Five Year Digital Forensics Program

Curriculum Guide

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Courses common to both Thesis and Non-Thesis Routes	Credit Hours
CS 530 Programming Languages	3
CS 557 Information Security	3
CS 610 Networking and Security	3
CS 630 Compiler Theory and Implementation	3
CS 633 Computer Forensics	3
CS 635 Secure Network Operations	3
CS 640 Malware Analysis	3
Approved Elective	3
Total Common Courses	30
Thesis Route
CS 700 Thesis Research	6
Non- Thesis Route
Approved Electives	6
Total Credits Required	36

All students are required to pass a comprehensive examination after the first year of study in order to continue in the program. This exam covers topics in the first year of the curriculum.

Standard Course Sequence

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There are several options for completing these requirements, depending in part upon financial aid status. Students receiving financial assistance (including student loans) are required to maintain a full-time undergraduate course load throughout their undergraduate careers.

The following three options are possible schedules. Students interested in this program should meet with the Coordinator as early as possible to work out an individual schedule.

Option 1. For students not receiving financial assistance. Undergraduate and graduate courses are mixed during the fifth year. Undergraduate load is below the minimum required for financial assistance full-time status.

Year	Hours	Fall	Spring
Freshman	33 (U)	CS139, CS239, CS227, ...
Sophomore	33-36 (U)	CS228, CS240, CS345, CS350, ...
Junior	33-36 (U)	CS450, CS474, CS430, CSnnn, ...
Senior	15-21 (U)	CS460, CSnnn, ...	CSnnn, ...
	12 (G)	CS550	CS557, CS630, CS633
Graduate	18 (G)	CS610, CS640, elective/CS700	CS635, elective, elective/CS700

Option 2. For students receiving financial assistance. A full-time load is maintained for eight semesters, and first year graduate courses are spread over the third and fourth years. Application must be made in the fall of the junior year.

Year	Hours	Fall	Spring
Freshman	30 (U)	CS139, CS239, CS227, ...
Sophomore	33 (U)	CS228, CS240, CS345, CS350, ...
Junior	33 (U)	CS450, CS474, CS430, CSnnn, ...
	3 (G)	(application to graduate program)	CS557
Senior	24 (U)	CS460, CSnnn, ...	CSnnn, ...
	6 (G)	CS550	CS630
Graduate	21 (G)	CS610, CS640, elective, elective/CS700	CS633, CS635, elective/CS700

Option 3. For students receiving financial assistance. Undergraduate requirements are completed after seven semesters. Transition to graduate student status is made in December of the 4th academic year.

Year	Hours	Fall	Spring
Freshman	33 (U)	CS139, CS239, CS227, ...
Sophomore	36 (U)	CS228, CS240, CS345, CS350, ...
Junior	36 (U)	CS450, CS474, CS430, CSnnn, CSnnn, ...
Senior	15 (U)	CS460, CSnnn, ... (Graduation)
	12 (G)	CS550	CS557, CS630, CS633
Graduate	18 (G)	CS610, CS640, elective/CS700	CS635, elective, elective/CS700

Part-time students may complete the program at a pace commensurate with their professional and personal obligations, in two to six years. A customized plan of study should be worked out with the concentration director.