HND Computer Forensics

http://www.glam.ac.uk/coursedetails/685/232

Course length

Full-time - 2 Years

Course description

This award addresses the rapidly emerging need of Police forces, security agencies and commercial organisations for skilled professionals in this developing area. The School of Computing has a very active research and consultancy group in this area, whose work underpins the security and forensic aspects of the award. The course will cover such topics as computer forensic process tools, computer forensic and digital evidence, criminology, cryptography and information security, computer crime activities and their prosecution, and the legal and regulatory framework.

LEVEL ONE

- Introduction to Multimedia and the Web
- Information Resource Engineering
- Professional and Business Skills
- Mathematics and Statistics for Computing
- Computer Programming
- Computer Systems and Internet Technology

LEVEL TWO

- Abstract and Linear Algebra
- Network Administration and Security
- Network Architectures and Operating Systems
- Computer Forensic and Digital Evidence
- Criminology
- Level 2 Project

You will spend approximately 16 hours per week in scheduled classes, consisting of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. You will also have to spend an additional four hours per week for each module completing coursework, general reading and other preparation. We strongly recommend that you choose the optional third year sandwich placement, which can often lead to employment with the placement employer.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff: Overall points 100-140, plus 5 GCSE at Grade C or above, including Mathematics and English Language or alternative. Access to the BSc is through completion of the first two years of the course (equivalent to the HND)

Fees

See http://money.glam.ac.uk/fees/

BSc [Hons] Computer Forensics

http://www.glam.ac.uk/coursedetails/685/51

Course length

Full-time 3 years
Sandwich - 4 years

Course description

Level 1

- Internet Application Development *
- Information Resource Engineering *
- Computer Forensics & Security *
- Mathematics & Statistics for Computing *
- Computer Programming *
- Computer Systems & Network Technology *

Level 2

- Computer Forensics & Digital Evidence *
- Computer Forensics Evidentiary Practice *
- Cryptography and Information Assurance *
- Event Driven Programming *
- Network Architectures & Operating Systems *
- Network Administration & Security *
- Employment Experience Diploma (Computing)†

Level 3

- Level 3 Project (Core)
- Advanced Digital Investigation Techniques & Tools *
- Computers and the Law *
- Small Business Development and Managing Growth †
- Criminology †
- Building Highly Reliable Software Systems †
- Advanced Internet Development †
- Operating Systems †
- Computer Networks †
- Systems Security & Administration †
- Distributed Computer Systems †

* Recommended Modules
† Optional Modules

You will have 16 hours of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions each week. You will also spend an extra four hours per week, per module, on coursework, general reading and other preparation.

Assessment methods include examinations, coursework and problem-based exercises taught in real-life scenarios. In your second year, you will receive training from a ‘Bond Solon’ legal training consultancy in courtroom skills and giving evidence. You will learn how to collect write and present evidence under cross examination in our brand-new mock courtroom.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff: Overall points 260-300, including five GCSEs at grade C or above, including Mathematics and English language.

If you already have a Computing HND, you can top-up to a BSc (Hons) in two years, provided you gained Merit grades on at least 40 credits of your HND. You will have a mixture of classes and work-related learning for one year, then join the BSc (Hons) course for the final year. This course is also available at BSc and HND levels.

Fees

See http://money.glam.ac.uk/fees/

MSc Computer Forensics

http://www.glam.ac.uk/coursedetails/685/549

Course length

Full-time - 1 year
Part-time - 3 years

Course description

Location: Treforest Campus

With the spread of information technology into almost all aspects of our lives, ensuring the security of information and authentication of access is increasingly important. Computer forensics is a rapidly expanding area, leading to an increasingly high demand from industry for qualified forensic examiners.

This course will prepare you for a career in computer forensics and IT security, either at a technical or managerial level. You will gain practical skills for information security and crime investigation, underpinned by an academic framework. A range of external speakers in certain modules will ensure that the information covered reflects the latest expertise and developments in the field. The award is also accredited by the British Computer Society and gives exemption from some of its examinations.

Demands for systems assurance come from all sections of society – individuals, business and industry. As a result, there are numerous career options, including security analysis, reducing and combating computer crime, and senior positions in IT security in many organisations. By the time you graduate, you will be well-equipped for employment in the rapidly expanding and specialised branch of digital investigation, including computer forensics and systems audit. Due to the breadth of technical and legal issues covered, you will also be able to make a major contribution to computer investigations.

The modules you will study are:

- Project Management and Research Methodologies
- Information Security Management
- Network Security
- Cryptography and Electronic Commerce
- Computer Law
- Computer Forensics
- Individual Project

Each module is taught in a five-day block and assessment usually takes place in the following three weeks. You will need to spend a substantial amount of time working independently on reading and preparing for coursework-based assessment.

This should represent about 160 hours of work. While the style of coursework may vary, most modules require two research-style papers or essays around 3,500 words in length.

Entry requirements

This course is designed for honours graduates. While any discipline will be accepted, all entrants must have good IT skills or be graduates in computing or a related area. Sufficient knowledge of English for international students is also required.

Fees

See http://money.glam.ac.uk/fees/

Contact Person

Andrew Blyth
Senior Lecturer
ajcblyth@glam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1443 483607