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WM141-18 Discrete Structures for Cyber Security

Department
WMG
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Magda Zajaczkowska
Credit value
18
Module duration
30 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

Discrete structures are the foundation of digital computing. Although relatively few people work primarily on discrete structures, almost all cyber security professionals work with the techniques and concepts covered in this module to provide a foundation for their own specialist areas. Material from Discrete Structures for Cyber Security will give greater insight into the reasoning behind much of the more applied cyber security material throughout the programme.

Module aims

1 – Perform relevant abstract operations on a range of discrete structures to support reasoning.
2 – Apply the tools and techniques associated with discrete structures to solve cyber security problems.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Outline content
The content of this module will be taught from a cyber security perspective.

  • Sets
  • Relations
  • Functions
  • Logic
  • Proofs
  • Graphs
  • Discrete probability
Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • 1 – Perform relevant abstract operations on a range of discrete structures to support reasoning.
  • 2 – Apply the tools and techniques associated with discrete structures to solve cyber security problems.
Indicative reading list

Johnsonbaugh Richard, "Discrete mathematics", 8 Ed, Pearson Education Limited (2019)

Balakrishnan, V. K., “Schaum's Outline of Combinatorics”, McGraw-Hill (1995)

Karumanchi, Narasimha, “Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy: Data Structure and
Algorithmic Puzzles”, 2 Ed, CareerMonk (2011)

Subject specific skills

1 – Perform relevant abstract operations on a range of discrete structures to support reasoning.
2 – Apply the tools and techniques associated with discrete structures to solve cyber security problems.

Transferable skills

problem solving

Study time

Type Required
Supervised practical classes 18 sessions of 3 hours (30%)
Private study 41 hours (23%)
Assessment 85 hours (47%)
Total 180 hours
Private study description

Independent activity between workshops.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D2
Weighting Study time
Coursework 30% 25 hours

The precise composition of the coursework may vary from year to year. It may include two or more sub-components. Where there are two or more sub-components, the weighting of each sub-component towards the overall module grade will be published near the beginning of the module.

Online Examination 70% 60 hours

Written Examination


  • Answerbook Pink (12 page)
Assessment group R
Weighting Study time
Written examination 100%
Feedback on assessment

Written feedback for each assignment
Verbal feedback during tutorial sessions
Solutions provided to selected tutorial questions
Summative feedback on assignments and exam

Past exam papers for WM141

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • UWMA-H651 Undergraduate Cyber Security
    • Year 1 of H651 Cyber Security
    • Year 1 of H651 Cyber Security
    • Year 1 of H651 Cyber Security