BSc (Hons) Computer Forensic Investigation

When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

You'll be studying a course that lies at the heart of computing technology and in a subject area that has quickly become a very important and crucial function in all medium to large organisations.
It is very specialist in its content and delivered to an uncompromisingly high standard.
We teach on the latest industry software - Encase and FTK2 - so you'll be ready to start your first graduate job.
You'll be qualified to investigate digital devices, produce and present evidence and also understand and examine digital evidence.
This rapidly growing discipline gives you exciting opportunities in many areas of computing including systems management, systems investigation and law enforcement.
You'll learn in our state of the art facilities which include specialist computing labs which use the software used by industry and will spending a lot of your study time doing practical work, not just learning about it!
You'll be studying in a School where there is a lot of current research taking place in the areas of forensics and security.

About the course

Computer forensics is the investigation of computers and other digital devices for the extraction of evidence which may point to particular misuse and/or criminal activity. Computer forensics and digital investigation have become necessary and crucial functions in most businesses today.

Authorities are faced with sifting through huge volumes of electronically stored data on computers, mobile phones, handheld devices and many other storage media in their criminal investigations. The popularity of TV programmes such as CSI, and high profile criminal cases such as the Harold Shipman case have also publicised this area of forensic computing. And large public bodies, such as the NHS, are increasingly interested in forensic computing procedures. Their reliance on high profile, nationally deployed information systems attracts strong public scrutiny.

The course is uniquely designed so you'll cover the legal aspects relating to IT law and governance, the skills required to be an 'expert witness', presentation of evidence in the courtroom, e-crime and computer misuse and computer security.

During the first year, you'll cover core computing disciplines. These prepare you for the in depth study of specific subject areas in your second and final years, including digital forensics investigation and intrusion detection systems.

Your third year will be spent on a work placement. This is where you can put all of the theory you have learnt in to practice, and earn a wage for a year! Our Placements Officer will help you to find a placement position.

During your final year, you'll complete an Independent Study with a clear emphasis on forensic investigation. You'll also undertake a full digital investigation and you'll examine how computer forensics can be beneficial and applied to any business scenario.

Throughout the course you'll learn current specialist knowledge about modern techniques used to investigate computer systems, and be able to apply these skills to a range of problems. Above all, the course will help you to develop investigative and analytical skills which are absolutely vital in any investigative scenario.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

This rapidly growing discipline gives you exciting opportunities in many areas of computing including systems management, systems investigation and law enforcement. You'll be given comprehensive training so that you can develop a wide range of skills, which could help get you in to a variety of careers in the computing and legal fields. Areas you could go on to work in include e-forensic solutions, security, computer systems management, accounting (audit and computerised investigations), government agencies and the police force.

You could also choose to continue your studies by progressing to the MSc Computer Forensic Investigation.

What our students say

"The work has certainly been interesting so far, there has been a lot of in-depth learning on various topics ranging from computer architecture to basics of the Criminal Justice system."

Zorek Gholian

How you'll learn

There are three modules per semester. Each is delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and laboratories. Our labs accommodate specialist hardware and software which are vital for the course. A lot of lab work based tutorials will involve the use of this dedicated equipment.

Fieldtrips

The course will include site visits and guest lectures from experts in the industry. See www.derby/ac/uk/disc for details.

Our students recently took a trip to Bletchley Park. Take a look at what they got up to at www.derby.ac.uk/computing/bletchley-park

Anything else?

Induction

You'll spend your first week at Derby having a comprehensive introduction to the university. You'll get to know lecturers, fellow students, your way around the labs and the campus and they type of work and study you'll be doing, so you'll be fully prepared when your lectures start the following week.

As part of your induction week you'll also go on a day trip with all of the other computing students out in to the Peak District. Find out more about what this involves

Learning from industry

We've developed a number of links with industry. From time to time, this will mean that there are occasional lectures delivered by industry practitioners from various professional bodies and the British Computing Society (BCS). It may also involve field trips to forensic investigation labs.

"The school understands the computer forensics community's requirements because the specialists in the field have assisted in developing this course to ensure that it is as relevant as possible."

Simon Steggles, Managing Director of Disklabs. Find out more about Disklabs

Visit Computer Forensics Forum

Start dates

If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in:

September 2012

If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in:

September 2012

UCAS code

F490

Fees

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

Full time: £7,495 (each year)

International students

Full time: £9,975 (each year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.