Bachelor in Computer Forensic (Hons)

Introduction:

The opportunities for criminals to use digitals electronics are countless: mobile phones hold details of criminal contacts; the Internet is used to distribute pornography; sophisticated fraud is carried out by identity theft. The combination of ready availability, simplicity of use, mobility, phenomenally high performance and ridiculously low price offers the criminal imagination enormous possibilities.

A society where digital crime is limited solely by the criminal imagination is an unpleasant prospect. This unpleasant living scenario must be controlled – and this can be made through efforts of Computer Forensic specialists – individuals who prevent crime by ensuring the security of computer systems or who support law enforcement by skilled handling of digital evidence.

Computer Forensic is the study of detection and investigation of crime committed on or via computers and computer networks. Examples of computer-related criminal activity include fraud, pornography, harassment, copyright offences, organized crime and computer misuse. Due to increasing police awareness of the importance of computer-based evidence in criminal cases, there is an expanding need for computer professionals with the abilities to reliably handle sensitive and irreplaceable materials, to investigate those materials in an appropriate manner, and then to prepare appropriate reports to legal personnel. The skills required by the forensic computing specialists are therefore very broad – deeply technical on the one hand, highly professional on the other.

Entry Requirements:

1. Minimum requirement (STPM candidates):
   
   
   1. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
      Candidates will have to pass Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination or equivalent with credits in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Melayu (Syllabus X) / Bahasa Malaysia II
      
      AND
      
      
   2. Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or equivalent
      Candidates will have to pass Sijil Tinggi Peperiksaan Malaysia (STPM) examination with at least:
      
      
      1. Pass with C grade in 3 subjects including General Studies paper
         
         OR
         
         
      2. Pass with C grade in 2 subjects including General Studies, and another 2 subjects with D grade
         
         OR
         
         
2. Malaysian Ministry of Education’s Matriculation Certificate or MSU foundation.
   
   OR
   
   
3. Diploma in related fields from PTPL/ MSU or Diploma/Certificate in related fields from Polytechnics, IPTA or accredited IPTS or other institutions recognized by the Senate of Management & Science University (MSU)
   
   OR
   
   
4. A ‘Level’ (GCE) or The South Australian Matriculation (SAM) or Canadian Pre- University Program (CPU) or equivalent.

 

Objective:

Offering of this program aims at:

1. to provide students with a full understanding of current and developing computer forensic technologies.
2. to facilitate students in the development of expertise in areas of direct and complementary relevance to gaining employment.
3. to encourage students to become autonomous learners
4. to provide students with an understanding of current computer forensic research issues.
5. to develop students’ analytical, creative, problem-solving and evaluation skills.
6. to provide a platform for career development, innovation and/or postgraduate student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates are able to:

1. be aware of current and developing principles and practices within computer forensic field.
2. widened and deepened their knowledge and skills in the area of cyber crime and cyber security, its applications and supporting technologies.
3. exposed to and applied a range of tools and techniques currently being used in the development of computer forensic.
4. analyzed and developed a major piece of work in the area.

Duration

A three year (six long and three short semesters) full time study.

Total Credit

120

Exemption

Students with Diploma qualification can apply exemption for the following subjects:-

Code	Subject	Credit
TMM1013	Multimedia Technology	3(2+1)
TCS1013	Introduction to Programming	3(2+1)
SMT1103	Discrete Mathematics	3(3+0)
TCS1023	Computer Architecture	3(3+0)
DTU0153	Malaysian Studies	3(3+0)
TCS1034	Data Communication and Network	4(4+0)
TCS1063	System Analysis & Design	3(3+0)
TCS1044	Data Structure and Algorithm	4(3+1)
TCT1024	Database System	4(3+1)
SMT1033	Statistics and Probabilities	3(3+0)

 

Core Subject

Among the subjects that students will learn are:-

1. Introduction to Programming
2. Data Communication and Network
3. Database System
4. System Analysis & Design
5. Linux Programming
6. JAVA Programming
7. Computer Crime & Investigation Technique
8. Computer Forensic
9. Legal Procedure in Criminal Law
10. Digital Investigation
11. Business Law for Commercial Crime Investigation
12. Forensic Interviewing
13. Intelligence System
14. Information System Ethics and Law
15. Legal evidence in Criminal Law
16. Cryptography
17. Forensic Behavioral Science

 

Extra Course Features

Part from the subjects learned in the classroom or lab, students will gain extra knowledge and/or benefits through:-

1. Internship program with various industries.
2. Regularly held seminars by the experts, to expose students to current issues and prepare them for their career world.
3. Internet access and interactive e-learning modules.
4. Applying knowledge gained through computer forensic project.
5. Exposure in various computer forensic techniques.
6. Joining the fun social activities such as outdoor programs, mount climbing, or stage performances.

 

Career:

Career in computer forensics are found mainly in:-

1. Law-Enforcement Agencies
2. Military And Government Intelligence Agencies
3. Private Security
4. Consulting Companies

Some of the job functions in computer forensics are:

1. Investigate and uncover evidence of illegal activities conducted via computer, such as credit-card fraud, intellectual-property theft, pedophilia, terrorism and computer system intrusion (hacking). Illegal activities conducted via computer are generally referred to as "computer crimes" or "cyber crimes".
2. Investigate and uncover evidence of crimes that weren't directly committed via computer, but for which the accused might have stored evidence on computer data storage devices.
3. Detect and close computer system security holes through "legal" hacking.

 

Job Prospect

Positions the graduates can fill in the above organizations are:

1. Computer Forensic Consultant
2. Computer Forensic Manager
3. Computer Forensic Investigator
4. Digital Forensics Detectives
5. Cyber Investigators
6. Computer Research Engineers

Salary range for the above positions is between RM3,000 to RM5,000 monthly.

Industrial Linkages

1. Hewlett Packard
2. Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd
3. HiTech Padu Bhd
4. MARA
5. Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Selangor
6. FTMSK UiTM
7. PAC Total Solutions Sdn Bhd
8. ACCEL TEAM Sdn Bhd
9. MARONIX Sdn Bhd
10. MATRADE
11. Booth Technologies Sdn Bhd
12. Polis Diraja Malaysia
13. Angkatan Tentera Malaysia
14. MIMOS
15. NISER

 

Sponser

MARA, PTPTN and Bank Loans.