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LocationDomesticInternational
Gold CoastSession 1,2Session 1,2

Unit description

Provides students with digital forensic and professional investigative processes using advanced cybersecurity knowledge. Students will learn about tools and techniques for gathering evidence, analysing data and writing investigation reports in a variety contexts, as well as the related laws and regulations. Students will research recent developments in digital forensic techniques.

Unit content

Topic 1: Digital forensics and investigations as a profession

Topic 2: The investigator’s space and environment

Topic 3: Data acquisition

Topic 4: Processing crimes and incident scenes

Topic 5: Digital forensic tools

Topic 6: Computer forensic analysis and validation

Topic 7: Report writing for high-tech investigations

Topic 8: Laws and ethics for the expert witnesses

Topic 9: IoT forensics

Topic 10: Operating Systems forensics

Topic 11: Virtual machines and network forensics

Topic 12: Recent trends in digital forensic techniques and processes

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1conduct digital investigations that are based on the accepted professional investigative process: identification, preservation, examination, analysis and reporting Ethical practiceKnowledge of a discipline
2utilise effectively appropriate tools to gather and analyse forensic data from a variety of sources, including network hardware and softwareKnowledge of a discipline
3communicate effectively the results of a computer, network and/or data forensic analysis to audiences of both technical and managerial background. Knowledge of a discipline
4interpret and appropriately apply the laws and procedures associated with identifying, acquiring, examining and presenting digital evidence Ethical practiceKnowledge of a discipline
5conduct research and critically evaluate recent advances in the methods and techniques employed in digital forensics Knowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. conduct digital investigations that are based on the accepted professional investigative process: identification, preservation, examination, analysis and reporting
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. utilise effectively appropriate tools to gather and analyse forensic data from a variety of sources, including network hardware and software
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. communicate effectively the results of a computer, network and/or data forensic analysis to audiences of both technical and managerial background.
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. interpret and appropriately apply the laws and procedures associated with identifying, acquiring, examining and presenting digital evidence
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. conduct research and critically evaluate recent advances in the methods and techniques employed in digital forensics
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning

Prescribed texts

  • 1. 6th Edition by (Author) : Nelson, B, Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations, 6th edn.

  • 1. 6th Edition by (Author) : Nelson, B, Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations, 6th edn.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Lecture on-site 1 hour (12 weeks)
Tutorial on-site 2 hours (12 weeks)
Assessment
Initial report (Evidence Data Acquisition)40%
Final report (Data Analysis, results and recommendations)40%
Research report (trends)20%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2020 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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