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Session: 2022/23

Last modified: 09/02/2021 14:41:07

Title of Module: Mobile Application Security Testing

Code: COMP11092 SCQF Level: 11
(Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)
Credit Points: 10 ECTS: 5
(European Credit Transfer Scheme)
School:School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator:Glenn  Affleck

Summary of Module

The module provides students with the specialised understanding of mobile application security; the techniques to evaluate whether sensitive information stored on mobile devices is protected by conducting mobile device penetration testing and basic security analysis of vulnerable applications as well as the techniques and defensive counter measures to mitigate against common vulnerabilities and security threats.

This module will work to develop a number of the key 'I am UWS' Graduate Attributes to make those who complete this module:

Universal

  • Critical Thinker
  • Ethically-minded
  • Research-minded

Work Ready

  • Problem-Solver
  • Effective Communicator
  • Ambitious

Successful

  • Autonomous
  • Resilient
  • Driven

Module Delivery Method
Face-To-FaceBlendedFully OnlineHybridCHybridOWork-based Learning
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Face-To-Face
Term used to describe the traditional classroom environment where the students and the lecturer meet synchronously in the same room for the whole provision.

Blended
A mode of delivery of a module or a programme that involves online and face-to-face delivery of learning, teaching and assessment activities, student support and feedback. A programme may be considered “blended” if it includes a combination of face-to-face, online and blended modules. If an online programme has any compulsory face-to-face and campus elements it must be described as blended with clearly articulated delivery information to manage student expectations

Fully Online
Instruction that is solely delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. This term is used to describe the previously used terms distance learning and e learning.

HybridC
Online with mandatory face-to-face learning on Campus

HybridO
Online with optional face-to-face learning on Campus

Work-based Learning
Learning activities where the main location for the learning experience is in the workplace.


Campus(es) for Module Delivery
The module will normally be offered on the following campuses / or by Distance/Online Learning: (Provided viable student numbers permit)
Paisley:Ayr:Dumfries:Lanarkshire:London:Distance/Online Learning:Other:

 

 

 

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Term(s) for Module Delivery
(Provided viable student numbers permit).
Term 1check markTerm 2check markTerm 3check mark

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Learning Outcomes: (maximum of 5 statements)

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the protocols require to analyse and test the security of applications deployed to mobile devices.

L2. Devise and evaluate a suitable security policy for the management and deployment of applications to mobile devices.

L3. Critically evaluate tools and techniques for analysing mobile application and device security.

Employability Skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) Skills
SCQF Headings During completion of this module, there will be an opportunity to achieve core skills in:
Knowledge and Understanding (K and U) SCQF Level 11.

Students will learn systematic and comprehensive knowledge of Mobile Application Security Testing. Students are expected to be familiar with the key technologies and techniques and their application in practice.

Practice: Applied Knowledge and Understanding SCQF Level 11.

Students will gain in-depth, comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of knowledge of Mobile Application Security Testing, and apply this in planning, testing and analysis of mobile application security. They will also develop capability to apply a range of standard and specialised research skills, tools/software, development kit and related techniques in response to application requirements for their written assignment and lab tasks.

Generic Cognitive skills SCQF Level 11.

To complete their written reports and laboratory tasks, students will first build skills to integrate information and apply knowledge from various sources including technology advances informed by research and industry.

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills SCQF Level 11.

Working in interacting groups, students will develop communication skills as well as the ability to write technical reports and documentation.

Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others SCQF Level 11.

Each student will generate a comprehensive report summarising his/her finding for a given scenario.

Pre-requisites: Before undertaking this module the student should have undertaken the following:
Module Code:
Module Title:
Other:
Co-requisitesModule Code:
Module Title:

* Indicates that module descriptor is not published.

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Learning and Teaching
The module will be delivered by means of lectures and supervised hands-on lab work. Lectures will cover the theoretical background and practical applicability in real life problems. Concepts will be introduced by posing a practical problem and working out the needed theoretical knowledge to solve them. The delivery will encourage student participation to ensure an active learning experience. Group discussions will be held to promote critical thinking and boost informed decisions on the suitability of different state-of-the-art methods. Lab exercises will help student develop their knowledge in incremental fashion using a learning-by-doing approach. This will support the development of knowledge and understanding of the topics.
Learning Activities
During completion of this module, the learning activities undertaken to achieve the module learning outcomes are stated below:
Student Learning Hours
(Normally totalling 200 hours):
(Note: Learning hours include both contact hours and hours spent on other learning activities)
Lecture/Core Content Delivery7
Tutorial/Synchronous Support Activity7
Laboratory/Practical Demonstration/Workshop14
Independent Study72
100 Hours Total

**Indicative Resources: (eg. Core text, journals, internet access)

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

Blokdyk, G. (2018) Mobile Application Security Testing: A Clear and Concise Reference. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Blokdyk, G. (2018) 3rd Ed. Mobile Application Security Testing. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Chell, D et al. (2015) The Mobile Application Hacker's Handbook. John Wiley and Sons

(**N.B. Although reading lists should include current publications, students are advised (particularly for material marked with an asterisk*) to wait until the start of session for confirmation of the most up-to-date material)

Engagement Requirements

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

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Supplemental Information

Programme BoardComputing
Assessment Results (Pass/Fail) No
Subject PanelBusiness & Applied Computing
ModeratorMark Davison
External ExaminerH Al-Khateeb
Accreditation Details
Version Number

1.04

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Assessment: (also refer to Assessment Outcomes Grids below)
The coursework will consist of:
Assignment (60%)
Class Test (30%)
Presentation (10%)

Each component part of the category will test the 3 identified learning outcomes.
(N.B. (i) Assessment Outcomes Grids for the module (one for each component) can be found below which clearly demonstrate how the learning outcomes of the module will be assessed.
(ii) An indicative schedule listing approximate times within the academic calendar when assessment is likely to feature will be provided within the Student Handbook.)

Assessment Outcome Grids (Footnote A.)

Component 1
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Class test (written)check markcheck markcheck mark302
Creative output/ Audiotapes/ Videotapes/ Games/ Simulationscheck markcheck markcheck mark607
Presentationcheck markcheck markcheck mark101
Combined Total For All Components100% 10 hours

Footnotes
A. Referred to within Assessment Section above
B. Identified in the Learning Outcome Section above

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Note(s):
  1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
  2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
    This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.

Equality and Diversity
This module is suitable for any student. The assessment regime will be applied flexibly so that a student who can attain the practical outcomes of the module will not be disadvantaged. When a student discloses a disability, or if a tutor is concerned about a student, the tutor in consultation with the School Enabling Support co-ordinator will agree the appropriate adjustments to be made.
UWS Equality and Diversity Policy
(N.B. Every effort will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues brought to the attention of the School)

2014 University of the West of Scotland

University of the West of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity.

Charity number SC002520.