Certificate Program in Computer Forensics

http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=69261

Course length

Two years.

Course description

Two graduate-level certificate programs in Computer Forensics (CF), co-sponsored by the Departments of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) (School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics) and Justice Sciences (JS) (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences), began being offered in the Fall, 2006.

The Category "A" Certificate is designed for degree-seeking graduate students already enrolled in the criminal justice (MSCJ), forensic science (MSFS), or computer science (MS/Ph.D.) program. The Category "B" Certificate is designed for non-degree seeking graduate students desiring to learn more about computer forensics and use CF skills in an "on the job" fashion. Presented below are the program details.

Program Description

Criminal offenders are increasingly using computers as "weapons" to commit crimes such as illegally downloading from websites or network servers, information, documents, or copyrighted materials, or releasing "worms," "viruses," and similar "rogue programs" on computer networks to disrupt or shut them down. As a result, law enforcement agencies will increasingly have to rely, to greater extent than ever before, local, state, and federal crime labs to provide experts in CF to uncover, retrieve, and protect evidence of such illegalities.

CF, as an area of specialization within the larger disciplines of Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, and CIS, is literally at the point where DNA analysis as an investigative and prosecutorial tool was 10-15 years ago. The need for CF-based skills continues to grow as personnel working at local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories develop requisite training to retrieve and preserve electronic evidence (e.g., digital documents and images, or similar material) stored on personal computers, including hard drives, floppy disks, zip drives, and related information storage devices.

Additionally, CF training provides to those seeking positions in law enforcement agencies, state/federal crime labs, or the private sector, the necessary tools to identify, and appropriately respond to, attacks on local- and wide-area networks. Finally, individuals certified in CF will be prepared to testify in state and federal court as expert witnesses in criminal and civil litigation.

The program will help thrust UAB to the forefront as a major source of training in both forensic science and computer and information science.

Purpose

The purpose of the certificate programs is to provide to degree and non-degree seeking graduate students, an opportunity to acquire specialized CF knowledge and training and prepare them for entry level positions in both the public and private sectors.

Admissions and entry requirements

Category "A" Certificate: Acceptance into and enrollment as a degree seeking student in one of the following graduate programs: MSFS, MSCJ, or CIS (master's or Ph.D.) AND computer science competency at the level of CS106: Introduction to PYTHON Programming (or its equivalent based on courses taken at other universities; if the student does not have competency at the above level, he or she will be required to take CS106 before being admitted to the certificate program) AND forensic science competency at the level of JS110: Introduction to Forensic Science (or its equivalent, based on courses taken at other universities; if the student does not have competency at the above level, he or she will be required to take JS110 before being admitted to the certificate program).

Category "B" Certificate: Enrollment as non-degree seeking graduate student in CIS, FS, or CJ graduate programs. Student indicates on application for enrollment as non-degree student, his or her desire to enroll in CF "B" certificate program by completing the application form and indicating a "concentration designation" (to which the Graduate School will attach a specific numerical identifier); AND computer science competency at the level of CS106: Introduction to PYTHON Programming (or its equivalent, based on courses taken at other universities; if the student does not have competency at the above level, he or she will be required to take CS106 before being admitted to the certificate program); AND forensic science competency at the level of JS110: Introduction to Forensic Science (or its equivalent, based on courses taken at other universities; if the student does not have competency at the above level, he or she will be required to take JS110 before being admitted to the certificate program).

Fees

See http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=81043

Contact Person

Gary Warner
gar@cis.uab.edu
Tel: +1 (205) 934-4011 (Main Switchboard)