BSc (Hons)
Forensic Computing
Understanding digital security
Course Overview
Why take this course?
From minor indiscretions to major embezzlements and serious sexual offences, the need to seize, secure and examine digital evidence necessary to secure a conviction is central to many criminal investigations involving digital media.
This course provides a core background in computing whilst building a solid foundation to the principles, techniques and processes essential for you to become a computer forensics investigator.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Apply your skills to real-life practical problems as part of the department’s partnership scheme with charities, local and global organisations
- Design and develop software, hardware and networks for a variety of fields such as digital forensics and artificial intelligence
- Interact with our visiting speakers, all of who are experts in the forensic and security field
What opportunities might it lead to?
Studying this course will provide a balanced view of criminal and legislative procedures, as well as the forensic investigations involved. If you wish to have a career in a security, policing or computing profession, or are interested in preventing illegal use of digital media, then this course is ideal.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- IT management
- digital forensics
- software engineering
- computer programming
- web development
I chose the University of Portsmouth because of the feel of it and how friendly the staff were. I also love how hands-on it is and how much I actually get to do!
Alex Jarvis, BSc (Hons) Forensic Computing student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- I900
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
260-300 points to include 160 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels, or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £11,900 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2555 - Department
- School of Computing
Subject:
Computing and Creative Technologies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on, practical work and real-life learning, which is transferable to future careers
- Modern facilities and access to the latest technology including numerous computer labs, TV studios and a motion capture suite
- Approachable lecturers who have experience and contacts in the industry
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
A number of general topics are covered in the first year to give you a base for development in the following years.
Core units in this year include:
- Computer Forensics Principles and Legal Aspects
- Introductory Programming
- Computer Architecture
- Foundations of the Web
- Network Fundamentals
- Database Design and Development
Year two
Alongside the core units studied in this year, you’ll also have the opportunity to study particular areas of interest, such as data structures and algorithms and developing web-based scripting.
Core units in this year include:
- Computer Forensics and Digital Evidence
- Computer Forensics and Investigations
- Operating Systems and Networks
- Windows and Linux Configuration and Management
- Information Systems Security
Year three*
In your final year, you will carry out a final-year project utilising the skills learned during your course and your areas of interest within the forensics field. There’s also the chance to further tailor your course in the areas of network security, network management and data mining.
Core units in this year include:
- Digital Forensics and Incident Response
- Security and Cryptography
- Cyber Crime
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
Here at the University, we aim to provide a lively and modern learning environment. During this course you will experience a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratory and project work.
How are you assessed?
We assess you in ways that encourage a deeper understanding and allow you to develop your skills including through:
- critical evaluation essays
- written exams
- research projects
- mini projects
- presentations
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Specialist Software and Equipment
You’ll have a range of excellent resources at your fingertips
Tutor Centre
A one-stop academic help and support resource
Maths Café
The Maths Café - drop in any time and get one-to-one help
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Specialist Software and Equipment
A full range of industry software will be available for you to use in the computer labs, supported by multi-platform network suites offering a variety of operating systems. You’ll have a range of excellent resources at your fingertips including:
- the network laboratory
- Cisco equipment
- ECAD and software development suites
- analogue and digital electronics
- microprocessors
- telecommunications and control systems
- Linux, Windows and Unix systems
Tutor Centre
A one-stop academic help and support resource for all School of Computing students. Need help understanding your assessments? Want to talk to someone about your project or about that programming problem? This is the place to go.
Maths Café
Drop in any time and get one-to-one help with that tricky maths or stats problem. With handouts on key topics to take away and computer-aided learning packages, we can get the problem solved and help you improve your numeracy skills.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
On graduating from this course, you’ll be fully equipped to take your first steps towards a career in the computer forensics field. Possible employers include law enforcement agencies, government agencies, security and/or computer forensic consultants, specialised solution companies or in a business environment, particularly where the illegal use of digital equipment or the use of digital equipment to store illegal content is suspected.
Graduates from this course have been successful in finding work with these international organisations:
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Deloitte
- Kroll Ontrack
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- business continuity analyst
- software engineer
- web developer
- systems analyst
- computer programmer
- online course developer
Work experience
On this course you have the option to do a year UK or overseas placement with companies such as IBM or smaller organisations. This is a great opportunity to gain real-world perspective and exciting opportunities.
Our team at the Student Placement and Employability Centre (SPEC) ensures you have access to a range of volunteering and work experience opportunities. We also offer support during your year-long industrial placements, and provide support for the different types of application processes.
Here are some examples of the roles our students have secured for their placements:
- Quality Assurance at Symantec
- Information Security at Mars
- IT Support Technician at Intel
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more