MSc Computer Forensics
About The Course
- Faculty: Faculty of Advanced Technology, University of Glamorgan
- Course Length: 18 months
- Date of Commencement: September 7, 2008
- Course Features: The award is designed to provide up-to-date, relevant practical information on security and crime, underpinned by an academic framework. The course is accredited by the British Computer Society and gives exemption from some of its examinations.
- Career Prospect: On successful completion you will be well-equipped for a career in computer forensics investigation, large-scale computer crime investigations’ planning and management, computer forensics and development. Moreover, this course equips student with the necessary skills for careers in IT security at both technical and managerial levels.
- Entry Requirements: A Bachelor degree from a recognized institution, with 2 years of relevant working experience; OR be fully matriculated, and have 2 or more years' of relevant working experience; Demonstrated proficiency in English language, such as a Bachelor degree or a diploma taught in English or IELTS 6.5 or above or TOFEL scored 580 or above, or passes HKCEE English Language and HKALE Use of English.
This course is being submitted for accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).
Course Contents
The topics covered on this course include:
- Project Management & Research Methodology
- Security Management
- Computer Forensics
- Network Security
- Cryptography and Electronic Commerce
- Computer Law
How to Study:
Each module is taught in a two-and-a-half-day block and assessment normally takes place within three weeks. You will need to spend a substantial amount of time working independently on reading and preparing for the assessment. This should represent about 160 hours of work and will mainly be assessed through coursework. All assessment is coursework based. While the style of coursework may vary, most will be the submission of a research-style paper or essay. Each module normally has two essay/papers of around 3500 words.
Course Units:
IS4S02 Project Management and Research Methodologies
This module enables students to use project management techniques and tools, to partake in various research methods and to provide an introduction to ethical issues in teaching and research. Upon the completion of the module, students can critically evaluate and use appropriate project management techniques to complete a non-trivial planning task on time and to the required standard, and present the results both in writing and verbally, to create and appraise a literature search for a research topic and to communicate (evaluate, assess, criticise, defend, support, compare) results and ideas and to identify research matters with legal and ethical concerns, and propose appropriate courses of action.
IS4S04 Security Management
This module provides knowledge of the tools and techniques available to secure and manage, in a meaningful manner, an information system. It develops the student’s ability to manage the security of an information system at a strategic, tactical and operational level. Upon the completion of the module, students systematically and critically understand the different approaches and standards related to the implementation and management of security within an organisation.
IS4S05 Computer Forensics
This module provides knowledge of the tools and techniques associated with the investigation of computer crime. Upon the completion of the module, students can demonstrate a systematic understanding of the principles and practices associated with investigating a computer-related crime, to discuss critically aspects of the motives of people engaged in acts of computer crime and to explain and apply the rules of evidence in relation to computer crime.
SY4S02 Network Security
This module provides students with an understanding of the methods that are currently available to perform the management, configuration and auditing of a distributed system and to provide students with an understanding of what vulnerabilities existed within a distributed system and what methods are available to protect and manage the security of a distributed system. Upon the completion of the module, students can demonstrate a systematic understanding of the principles of security in networks and distributed systems and to perform the security management and configuration of a network and a distributed system.
MS4S01 Cryptography and Electronic Commerce
This module provides knowledge of the methods available to encrypt and decrypt data, along with knowledge of the strengths, weaknesses and areas of applicability of cryptographic methods and provides students with the ability to select and apply various encryption methods and security protocols, within a business environment. Upon the completion of the module, students can analyse various encryption methods and security protocol standards, along and appraise their strengths and weaknesses and to select a range of encryption and security protocols appropriate to a business environment.
LR4S06 Computer Law
This module provides knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework within which information systems are required to operate, to develop the student’s ability to apply the relevant law to the use and misuse of computer technology. Upon the completion of the module, students can discuss the legal rules relating to computer technology (national and international) and the application of these rules within the context of the module synopsis and to engage in critical analysis and evaluation of the law, with particular reference to its practical social and ethical implications.
About University of Glamorgan – the Award Winning University
The University of Glamorgan is the top university in the domains of computer forensics and security in the United Kingdom. The University won numerous awards including, but not limited to , the followings:
- Investor in People, the UK's premier award for staff training and development
- ISO14001 award, for environmental management
- Center of Excellence, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
- 1st prize in the National Partnership Awards, for excellence in course design and
- Teaching ability
- Centre of Expertise, for the whole of Wales
- Positive About Disabled People, by Jobcentre Plus
