IS-504 Current Topics and Research Areas in Information System Security
- ECTS Credits:
- 7.5
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Course Leader:
- Wael Anwar Abdel Aziz Soliman
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Teaching language:
- Norwegian or English. More information at the start of the semester.
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Cyber Security, Master’s Programme
Teaching language
Norwegian or English. More information at the start of the semester.Recommended prerequisites
IS-423 Information Security Policy, Legal Aspects and Ethics
IS-424 Strategic Information Security Management
IS-425 Enterprise Systems and Security Architecture
IKT447 Trust, Threats, Risk and Vulnerability
Course contents
IS 504 prepares students for the Master Thesis and provides possibilities for specialization on a chosen theme within Information Systems (IS) security. It will focus on current issues in IS security, how theory can be applied in an empirical study, and the methodology for conducting literature studies. Students are introduced to various topics and issues within IS security that can be relevant focus areas in a master thesis. Research ethics and guidelines for how to apply ethics in research studies, are part of the course. During the course, students work with a comprehensive literature review which can be related to the theme of their forthcoming thesis. Focused topics within IS security relevant for master theses will preferably be tied to research activities in related research centers at the university, such as Centre for Integrated Emergency Management, Centre for eHealth, Centre for Digital Transformation.
Learning outcomes
Having successfully completed the course, the students will be able to:
-
Apply a systematic method for conducting a literature review
-
Develop a scientific report that summarizes and concludes the results of a literature review related to a selected topic within information system security
-
Propose a theoretical perspective, framework or model and argue why this is suitable for the design and implementation of a research study within information system security
-
Present possible practical and theoretical contributions from a planned study in information system security
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Apply ethical guidelines in research
Examination requirements
Approved mandatory presentations and assignments, in addition to mandatory participation in lectures and discussions. More detailed information is provided in Canvas at the start of the semester.
Teaching methods
The course is organized as seminars. Part of the teaching is mandatory; more detailed information will be given in Canvas at start of term. The course will to some extent be integrated with IS-503: Research Methods in Information Systems, and it is recommended that the course is taken concurrently with IS-503.
Evaluation
The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written assignment, individually or in groups of up to two students. Further information is provided in Canvas. Individual or group graded assessment, A-F.
Reduction of Credits
This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:
| Course | Reduction of Credits |
|---|---|
| IS-420 – Current Topics and Research Areas in Information Systems | 7.5 |