Banner Code: VS-MS-CFRS
School: The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Digital forensics is a constantly evolving discipline addressing the collection, processing, and analysis of digital information so that this information can be admitted as evidence in a court of law. It is interdisciplinary in its nature with the inclusion of computer engineering, computer science, information technology, law, and ethics. In the last several years, with a proliferation of digital storage, transmission, and processing of sensitive information there has been an increase in cyber crime. In response to this, digital forensics has become an important profession serving both public and private sectors. The M.S. in Computer Forensics will prepare graduates for careers in law enforcement and various other branches of government, and in the corporate sector such as banking and finance, by combining academic education with real world practical techniques, and by offering advanced training in analyzing digital evidence, in intrusion forensics, and in legal and ethical issues.
Admission Requirements
Students who hold a B.S. degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, math, science, computer science, business (with a quantitative background), economics, or other analytical disciplines, or students who have equivalent work experience indicating analytical aptitude, may apply to the M.S. in Computer Forensics. Depending on your background, applicants may be required to complete up to 12 credits of preliminary course work before they are allowed to enroll in any of the core courses or specialty courses in the program. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is required for acceptance.
The 12 credits of preliminary course that may be required include: TCOM 535 (Internet Protocols), TCOM 515 (Internet Routing), and CYSE 211 (Operating Systems), and CS 112 (Intro to Computer Programming). These courses may not be taken for credit in MS in Computer Forensics program.
Students may be admitted as regular master’s students to the CFRS program, or they may be admitted for non-degree study within the program, which allows them to take individual courses. Students in the non-degree program have the option of transferring into the regular program, provided their GPA within the M.S. in Computer Forensics program is 3.00 or above. Up to 12 credits earned in non-degree study may be transferred into the regular program provided each of the courses to be transferred in was passed with a grade of B or above.