Course-PM

EDA264/DIT642 Computer Security

for the International Masters Program in Computer Systems and Networks (MPCSN),
course period III (7,5 credits)

Revised Dec 21st, 2025 (terminology clarified Jan 18, 2026)

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Course purpose

The course gives basic knowledge in cybersecurity, i.e. how to protect your system against intentional intrusions and attacks. The purpose of intrusions can be to change or delete resources (data, programs, hardware), to get unauthorized access to confidential information or unauthorized use of the system's services. The course covers threats and vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks, as well as rules, methods and mechanisms for protection. Modelling and assessment of security and dependability as well as metrication methods are covered. During a few lectures, a holistic security approach is taken and organizational, business-related, social, human, legal and ethical aspects are treated.

Prerequisites: The course EDA093 Operating systems or equivalent knowledge is recommended.

Course homepage

Most material will only be found here in Canvas.

Schedule

Even though TimeEdit has the course schedule, there are sometimes delays in us being able to update it. For that reason, use the calendar in Canvas foremost.

The lectures usually take place on Monday 13:15, Thursday 10:00 and Friday 15:15, but the rooms may shift so please always check Canvas/TimeEdit calendar. The Friday lectures will *mostly* be self-study / group study so no physical lecture if not stated in the canvas calendar. Note that the very first lecture takes place Monday January 19, 1315--1500 in HA4.  

The labs are mostly designed to be done at home, but some labs will require physical demonstrations in person. Physical demonstrations and in-person lab time will be limited and need to be scheduled. 

Contact details

• Teachers
  • Professor Magnus Almgren, ph. 031 772 1702, email: magnus.almgren@chalmers.se
  • Assistant Professor Md Masoom Rabbani, email: mdmasoom.rabbani@chalmers.se 
• Responsible for laborations
  
  • M.Sc Mohamed Hashim Changrampadi, email: hashimm@chalmers.se

Please use Canvas foremost for communication with the teaching staff. A full list of the teachers and TA:s are listed in Canvas (updated when the course starts).

Course literature

• Text book: Stallings & Brown: Computer Security: Principles and Practice, Global Edition, Pearson 2024, ISBN: 9781292460796
  • See the following page for information and discount codes for the e-book.
• Offprints (OP): can be downloaded in Canvas.
• Downloads and links (DL) from modules page in Canvas.

Course design

The course is designed around a set of lectures (see the Modules) with corresponding obligatory individual assignments,  and group-based assignments (labs and  presentations). 

• Part 1: Lectures
• Part 2: Individual assignments
• Part 3: Group-based assignments (labs, presentations)

This is a broad course, covering many different topics in security. As such, the lectures start from basic terminology, discuss authentication and access control, malware, vulnerabilities, defenses, and also the human factor. The topics are listed under the Modules. The lectures are many times focused on a section of the course book. The slides and the corresponding reading instructions for the book should then be read. For a few topics, we also provide a PDF document with extra material. This will be referred to as the "offprint" (OP). We also use links to content on the web for some sections. 

The labs will start in course week 2 and continue until the end of the course. These assignments will be done by students in groups (no exceptions). The information regarding these assignments can be found in the module describing these assignments. They focus on authentication, encrypted email, and the SQL injection vulnerability. Demonstration of some labs are required in person by all team members. To book a slot, please follow the instructions at Overview of Labs. 

If students miss assignment deadlines, we will have catch-up times at the same time as the reexaminations occur. 

Changes made since the last occasion

• Due to covid-19, some parts of the course was redeveloped. The idea is to keep parts of these changes, and also strengthen the off-campus / on-campus activities.
• 23/24 we have added a set of obligatory individual assignments as well as a group presentation. We changed the way the course is graded:
  • To pass the course (grade 3), students must successfully complete the mandatory individual and group-based assignments.
  • To have grade 4 or 5, the student also needs to pass a written test ("dugga") scheduled to take place in March and all assignments submitted on time. 
• 24/25: mostly keeping the structure from 23/24 but finetuning hand-ins, information, and descriptions.
• 25/26: slight changes to the terminology

Course Requirements and Assessment

To pass the course, students must successfully complete the mandatory individual and group-based assignments.

Grading Criteria

• Pass (Mark 3): Achieved by meeting the requirements for passing the individual assignments and group-based assignments.
• Higher Grades (Marks 4 and 5): In addition to passing the course, students must be eligible to take and pass a written test (dugga, see details below).

Individual assignments are distributed throughout the course. Most individual assignments are quizzes conducted in Canvas, but some may involve trying out tools or writing a short reflection. The specific format and requirements for each assignment will be provided. Each student has a limited number of attempts for the quizzes. If a student does not pass an assignment, they must schedule a meeting with a teaching assistant (TA) to retake it. In addition, for some assignments, a subset of students may be asked to meet with a TA to discuss and explain their solutions.

Group-based assignments (labs and the group presentation) have specific deadlines that students must adhere to.

Written test: For students aiming for a higher grade (Marks 4 or 5), a written test is scheduled to take place in March. No aids are permitted during the test. To be eligible to take the written test, all assignments must be submitted on time.

The written test is scheduled for March 13, 2026, 08:30--12:30.

Use of Generative AI tools

The use of generative AI tools (e.g., large language models) is permitted and encouraged when used actively and responsibly.

Acceptable use includes, for example, improving the clarity of writing, restructuring text, supporting reflection, or helping to explore and develop ideas.

Unacceptable use includes asking generative AI tools to directly solve assignments, generate final answers, or produce content that is submitted as the student’s own work without substantial personal contribution and understanding.

Students are always responsible for the content they submit and must be able to explain and justify their solutions.

Learning objectives and syllabus

The syllabus for Chalmers students and for GU students. Below is a tentative schedule on how the course will look like, but note that we ask that you use the canvas  calendar and that some of the booked slot below will be changed.