Postgraduate Diploma in Management in Information Systems (CG022)

INF4016W :: Computer Forensics (Curriculum)

Formalise your knowledge and update your skills for the e-business era

Curriculum Computer Forensics (INF4016W) Part Time

BCom (Hons) in Information Systems (INF4014Z) Part Time

Summary

The programme comprises two modules:

The Postgraduate Diploma, the coursework for which takes one year part time. Students may stop at that point and obtain the postgraduate diploma by completing a work-related project (see below). Alternatively, if students obtain a sufficiently high academic standard in the coursework component (65%), they may be invited to convert to:

The Part Time Honours, which takes a further year (effectively 9 months) and which is primarily oriented towards research and the production of a technical report (thesis)

The Honours is primarily intended for candidates continuing on from the diploma who have achieved the requisite level of performance. In rare cases, suitable candidates with the necessary background derived from other sources may be considered.

The Postgraduate Diploma

Objectives

This course is part of a modular postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Information Systems within the Faculty of Commerce. It is intended for students who have had significant commercial work experience and are currently working in Information Technology (IT), or intend to work in IT in a professional capacity. It aims to impart state of the art knowledge and appreciation in the areas of cyber law, investigation processes, computer and Internet technologies, the management of investigations, and corporate governance. It is highly relevant for anyone involved in computer security and the investigation of high technology crime. The course is suitable for a variety of candidates, including:

• Someone who has previously completed a three year Information Systems or Computer Science degree at undergraduate level and now wants to progress to postgraduate study or update his/her knowledge. Candidates should have at least a couple of years relevant experience in the work environment. 
• Someone who holds a technikon diploma in information systems or computer science or UNISA Diploma in Datametrics, has at least two or three years relevant IT experience and wishes to progress to more advanced study. 
• Candidates who do not possess a tertiary qualification in IT, but who have significant practical experience in the field (5 years plus) and wish to formalise their knowledge. 
• Candidates who are graduates in other fields like law or auditing, have relevant commercial experience, and who need obtain a qualification in the field of computer forensics.

Content

The world of high technology crime is changing rapidly. Intended for candidates with business work experience, this programme addresses developments in the field of computer forensics like legal principals, investigation techniques, technologies relevant to computer and high technology crime, storage technologies, operating system principals, computer and Internet security principals, evidence analysis, the management of investigations and corporate governance.

The course cover the following major areas:

• Legal Principals (South African ICT Act, International cyber Law, handling of evidence, laws relating to privacy and interception of data) 
• Technology (Operating system principals (Windows & UNIX) relating to computer crime, storage principals, analysis of data, preservation of evidence, other technologies (PDA, Cell phone), encryption) 
• Project Management (Type of high technology crime, detection & prevention intrusions, management of investigations, reporting, chain of custody, psychological aspects of computer crime)
• Corporate Governance (Governance, theory of corporate governance, legislation, relationship between corporate governance, IT governance and computer forensics.

Following the course work, the students who do not enroll in the PT Honours programme are required to complete and report on a work-related project which demonstrates clearly how the knowledge gained in the course has been applied in their day-to-day work environment. The nature of the project is flexible but a written project report of no less than 50 pages, as well as a presentation of the report is expected on completion.

Format

This course commences in February.

Candidates are expected to complete their course work in November of the same year and their work related project in the course of the following year, or may continue on to Honours study subject to entrance requirements and other prerequisites.

Honours would normally be completed in a further year of study and include the submission of a Technical Report.

From February to November, there are four full time weeks, one in February, one in April, one in July and one in September. These are intensive and candidates will attend Monday through Friday from 08h30 till late.

A variety of assignments, papers and presentations will be required of students throughout the program. Some of this work will be completed in groups.

One examination of three hours each is written in November. Candidates are also continuously assessed for their attendance, participation and contribution during the year.

Application

Applications for 2009 open on 1 September 2009.

Completed application form should be submitted via email by 7 December 2009.  

Exceptional applications may be considered until the end of January 2009 at the discretion of the department, subject to vacancies in the programme..

Follow this link to find out how to apply.

Prerequisites

You should be matriculated with a University Exemption pass (or equivalent) and have at least one of the following:

• A three year undergraduate degree in information systems or computer science and at least three years relevant commercial experience, OR 
• A degree in another field (e.g. BCom, BSc, LLB) plus at least three years relevant commercial experience with some IT exposure, OR 
• A technikon diploma or B Tech in IS or a Unisa Diploma in Datametrics plus at least three years relevant commercial experience, OR 
• Five or more years relevant, high-quality full time IT work experience

NB: Places are limited and candidates may be screened via written test and / or  interviews. Candidates who do not have an undergraduate degree are required to take the UCT NBT test (AQL) as well as the department entrance exam.. All candidates are evaluated on a competitive basis and a limited number of places will be offered to the highest scoring candidates. Having the minimum pre-requisites above does not therefore guarantee acceptance.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on multiple deliverables and overall participation. The provisional 2008 mark allocations are as follows

Students missing more than 20% of the deliverables classes may be asked to leave the programme.

Each of the four modules will be examined. The examinations may be written at the end of each module on dates announced at the start of the semester, and/or in combined papers in June and November.

Guests

During the programme, we may on occasion invite guests from industry and other institutions to participate in tsome of the sessions. They may be vendors, IT professionals within commercial organizations, or independent experts/consultants. They add richness to the sessions by offering information, critiquing staff and student presentations, participation in discussions and occasional presentations or demonstrations.

Prescribed Books

Readings will be given during the course.

Approximate Fees and other Costs 

Fees for 2008:

R90 UCT Application Fee
R400 (approximate) to secure acceptance
Course Fee: Please refer to the Fees handbook here (Course Code: INF4016W Fees are the same as INF4015W)
R1000 (approx) for text books which you will purchase individually (not paid to University)

Note: these fees are given as a guideline only. For all fee-related enquiries, please contact the Student Fees Office.

The above fees do not apply to International students and students who do not have South African citizenship. Please contact the IAPO or students fees office for your fees.

The UCT Application Form may be found under the Prospective students: postgraduate link on www.uct.ac.za

But complete the departmental application form  first.