SMa - Edith Cowan University of Master of Digital Forensics

Edith Cowan University's origins go back to 1902 when it began as a teaching college. Today it is Western Australia's second largest university with approximately 23,000 students, including in excess of 3,000 students originating from more than 80 countries. Edith Cowan University is located in Perth, Western Australia, a gateway to Asia. ECU is the only Australian University named after a woman - Edith Dircksey Cowan - Australia's first female Parliamentarian and a fighter for social justice. Edith Cowan also graces the Australian $50 note.

ECU is a contemporary university providing quality tertiary education for the students of today. We pride ourselves on being supportive, flexible and relevant to the real world. We all know that the theory is important but ECU knows that putting what you learn into practice is just as valuable. That's why our courses have a strong focus on providing real life solutions to real life problems. Practical projects, industry placements and guest speakers are key features of our programs.

We strive to provide a different learning approach, developed to maximise the student outcome and experience, as well as providing state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure. With over 300 courses, ECU offers the flexibility and freedom to match your own talents and aspirations with a wide range of course options to give you the skills and knowledge to reach your goals.

ECU awards are recognised nationally and internationally, because of rigorous accreditation procedures used by the University, and consultation with professional and vocational groups. ECU is a member of the National Unified System of Australian Universities, the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee. Universities throughout the world recognise ECU programs for exchange purposes.

IBM on board

About ECU School of Computer and Information Science

The School of Computer and Information Science (SCIS) offers a broad range of programmes (courses) in a variety of areas, including: computing, information technology, internet computing, information and knowledge management, computer science, information science, computer security, information security and intelligence, software engineering. Edith Cowan University (ECU) is also one of the largest degree awarding institutions in Australia in the field of IT. Internationally recognised and focused as an Australian leader in the provision of professionally focused Master programs.

Has the largest number of enrolments in Information Technology in Western Australia - DEYTA 2001

Awarded 5 stars ***** for its teaching - DEST 2002

The only University department in Australia to secure collaboration with IBM

92% overall graduate satisfaction for Computer Science courses, one of the highest among Australian Universities

All courses at ECU's Computer Science department are rated Level 1 (the highest for any institute to obtain) by the Australian Computer Society.

Why Digital Forensics?

With the ever increasing use and spread of information technology into business, homes and elsewhere, there has been a significant rise in computer security breaches - this could be anything from users downloading the accidentally the wrong files, stealing of money through electronics transaction, vandalizing a organisations website, and so on. Digital Forensics is a field of computer science concerned with the control of risks related to computer use.

Digital Forensics is the effort to create a secure computing platform (for homes and businesses, designed so that agents (users or programs) can only perform actions that have been allowed. This involves specifying and implementing a security policy. The actions in question can be reduced to operations of access, modification and deletion.

Cyber crime is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities on the planet. It covers a huge range of illegal activity including financial scams, computer hacking, downloading pornographic images from the internet, virus attacks, stalking by e-mail, creating websites that promote racial hatred and phishing scams.

Digital Forensic is a growing industry, with many career opportunities, with every year the investment and reporting of cyber-crime is on the increase.

Introduction

This master degree is a professional course designed to meet the demand for computer forensic investigators and related professionals in government, law enforcement, and industry. The course engages with and provides a pathway for the existing security professional or IT professional seeking a career change to extend and qualify their expertise in digital forensics.

Internationally recognised with the most up-to-date Syllabus taking advantage of the hottest issues in the IT industry such as Computer Security, Information warfare, Security Management, Computer Forensics.

100% faculty taught by Faculty Members

The Master of Digital Forensics is accredited by The Australian Computer Society (ACS). ACS is the recognised association for Information & Communication Technology professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the industry.

Graduate Opportunities

Course Structre

This programme consists of 10 units delivered in a modular structure to suit the schedule of busy professionals and comprises of 3 stages. The duration of the course is 20 months.
Stage 1 Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics

CSI4102 Computer Security, 15

CSI4207 Network Security Fundamentals, 15

CSG4106 Introductory Computer Forensics, 15

CSG4208 Wireless Security, 15

Stage 2 Graduate Diploma in Digital Forensics

CSI5318 Wireless and Mobile Computing Security, 20

CSI5319 Computer Forensics, 20

CSG5107 Network Forensics, 20

Stage 3 Master of Digital Forensics

CSG5104 Special Topic 1, 20

CSG5108 Forensic Investigation and Evidence Presentation, 20

CSG5109 Mobile Forensics, 20

Assessment Methods

Entry Requirements

Course Delivery

World Class Faculty Staff

Dr Craig Valli is currently the Head of School and a Senior Lecturer (Network and Computer Security) within the School of Computer and Information Science. He has 20 years experience in the IT Industry and consults to industry on network security issues. Craig is also the Course Co-ordinator for Master of Computer Security, Master of Computer and Network Security, Master of Digital Forensics, Bachelor of Computer and Network Security and the undergraduate Computer Security major. He is the Chair and Founder of the Australian Digital Forensics Conference and Co-Chair of the Australian Information Security Management Conference. Craig is also a Co-Editor of the Journal of Information Warfare. He serves on numerous security related conference committees. He has over 30 publications to his name on security related topics.

IBM Professor Bill Hutchinson is responsible for the information security, information operations and intelligence courses within SCIS and is Chair for the school research centre. Any suggestions, queries, or comments about this course area should be made to him. Bill is also Chief Editor of the Journal of Information Warfare (http://www.jinfowar.com) and Chair of the Australian Information Warfare and Security Conference. He is course coordinator for the Master of Information Operations and the Master of Information Security and Intelligence.

National Science Foundation

In 2002 Dr S P Maj was the first Australian to be invited by the American National Science Foundation (NSF) to be a grant application reviewer for the 'Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement Program' in Washington, DC.

Computer Society International Design Competition In 2004 Dr S P Maj was the first Australian to be a judge for the finals of the 5th Computer Society International Design Competition (CSIDC) in Washington, DC. This is the leading international student competition in computer design. The objective being to advance excellence in education by having student teams design and implement computer based solutions to real world problems.

In 2006 Dr S P Maj received a Carrick Australian Award for University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning. The citation was for, 'The development of 'world class' curriculum and the design and implementation of associated 'world class' network teaching laboratories' Computing Community Consortium (CCC) In 2007 Dr S P Maj was one of only twelve Australians to be invited to participate in the Computing Community Consortium (CCC). The CCC, consisting primarily of American computing experts, was established to provide scientific leadership and vision on issues related to computing research and future large-scale computing research projects.

Application Procedure

Withdrawal & Deferment

All notice of withdrawal must be in writing. A full refund of the course fees paid will be made if notice of withdrawal is received more than 60 days before course commencement. If notice of withdrawal is received between 60 to 30 days before course commencment, 75% of course fees paid will be refunded.

No refund will be made after the course has commenced. Course Fee paid will not be refunded in the event of deferment regardless of whether the request made is prior to commencement or after the commencement of the course.

General Information about Edith Cowan University, ECU