Undergraduate study
     

Crime Scene & Forensic Science

BSc (Hons) Computer and Digital Forensics

  • UCAS code: FG45 BSc/CDF
  • Length: 3 years full-time study or 4 years with work placement

2012 entry

 

Computer and digital forensics is a new and growing career field. Mobile phones, iPads and the internet are being used to perpetrate crimes and terrorist activities, creating billion-pound losses, and threatening national and international security. Computer and digital forensics experts have a key role to play in investigating and fighting crime, and countering terrorist threats.

You learn about file formats, software drivers, networking, routing, communication protocols and security, cryptology, reverse software engineering and investigative techniques. You use computer forensic tools such as password crackers and email converters. You learn the techniques and processes that allow you to recover, trace and capture digital data, and you are trained to prepare and present data as evidence in court.

We pride ourselves in developing graduates who stand out from the crowd. Here’s what one employer had to say:

'... we interviewed nearly 30 people for this position and the two Teesside University graduates stood out head and shoulders above everyone else.'
Simon Janes, Operations Director, Computer Forensic Alliance.

How you learn

You are expected to attend a range of lectures, small-group tutorials and hands-on laboratory sessions. Part of your course also involves a substantial research-based project.

The course has been designed to provide a number of contact teaching and assessment hours (lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, projects, examinations etc), but you are also expected to spend time on your own, called ‘self-study’ time, to review lecture notes, prepare coursework assignments, work on projects and revise for assessments. Each year of full-time study consists of modules totalling 120 credits and each unit of credit corresponds to ten hours of learning and assessment (contact hours plus self-study hours). So, during one year of full-time study you can expect to have 1,200 hours of learning and assessment.

How you are assessed

Your course involves a range of types of assessment including coursework assignments and examinations.

Professional placement

This degree is available as a four-year sandwich programme incorporating a year-long supervised work placement. This may not always be in the direct area of study but would be in a relevant professional environment.

Professional accreditation

The course has been accredited by the Forensic Science Society, the first course in the UK to receive this accreditation.

Career opportunities

Graduates can gain employment in a wide range of companies, government organisations, security services and the financial sector to name just a few. There are opportunities with forensic science agencies, the police and HM Revenue & Customs, as well as in computer security and forensic accounting.

Entry requirements

To enter Year 1, you're expected to have GCSE English (grade C or above) and good grades at Level 3 (for example A level, BTEC ND, ACCESS, IB). You have a distinct advantage if you’ve a science or technology background. We consider advanced entry directly into Year 2 if you have good grades in a Level 4 or 5 qualification (for example HNC, HND) in a related subject.

You're normally invited for an interview, when you can also see our excellent facilities and meet staff and students. You then receive an individual offer. If you can't come for an interview, a typical offer might be 280 tariff points.

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