Computer Security and Forensics

(1)

Computer Security and

Forensics

BSc Hons

Greenwich Campus www.gre.ac.uk/cms

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING & MATHEMATICAL SCIENCESB

School of Computing

& Mathematical Sciences Faculty of Architecture, Computing & Humanities University of Greenwich Old Royal Naval College

Park Row Greenwich London SE10 9LS

This document is available in other formats on request

University of Greenwich, a charity and company limited by guarantee, registered in England (reg. no. 986729). Registered office: Old Royal

Naval College, Park Row, Greenwich, London SE10 9LS Every effort has been made to ensure that this document is as accurate

as possible. However, the university reserves the right to discontinue any class or programme, to alter any programme or to amend without

notice any other information detailed here.

D8047-12 E June 13

(2)

Why study this programme?

This degree will equip you to become an ICT professional specialising in security issues and forensic analysis of modern computer systems.

The programme covers relevant skills, software and hardware technologies, and the more theoretical issues that underpin everyday practice. It will ensure that you have a basic understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements and international standards that cover computer security in different nations.

You will graduate able to administer and configure business-critical distributed applications. You will also gain an understanding of the threats to business networks and servers and be able to contribute quickly to the well-being of corporate IT and informational assets.

The programme will also give you the opportunity to spend a year in industry.

For more on this, please see ‘What will you study?’

Why study with us?

The School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences, part of the Faculty of Architecture, Computing & Humanities, offers an exciting and innovative portfolio of programmes. This covers diverse subjects such as computing, information systems, digital and multimedia technology, interactive multimedia games, networking, Internet and web technologies, data mining, mathematics, statistics, decision science and computational science and engineering.

Each programme is designed in close collaboration with employers and informed by world-class research and enterprise, leading to great jobs in industry, both in the UK and internationally.

The school is widely recognised for the excellence of its teaching. The Guardian University Guide 2013, for instance, ranks both mathematics and computer sciences at Greenwich as top in London for student satisfaction with teaching; maths was rated 11th and computer sciences 12th in the

(3)

country. In the Sunday Times University Guide, computer sciences and mathematical sciences subjects are in the national top 20 for teaching excellence, with the two subject areas rated 15th and 4th respectively.

We are recognised nationally and

internationally for our cutting-edge research and innovative approach to curriculum development. We are one of the first universities in the country to use Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, which provides our students with off-campus access to our resources.

Our students study on the university’s Greenwich Campus, which is part of the Old Royal Naval College and on the banks of the River Thames. Greenwich is the university’s largest campus and is centred on three 17th-century buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The surrounding town is a mix of markets, shops, restaurants and pubs, as well as some of the most famous museums and tourist attractions in the country. By train, central London is only a few minutes away.

What will you study?

Year 1

Computer Programming (30 credits) This course will give you a solid foundation in fundamental programming and program design skills. You will design and code non- trivial and object-oriented programs and apply principles of code design for flexibility and re-use.

System Building (30 credits) This course provides an overview of the major components – human, conceptual and physical – in a software systems building environment.

Communication Systems (15 credits)

This course explores the principles of communication systems and provides an introduction to the range of techniques that make communication possible between computing devices.

Computer Systems Architectures (15 credits)

You will learn to describe the basic hardware and software components of a computer system and the representations of data types.

Logical Foundations (15 credits) This course explores the logical and mathematical ideas that underpin a rigorous approach to computing.

Analytical Methods for Computing (15 credits)

This course will give you the analytical skills and techniques needed to underpin a rigorous approach to computing. Emphasis will be on developing precise thinking and on analytical, modelling and algorithmic skills in the context of computing.

Year 2

Introduction to Smart Systems (15 credits)

This course introduces smart systems and places them in context with topical application domains.

Computer Forensics 2 (15 credits) This course will give you an understanding of how a computer forensic investigator retrieves evidence, employs tools in specific scenarios and maintains the chain of evidence.

(4)

(5)

Professionalism in the IT Industry (15 credits)

This course will enable you to develop appropriate business communication skills and an understanding of the role of the IT professional. You will learn to apply employability and critical-thinking skills to vocational and workplace situations.

Network Implementation (15 credits) This course will give you the ability to design and implement a local area network using Cisco switches and routers.

Network Security (15 credits) This course provides an understanding of the security issues surrounding networks.

This includes the security of web servers and networks generally, including attachment to the Internet.

Operating Systems (15 credits) This course provides a theoretical background of operating system architectures with a focus on the implementation and management of memory, storage, processes, devices, file systems and users.

Systems Development Project (30 credits)

This project provides an in-depth understanding of the methods, attitudes, techniques and tools employed in the analysis, design and development of large complex systems.

Optional Sandwich Year

You may undertake an industrial placement as an optional sandwich year. This will give you practical experience by enabling you

to work on real-life scenarios and witness the end results. It will also consolidate and expand on your first two years of study.

Many of our students return to their placement employers upon completion of their degree, so you can also gain useful contacts for the future.

Recent companies providing placements to our students include Walt Disney (Buena Vista Games), Thomson Reuters, Sony and IBM. Our results in the National Student Survey demonstrate how much our students benefit from placement opportunities.

You may obtain a placement via the university or find your own, subject to university approval.

Final Year

Project (60 credits)

This substantial individual project will be based on a topic of your choice.

Computer Forensics 3 (30 credits) This course will give you the technical expertise and understanding of the relevant legal and evidence-collecting guidelines that govern a computer forensics investigation.

Option courses (30 credits) You will undertake one or two options from a range that currently includes:

Computing Education and Communications (30); Enterprise Server Management and Security (15); Network Design and Implementation (15); Network Technology (15); Penetration Testing (15); Service- Oriented Web Applications (15); Smart Systems Development (15); Web Application Development (15)

(6)

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this programme, you can seek employment as a forensic investigator or consultant, including careers in the police.

You could also work as a security consultant or data recovery expert or pursue a career in system and network management. You also have the option of pursuing general computing careers, such as software development, where knowledge of security and forensics would be an asset.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught through a mixture of formal lectures, classroom-based tutorials, laboratory sessions and case studies.

Professional recognition

On successful graduation from this degree, you will have fulfilled the academic requirement for registration as a chartered IT professional and partially fulfilled the education requirement for registration as a chartered engineer or chartered scientist. Accreditation is with the BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT, the body responsible for establishing and maintaining technical and ethical standards in the computing profession.

Please note that you must fulfil additional requirements, including work experience, to achieve full chartered status. See the BCS website at www.bcs.org for further information.

Financial information

For information on tuition fees and financial help, please visit www.gre.ac.uk/finance.

(7)

Key facts

UCAS code: GF54 G BSc/CSF Attendance: 3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich, 6 years part-time

Entry requirements:

You should have:

260 UCAS points

FROM subjects studied at A-level or equivalent qualifications.

PLUS GCSEs in English and mathematics at grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications such as Key Skills Level 2.

• Applications from students taking Access to Higher Education courses are welcome.

• If you were educated in a language other than English and/or in a country where English speakers are in a minority, you should have a minimum IELTS score of 6.0

(with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill) or an equivalent rating in another Secure English Language Test.

• We welcome applications from mature students and/or students with professional work backgrounds.

How to apply:

Full-time students

Home and EU students must apply through UCAS. Please carefully consider the programmes available and apply as early as possible. For further information and UCAS deadlines, please visit www.ucas.ac.uk.

International students should apply online at www.gre.ac.uk/apply. For further information, e-mail [email protected].

Part-time students

Part-time students must apply online at www.gre.ac.uk/apply.

(8)

Your next step

University Open Days are held several times a year. They include a programme of talks and offer you the opportunity to speak to staff and students. You may also be given a tour of the campus. A list of dates can be found at www.gre.ac.uk/

opendays, or contact the Enquiry Unit or International Office for further information.

Why not sign up as a Greenwich VIP and create your own Greenwich web page, personalised to your choice of programme and interests?

Becoming a Greenwich VIP is a fast route to ordering our publications, booking a place on an Open Day and finding out more about the university. You can also take part in chat sessions with staff and students, receive text and e-mail alerts, and enter our online competitions. Sign up at www.gre.ac.uk/study.

For further information

To find out more about studying at the University of Greenwich, please visit www.greenwich.ac.uk.

UK students Enquiry Unit

Telephone: 020 8331 9000 Fax: 020 8331 8145 E-mail: [email protected] International/EU students International Office

Telephone: +44 20 8331 8136 Fax: +44 20 8331 8625 E-mail: [email protected]