CSCI 130 Introduction to Computer Forensics - Fall 2011

Course Information

Lectures:

MWF 11:00 - 11:50 AM
Place: Kirkbride 238/242, Computer Science Lab

Professor:

Dr. Yana Kortsarts
Office: 266A Kirkbride Hall
Phone: (610) - 499 - 4367
e-mail: ykortsarts@mail.widener.edu
homepage: http://cs.widener.edu/~yanako

Office Hours:

Place: Kirkbride 266A
Time:
• Monday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM (by appointment)
• Wednesday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM, 3:50 - 4:20 PM
• Thursday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
• Friday: 9:20 - 9:50 AM, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
• M, W, F : 9:30 - 9:50 - By appointment ONLY
To make an appointment, please, send an e-mail ykortsarts@mail.widener.edu


Professor:

Dr. William Harver
Place:
Room 230, Kapelski Learning Center
To make an appointment, please, send an e-mail
weharver@widener.edu

Recommended Texts:

• Legal Issues in Information Security, Joanna Lyn Grama, Security Policy and Compliance Director, Purdue University, Jones & Bartlet
• Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers, Michael Sheetz, Publisher: Wiley;
• Computer Forensics: Evidence Collection and Management, Robert C. Newman, Publisher: Auerbach Publications
• Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime, Marjie T. Britz, Prentice Hall
• Ethics in Information Technology, Second Edition, George Reynolds, Thomson Course Technology
• Incident Responce and Computer Forensics, Kevin Mandia, Chris Prosise, Matt Pepe, McGraw-Hill
• Real Digital Forensics, Computer Security and Incident Response, Keith J. Jones, Richard Bejtlich, Curtis W. Rose, Addison-Wesley
• Computer Forensics, Incident Response Essentials, Warren G. Kruse II, Jay G. Heiser, Addison-Wesley
• Forensic Discovery, Dan Farmer, Wietse Venema, Addison - Wesley
• File System Forensic Analysis, Brian Carrier, Addison - Wesley
• Computer Forensics, Computer Crime Scene Investigation, John R. Vacca, Charles River Media Inc
• Forensic Computing, A Practitioner's Guide, Tony Sammes and Brian Jenkinson, Springer.
• Information Security Illuminated, Michael G. Solomon, Mike Chapple, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
• Mastering Network Security, Chris Brenron, Cameron Hunt, Sybex Inc

Course Description

Computer forensics is the scientific examination and analysis of data held on, or retrieved from, computer storage media in such a way that the information can be used as evidence in a court of law. The need for computer forensic services and equipment has derived from the widespread use of personal computers in both business and the home and the subsequent needs of crime investigators to have access to computer based information. In the past two years awareness amongst the legal community of the need for professional computer forensic services and equipment has increased substantially and many potentially successful prosecutions are at risk of failure due to unsatisfactory equipment, procedures and presentation in court.

Tentative List of Topics

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Searching and Seizing Computers and Obtaining Electronic Evidence in Criminal Investigations
• Introduction to Computer History
• Introduction to Computer Organization, Binary System
• Computer Forensics and Encryption
• Computer Forensics and Steganography
• Computer Ethics
• MD5 and Computer Forensics

Course Goals and Objectives

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of computer forensics and cyber-crime scene analysis. The various laws and regulations dealing with computer forensic analysis will be discussed. Students will be introduced to the emerging international standards for computer forensic analysis, as well as a formal methodology for conducting computer forensic investigations. Students will become familiar with societal and ethical issues related to computer forensics.

Policies

Attendance Policy

The University's policy will be applied. Students who miss class are always responsible for obtaining class assignments. All assignments and class materials are available through this website.

In this course ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. Class Participation and Attendance is 10% of the final grade.

Academic Fraud

The Science Division strictly enforces the University's policy on cheating and other forms of academic fraud.

Student Academic Grievance Procedure

If a student has a grievance concerning a class in which he/she is enrolled, he/she will first try to resolve the problem with the instructor of the class. If it is impossible to resolve the matter at this level, then the grievance must be placed in writing and appealed in the following order:
• Division or Program Head
• Dean of Arts and Sciences (Arts and Sciences Academic Council)
• Provost of the University
• University Academic Council
All student grievances will first be referred to the class instructor before they are treated at the level of the Division Head.

For Standards for Academic Integrity,Appeal Procedures for Student Academic Grievances, and Attendance Policy please see Student Handbook and Widener's Undergraduate Catalog:

Student Handbook
Widener's Undergraduate Catalog

Electronic Devices in the Classroom

• NO CELL PHONES. Cell phones must be turned off for the duration of the lecture and lab.
• All electronic devices except cell phones are permitted

Evaluation Criteria (Grading)

Final Grade

In-Class Tests/Quizzes/Labs	75%
Homework and in class presentations	15%
Attendance	10%
Total	100%

Final Grade Table

A:	95 - 100
A-:	90 - 94
B+:	87 - 89
B:	83 - 86
B-:	80 - 82
C+:	77 - 79
C:	73 - 76
C-:	70 - 72
D+:	67 - 69
D:	60 - 66
F:	59 - 0