PROGRAMME DETAIL SPECIFICATION Programme Summary 1 Awarding institution Liverpool John Moores University 2 Teaching institution university LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY 3a Programme accredited by: 3b Description of accreditation 4 Final award Bachelor of Science with Honours (SW) in Computer Forensics 5 Programme title SBSH.Computer Forensics 6 UCAS code G550 7 Subject benchmark statement Computing 8 Educational aims of the programme The two principal themes in the programme are the development of practical computer forensics skills, and the management involved in developing successful investigations for law enforcement, national security and the commercial or public organisation. This is underpinned by themes of computing, security and networking. The main aims are: -To provide students with the technical skills required for the implementation of computer forensics investigations. -To prepare students with the management skills required to implement investigations in organisations and law enforcement. -To provide students with the knowledge of the wide range of issues involved in the implementation of computer forensics investigations, such as security and legal, ethical and privacy requirements. -To encourage students to fully engage with the World of Work programme, including World of Work Skills Certificate and, as a first step towards this, to complete Bronze (Self Awareness) Statement. 9 Level Learning Outcomes: FHEQ Level 4 Outcomes: Develop computer programs using elementary programming constructs. Apply a variety of tools and techniques for website design including Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) principles. Discuss the technical challenges of social computing and investigate the ethical, commercial and economic issues within this field. Discuss a range of practical aspects of computing and apply the associated tools and techniques used in them. Discuss computer architecture at the hardware and software levels and basic security concepts. On the completion of Level 4 of the programme, the student will have a good understanding of the basics of the field of computing. They will understand the different approaches required to solve computer-based problems. They will have the skills and ability to communicate their ideas and take personal responsibility for their learning. FHEQ Level 5 Outcomes: Use object-oriented design in formulating an implementation. Provide evidence of experience in a number of computer forensic tools as used by practitioners in the field. Describe the structure of a multi-user operating system and apply the underlying principles. Analyse the structure of computer networks, architectures and their protocols. FHEQ Level 6 Outcomes: Develop a critical appreciation of the criminal justice system, computer-related law, legal procedures and how they relate to computer forensics. Demonstrate an understanding of the threats and vulnerabilities to information and computing systems. Demonstrate the fundamental technical concepts, implementation, and restrictions of computer forensics in the organisation, law enforcement and national security. Develop practical and independent research skills in computer forensics. 9 Intended learning outcomes - the programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas: Intended Learning Outcomes summary Knowledge and understanding A1. Explain hardware / software and use of computer forensics tools to perform investigations A2. Define how networks are configured and how to conduct network investigations
A3. Demonstrate how to write software to solve problems using the software development process A4. Identify how to work in a professional manner with good professional ethics A5. Define computer security and its impact upon computer forensic investigations A6. Demonstrate how English Law works and how their investigation results would fit into a criminal trial Acquisition of 1-6 is through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and laboratory work. Throughout the learner is encouraged to undertake independent reading both to supplement and consolidate what is being taught / learnt and to broaden their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject. Knowledge and understanding is assessed via formal examination, individual and team coursework, demonstration of practical work, and a full-scale individual project at Level 6. Intellectual Skills Skills and other attributes B1. Knowledge and understanding of facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to Computer Forensics B2. Collect and synthesise information from a variety of sources B3. Utilise methods and skills to solve well-defined computer-based problems B4. Reflection of the impact of new technologies / legal requirements in the area B5. Critical evaluation and testing of theories, concepts and systems B6. Demonstrate the skills necessary to plan, conduct and report a research project Skills 1-6 are taught through lectures and developed through tutorial work throughout the course. Cognitive skills are partly assessed via formal examinations, but mainly through coursework assessment. The final year project allows a student to demonstrate his/her cognitive skills. Professional practical skills C1. Specify, design and construct programs to be used for the purpose of computer forensics C2. Analyse evidence data for an investigation C3. Evaluate investigation methodologies in terms of general attributes C4. The ability to work as a member of a team C5. Identify appropriate tools and techniques to be used for an investigation C6. The ability to plan and manage IT projects Practical skills are developed throughout the programme. The basic skills are provided at the lower levels. These are supplemented at higher levels by more advanced tools and techniques. Some of these skills are practised in the placement year. Specialist software is available in School labs or from specified PCs in the Learning Resource Centres. is normally by coursework. The placement year is assessed on a pass / fail basis dependent on satisfactory Company and University Supervisor reports and the students own report. Transferable / key skills
10. Route/Pathway/Field requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards The programme is modular in construction. Modules normally are 12, 24 or 36 credits (equivalent to 120 / 240 /360 hours of study). Students study 120 credits per Level. There are core (compulsory) modules at each level, plus a number of option modules at level 6. Students will undertake a placement year between levels 5 and 6. Students successfully completing the assessment of the placement year are eligible for a Sandwich award. Award Requirements Bachelor of Science with Honours in Computer Forensics Bachelor of Science with Honours (SW) in Computer Forensics Bachelor of Science in Computer Forensics Bachelor of Science (SW) in Computer Forensics Diploma of Higher Education in Computer Forensics Certificate of Higher Education in Computer Forensics For information about awards, see http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/academic_enhancement/121984.htm Level 6 Potential Awards on completion Bachelor of Science with Honours (SW) Core Option Award Requirements 6000PROJ PROJECT 6047COMP COMPUTER FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 6058COMP MOBILE SYSTEMS AND FORENSICS 6066COMP NETWORK SECURITY Level 5 6037COMP COMPUTING IN EDUCATION 6038COMP WORK PLACEMENT EVALUATION 6046COMP CLOUD COMPUTING 6053COMP EMPLOYABILITY AND THE WORKPLACE 6055COMP GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE COMPUTING 6061COMP TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP 6067COMP MAINFRAME COMPUTING Potential Awards on completion 108 core credits at level 6 12 option credits at level 6 0 elective credits at level 6 Core Option Award Requirements 5019COMP DATABASE DESIGN, APPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT 5041COMP COMPUTER NETWORKS 5042COMP COMPUTER LAW 5043COMP PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER FORENSICS 5046COMP OBJECT ORIENTED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT Level 4 Potential Awards on completion 120 core credits at level 5 0 option credits at level 5 0 elective credits at level 5 Core Option Award Requirements 4000COMP WEB DESIGN AND HCI 4001COMP INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING 4004COMP COMPUTING AND SOCIETY 4008COMP COMPUTER SYSTEMS 4015COMP INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER FORENSICS AND SECURITY 120 core credits at level 4 0 option credits at level 4 0 elective credits at level 4 11 Opportunities for work-related learning ( location and nature of activities) Industrial Placement - Students are encouraged to undertake a 12 month placement (including statutory holiday entitlement) in the programme-related area that is part of the Sandwich degree.
To pass the industrial placement: -The University Tutor must award at least a pass grade (the mid-point on a five point scale) -The Company Tutor must award at least a pass grade (the mid-point on a five point scale) -The University Tutor must award at least a pass grade (the mid-point on a five point scale) to the Professional Placement Report written by the student -The student must complete a period of no less than 12 continuous months (including statutory holiday entitlement) of approved professional training. Level 5 :- 5043COMP Principles of Computer Forensics (24 Credit Core) - This module requires problem analysis and development of an application that simulates a work based problem. Level 6: - 6047COMP Computer Forensic Investigations and the Criminal Justice System (24 Credit Core) - This module requires problem analysis and presentation of results in a simulated court room. Level 6:- 6038COMP Computing in Education (Option) - Students who are interested in a career in teaching can apply for consideration at a position with a local school or college, attending one half day per week. This gives them first-hand experience of teaching computing in schools or colleges and allows them to develop their World of Work skills. Level 6:- 6037COMP Work Placement Evaluation (Option) - This option module allows the student to reflect on their work placement in greater depth than their placement report, evaluate their development of graduate skills during the placement year, and plan their future learning requirements to enhance their employability. Level 6:- 6053COMP Employability and the Workplace (Option) - LJMU's WoW initiative has been recognised as an innovative approach to improving the employability skills of graduates. This module operates in conjunction with a development programme at LJMU's Graduate Development Centre and enables students to critically evaluate their own employability skills and further improve on these via the GDC WoW certification process if desired. Level 6:- 6061COMP Technology Entrepreneurship (Option) - This module prepares those students who wish to enter the world of self-employment upon graduation by examining the production of a business plan to support their own idea. With on-going support from the team at the University's Centre for Entrepreneurship, students will be guided in developing their idea through the initial stages of business development. Level 6:- 6067COMP Mainframe Computing (Option) - This module prepares those students who wish to undertake possible future professional accreditation in the field of mainframe computing. Delivered in conjunction with IBM, this module provides hands-on theory and experience in using mainframe technologies and follows the IBM certificated curriculum. http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/academic_enhancement/academic_enhancement_docs/graduate_skills_table.pdf 12 Criteria for admission A/AS Level to include 2 A-levels or Double Award BTEC National Diploma AVCE Irish Leaving Certificate Scottish Higher International Baccalaureate 25 points Access Pass Higher national diploma Pass Other In addition to applicants should have five GCSEs at grade C or above including GCSE Mathematics grade C and English Language grade C Mature entry Without the necessary qualifications but relevant experience are encouraged to apply and may be requested to attend an interview and aptitude test
Overseas qualifications Offers will be based on individual qualifications and experience. All applicants should have achieved IELTS 6.0 13 Information about assessment regulations All programmes leading to LJMU awards operate within the University's Academic Framework. Full details are available from: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/academic_enhancement/121984.htm A programme operating within the Framework may be unable to comply with all the requirements of the Framework. In these circumstances the programme team may apply to the Academic Planning Panel for a programme variance which will be considered against agreed criteria that the variance is a nationally published condition of an accrediting / professional body, without which the programme could not be accredited. 14 Indicators of quality: Institutional audit outcomes The University is subject to Institutional Review by the Quality Assurance Agency on a 6 year cycle. A published review report is then available on the QAA web site: www.qaa.ac.uk 15 Support for students and their learning Student support and guidance are provided through the following mechanisms and documentation: -Induction programme. Provided as a means of introducing the programme structure and content and familiarisation with the University and its working environment, in particular, induction on the networked computer environment by the School's technicians. This 3 day event is held in the first week of semester 1 of the programme -A specialist programme of Information Gathering and Retrieval is organised by the Subject Librarian -Programme and Project Tutor meetings are held on a regular basis and cover topics ranging from choice of options, choice of projects to operational problems -Module Handbooks -Student Handbook -Industrial Liaison Unit -Project Guidelines -Blackboard -Access to central support services outlined in the student support guidelines Furthermore, students are encouraged to make use of the Internet for communication with staff and other students for example through the use of e-mail. 16 Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning The Role of the External Examiner External examiners approved by the University are appointed to cover whole programmes or clusters of modules within programmes. The role of the external examiner is to provide informative comment and recommendations upon whether or not: - the University is maintaining the threshold academic standards set for awards in accordance with the frameworks for higher education qualifications and applicable subject benchmark statements - the assessment process measures student achievement rigorously and fairly against the intended outcomes of the programme(s) and is conducted in line with the University policies and regulations - the academic standards are comparable with those in other UK higher education institutions of which external examiners have experience - the achievement of students are comparable with those in other UK higher education institutions of which the external examiners have experience and to provide informative comment and recommendations on: - good practice and innovation relating to learning, teaching and assessment observed by external examiners - opportunities to enhance the quality of the learning opportunities provided to students. Subject standards for all taught programmes of study are specified using an outcome based learning model. Attainment is measured against the standard and individual student performance is moderated at assessment
boards. This involves both internal moderation (by LJMU staff and/or partner institution staff) and external moderation (by External Examiners). Internal annual programme self-assessment is informed by broad ranging student feedback, external examiners and academic staff who conduct module review. External quality assessment by Professional Statutory Regulatory Bodies and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education confirms that standards are set at the appropriate level and that quality of learning opportunities are subject to continuing improvement. The quality of teaching is assured through staff review and staff development in learning, teaching and assessment. Designated committees have responsibility for the oversight of processes wherein quality and standards are evaluated and improved. Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content, teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the student module guide and course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. 17 Key sources of information about the course can be found in: Further details may be obtained from a series of handbooks for students that together provide comprehensive information. Detailed programme information is contained in definitive documentation for the programme. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is increasingly used to provide module specific information. 18 Progress Files Increasingly, academic guidance is provided within a framework of personal development planning linked to progress review.