QC3503: Distributed Systems and Security

QC3503: DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS AND SECURITY (2025-2026)

Last modified: 18 Dec 2025 16:46

Course Overview

This course discusses core concepts of distributed systems, such as programming with distributed objects, multiple threads of control, multi-tire client-server systems, transactions and concurrency control, distributed transactions and commit protocols, and fault-tolerant systems. The course also discusses aspects of security, such as cryptography, authentication, digital signatures and certificates, SSL etc. Weekly practical sessions cover a set of techniques for the implementation of distributed system concepts such as programming with remote object invocation, thread management and socket communication.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Offshore	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Professor Felipe Meneguzzi Dr Mingjun Zhong

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

Introduction to Distributed Systems.
Programming with Distributed Objects: Java RMI; Object Serialization; Managing Multiple Threads of Control; Security Policies; Multi-Tier Client-Server Systems.
Programming with Distributed Data Sources: Transactions and Concurrency Control; Distributed Transactions; Replication; Fault-Tolerant Systems.
Security in Distributed Systems: Cryptography, Authentication, Digital Signatures and Certificates, SSL, Firewalls.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Computer Programming Exercise

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	50
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	15 pages + code. Carried out as groupwork.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	Understanding of major issues, problems, solutions, and concepts in Distributed Systems.
Procedural	Create	Ability to apply distributed systems concepts, techniques, and tools to creatively solve problems.
Procedural	Evaluate	Ability to analyse and evaluate proposed distributed systems solutions in their context.

Exam

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	50
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	2-hour Exam (on campus)

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	Understanding of major issues, problems, solutions, and concepts in Distributed Systems.
Reflection	Analyse	Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management.
Reflection	Apply	Ability to apply security protocols and concepts in the design and implementation of software systems. Ability to appropriately assess and communicate security issues of software systems.
Reflection	Evaluate	Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols.

Formative Assessment

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type	Formative	Weighting
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	45-minute MCQ Test (in-class test)

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Reflection	Analyse	Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management.
Reflection	Evaluate	Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols.

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type	Formative	Weighting
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	45-minute MCQ Test (in-class)

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Reflection	Analyse	Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management.
Reflection	Evaluate	Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission/resit of failed elements (pass marks carried forward)

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Reflection	Analyse	Students will demonstrate mastery of core principles and concepts of distributed systems and security management.
Reflection	Evaluate	Students will develop the ability to think analytically and creatively about how to implement distributed systems and the ability to propose appropriate solutions by applying concepts and protocols.
Reflection	Apply	Ability to apply security protocols and concepts in the design and implementation of software systems. Ability to appropriately assess and communicate security issues of software systems.
Procedural	Evaluate	Ability to analyse and evaluate proposed distributed systems solutions in their context.
Procedural	Create	Ability to apply distributed systems concepts, techniques, and tools to creatively solve problems.
Conceptual	Understand	Understanding of major issues, problems, solutions, and concepts in Distributed Systems.

51cg