Zorek Gholian
Zorek Gholian
The best part of the course is learning concepts and ideas across the fields of Law, Forensics (Digital and Physical) and Computing. It gives us skills so that we can multi task and increase our attention to detail.
”Zorek won The Microsoft Award for Best Overall Performance in Stage 2 Computing for 2009. He's studying BSc (Hons) Computer Forensic Investigation.
Winning the award
I feel privileged to be not only be nominated but to win the award. I hope that it's the start of many more to come in my development at Derby and in my professional career, once I graduate.
Why Computer Forensics at Derby?
Spending a year at Loughborough University doing Engineering was great, I enjoyed it but I felt that it was not my destined career path. So I went on the search of different degrees and I found that the University of Derby did a course that I had experience and knowledge in, and I knew from the degree title that this was my chosen fate of what is to be my career.
In today's society where there is an outcry of cases and investigations that are in the public domain from exploitation to fraud, corruption and terrorism, this degree gives you the know-how to deal with such cases from a professional level. This means certain levels of knowledge and understanding that are required by the government and high profile businesses.
The course highlights
Derby has a great location and excellent links with industry and professional associations with Microsoft, Cisco etc.
The best part of the course is learning concepts and ideas across the fields of Law, Forensics (Digital and Physical) and Computing. It gives us skills so that we can multi task and increase our attention to detail.
The equipment and labs we have at our disposal are all industry standard and the software we use - EnCase and FTK - are the same ones used in law enforcement. Not all universities that offer similar courses can say this.
So, if you fancy a challenging, rewarding, interesting, and current degree this course is for you.
Enthusiasm and support
The lecturers are very friendly and really approachable compared to what I've experienced in the past. Most lecturers operate an 'open door policy' where by if they are in the office you're always made very welcome regardless the issue.
They are also willing to make time to check up on students regarding their progress, enjoyment and fulfilment of the course and this I find very helpful and rewarding. If there are any problems they're usually dealt with very quickly.
It's not all about work
Studying in Derby is quite enjoyable at the moment and if paced correctly with the workload of lectures, tutorials and assignments you can always go out and find friends and experience Derby student life.
My first port of call when it came to finding friends was people on my course, and once I moved into halls my social circle expanded even further.
Opportunities
The rewarding high about being on this course is that there are many things currently in the pipeline from what we've been told about - more accreditation and more external specialist links with industry and DISC (Derbyshire Information Security Consortium).
As this is a specialised degree there are only a handful of universities undertaking similar courses. The University of Derby really stands out from the rest because of the course's high demand, constant industry standard accreditation and invaluable links.
Would you recommend Derby?
I would certainly recommend the University of Derby if you plan to study any Computing degree. All the lecturers are experienced in their fields and we have specialised facilities at our disposal.
The School of Computing is also linked with MSDNAA (Microsoft Development Network Academic Alliance) which provides specialist Microsoft software to students studying computing degrees, as well having accreditation from Cisco and soon FTK for the forensic software.
Looking to the future
The course at Derby prepares you with the tools and knowledge to have a role in Forensics and Security and once I graduate, I hope to apply for a career within the Ministry of Defence or Police. Before that, I'm going to go on a work placement as part of my course. I'll be working at a school as a Network Technician, and will concentrate on network (including Wireless) and server security, on top of my daily duties.
