Forensic Computing

Core areas of emphasis

Career prospects

TEACHING AND LEARNING Different people learn in different ways and therefore the programme utilises a range of different teaching methods and situations – lectures, problem-based tutorials, practical laboratory sessions, group-based activities, project work, virtual learning environments, seminars, workshops (skills-based) etc. – that best deliver the specific learning outcomes of the modules. In all classes emphasis is placed on active, experiential learning usually based around a case study, or specific crime/event based scenarios. Students will be actively challenged during tutorials to explain or defend a particular viewpoint/finding/analysis, as the students may in the future be expected to defend their expert witness testimony within a legal environment. The use of industry standard packages, such as Encase and Forensic Tool Kit (FTK), hardware and software will be used with real life case studies to provide good exposure to students. With a dedicated and self-contained laboratory, with its own private internal network and containing some of the latest equipment and software, students will be able to practice and develop their practical and troubleshooting skills as required. Learning approaches are chosen to be compatible to the method of delivery and can include: case studies, investigations, seminars, resource based learning and independent reading. A wide range of teaching, learning and assessment approaches are used and are seen as beneficial in exposing the student to diverse approaches. The emphasis is on developing students as confident, independent learners. Students are encouraged to access a variety of materials, journals, textbooks, e-journals etc., as part of their independent learning. This independent learning is directed, with lecturers providing general reading lists to prepare for or follow-up classes, specific assignment reading as well as a range of formative tasks and activities. All this directed study supports and builds upon the knowledge and skills learnt in class to provide a fuller understanding of the subject.