Information security in computer and communications systems. Topics include: design principles; operating system security and access control; web and software security; malicious software, security infrastructure; secure email; network authentication; firewalls; intrusion detection; IP security; network attacks; wireless security.
Note the following:
| Week | Date (2026) | Topic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Jan 5 | Ch.1: Basic Concepts and Principles | |
| Jan 7 | |||
| Week 2 | Jan 12 | Ch.5: Operating Systems Security and Access Control | |
| Jan 14 | A1 starts (due: Jan 28) | ||
| Week 3 | Jan 19 | Ch.6: Software Security - Exploits and Privilege Escalation | |
| Jan 21 | |||
| Week 4 | Jan 26 | Ch.7: Malicious Software | |
| Jan 28 | |||
| Week 5 | Feb 2 | A2 starts (due: Feb 23) | Midterm 1 |
| Feb 4 | Midterm review | ||
| Week 6 | (Class cancelled) | ||
| Week 7 | Winterbreak (No classes) | ||
| Week 8 | Feb 23 | A3 starts (due: Mar 9) | Ch.8: Public Key Certificate Management and Use Cases |
| Feb 25 | |||
| Week 9 | Mar 2 | Ch.9: Web and Browser Security | |
| Mar 4 | |||
| Week 10 | Mar 9 | A4 starts (due: Mar 23) | |
| Mar 11 | Ch.10: Firewalls and Tunnels | ||
| Week 11 | Mar 16 | ||
| Mar 18 | Ch.11: Intrusion Detection and Network-based Attacks | ||
| Week 12 | Mar 23 | ||
| Mar 25 | A5 starts (due: Apr 8) | Midterm 2 | |
| Week 13 | Mar 30 | Ch.12: Wireless LAN Security: 802.11 and Wi-Fi | |
| Apr 1 | |||
| Week 14 | Apr 6 | Wrap-up | |
| (No Classes) |
Undergraduate Academic Advisor The Undergraduate Advisors for the School of Computer Science are available in Room 5302HP; or by email at scs.ug.advisor@cunet.carleton.ca. The undergraduate advisors can assist with information about prerequisites and preclusions, course substitutions/equivalencies, understanding your academic audit and the remaining requirements for graduation. The undergraduate advisors will also refer students to appropriate resources such as the Science Student Success Centre, Learning Support Services and Writing Tutorial Services.
SCS Computer Laboratory. Students taking a COMP course can access the SCS computer labs. The lab schedule and location can be found here. All SCS computer lab and technical support information can be found here. Technical support staff may be contacted in-person or virtually, see this page for details.
Mental Health and Wellness. Check Carleton Wellness Website for information.
Academic Accommodation Carleton is committed to providing academic accessibility for all individuals. You may need special arrangements to meet your academic obligations during the term. The accommodation request processes are outlined on the Academic Accommodations website.
Generative AI Usage In this course you may use AI tools (like ChatGPT) for error-checking of grammar and spelling. Other use of such tools in any work submitted for grading is prohibited.
Academic Integrity Students are expected to uphold the values of academic Integrity, which include fairness, honesty, trust, and responsibility. Examples of actions that compromise these values include but are not limited to plagiarism, accessing unauthorized sites for assignments or tests, unauthorized collaboration on assignments or exams, and using artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT when your assessment instructions say it is not permitted.
Misconduct in scholarly activity will not be tolerated and will result in consequences as outlined in Carleton University's Academic Integrity Policy. A list of standard sanctions in the Faculty of Science can be found here.
Additional details about this process can be found on the Faculty of Science Academic Integrity website.
Students are expected to familiarize themselves with and abide by Carleton University's Academic Integrity Policy.
COMP 4108 addendum on academic integrity: Beyond other standard university policies, any student submitting work in this course, including uncited portions originating from someone else, is subject to a mark of negative 100% on the entire work item. For example, if an assignment is worth 6%, the 6% is lost plus a further 6% penalty, making the best possible course mark 88%. Both students may be penalized if the infraction involves copying from another student. Except for authorized group work, each student must write up submitted work individually from their own personal notes, unless given written permission explicitly to do otherwise.
Student Rights & Responsibilities Students are expected to act responsibly and engage respectfully with other students and members of the Carleton and the broader community. See the 7 Rights and Responsibilities Policy for details regarding the expectations of non-academic behaviour of students. Those who participate with another student in the commission of an infraction of this Policy will also be held liable for their actions.