CSCI 4931

Computer Forensics

Fall 2010

Class

Schedule:
Thursday  1:00 – 3:50, Delta 204
                           
Instructor: Krishani Abeysekera
Office:   Delta 165
Phone: 281.283.3831
Email: abeysekera@uhcl.edu
Homepage: sce.uhcl.edu/abeysekera

Instructor: Sharon Hall
Office:   Delta 115
Phone: 281.283.3868
Email: perkins@uhcl.edu
Homepage: sce.uhcl.edu/perkins

Office Hours:  posted on homepages
           
Textbooks:     Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations, Nelson, Phillips and Steuart, 4th Edition, Course Technology, 2010.

Requirements: Students must bring a Flash drive for lab assignments.
Prerequisites       
Prerequisites:  none

Catalog Description:
This course serves as an introduction to the topics of computer crime and computer forensics. Students will learn different aspects of computer crime and ways in which to protect, uncover, and understand digital evidence. Students will be exposed to different types of tools, both software and hardware, and be able to use them to perform rudimentary investigations. Laboratory instruction.

Student Learning Outcomes:
C1. Students will be able to encode and decode digital messages.
C2. Students will be able to identify documents according to header information.
C3. Students will be able to copy and examine files to find encoded or deleted data.
C4. Students will be able to use software and hardware forensics tools to perform rudimentary investigations.
C5. Students will be able to document evidence for later use.
C6. Students will be able to develop and deploy a forensics case study for other students to use.

Semester Schedule: For the tentative schedule, please follow the link from the homepages.

Methodology: Students are expected to attend all classes, read assignments before class, work homework exercises, and participate in class discussion, problem solving and laboratory experiments.

Academic Honesty:

The honesty policy that is defined in the UHCL Honesty Code states

I will be honest in all my academic activities and will not tolerate dishonesty.

I expect all students to show respect for themselves and others by being honest in their educational pursuits.  I will not tolerate dishonesty.

Disability Services:

Any individual with a disability who requires a special accommodation should inform me and contact the Disability Services Office, Room 1402 in the Bayou Building, or call 281.283.2627. 

Class Policies:

If you copy another student's work, or let another person copy your work, you will be in violation of the academic honesty policy that is stated in the UHCL catalog. Read the Plagiarism Article from http://www.plagiarism.org and the UHCL Honesty Policy in the UHCL catalog (see UHCL website). Students will be asked to sign a paper indicating that they have read the contents of both and are aware of the UHCL violation penalties. By attending the second class, students are expected to know this policy.

• Extra credit work is not given.
• All assignments are due at the beginning of class.
• Individual assignments may be accepted late with a grade penalty.
• Grade discrepancies will be discussed up to one week following the return of graded work.  After one week, the grade will be as recorded.
• Class attendance is important and will be recorded. Absences will result in grade point reductions.
• Being on time to class is important and tardies will result in grade point reductions.

Tentative Grading:   

Quizzes and Homeworks      30%

Exam #1                            20%

Exam #2                            30%

Semester Project                 20%