The Master’s programme in Cybersecurity is structured over two years and organised into four semesters, combining a strong theoretical foundation with extensive practical application. In the first semester, students build core knowledge in areas such as Cloud Computing, Computer Systems Security, Cybersecurity Management, Data Security, and Network Security, with the option to deepen their expertise in areas such as Data and Machine Learning or the Legal Aspects of Cybersecurity. The second semester strengthens technical skills through modules in Cryptography, Incident Management, Intrusion Tolerance, Network Traffic Analysis, and Software Security, complemented by the first hands-on Cybersecurity Laboratory project.

In the third semester, students engage in advanced applied work through Cybersecurity Laboratories 2 and participate in Seminars in Cybersecurity, while having the opportunity to specialise further by choosing optional modules such as Internet of Things Security or Digital Forensics Analysis. The programme culminates with a dissertation that spans the third and fourth semesters, enabling students to conduct independent research or develop a practical project in a specialised area of cybersecurity, under academic supervision.

Sem. Code Title Area Type Credits
1 CCASS Cloud Computing Applications and Services EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
1 CSS Computer Systems Security EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
1 CM Cybersecurity Management TSI 15 T + 30 PL 5
1 DS Data Security EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
1 NS Network Security EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
1 DML Data and Machine Learning (optional) EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
1 LAC Legal Aspects of Cybersecurity (optional) DCJE 15 T + 30 PL 5
2 C Cryptography EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
2 CL1 Cybersecurity Laboratories 1 CS 30 PL 5
2 IM Incident Management TSI 15 T + 30 PL 5
2 IT Intrusion Tolerance EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
2 NTA Network Traffic Analysis EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
2 SS Software Security EI 15 T + 30 PL 5
3 CL2 Cybersecurity Laboratories 2 CS 30 PL 5
3 ITS Internet of Things Security (optional) CS 15 T + 30 PL 5
3 DFA Digital Forensics Analysis (optional) CS 15 T + 30 PL 5
3 SC Seminars in Cybersecurity CS 45 S 5
3+4 Diss Dissertation CS 30 OT 45

Notation

The columns above use the following abbreviations.

Area — scientific area of each curricular unit, in line with the programme’s official accreditation file:

  • EI — Informatics Engineering (Engenharia Informática).
  • CS — Cybersecurity (Cibersegurança).
  • TSI — Information Systems Technologies (Tecnologias dos Sistemas de Informação).
  • DCJE — Legal, Economic, and Political Sciences (Direito, Ciências Jurídicas, Económicas e Políticas).

Type — weekly contact hours, expressed as the sum of components per semester (15 weeks): T (theoretical), PL (practical-laboratory), S (seminar), and OT (tutorial orientation). For example, 15 T + 30 PL indicates 15 hours of theoretical lectures and 30 hours of practical-laboratory sessions across the semester.

Credits — ECTS credits, in accordance with the Bologna Process. The full programme totals 120 ECTS over four semesters.