Computer Forensics Major BAS
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Forensics is a four-year, 120 credits program offered through the Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) department. This program prepares students with knowledge in information assurance, computer incident investigation, cyberspace ethics, and computer laws. Graduates will work in the computer technology and related fields in supporting companies and organizations to protect their interests or in helping law firms to deal with civil litigations. Whenever needed, graduates can also assist law enforcement fight against cyber terrorism and crimes.
Admission to the Major
Students interested in pursuing a major in computer forensics must apply to the program. To be eligible for admission to the major, students must be admitted to the university and meet minimum application requirements: This includes the completion of the following: a) two writing courses as defined to meet general education requirements, b) all of the courses under "Major Prerequisites" given below, and "C") a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for CFS 262, CFS 264 and CJS 210. Students on academic probation are not admitted to the program.
Students must complete CJS 101 and either CJS 200 or WRIT 231 before enrolling in any other CJS/LAWE classes.
Major Requirements
Prerequisites (25-26 credits)
Computer Science and Technology (12 credits)
- CFS 262 Computer and Operating System Fundamentals I (4 credits)
- CFS 264 Computer and Operating System Fundamentals II (4 credits)
- CFS 280 Introduction to Computer Forensics (4 credits)
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement (6 credits)
- CJS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
and one of the following:
- CJS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
- CJS 210 Constitutional Law (3 credits)
- LAWE 220 Legal Issues in Law Enforcement (3 credits)
Mathematics and Political Science (7-8 credits)
Take one of the following:
- MATH 210 Calculus I (4 credits)
- STAT 201 Statistics (4 credits)
and one of the following:
- POL 101 Introduction to American Government and Politics (4 credits)
- POL 301 Citizenship in a Global Context (4 credits)
Core courses (27 major credits)
- CFS 380 Digital Evidence Analysis (4 credits)
- CFS 499 Computer Forensics Internship/Capstone (4 credits)
- ICS 382 Computer Security (4 credits)
- ICS 140 Programming Fundamentals (4 credits)
Take three of the following four courses
- CFS 480 Introduction to Electronic Discovery (3 credits)
- LAWE 325 Criminal Procedure and Investigations (4 credits)
- POL 331 Law and the Legal Process (4 credits)
- ICS 461 Voice and Data Communications (4 credits)
Electives (10-11 credits)
Group I Criminal Justice (3 credits)
Take one of the following:
- CJS 320 Applied Criminology (3 credits)
- CJS 367 Introduction to Forensic Science (3 credits)
- CJS 387 White Collar Crime (3 credits)
Group II Law (4 credits)
Take one of the following:
- BLAW 310 Business Law: UCC and Contracts (4 credits)
- CFS 484 Computer Laws (4 credits)
- POL 333 Constitutional Law (4 credits)
Group III Ethics (3-4 credits)
Take one of the following:
- CJS 375/PHIL 325 Criminal Justice Ethics
- PHIL 327 Ethics in the Information Age
- ICS 381 Societal Issues in Computing(3 credits)
Students may complete the major prerequisites (see above) as part of an Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in fields such as System Administration, Networking, and Computer Forensics. Alternatively, they could start the program as freshmen at Metropolitan State University and take these classes with a view to major in Computer Forensics.