Module: Practicum (Data Protection & Privacy)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Practicum (Data Protection & Privacy)
Module Code	CSC1150 (ITS: CA690)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

Students work on a practicum or major project of a practical nature. The students develop prototype software systems to solve a real-world problem or analyse software approaches to data protection and privacy and propose improvements. This will typically combine their computing knowledge with a compliance type issue. The projects, which may be sponsored by external clients or involve some of the students’ or staff's own ideas, typically require feasibility studies followed by creation of a project plan, and development of a software application or a rigorous theoretical analysis. This also allows students to work on projects for external or funding organisations.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E14BB5C-E184-0001-D553-18707690181F
2. Demonstate an ability to carry out research.
4. 8
5. 1
6. 1E14BB5C-E816-0001-1955-F8801810F450
7. Analyse software systems problems in the area of data protection and privacy.
9. 9
10. 2
11. 1E14BB5C-F181-0001-B0A6-CD6021AE30F0
12. Demonstrate project management skills.
14. 8
15. 3
16. 1E14BB5C-FED3-0001-DEF6-D70019E92710
17. Defend their work aurally and through presentation.
19. 11
20. 4
21. 1E14BB5D-0A84-0001-D2A1-41481DA390D0
22. Critically assess the literature and demonstrate and in-depth understanding of their chosen topic.
24. 10
25. 5

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Independent Study	750	Research, reading, completing assignment.
Total Workload: 750

Section Breakdown
CRN	11304	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ellen Rushe	Module Teacher	Irina Tal

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Research Paper	Academic paper and defence of the paper.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Practicum
Students will undertake their practicum under the supervision of a staff member or affiliated industrial partner.

Report
The practicum will be delivered in the form of a report.

Defence
A defence of their work will take place after delivery of the report.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None