Course Structure

Blend of the Theoretical with the Practical

Delivered on full-time basis over one calendar year, the uniqueness of this Masters degree lies in its blending of the practical commercial examination of Forensic Computing with the theoretical study of the prevention of digital crime. Interactive learning methods- including laboratory work, presentations, seminars and guest lectures- are employed so to that students learn to effectively evaluate and apply theoretical material to practical assignments. By so doing, participants also develop vital professional and interpersonal skills in such areas as teamwork, communication, research and critical thinking.

Full Time

Code Title Semester Credit
CA647 Secure Programming 1 7.5
CA644 System Software 1 7.5
CA642 Cryptography & Number Theory 1 7.5
CA640 Professional & Research Practice 1 7.5
CA646 P-Key Cryptography & Sec Protocols 2 7.5
CA645 Network Security 2 7.5
CA643 Forensic Computing 2 7.5
CA641 Biometrics 2 7.5

Part Time

(~4-7pm 2 days per week. check timetables)

Code Title Year Semester Credit
CA647 Secure Programming 1 1 7.5
CA640 Professional & Research Practice 1 1 7.5
CA643 Forensic Computing 1 2 7.5
CA641 Biometrics 1 2 7.5
CA644 System Software 2 1 7.5
CA642 Cryptography & Number Theory 2 1 7.5
CA646 P-Key Cryptography & Sec Protocols 2 2 7.5
CA645 Network Security 2 2 7.5

Note: For part-time students whose year of first enrollment is odd (e.g. 2009, 2011, etc.), the modules delivered in each year are interchanged (e.g. CA647 is delivered in Year 2, Semester 1).

Summer/Autumn

Code Title Credit
CA617 Practicum 30

Note: Part-time students do the practicum in their second year.

Practicum

During the final semester, students draw on knowledge gained over the course of the programme to work on a Practicum, or major project of a practical nature. Here, the students, individually or in small teams, develop prototype secure software systems to solve a real-world problem or, alternatively, analyse forensic approaches and propose improvements. The projects, which may be provided by external clients or involve some of the students or staffs own ideas, typically require the preparation of a feasibility study, followed by creation of a project plan and development of a software application or rigorous theoretical analysis. Importantly, this Practicum element allows students, where applicable, to work on in-house problems for their respective sponsoring organisations.