year 2 and 3 core subjects, depending on the requisites set between them. Check the individual Handbook entries of these subjects for more detail.

Subject options

Year 2 core specialisation subjects

Code Name Study period Credit Points
COMP90015 Distributed Systems
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP90049 Introduction to Machine Learning
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

(Must be completed in Year 2 of the course)

Year 3 core specialisation subject

Code Name Study period Credit Points
COMP90043 Cryptography and Security
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

(Must be completed in Year 3 of the course)

Year 3 Cyber Security electives

Code Name Study period Credit Points
COMP90054 AI Planning for Autonomy
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP90073 Security Analytics
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
COMP90074 Web Security
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ISYS90070 Information Security Consulting Not available in 2025 12.5

(Must be completed in Year 3 of the course)

Master of Software Engineering subject lists

Please see the main Master of Software Engineering page for remaining relevant subject lists.

Last updated: 1 March 2025