Computer Engineering with Cybersecurity

Postgraduate Studies (Distance Learning) • 10 Months (Full-Time) • 20 Months (Part-Time)

ABOUT THE COURSE

Context

The security of systems, networks, and information (cybersecurity) is increasingly becoming a basic necessity for companies and institutions in Portugal and worldwide.

The Computer Engineering with Cybersecurity course aims to provide students with the technical and scientific training to become cybersecurity specialists and maintain the security of the companies they work for.

Students will be challenged at various points throughout the training, with the goal of developing their ability to solve complex problems and learning how to explore and resolve vulnerabilities within company systems. Professionals will acquire the necessary skills to act in crisis situations or for preventative measures.

Upon completion, the student will be able to solve complex problems and will be able to design and implement protection systems. They will also be able to develop information systems, systems with artificial intelligence, and software (sequences of instructions capable of performing specific tasks).

Professionals who complete a postgraduate degree in Computer Engineering with Cybersecurity will be a valuable asset to companies in any sector and can reach high-level positions within companies in Portugal or Europe.

By the end of the postgraduate program, the student should be able to:

  • To implement the knowledge acquired throughout the course and improve the security of networks, computer systems, and information.
  • Being an asset to any company due to its ability to use cybersecurity resources to detect potential threats and provide an appropriate response, both as a team and independently.

Professionals who intend to work in the field of computer engineering and who have a particular concern for the security of systems and networks (cybersecurity). Students may hold degrees in areas related to computer engineering or technology fields and do not need prior experience.

Curriculum Plan

Course Unit ECTS
Advanced Databases
  • The relational cost model: query processor, operators, and statistics.
  • Calculating query plan costs and optimization in SQL.
  • The object-relational model: concepts and extensions in PostgreSQL and Oracle.
  • The object model: object-oriented schemas and queries in db4o
  • Queries in the object model: languages, execution, and performance analysis.
  • The document model: fundamentals, modeling in MongoDB and PostgreSQL.
  • Queries in the document model: languages, processing, and comparison between native and relational approaches.
6
Cybersecurity
  • Introduction to Cybersecurity
  • The STRIDE threat model
  • Encryption and data protection
  • Risk analysis in cybersecurity
  • Forensic analysis
  • Identifying vulnerabilities in protocols
  • Evaluation of attacks on TCP/IP
6
Mobile Computing
  • Introduction to Ubicomp/IoT systems
  • Wireless communication technologies
  • IoT protocols and services
  • Context and location
  • Dynamic adaptation, energy management and safety
  • Embedded systems – Arduino with ZigBee/XBee
  • Embedded systems – LoPy with WiFi/BLE
6
Artificial intelligence
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
  • Problem Solving, Unspecified Research
  • Problem Solving, Informed Research, and Heuristics
  • Research on Satisfaction with Restrictions
  • Research with Adversaries and Games
  • Introduction to Computer-Based Learning
  • Machine Learning and Neural Networks
6
Human-machine interaction
  • Human-Computer Interaction as a discipline of study
  • Concepts of mediation in digital systems
  • The development cycle in Human-Computer Interaction
  • Discovering user needs
  • Design alternatives in the development of Human-Computer Interaction.
  • Prototyping in Human-Computer Interaction Development
  • Assessment in Human-Computer Interaction Development
6
Mobile Application Programming
  • Technologies and tools for developing mobile applications
  • Android development model with Kotlin and Android Studio
  • Local SQLite databases and ORM (Room)
  • HTTP communications and asynchronous programming
  • Local Services (Intent Services, Services)
  • Viewing maps and interacting with Google Services
  • Unit and integration testing of Android applications.
6
Web Application Project
  • Web application architecture: models, design patterns, and selection criteria.
  • Docker: installation, configuration, containers, images, and Docker Compose
  • Backend with Golang and Gin: routes, handlers, data persistence, security.
  • Frontend with React: configuration, components, state, forms, API consumption
  • Backend/frontend integration: communication, authentication/authorization with JWT
  • Software testing in web applications
  • Deploying complete applications with Docker
6
Project in Systems and Networks
  • Introduction to Software Engineering
  • Software requirements specification
  • Software system modeling with UML
  • Backend application development using Node.js and Express.
  • Integration of databases, routes, controllers, and forms.
  • Test Automation and Test Driven Development
  • Continuous integration, continuous delivery, and production deployment.
6
Mobile Communications Networks and Services
  • Introduction to wireless communication technology
  • Data transmission in wireless networks
  • Basic concepts of antennas and signal propagation in wireless networks.
  • Terminal multiplexing techniques in wireless networks
  • Wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies
  • Wireless network technologies for IoT (WPANs and LPWANs)
  • Cellular Networks (WWANs)
6
Information Security and Auditing
  • Security principles and practices: resource classification, threats, incidents, and risk assessment.
  • Security measures and policies: organization of security programs, policies and plans.
  • Cryptography: ciphers and codes, Feistel ciphers, steganography, cryptographic algorithms
  • Algorithms: symmetric and asymmetric, RSA, digital signatures and certificates.
  • Application security: programmatic practices and security testing.
  • IT auditing: concepts, methodologies, auditing and control of systems.
6

During the 8 weeks of each subject, students have the support of a subject matter expert who will answer questions, interact with students, and teach new content.

The main characteristic is flexibility; therefore, the study/interaction method is asynchronous, meaning the student manages their own time and study location, not being required to be available at a specific time. The 20 weekly hours are an average dedication for a student; no one is obligated to complete them (they will not be counted) and can be distributed as the student wishes. Ex.: 5 hours/day Monday to Friday. 10 hours/day Saturday and Sunday.

You can choose the course frequency in:

  • Full-time (total duration of 10 months), attending two subjects at a time;
  • or Part-time (total duration of 20 months), attending one subject at a time.


Every intake, New subjects begin approximately every two months.

The course content consists of videos, presentations, PDFs, readings from digital libraries, and other types of educational resources.

The LMS (platform) used at UFP is Canvas, one of the most modern LMS on the market.

All modules/subjects have assessments.

Assessments are continuous, meaning they occur throughout the course and not just at the end. They consist of multiple-choice questionnaires, discussion forums, group projects, and scientific papers.

There is no need to write a dissertation or thesis at the end.

Terms and Application

Costs

Full-time: €700.00 x 5 intakes.
Part-time: €350.00 x 10 intakes.
(Total cost of the course: €3500.00)

  • Diploma or certificate of academic qualifications: higher education graduation certificate or secondary education completion certificate (for those who are not graduates and need to use professional experience for application purposes);
  • Certified copy of the Professional Association Card, if applicable;
  • Curriculum Vitae (Europass Model);
  • Supporting documents for the activities listed in the CV;
  • Copy of civil and tax identification document (for issuing receipts).
  • Since the course is 100% online, a residence permit is not mandatory, as there is no need to live in Portugal;
  • Documents in English, French, and Spanish do not require official translation; documents in other languages do require official translation.;
  • For candidates whose native language is not Portuguese, a document attesting to language proficiency with a minimum grade of B2 is required.

Contact

FERNANDO PESSOA ACADEMY
9th of April Square, 349
4249-004 Porto
T. +351 22 507 1300
academia@fundacaofernandopessoa.pt

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