Computer Systems (Forensic and Security), BSc (Hons)

This exciting degree starts you on the route to becoming an IT security or digital forensic specialist. By the end of this course you will be able to identify security risks to systems and introduce preventative measures to protect businesses against security threats. Why choose this course?

This course aims to enable you to identify security risks and preventative measures in technological solutions. You will learn the basic principles and practice of collecting computer data as evidence of computer crime.

You will learn how systems operate in terms of their software and hardware infrastructure. Based on this you will learn how to manage such systems as a system administrator specialising in ensuring security. Your knowledge will be further developed to give you a good appreciation of security issues and the steps organisations need to take to protect themselves from security breaches and crime.

• This course is accredited by the bcs, The Chartered Institute for IT to Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status.
• There's an opportunity for a year-long paid work placement and the School has strong links with local industry representatives such as Siemens, Her Majesty's Governments Communications Centre (HMGCC), Experian and Exce
• This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering and BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Networks) providing you with the flexibility to review your pathway once you have started studying.
• Our student work can be groundbreaking, innovative and consistently attracts industry attention.

Questions? Just ask NTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200

What will I study?

The Computer Systems cluster of courses focuses on behind the scenes infrastructure aspects of computer systems. All students learn about the infrastructure components involved in networks, communications and operating systems as well as learning about the types of systems that they support.

There are approximately 40 places available across this cluster of courses and by offering a common first year with BSc (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering and BSc (Hons) Computer Systems (Networks) you can review your pathways at the end of Year One.

Year One

• Foundation in Computing and Technology
• Systems Programming
• Systems Technology
• System Analysis and Design with Professional Development

Year Two

• Network Design and Administration
• Computer Security Management
• Communications Technologies
• Distributed Network Architectures and Operating Systems
• Information and Database Engineering
• Practical Project Management

Year Three
Optional work placement

Final year

• Project
• Security Technologies
• Computer Crime and Forensics
• Wireless and Mobile Communications

One from the following optional modules:

• Mobile Platform Development
• Service-Centric and Cloud Computing
• Business Analysis
• Information Systems Management
• Communicating Science and Technology
• Professional Practice

For further information, download the module descriptions document

Assessment
You will be assessed on a variety components including:

Coursework and Practical 65%

• Assignments
• Dissertation
• Group projects
• Oral presentations
• Reports

Written 35%

• Exams
• Written tests

How will I study?

Scheduled contact time in lectures and seminars is around 12 hours per week and these will be held on Clifton campus. Lectures are spread between various buildings on campus, including Erasmus Darwin, George Eliot and Computing and Informatics Building. Clifton campus maps and travel information.

What's included in the course fees?

Your course fees cover all the facilities and support you need to succeed. This includes:

• Extensive computing facilities, some available 24/7 and including technician support
• Most major software used available across the campus machines, including Adobe Master Collection Suite (exception is Encase which is housed in our specialist isolated Networking and Forensics labs)
• Dedicated online storage to support backup of work
• Free or discounted personal copies of all software used on the course except Encase
• Microsoft Academic Alliance membership which gives you free copies of all Microsoft developer software including operating systems, Visio and Project
• Free personal copy of 3D Studio Max
• Extensive equipment available to loan for coursework and project work e.g. cameras, phones, games consoles
• Extensive free training software including tutorials on 3D Studio Max, Flash, Photoshop, Tcredit points/IP Packet analysis, Java, Javascript, HTML5, Oracle.

About the Computing and Technology Team

Computing and Technology comprises 35 full time academic teaching staff. We and our students have excellent support from our four dedicated technicians.

We have a rich mix of knowledge ranging from software development for different types of system through to hardware aspects such as networking. This involves many uses of computing and considers all aspects including security and management. Our knowledge is built up and maintained through our wealth of industrial experience, our industrial links and our research activity. These are the ingredients for ensuring the relevance and vitality of your course.

Much of our research is internationally recognised, particularly in the areas of Games for Learning and in Security. For example, Prof David Brown leads several projects, funded by the European Union, in games and assistive technology while Prof Paul Evans’ innovative developments in security are supported by USA Dept of Homeland Security.

We engage fully in our subject area and this engagement feeds directly and indirectly into our teaching. Other examples of our activity are:

• developing patents e.g. in voice signal processing
• involvement in the GameCity Festival
• organising conferences on Interactive Technology and Games and on Intelligent Environments
• working with local companies on funded projects e.g. enhancing the capability of the press association to search their image database
• publishing novel findings in research publications on for example financial prediction, mobile communications, detection of human behaviour patterns.

For information on International student support or to see our academic terms times please visit our International student pages.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

The School of Science and Technology is a stimulating and creative environment which equips students with the knowledge and transferable skills to put them ahead of the graduate crowd.

We provide facilities that enhance the quality of our education and push the boundaries of our research. Students have access to specialist centres including:

• games console laboratories
• networking and security laboratories
• human-interactive technology and stereo-projection.

Students also enjoy working with the latest software; examples include EnCase, 3D StudioMax, XNA Xbox development suite, The Adobe Creative Suite (Flash, After Effects, Photoshop) and the Unreal and Half-life Games Engines.

Across NTU, we have a range of first-class facilities that you would expect from a university with high quality teaching and world-leading research, including:

• a British Olympic Association-approved environmental chamber
• a crime scene house forensic-training facility
• a host of sporting clubs and societies to get involved in.