Computer Forensics - BSc (Hons) / MSci

This module provides an introduction to the core principles of a typical computer forensic investigation. It aims to develop a firm grounding in the underpinning knowledge and skills required to analyse and evaluate data from a computer and related data storage devices in a forensically sound manner.

This module emphasises a “hands-on” approach to learning forensic computing techniques using opensource and commercial forensic tools. The module will teach you the fundamental data structures applicable to computer forensics and how various tools can be exploited to analyse these structures in a variety of case types.

This fundamental computer systems module puts into practice the learning done through reading, video lecturers, skills building labs and problem based learning for the acquisition of new knowledge and core practical competencies

The module gives you the opportunity to learn mathematical concepts and methods and critically reflect on how they relate to computing and communication systems. You will develop core mathematical and statistical skills which are fundamental in computing and technical work in general. You will be expected to solve mathematical and statistical problems on paper and on a computer.

The module provides the opportunity to learn and critically reflect the skills required in building and designing basic networks and their requirements within a network infrastructure. This module builds on the underpinning knowledge and theory of networking systems.

This introductory computer programming module provides the underpinning knowledge and practice for computing students to design, build and test software components. The module will make use of practical sessions primarily to allow you to apply programming principles and constructs in order to creatively solve problems by means of developing small programs.   

This module will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills in analysing volumes and file systems, underlying concepts and data structures, specifically through the perspective of a digital forensic investigation. For each file system covered, this module addresses the analysis techniques and special considerations that a digital forensics investigator should make.

This module provides an introduction to the main features of the English legal system and the substantive law relating to IT. The module aims to give students an overview of the workings of the English legal system as a whole, and then move to a more detailed look at the specific area of IT law which is relevant to the Computer Forensics degree. Understanding how the English legal system is structured and administered provides essential context for the study of IT law.

This module will build on principles taught in Computer Programming. It will focus on developing knowledge and practical skills to enable you to design and implement non-trivial algorithms for problem solving in the context of digital forensic analysis. The main programming language for this module is Python and continues from the Computer Programming module. The module will help with enhancing your programming skills to automate processing of digital evidence.

This module will build on principles taught in Computer Programming. It will focus on developing knowledge and practical skills to enable you to design and implement non-trivial algorithms for problem solving in the context of digital forensic analysis. The main programming language for this module is Python and continues from the Computer Programming module. The module will help with enhancing your programming skills to automate processing of digital evidence.

This module will build on principles taught in Computer Programming. It will focus on developing knowledge and practical skills to enable you to design and implement non-trivial algorithms for problem solving in the context of digital forensic analysis. The main programming language for this module is Python and continues from the Computer Programming module. The module will help with enhancing your programming skills to automate processing of digital evidence.

This module develops comprehensive practical skills and theoretical knowledge for the forensic examination of personal computer systems using proprietary and open-source software tools. You will acquire the keys skills necessary in conducting and auditing a systematic forensic investigation of a computer system for user activity, operating system operation and configuration and connectivity.

In this module you will have the opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills required for Network Technologies. This module builds your knowledge and underpinning theory for the networking modules and you will review the requirements from a small to medium scale network deployment engineering context.

The module will foster your skills in conducting a forensic investigation and employ complex problem solving by applying investigative skills within the strict boundaries of the law and in keeping with ethical and professional codes of practice.

The module provides you with an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of Ethical Hacking and information security within a global context. This module builds on the knowledge and underpinning theory from the networking modules and reviews the requirements for a secure network communication system.

This module will build on the principles taught in Computer Forensics Tools and Techniques. It will focus on extracting data from mobile devices using industry standard tools such as XRY. This module aligns with the programme’s philosophy of developing wider appreciation of conducting a forensic analysis on a variety of devices. You will gain ‘hands-on’ experience of underlying principles of extracting data from mobile devices and apply them to a variety of mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets.

This module provides students with knowledge and practical skills essential for the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of evidence obtained from wired and wireless networked computers and storage systems. Emphasis is also placed on the evidence harboured by network hardware devices, such as routers and switches. You will learn how to effectively retrieve valuable information from the Microsoft Windows Server operating systems and analyse the Active Directory for evidence pertaining to user policies, privileges and violations. You will also learn how to formulate and implement a strategy to acquire drive images as evidence files over networked computers.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project. 

This module covers advanced topics in digital forensics. The module will begin with an introduction to the detection and analysis of obfuscated data and anti-forensic techniques; this will progress on to advanced steganographic and steganalytic techniques for media formats. Further topics covered include Root-Kit and Malware analysis using sophisticated specialist techniques that require access to intricate operating system features.

This module is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills required to understand the concepts, features and operation of UNIX based operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS X on a variety of hardware platforms in the context of forensic analysis. It will focus on developing knowledge and practical skills to enable you to analyse file systems and operating system artefacts in Linux/UNIX environments. This module will also cover Apple Mac OS. This module aligns with the programme’s philosophy of wider appreciation of conducting digital forensic analysis on alternative devices and operating systems.

This module is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills required to understand the concepts, tools and techniques for the discovery of electronically stored information (ESI) and the use of big data and statistical and qualitative analysis, in conjunction with explanatory and predictive models, to guide and identify issues warranting further review in the context of forensic analysis.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed group project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, your group will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your group’s topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

You will be expected to work as part of a group but you will receive additional support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your groups chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.