• Before you enrol
• Communication skills
• Behavioural and social skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities

Committed to equity and diversity

At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.

Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.

The inherent academic requirements of the Graduate Certificates in Cyber Security, Investigations and Forensics, and the Master of Cyber Investigations and Forensics are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve in order to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of these Cyber degrees.

This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for your Cyber degree so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.

Skills you need 

The Cyber programs have inherent academic requirements in three categories:

• Communication skills
• Behavioural and social skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities 

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in a Cyber degree at UniSC, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.

If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or Program staff member.

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of the Cyber degrees if the adjustment is:

• logistically reasonable
• likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner.

Support and further information is available from UniSC

• Ability Advisers

• Career Advisers

• Relevant academic contacts

Communication skills

• Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Written communication skills
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills

Verbal and non-verbal communication skills

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:

• an ability to communicate, and to understand accurately verbal communication in English, and respond verbally, in English, to a standard that allows fluid, clear, timely, and comprehensible two-way discussions
• an ability to understand and to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
• an ability to express ideas concisely and clearly with the capacity to develop skills in verbal reasoning
• an ability to receive information via listening comprehension skills that equip the student to deal with varied situations, such as participating effectively in tutorials, as well as receiving and processing a variety of instructions in Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) situations (where applicable)
• sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences in their communication and ability to interact appropriately in different situations

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Cyber degrees because:

• effective communication is an essential requirement of professional practice. Effective communication displays understanding of, and respect and empathy for, others and, promotes the development of trusting purposeful relationships
• effective and respectful two-way communication, via verbal and non-verbal means, is required to participate in tutorials and group assessment tasks and, for creating safe learning environments
• Interactivity of communication is necessary for receiving and implementing instructions and feedback and for resolving complex problems experienced in academic and professional Cyber Security and Forensics settings

Adjustments

Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in academic and professional settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to verbal communication and non-verbal communication cues accurately and appropriately
• participate in class discussions, convey a spoken message accurately and effectively, lead discussions, convey spoken and written messages, including complex academic perspectives, accurately and effectively
• demonstrate appropriate awareness of own behaviours and their impact on others and show sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences

Written communication

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:

• an ability to construct coherent, timely and professional written communication in English compliant with academic writing conventions and appropriate to the circumstance
• read and comprehension skills applied across a range of literature and information in English 

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Cyber degrees because:

• construction of written text-based assessments that adhere to required academic standards is necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter
• effective written communication in English is a fundamental aspect of professional practice within the global Cyber Security community
• English language and literacy skills are the foundation from which students will deliver a sustained and organised academic argument

Adjustments

Adjustments must allow students to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective acquisition, recording, comprehension and transmission of information in academic and any Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) placement (where applicable) settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• construct essays, reports, advice and other written work that meet academic and professional standards
• conduct a critical analysis to academic and professional standards
• communicate and cooperate with fellow students online in the development of group assessment tasks

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills 

The student must have the capacity to demonstrate sound working skills in applying information and communication technologies (ICT) to communicate via a range of ICT applications and systems in both academic and professional settings.

Justification

These are inherent requirements of the Cyber degrees because competent ICT skills are essential to:

• accessing and using the tools required and engaging effectively with the online delivery of the programs
• successfully accessing, applying and communicating information to meet learning outcomes
• preparing and completing assessment tasks and submitting assessment items online
• developing high level and specialist professional ICT and Cyber Security and Forensic Investigation skills which meet industry expectations, enabling the student to confidently participate in Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities (where applicable)

Adjustments

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively use a range of ICT to apply and communicate accurate information. UniSC has in place a range of strategies and technology to support students with disabilities. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the University’s AccessAbility Service.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• employ a range of ICT skills to complete written and audio-visual learning and assessment activities
• use a range of software applications and devices for academic, research or Workplace Integrated learning (WIL) placement purposes (where applicable), in face-to-face and online synchronous and asynchronous communication environments

Behavioural and Social Skills

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate behavioural stability and adaptability in academic and professional environments which may be at times challenging and unpredictable. Students must be able to work with others and share responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and contexts. Students must be able to demonstrate cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, assessment items and/or Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) placements (where applicable).

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Cyber degrees because students must be able to work constructively and ethically in socially and culturally diverse academic and/or placement environments.

Adjustments

Adjustments must support stable, effective, ethical and professional behaviour in the academic and industry environment.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• engage with peers and staff appropriately and with sensitivity in tutorials and in team tasks and be receptive and professional in responding appropriately to constructive written and verbal feedback.
• demonstrate an ability to reflect on ethical considerations and issues and take responsibility for ensuring own ethical behaviour
• manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with others both in University and placement settings 

Intellectual – Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities 

The capacity to demonstrate knowledge and application of theory and the skills of cognition, comprehension and numeracy, which includes:

• numeracy, literacy, knowledge, cognitive and metacognitive skills appropriate to the discipline.
• capacity for independent critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, critical analysis, decision making, rational inquiry and self-directed learning.
• ability to develop intellectual skills in a variety of academic and professional contexts and to apply acquired skills and knowledge in practice.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Cyber degrees because conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities are necessary for students to be able to fulfil the required range of academic and practice tasks.

Adjustments

Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge to fulfil academic assessment tasks.
• build strong conceptual frameworks and apply knowledge of theories, models, concepts, policy, procedures and practice; in tutorial discussions, groupwork, assessments and professional contexts.
• be aware of your own thinking and demonstrate skills to reflect, evaluate, adapt, and implement cognitive strategies for improved learning.
• read, interpret, synthesise and comprehend information from multiple sources.
• accurately process and reason with numbers, coding and numerical data and concepts relevant to the discipline.
• read, comprehend and analyse legal concepts and doctrines; conceptualise, formulate and problem solve legal problems