Course coordinator
Dr David Mount
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
The threats posed to nation states, businesses, and individuals by cybercriminals are expanding in reach and developing in their levels of sophistication. Traditional crimes are increasingly being cyber-enabled and new areas of criminal activity are embedding online. Countering such threats requires possessing a detailed understanding of both the technical methods of attack used by cybercriminals and the human factors that drive cybercrime. From theoretical and empirical perspectives, this foundation course provides an introduction to those human factor considerations within a framework focusing on cybercrimes, cyber-enabled crimes, and cyber deviance. The course will also examine countering the insider threat; the array of challenges confronting the criminal justice system in responding to the proliferation of cybercrimes; the various roles, responsibilities, and relationships involved in cyber security; and case studies of prominent cybercrime incidents.
Course requirements
Assumed background
CRIM7010 is a required course for all students undertaking the Cyber Criminology field of study in the Master of Cyber Security and Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security. Where possible, it is recommended to have previously completed the degree's interdisciplinary core courses, particularly CRIM7080 (Cyber Criminology and Global Security).
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CYBR7001, CYBR7002, CYBR7003, CRIM7080, CRIM7000
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr David Mount
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please refer to My Timetable for the most up-to-date timetable information.
Aims and outcomes
- Provide foundational knowledge about cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes.
- Provide foundational knowledge about social science concepts, approaches, and theories used to study and explainﾠonline criminality.
- Understand the human elements of online crime offending and crime victimisation.
- Understand criminal intelligence / threat analysis techniques used to counter cybercrime threats.
- Develop awareness of and critically analyse the effectiveness of Australian criminal justice system policy interventions aimed at responding to cybercrime threats.
- Reflect on the future challenges confronting governments, corporations and individuals from highly adaptive cybercriminals.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Possess a mix of theoretical and applied knowledge related to the social science of online crimes and criminality.
LO2.
Understand and critically analyse the human elements of cybercrime offending and victimisation.
LO3.
Understand and critically analyse criminal intelligence and threat analysis techniques used in a cyber security context.
LO4.
Understand and critically analyse Australia's current cyber security posture and the future challenges posed by cybercriminals.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Mod 1 & Mod 2 Short Answer Exercise | 30% |
Exercise will be released at 2pm on Wed 09 April 25 and close at 2pm on Fri 11 April 25 |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Mod 3 & Mod 4 Short Answer Exercise | 30% |
Exercise will be released at 2pm on Wed 21 May 25 and close at 2pm on Fri 23 May 25 |
| Essay/ Critique | Cybercrime Research Essay | 40% |
9/06/2025 2:00 pm
Research Essay is due on Monday 09 June 25 |
Assessment details
Mod 1 & Mod 2 Short Answer Exercise
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Exercise will be released at 2pm on Wed 09 April 25 and close at 2pm on Fri 11 April 25
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This assessment will evaluate both your knowledge of course material, and your ability to analyse, interpret, and critically think about course content. The assessment will have 5 questions, each worth 6 marks. The questions will require synthesis of information, critical thinking, and application of material across different parts of the course.
The assessment task sheet will specify a word count for questions, and any words above the maximum will not be read (the answer will be marked with the information provided only up to the maximum). The exercise will not require full references. However, if using theories, evidence, statistics, or data, you are still required to acknowledge the source at a more general level (e.g., name of theory/theorist).
The assessment is open book. Students can consult lectures and readings. However, students cannot cut and paste material from lectures, readings, websites, or search engines; consult any other person about any aspect of the assessment; or seek or give outside assistance. The assessment is to be done individually.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
The assessment will be released at 2:00pm on Wed 09 April.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
As these assessments are 48-hours, please be advised that applications for extensions will be considered in line with the intended length of assessment, and so for student equity purposes may result in shorter extensions than other types of assessment.
You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Mod 3 & Mod 4 Short Answer Exercise
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Exercise will be released at 2pm on Wed 21 May 25 and close at 2pm on Fri 23 May 25
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This assessment will evaluate both your knowledge of course material, and your ability to analyse, interpret, and critically think about course content. The assessment will have 5 questions, each worth 6 marks. The questions will require synthesis of information, critical thinking, and application of material across different parts of the course.
The assessment task sheet will specify a word count for questions, and any words above the maximum will not be read (the answer will be marked with the information provided only up to the maximum). The exercise will not require full references. However, if using theories, evidence, statistics, or data, you are still required to acknowledge the source at a more general level (e.g., name of theory/theorist).
The assessment is open book. Students can consult lectures and readings. However, students cannot cut and paste material from lectures, readings, websites, or search engines; consult any other person about any aspect of the assessment; or seek or give outside assistance. The assessment is to be done individually.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
The assessment will be released at 2:00pm on Wednesday 21 May.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
As these assessments are 48-hours, please be advised that applications for extensions will be considered in line with the intended length of assessment, and so for student equity purposes may result in shorter extensions than other types of assessment.
You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Cybercrime Research Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
9/06/2025 2:00 pm
Research Essay is due on Monday 09 June 25
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students will be provided eight (8) cybercrime related topics from which they must choose one (1) for their research essay assignment. The essay will provide students with the opportunity to write in-depth about a topic covered in the course. This is a research exercise designed to assess your substantive knowledge of course content, relevant academic literature, and your ability to present and develop a cogent argument. The paper should be written in formal academic style and in correct, grammatical, and succinct English. The paper should be structured with an introduction that clearly sets out the essay argument, a body that builds the argument using evidence and examples, and a conclusion that integrates the arguments made and relates them back to the question.
The essay will be 2,500 words in length (excluding reference list) and utilise APA 7th citation protocol. Students must use a minimum of 10 academic sources found through their own research beyond the course reading list. Suitable sources include books, book chapters, and credible journal articles. You may use some tertiary sources in addition to your 10 academic sources if necessary. These may include online statistics from reputable sources, newspaper articles, etc. Please remember: lecture slides, Wikipedia, and university websites that offer theoretical definitions, etc. are NOT academic sources and should NOT be used as references.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
To avoid losing marks, essays must be:
- Typed (12-point font), double-spaced, and include a reference list
- 2,500 words long (+/- 10% acceptable)
- Properly formatted (e.g., page numbers, paragraphs, etc.)
- Use appropriate in-text referencing (APA 7th style)
- Proofread for language and presentation (e.g., grammar and spelling errors)
Topics from which students can choose can be found in the CRIM 7010 Research Essay Information Sheet which is available on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible. Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
The final grade is determined by adding together the sum of the individualﾠassessment tasks. Grades are calculated based on the marks received.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
There is no set textbook for this course.ﾠA reading list organised by week and required/recommended will be available on the CRIM7010 Blackboard Site. Please refer to this for a list of all course readings.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 1: Mod 1 - Introduction to Cybercrime Typologies Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 2: Mod 1 - Cyber Dependent Crimes Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 3: Mod 1 - Cyber Enabled Crimes Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 4: Mod 2 - Cybercrime Offenders Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 5: Mod 2 - Cybercrime Victims Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 6: Mod 2 - Insider Threats Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 7: Mod 3 - Individual Offender Theories Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 8: Mod 3 - Co-offender / Group Offender Theories Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid Semester Break (no class) |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Seminar |
Week 9: Mod 3 - Cyber Threat Intelligence Analysis Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Seminar |
Week 10: Mod 4 - Agencies and Strategies Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Seminar |
Week 11: Mod 4 - Policing Cybercrime and Jurisdictional Challenges Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Seminar |
Week 12: Mod 4 - Future Trends and Challenges Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Seminar |
Week 13: Course Wrap-Up |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.