Computer Forensics with Foundation Year

Why study Computer Forensics with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

• State-of-the-art computing facilities with Specialist Computer Forensics Software

• Practical, hands-on experience incorporated into modules wherever possible

• High quality teaching from staff involved in Internationally Recognised Research.

• Exciting careers in Computer Forensics Analysis, Computer Security and Network or System Administration.

• Links with local and national organisations, including Merseyside Police, NCA (National Crime Agency), EY, Experian, IBM, Anexsys, CYFOR and Intaforensics

• Opportunity to undertake a year’s paid Industrial Placement

About your course
The BSc (Hons) Computer Forensics at Liverpool John Moores University is informed by ongoing research and offers you excellent career prospects. The course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). Students who graduate meet the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional in the BCS which raises your professional profile.

Computer Forensics is a growing area of Computing. Over the past year the way in which criminals commit crime has changed. According to the Office for National Statistics there has been a decrease in physical crimes while online crime has increased. This increase in online crime requires skilled employees with a knowledge of Computer Forensics. Students who graduate the course will be able to seize, analyse and present evidence that they would find from digital crime scenes.

The Computer Forensics course will teach you the practical skills required to investigate online crime and to be able to use the tools used in the industry. These practical skills are underpinned by the relevant theoretical material, research in the area and complemented by the Computer Science modules on the course.

We balance the specialist skills of Computer Forensics with broader topics in Computer Science such as Operating Systems, Programming, Computer Law and Computer Security. There is a close relationship between Computer Forensics and Computer Security, and it is necessary that professionals in both areas are aware of each others roles in investigating digital crime.

The curriculum is informed by consultancy with Merseyside Police and private Computer Forensics within the local area. This ensures that the course is up to date and producing students who can go straight into the industry.

Dedicated Facilities
You will have access to Computer Forensics tools such as FTK, EnCase and Autopsy for the investigation of desktop computers and laptops. For mobile device you will have access to XRY and Cellebrite. These tools are available in our dedicated Computer Forensics lab and it will provide you with the technical, analytical and evaluative skills to be able to carry out computer crime investigations within organisations, law enforcement and national security.

Work-related Learning
Our strong links with local and national organisations mean that you will have plenty of options when you come to choose your third year work placement with this BSc in Computer Forensics. It will be a 12-month paid work placement that will provide you with the ideal opportunity to put into practice all you have learnt in the first two years and gain new skills as well.

Upon Graduation
Students on the course develop analytical skills that are transferrable to employment, both in Computer Forensics and outside of the industry. Students have gained employment recently with the National Crime Agency (NCA), Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police, West Yorkshire Police, and the Serious Fraud Office.

About the Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Computer Forensics honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree.

Please visit the Liverpool John Moores University website for detailed module information.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose.

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework and exams plus an independent final year project which contributes substantially to your final mark. Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.