University Grades

Table of Contents

This page shows my grades achieved in each module as well as the work I submitted to achieve my grade. I’ve uploaded my past work to showcase the improvement of my writing over the years as well as to provide some guidance to other BSc Ethical Hacking Abertay students. As such, if you are one of these students I ask that you Do Not Replicate/Plagiarise my submissions, but instead look to them for inspiration/ideas.

Year 3 - Semester 1

CMP 308 - Professional Project Planning & Prototyping

  • Grade Achieved: B+
  • Description: In this module, you will work as part of a team to deliver a development project or technical investigation that builds on the planning and prototyping completed in CMP308. The project will be relevant to your programme of study and will give you the opportunity to present and develop a product or technical solution by applying design, development and evaluation principles in a collaborative environment. You will also gain experience in operating professionally as a subject specialist within your team and in engaging effectively with project stakeholders.
  • Coursework:
    • (70%) Project Proposal sections involving: Introduction, Project Management Approach, Project Scope and Milestone List, Work Breakdown Structure. Working as part of a team worked quite well since everyone had different strengths and could work together effectively. Our project involved security testing a robotic vacuum. I created the methodology which could be executed in the next semester and contributed largely to the project approach involving Agile Scrum. Since the project is under NDA, I cannot share the project proposal. Grade Achieved: A
    • (30%) Client pitch presentation about the project. I covered the sections of the presentation involving the project approach and methodology as I had a large part in creating both of these. As the project is under NDA I cannot share the presentation. Grade Achieved B

CMP314 - Computer Networking 2

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: In this module, you will be introduced to the fundamental ideas and concepts of how computers, mobile devices and gadgets communicate with each other through a wide range of communication technologies. You will explore both wired and wireless networking, including Ethernet, VLANs, STP, routing, subnetting and IPv6. You will also learn about essential network services such as SNMP, DHCP and DNS, as well as the role of firewalls and network management in ensuring secure and efficient communication between devices.
  • Coursework:
    • (100%) A network assessment against a fictional company’s corporate network. This was an extremely enjoyable assessment since it felt similar to a real engagement as it involved a lot of problem solving and pivoting to map and security test the network comprehensively. This module was extremely effective in helping me finally understand sub netting, the OSI layer as well as in depth network function and configuration. Unfortunately, due to time constraints placed upon myself with a trip to London for B-Sides and Blackhat, I was not able to give this assignment the attention it deserved. Available here. Grade Achieved: B+

CMP319 - Web Application Penetration Testing

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of advanced techniques used by ethical hackers to assess the security of web applications. You will explore how attackers exploit vulnerabilities, and more importantly, how organisations can defend against these threats through effective countermeasures. By engaging with both offensive and defensive perspectives, you will gain the ability to analyse, evaluate and apply advanced web application security practices. You will also learn how to communicate the results of a security assessment in a clear and professional manner, preparing you for real‑world industry scenarios.
  • Coursework:
    • (75%) Report written on the penetration test of a website. The report covers everything from the aims, scope and methodology up to execution, results and remediation. I had already spent the summer before practising web application penetration testing on TryHackMe so this module felt like a test of all the knowledge I had gathered so far. The report goes into extensive detail into exploiting the website using the OWASP web security testing guide and is a piece of work I can certainly say I am proud of. Available here. Grade Achieved: A
    • (25%) Presentation based on the findings of the report aimed at a less technical audience. When I was making the presentation I was imagining the audience to be more of an executive sort, and as such made good use of visual aids such as graphs and specific values to get across risks to the business. Available here. Grade Achieved: A

Year 2 - Semester 2

CMP202 - Data Structures & Algorithms 2

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: Build on the earlier module, Data Structures and Algorithms 1. Gain an introduction to parallel programming on shared-memory and GPU architecture, and the design techniques underpinning parallel applications. Use a range of case studies drawn from typical real-world applications.
  • Coursework
    • Collection of Bi-Weekly labs introducing new advanced programming concepts in C++. Grade Achieved: A

CMP209 - Digital Forensics

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: This module introduces the fundamental technologies and techniques used to investigate cybercrime. You will learn a systematic approach to planning and conducting a comprehensive computer forensic investigation, with particular emphasis on evidence collection, preservation and the reconstruction of events. The module develops both theoretical understanding and practical skills, preparing you to apply forensic methods in real‑world contexts where digital evidence plays a critical role.
  • Coursework
    • (100%) Group project digital forensics investigation of a 500GB hard drive. Grade Achieved: C

Year 2 - Semester 1

CMP201 - Data Structures & Algorithms

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: Build on your knowledge of programming taught in earlier modules (e.g. arrays, structures, simple collections). Gain an introduction to the standard data structures and algorithms that form the core of algorithmic thought in computer science and to the idea of reasoning about the behaviour and performance of a computer program.
  • Coursework
    • Collection of Lab Exercises. Grade Achieved: A

CMP204 - Secure Web Development

  • Grade Achieved: C
  • Description: Dynamic web applications, through client-side and server side internet development on a full-stack platform.
  • Coursework
    • (90%) Building a gaming convention website according to a brief. The website used PHP, JavaScript and MySQL to handle account registration. Grade Achieved: C
    • (10%) Online quiz based on web development theory questions. Grade Achieved: A

CMP210 - Penetration Testing

  • Grade Achieved: B+
  • Description: This module develops a critical understanding of the tools and techniques used by ethical hackers to assess the security of devices and networks. You will learn how to systematically investigate a computer network for potential vulnerabilities, applying professional practices to identify weaknesses while considering the ethical and legal frameworks that govern penetration testing. Through practical exercises, you will gain hands‑on experience with industry‑standard tools and approaches, preparing you to evaluate and strengthen network security in real‑world contexts.
  • Coursework
    • (100%) The module required us to perform a penetration test on a fictional computer system running Windows Active Directory. This was extremely useful and presented basics in Metasploit, Nmap, Privilege Escalation and Active Directory. Coursework available here. Grade Achieved B+

Year 1

CMP 101 - Computer Hardware Architecture And Operating Systems

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: This module introduces the essential principles of computer architecture, giving you a clear understanding of how modern computer systems function. You’ll explore how hardware and software interact, how data is represented and processed, and how operating systems manage resources. By building a strong mental model of system behaviour, you’ll develop the foundation needed to reason about computing at a low level and prepare for more advanced study in later modules.
  • Coursework
    • (50%) Coursework involving building something using an ESP32 Board. Grade Achieved: A+
    • (50%) Online Exam on the topic of computer science basics. Grade Achieved: B

CMP 109 - Computer Networking 1

  • Grade Achieved: B+
  • Description: This module introduces the core principles of computer networking, from the fundamentals of network architecture and protocols to the practical skills needed to design, analyse, and troubleshoot networks. You’ll explore how data is transmitted, how different layers of a network interact, and how applications communicate across local and global systems. By combining theory with hands‑on practice, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to understand, build, and manage modern computer networks.
  • Coursework
    • (50%) Computer Networking Practical. Grade Achieved: B
    • (50%) Computer Networking Exam. Grade Achieved: B+

CMP 110 - Introduction to Security

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: This module introduces the core principles of computer networking, from the fundamentals of network architecture and protocols to the practical skills needed to design, analyse, and troubleshoot networks. You’ll explore how data is transmitted, how different layers of a network interact, and how applications communicate across local and global systems. By combining theory with hands‑on practice, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to understand, build, and manage modern computer networks.
  • Coursework
    • (75%) Investigation into techniques/methods which can be used to improve computer security. Grade Achieved: A
    • (25%) Short 5 minute presentation on legal issues in cyber security (GDPR). Grade Achieved: B+

CMP 104 - Programming with C++

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: This module introduces you to the core programming constructs of the C++ language, using a problem-based approach to develop your coding skills. You’ll learn how to design and implement solutions that build a strong foundation for object-oriented programming. The focus is on practical application, helping you gain transferable skills that are essential not only for C++ but for understanding and working with all modern object-oriented languages.
  • Coursework
    • (40%) Practical C++ tamagochi program. Grade Achieved: B+
    • (30%) Weekly quizzes on the topics of C++ and basic programming concepts. Grade Achieved: A
    • (30%) Biweekly labs involving practical C++ programs on the topic of programming basics. Grade Achieved A+

CMP 102 - Software Design

  • Grade Achieved: A
  • Description: This module complements the Level 7 programming modules by introducing the fundamental principles of software engineering in a practical, hands-on way. You’ll learn how to design, structure, and communicate solutions for both small and large-scale software systems, building the skills needed to approach development with a professional engineering mindset. By focusing on real-world practices rather than abstract theory, the module prepares you to apply software engineering methods effectively in future projects and advanced study.
  • Coursework
    • (50%) Coursework involving designing and creating a program which performs monte-carlo simulations of a darts game: Grade Achieved: B+
    • (50%) Practical labs based on different Software Design concepts/methods. Grade Achieved: A+