The Master of Science Program of Study

Comparison of Existing and Anticipated Programs of Study

The Current Program of Study

The Master of Science in Forensic Computing program of study provides you with a multi-disciplinary blend of theory and practice in both technical and criminal justice issues. Your study of digital forensics is grounded in theories of forensic computer science, on the one hand, and the legal, policy and criminological contexts that define the field, on the other. The academic components that make up the program of study are described below.

Advanced Core Computing 

These courses build on your computer science background. Relevant theories of computing are covered to provide a solid advanced computer science foundation for specialized study and practice in computer forensics and security. The goal is to provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to understand, challenge and do research on forensic computing technology rather than merely learn how to use it.

FCM 700. Theoretical Foundations of Computing Security
FCM 710. Architecture of Secure Operating Systems
FCM 742. Network Security



Computer Forensics 

Courses in digital forensic technology complement the core computing courses. This set of courses is intended to provide you with a versatile and comprehensive grounding in specialized forensics and information security theory and practice. The goal here is to provide you with familiarity with the essential problems of forensic computing, network and communications security, so you can ultimately function as an independent forensic investigator.

FCM 740. Data Communications Forensics and Security
FCM 745. Network Forensics
FCM 760. Forensic Management of Digital Evidence




Electronic Crime and Investigation.  

The program's goal is to equip you to not only succeed as a technologist but also to prepare you to contribute to the field of digital forensics as a policy maker, manager, and critical analyst of the field. This set of courses contributes to these ends by considering the practical, legal, policy and criminological issues and problems that frame cybercrime and computer forensics.



CRJ 710. Issues in Criminal Justice
CRJ/FCM 727. Cybercriminology
CRJ/FCM 752. Law and High Technology Crime
FCM 753. Digital Forensic Applications





Capstone Experience

As a capstone or culmination of your degree program, you either do fieldwork through an internship, do an applied research project or conduct thesis research.

Capstone Fieldwork/Internship. Fieldwork through an internship is the default option for students who lack professional experience in criminal justice. They will normally serve an internship with a state or federal agency, such as the U.S. Secret Service, a prosecutor's office, or in the forensic lab of a corporate partner.

Capstone Applied Research Project This capstone option provides an opportunity to work on a practical forensics or security problem. You work with an assigned advisor with the expectation that you will produce a publishable White Paper that enhances the state of the art of digital forensicss or cybersecurity. The Capstone Applied Research Project is handled as an independent study and entails enrollment in FCM 791, Prospectus Seminar.

Thesis research. Thesis research requires a full-time faculty sponsor who agrees to serve as your advisor. This option often entails participating in faculty research. Some students choose to do both fieldwork and a thesis. Thesis work is handled as an independent study and entails enrollment in FCM 791, Prospectus Seminar.




Forensic Computing Electives

While the above are all required courses in the program of study, a set of electives is offered to broader your knowledge and skill set. There are also many other courses offered that might be of interest to forensic computing students, which you can peruse here.



CRJ 708. Law, Evidence and Ethics
CRJ 733. Constitutional Law
CRJ 750. Computer Security
FCM 705. Mathematical Statistics for Forensic Sciences
FCM 785. Management of a Digital Forensics Lab