MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree

Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Cyber Security (TSM_CyberSec)

The course will first cover the basic knowledge required in the field of computer security, such as the CIA principles (confidentiality, integrity, availability), as well as data security and safety.

The module will build on this foundation to provide students with a comprehensive overview of how to identify and assess threats and risks. Students will then be able to propose and implement a set of mitigation measures. This course will be applied to three areas of security: secure software development, software security, and tool-based web security.

The course covers the following main topics:

  • Review of basic security concepts. 
  • Secure development (DevSecOps) 
  • Software security 
  • Web security 
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence 
  • Deception techniques 
  • Social engineering

Prerequisites

 

  • Basic concepts of cryptography
  • Knowledge of at least one programming language, such as Python

Learning Objectives

 

  • Understand and be able to select the appropriate cryptographic primitives.
  • Identify and document the threats and risks to a system and propose various types of mitigation mechanisms.
  • Understand, apply, and use processes and tools for secure development.
  • Understand and identify vulnerabilities in software and web applications, and propose mitigation measures.

Contents of Module

Basics (20%) : 

  • Confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, authorization, accountability.
  • Threat models, malware, etc.
  • Data protection under the GDPR/nLPD
  • Data protection and data obfuscation techniques (pseudonymization, anonymization) in relation to the GDPR/nLPD
  • Intrusion Detection and SIEM (Security Information & Event Management)
  • Risk and threat analysis and standards

Secure development (40 %) :

  • SDLC: DevOps fundamentals and how DevOps teams can build and deliver secure software.
  • DevSecOps: how to integrate security into continuous delivery and deployment.
  • Security automation tools, patterns, and techniques in DevOps.

 

Software Security (20 %) :

  • Identifying software vulnerabilities (SANS Top 25)
  • Software exploitation techniques and tools
  • Software protections and mitigations

 

Web Application Security (20%) :

  • Web Vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)
  • Web Exploitation Techniques and Tools
  • Web Security Measures and Mitigation Strategies

Teaching and Learning Methods

This course includes theoretical presentations and practical exercises (labs).

Literature

Course slides, references to online resources, and book references are mentioned in the module introduction and throughout the semester.

Download full module description

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