Course profile: Diploma and MSc Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation, University College Dublin.

Publish date	2008-07-28
Available Articles	Full articles without membership

Cybercrime is on the rise across the globe. In the US last year fraud conducted via the internet rose by 20 per cent, according to the Federal Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Last year there were almost 80,000 cases of reported identity fraud in the UK, according to figures compiled by Cifas, a national fraud prevention service.

Law enforcement agencies from the FBI to Interpol and beyond are turning to the growing academic subject of forensics to try to equip their staff in the fight against a new world of crime that involves phishing, email fraud, hacking and credit card crime.

It may not be quite as glamorous as CSI, but forensic computing experts play an essential part in stemming the tide of international fraud, and even terrorism networks.

University College Dublin (UCD) offers one of the most established and respected postgraduate degrees in the field.

The Masters in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation, a two-year part-time distance learning programme, was launched in 2006 for law enforcement professionals. The first graduates came from the UK, Italy, Austria and Norway, as well as two officers from Interpol.

How do I learn?

Teaching is delivered online via pre-recorded lectures, teleconferencing, and other online resources. All students must take examinations on the subjects studied during the year, either at UCD in Dublin or in an affiliated training centre.

What do I learn?

Courses include Digital Forensic Algorithms and Tools; Cybercrime Investigation; Computer Forensics; Computer Networks; and an MSc Research Project

The course aims to produce graduates with skills that enhance their ability to investigate cyber crime, and to train junior colleagues in forensic computing and cyber crime investigation. It introduces the concepts, principles, and professional practice in forensic computing and cyber-crime investigation.

The first three semesters of the course lead to the award of a Higher Diploma and are made up of six examinable modules covering the following areas of investigative expertise: Principles of forensic computing, Disk and file system forensics, Operating systems forensics, Common forensic computing techniques, Automation of digital evidence analysis, Internet and organizational networks, Internet forensics, Investigation of cyber crime, Management of cyber crime investigation division, Future directions in forensic computing and cyber crime investigation.

The fourth semester of the course comprises an individual research project on a real-world topic in forensic computing and cyber crime investigation (for example how to analyze a particular technology or how to investigate a particular type of cyber crime).

Upon successful completion of the programme the students are awarded an internationally recognised Graduate Diploma or Master of Science degree.

How do I get in?

Students entering this course will be expected to have at least a second-class bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a cognate discipline.

Alternatively, candidates such as experienced law enforcement officers who have undertaken significant training in forensic computing, cyber crime or IT may be admitted. Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

How much does it cost?

For EU residents, the programme is €2,500 per year; non-EU residents pay €5,000.

Contact:

Email: csi.secretary@ucd.ie
Tel: +353 1 716 2483, 716 2923, 716 2469
Fax: +353 1 269 7262
Website: http://csiweb.ucd.ie

Keywords: Forensic computing, cybercrime, law enforcement.

Source:

back