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Forensic Studies - Computer Security

  • Minor

The goal of this minor is to provide students with a broad-based understanding of the computer security aspect of forensics. It is not meant to provide them with all of the skills necessary to perform the job of a computer security specialist. Rather, the goal is to provide them with a working understanding of the integration of this discipline with the criminal law.

Curriculum Requirements

  • Requirements

    Requirements for a Minor in Forensic Studies - Computer Security

    Required classes: (18 credits  )
    Choose two of the following CLS courses:**
    CLS 205 Criminal Trial Evidence, 3 credits
    CLS 227 Criminal Law and Process, 3 credits
    CLS 230 Constitutional Criminal Procedure, 3 credits
    CLS 320 White Collar Crime, 3 credits
    And the following four CIS classes:
    CS 102 Fundamentals of IT and Computing, 3 credits
    CS 225 Computer Security, 3 credits
    CS 321 Data Communication and Network Security, 3 credits
    CS 325 Advanced Topics in Security, 3 credits

    ** CIS Majors must take three of these four CLS courses. CLS Majors must take CLS 250 & CLS 320 for the minor and cannot use these courses to count toward the major -- must choose two other courses for their CLS major electives. 

Learning Outcomes

The field of forensics is a growing and dynamic one that has far outstripped its initial boundaries as a discipline only pertinent to the gathering of data at crime scenes.

Today, a vast array of natural sciences have been brought to the field of criminal investigations and prosecutions where they have been joined by computer information science as a critical component of the criminal justice process. Within the next 15 years, computer security specialists will be having much more interaction with the legal system and the agents and attorneys within that system will need to carry on meaningful conversations with those forensic experts in the effort to do justice in each case.

The goal of this minor is to provide students with a broad-based understanding of the computer security aspect of forensics. It is not meant to provide them with all of the skills necessary to perform the job of a computer security specialist. Rather, the goal is to provide them with a working understanding of the integration of this discipline with the criminal law.