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computer science or information science for forensics?

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 Reni
(@reni)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 11
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what exactly is the difference between computer engineering and information science engineering and which is more appropriate if one wants to get into the field of computer forensics?


   
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(@inspectaneck)
Trusted Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 58
 

Reni,

Computer engineering is going to be more closely related to hardware – closely parallel to electrical engineering. Computer Engineering - Wikipedia

Computer Science/Information Science is probably the better choice for getting into Computer Forensics, as the skills and understanding you will receive from this type of program will include programming (C, C++, Java, Assembly), scripting (Perl, Javascript, php), a detailed understanding of the top-down workings from the user's keystroke to how the data moves through the computer's registers in each clock cycle. You will have the foundation to write enscripts, information gathering scripts for network forensics or automation, perform malware analysis, reverse engineering, and much more.

There are many great Computer Science programs available and some offered entirely online. Many offer a track focused in Digital Forensics; some offer graduate certificates or Masters programs to complement their undergrad programs.

The University of Rhode Island has Comp Sci w/ forensics track going through the PhD level.

The University of Central Florida has a Graduate Certificate and a Masters in Digital Forensics program offered completely online. I endorse this program because I am graduating next June from the Masters program. I have been thoroughly happy with the program, primarily due to the quality of teachers and the low-level open-source approach for learning – we learned how to do things the hard way before using the tool that manipulates the data into a pretty little portrait.

My primary suggestion would be to examine the backgrounds (experience in the field, levels and areas of education) of the professors and the electives you have to choose from. Find a program that has electives you find important or are interested in.

Best of luck to you.
Aaron


   
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