Computer Science (Digital Forensics) - BSc (Hons) drafted

Program Overview

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Course overview

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What is digital forensics?

The field of digital forensics has experienced significant growth in the last few years due to the rapid pace of technological development and its use in crime. From mobile devices to the internet, cybercrime creates significant financial losses to companies and threatens national and international security.

Given the ongoing need for industry to be concerned with identifying, reporting and responding to security breaches, our Digital Forensics programme will enable you to locate and analyse evidence, conduct digital forensic investigations, undertake research to solve problems, write reports about your findings and compile evidence that would stand in a court of law.

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Course overview

Our Computer Science (Digital Forensics) programme places emphasis on practical computer programming and software development. Initial modules provide a solid grounding in the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline, such as the handling and processing of evidence and the fundamentals of programming, computing and forensic science principles. You will learn how to develop computing applications for varied discipline specific problem domains, manage the development and use of computing systems and understand the techniques and processes that allow the recovery, trace and the capturing of digital data.

By following the Digital Forensics pathway, you will learn to locate and analyse evidence, conduct digital forensic investigations, undertake research to solve problems, write reports about your findings and compile evidence that would stand in a court of law. You will study in a digital forensic laboratory setting, which will be equipped with forensic workstations and forensic software typically found in digital forensic units. To complement and broaden your learning, you will also have the opportunity to explore optional modules in areas such as Interaction Design, Software Engineering and Criminalistic Methods. Your final year will culminate with the opportunity to deep dive into research focused modules (including a final year research project) relating to the specialist area of digital forensics.

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Global Challenge Pathways

In year one, you will have the option to choose an exciting route of elective study from Keele's ground-breaking

Global Challenge Pathways

. You can take this alongside your core degree programme to complement and enhance your studies at Keele. Each pathway is designed over the three years of undergraduate study and enables you to engage with a global issue or challenge which connects you directly to societal issues.

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Work experience

From a year working in industry to

paid internships

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summer research projects and practical modules, there are many opportunities available throughout the curriculum to develop and enhance your practical skills. Paid or voluntary experience in your area of interest will not only demonstrate your commitment and passion, but will also enable you to make meaningful connections by networking with experts in the field.

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Study abroad

Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to experience and appreciate different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It demonstrates your ability to embrace new experiences and enables you to immerse yourself in another culture whilst developing your independence and cultural awareness. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.

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Research

Keele is at the forefront of research and our lecturers in Computer Science are internationally recognised leaders in research on synthetic biology, wearable technologies, health and cultural informatics, responsible artificial intelligence, computer vision, evolutionary robotics. We focus on research that has the potential to create a significant impact on the computational understanding and engineering of complex systems, to improve people’s quality of life and to pave the way for world leading innovations that improve the security, reliability and quality of computing devices and services used in industry.

Keele is also in the unique position of hosting the first living laboratory for energy-efficient technologies: the multi-million-pound Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND). Our expertise feeds into modules in the latter years of your degree.

Research themes within our computer science division include:

Computational Health and Biological Systems

Evolutionary Systems

Machine Learning and Computational Intelligence

Software and Systems Engineering

Find out more about our computer science

research

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Support

We offer a robust multi layered student support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. You will benefit from the guidance of an academic mentor and access to Keele's

Student Experience and Support team

, should you need this additional support. Our open-door policy enables you to engage with your lecturers directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback, or discuss any matters relating to your studies on a regular basis. In addition to this, experienced students and doctoral researchers usually run help-desk sessions to help with the use and configuration of software especially when exam and coursework deadlines get closer.

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Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Keele University strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for all. Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are core values underpinning the University’s mission to making a difference in society by providing innovative, high-quality education for students from all backgrounds and by undertaking world-leading research that transforms understanding and brings benefit to society, communities and individuals.

As a School, we embrace this approach and will actively aim to ensure that all our activities will be organised so that everyone is made to feel safe and welcome, and that diversity is encouraged. We believe that this attitude is vital to help everyone flourish and feel valued for who they are. To achieve this, we promote fair treatment for all, irrespective of gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, relationship status, caring responsibilities, race, religion or belief. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda is embedded throughout our curriculum, and we are proud to hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition for our activities in this area.

Program Outline

Modules

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Modules for Computer Science (Digital Forensics)

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

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Year 1

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Compulsory modules

Semester 1

Programming I - Programming Fundamentals

Cybercrime

Fundamentals of Computing

Identification and Investigation (Digital Forensics)

Systems and Architecture

Semester 2

Natural Computation

Identification and Investigation (Digital Forensics)

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Optional modules

Semester 2

Communication, Confidence and Competence

Introduction to Interaction Design

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Year 2

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Compulsory modules

Semester 1

Web Technologies

Programming II - Data Structures and Algorithms

Mobile Application Development

Computational and Artificial Intelligence I

Semester 2

Database Systems

Advanced Programming Practices

Digital Forensics

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Optional modules

Semester 2

Software Engineering

Criminalistic Methods

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Year 3

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Compulsory modules

Semester 1

Cyber Security

Digital Forensics Techniques and Applications

Third Year Double Project

Semester 2

Data Ethics and Security

Digital Forensics Techniques and Applications

Third Year Double Project

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Optional modules

Semester 1

Advanced Information Systems

Bioinformatics

Computing in Education

Games Computing

Software Engineering Project Management

Semester 2

Advanced Databases and Applications

Advanced Web Technologies

Computational and Artificial Intelligence II

Computing in Education

Communications and Networks

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Your future career

95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

Computer science careers have seen a huge rise over the last ten years and are expected to grow substantially for the foreseeable future. You will acquire extremely transferable skills, relevant to a wide range of industries. Many of our graduates move into employment that is directly computing-related, for example as systems analysts, software engineers and consultants. A number of graduates also go on to study for higher degrees in a wide range of subject areas.

On completion of your degree you will learn to:

Locate and analyse evidence

Conduct digital forensic investigations

Undertake research to solve problems and write reports about their findings and compile evidence that would stand in a court of law

Develop computing applications for varied discipline specific problem domains

Plan and manage the development and use of computing systems

Study in digital forensic laboratory setting, which will be equipped with forensic workstations and forensic software typically found in digital forensic units

Jobs related to your degree include:

Cyber Forensic Investigator

Forensic Analyst

Digital Forensics Analyst

Senior Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Senior Consultant, Digital Forensics

Security Analyst

Cybersecurity Forensics Consultant

Computer Forensic Technician

Forensics Engineer

Please note you may need to take further study to enter some of the professions listed above.

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Keele Careers and Employability team

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

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Teaching

We embrace a modern approach to learning that includes a balanced mixture of immersive lectures and lab-based sessions. Each taught module will include traditional lectures with all support material provided via our virtual learning environment and our labs are also offer remote accessibility. Learning and teaching methods used on the programme vary according to the subject matter and level of the module.

Teaching methods include:

Traditional lectures

Practical sessions

Online learning

Tutorials

Group projects

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Assessment

The wide variety of assessment methods used on this programme reflects the broad range of knowledge and skills that are developed as you progress through the degree.

Methods of assessment include:

Unseen examinations

Class tests

Coursework

Short reports

Tutorials

Dissertations

Oral presentations