Forensic Information Technology – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The full-time programme runs from October to September and consists of a taught programme of two semesters from October to June. You will undertake a project in the summer period from June to September. The part-time programme runs over three years.

The course is made up of units to a total of 180 Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CATS) points. The taught element consists of 120 credits taught in units rated in multiples of 15 credits. The project unit is rated at 60 credits.

You will complete six compulsory taught units:

* Digital Forensics: covering the practical aspects of conducting a forensic investigation, you will develop a critical understanding of computer forensics and a holistic approach to the forensics investigation process. You will acquire the core skills for forensic investigation using current widely used tools and also gain an understanding of their internal workings. You will investigate a range of simulated `cases´ on different types of computer and information system.
* Security Risk Management: this unit will introduce different risk management strategies and evaluate the different methods used to combat security risks. Some of the strengths and weaknesses in the current infrastructure at both a national, local and organisational level will be explored. It will also provide opportunities for you to develop a strategy to combat security risks and consider how to breach security.
* Cybercrime and Cyber Governance: covering the different forms of cybercrime and how states deal with them, this unit draws on a range of practical examples. Areas explored will include the crossing of established boundaries into spaces over which control has already been established such as cyber-intrusion and cyber-theft, but also `new cybercrimes´ in the form of virtual trespass, denial of service attacks and the development of opportunities for offending in the context of social networking websites.
* Cryptography: this unit covers the main aspects of cryptography and cryptanalysis. Cryptography aims to offer protection in a communication environment where there are adversaries present. Cryptanalysis encompasses all tools applied by the adversaries for waiving the protection offered by cryptography. Due to the nature of the course, you will assume the adversary role and will be taught how to apply cryptanalytic techniques, as part of the digital evidence extraction activity.
* Security and Systems Architecture for Forensics: this unit provides an overview of computer organisation, operating systems and network design, with a strong focus on security considerations and aspects relevant to computer and digital forensics. The early part of the unit will introduce you to relevant issues in system architecture and file system organisation. Threats to computer systems will be considered. During the latter part of the unit you will study in some depth current technologies for securing real computer networks.
* Professional Skills for Computing: this is a general professional and ethic skills unit, which you will study with other students on computing postgraduate courses. It addresses professional ethics and focuses on research reporting skills.

You will also be able to choose two from the following FIT optional units:

* Data Mining: retrieving data from massive data stores using intelligent tools.
* Offender Profiling: the theory and practice of offender profiling.
* White-collar Crime: examines the range of white-collar crime and approaches to its control.
* Wireless Networks: this unit will enable you to understand the protocols used in mobile and computing wireless communications.

During the final part of your course, you will undertake a major project:

* The Project: this might be an `engineering´ project, involving building and testing a system in the forensics domain or a `study´ project, involving constructing and executing a piece of formal research. You will need to write a report for both types of project. You will be assigned a supervisor, who you will see regularly and who will guide you in the process of completing your selected project.

Teaching and Assessment

start courses generic templateThe full-time programme runs from October to September, and consists of a taught programme of two semesters from October to June. The project is undertaken in the summer period from June to September.

The part-time programme runs over three years. The course is made up of units to a total of 180 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points. The taught element consists of 120 credits taught in units rated in multiples of 15 credits. The project unit is rated at 60 credits.

Students will encounter a range of assessment depending on the content and nature of the unit. Assessment will almost certainly include coursework, supervised work sessions (either of which may be individual or group work), learning journals, examinations and at least one presentation.