2012-2013 University Catalog

Computer Forensics, MS

Banner Code: VS-MS-CFRS

School: Volgenau School of Engineering

Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Computer forensics is a discipline addressing the collection, processing, and analysis of digital information so that this information can be admitted as evidence in a court of law. It is interdisciplinary in its nature with the inclusion of computer engineering, computer science, information technology, law, and ethics. Computer forensics is a key component in criminal, civil, intelligence, and counter-terrorism matters. In the last several years, with a proliferation of digital storage, transmission, and processing of sensitive information there has been an increase in the aberrant use of computers. This aberrant behavior includes but is not limited to: economic espionage, child exploitation, cybercrime, fraud, terrorism, and identity theft. In response to this, computer forensics has become an important profession serving both public and private sectors. The M.S. in Computer Forensics will prepare graduates for careers in law enforcement, various other branches of government, and in the corporate sector such as banking and finance by combining academic education with real world practical techniques and by offering advanced training in analyzing digital evidence, in intrusion forensics, and in legal and ethical issues.

Admission Requirements

Students who hold a B.S. degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, math, science, computer science, business (with a quantitative background), economics, or other analytical disciplines; or students who have equivalent work experience indicating analytical aptitude; may apply to the M.S. in computer forensics. Depending on their background, some applicants may be required to complete 3 to 12 credits of preliminary course work before they are allowed to enroll in any of the core courses or specialty courses in the program. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is required for acceptance.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.000 or higher, with no more than 6 credit hours of C grades. The plan of study includes an 18-credit required Core component which includes a mandatory capstone course and a 12-credit elective component as shown below:

Core Courses (18 credits):

Choose one of the following:
CFRS 500 - Introduction to Technologies of Forensics Value Credits: 3
ISA 522 - Information Security Essentials Credits: 3
ISA 562 - Information Security Theory and Practice Credits: 3
and complete the following:
CFRS 660 - Network Forensics Credits: 3
CFRS 661 - Digital Media Forensics Credits: 3
CFRS 664 - Incident Response Forensics Credits: 3
CFRS 760 - Legal and Ethical Issues in IT Credits: 3 or
CFRS 770 - Fraud and Forensics in Accounting Credits: 3
CFRS 790 - Advanced Computer Forensics Credits: 3

Elective courses (12 credits) chosen from:

CFRS 510 - Digital Forensics Analysis Credits: 3
CFRS 663 - Operations of Intrusion Detection for Forensics Credits: 3
CFRS 760 - Legal and Ethical Issues in IT Credits: 3 *
CFRS 761 - Malware Reverse Engineering Credits: 3
CFRS 762 - Mobile Device Forensics Credits: 3
CFRS 770 - Fraud and Forensics in Accounting Credits: 3 *
CFRS 780 - Advanced Topics in Computer Forensics Credits: 3
ECE 511 - Microprocessors Credits: 3
ECE 746 - Advanced Applied Cryptography Credits: 3
ISA 650 - Security Policy Credits: 3
ISA 652 - Security Audit and Compliance Testing Credits: 3
ISA 656 - Network Security Credits: 3
ISA 674 - Intrusion Detection Credits: 3
ISA 785 - Research in Digital Forensics Credits: 3
SOCI 607 - Criminology Credits: 3
TCOM 662 - Advanced Secure Networking Credits: 3
FRSC 510 - Basic Crime Analysis Credits: 3

Please note:

*Both CFRS 760 and CFRS 770 may be taken but only one may be used in the core component.

Other courses may be appropriate as elective courses in the degree program, but they must be approved prior to registration.

Total: 30 credits

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