MSc Computer Forensics: University of Westminster

Introduction

Crime involving computers and digital media is ever increasing and organisations in all sectors are looking for employees who can help them to combat computer crime. This course will allow you to be at the forefront of this constantly evolving area.

Computer Forensics is the chain of detection, identification, collection, preservation, analysis and presentation of digital evidence acceptable to a court of law. This course will provide a complex set of activities requiring not only an understanding of the theory of sophisticated information and communications technologies and an experience of their practical uses, but also a grounding in other disciplines, notably the law and legal process. Graduates will be able to analyse a data processing device to determine whether it has been used for illegal, unauthorised or unusual activities and set up appropriate automatic monitoring.

Course Content

The course considers and addresses:

• the critical evaluation of a variety of tools available on the open market, using forensic tools to retrieve data from electronic sources
• the analysis of professional and ethical issues relating to computer forensics  and
• the development of professional competencies, such as report writing and presenting evidence in court

Core modules:

• Advanced Computer Forensics
• Computer Forensics Project
• Computer Forensic Technology
• Computer Forensic Tools
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Data Recovery and Analysis
• Expert Witness Requirements
• Fundamentals of Computer Systems Forensics
• Introduction to Computer Forensics
• Research Methods
• The Computer Forensics Profession

Associated Careers

The course is intended for those involved with or wishing to be involved with corporate forensics or police computer forensics. It will prepare you for a range of roles within these disciplines, such as data recovery experts and crime scene investigators. The course is suitable for both IT practitioners and those with experience in the computer forensic or data recovery field.

Entry Requirements

• You are normally expected to have a good Honours degree (at least 2.1) in a computing related discipline from a UK university or an overseas equivalent.
• Due to the technical nature of the course, if your first degree does not have a strong computing content you will only be considered if you can demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge of computing and/or at least 3 years of industry experience.
• You must submit a statement of purpose with your application in which you should present your key interests and career aspirations, how you believe the course can help achieve these, and what relevant personal qualities and experience you will bring to the course.
• You may be invited by the admissions tutor to an informal interview.
• If your first language is not English you are expected to demonstrate a reasonable command of the language by achieving a score of at least 250 in the computer-based TOEFL (or at least 600 in the paper test) or a score of 6.5 in each component of the IELTS test.