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Forensic computing beginner in need of some help

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(@diablodaz)
Posts: 10
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Hello, Im aiming to do a 4 years bsc honours degree in computer forensics next year which includes a years work experience and 6 months study abroad which will most likely be in america so far I have only found two courses in the UK that caters to my tastes which is Glamorgan University http//www.glam.ac.uk/coursedetails/686/224
and Staffordshire University
http//www.staffs.ac.uk/courses/undergrad/computingandit/tcm11017064.php
in which I will be attending the universities open days very soon

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light onto these two courses i.e. past experiences, word of mouth etc and also if anyone could name a few courses in other universities that they rate highly and offer something similar to what I am after if would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Darren

 
Posted : 04/10/2007 2:34 pm
(@minesh)
Posts: 75
Trusted Member
 

Hi Darren,

I suggest you do a search on this forum, as the topic has been covered before.
The two highly recommended courses are from Glamorgan and Cranfield Uni's, however, I am aware of at least 3 or so others which offer the course
Staffordshire,
De Montfort,
Portsmouth (may just be MSc),
Bradford (I think).

Kind Regards,

Minesh

 
Posted : 04/10/2007 2:40 pm
Fab4
 Fab4
(@fab4)
Posts: 173
Estimable Member
 

I have PM'd the thread initiator with my thoughts about my experience of a particular UK uni. The following is a section of my reply suitable for public consumption;

I have undertaken a bit of research into the feedback from CF awards in UK universities and unfortunately none of them seem to delight any of their students. It seems that no university provides any real practical work, which I have come to accept is inevitable. To truly practice CF, you need a network that bad stuff is allowed to happen to - this introduces a whole load of expense, for example, extensive monitoring and maintenance by the Uni's info services team. I understand that the Uni I attended have projected the annual cost of the same to be close to £1m and they simply will never receive that back in tuition fees.

In my humble opinion, Glamorgan seems to have the best reputation but that is only based on feedback that I have come across and should not be relied upon as an educational choice!

In essence I think UK universities are great at developing a thorough academic appreciation of the discipline and developing an ability to undertake detailed research - both of which remain useful beyond Uni. They are highly unlikely however to satisfy any students' (or future employers'!) demand for practical experience. You have to do this in your own time and off your own back.

It's a bit like going to Catering College with a dream of being the next Jamie Oliver (or US equivalent). You come out being able to bore the backside off anyone with your knowledge of recipies. But you've never touched a cooker and therefore experienced the 'true life' complexities involved in the art of cooking……

 
Posted : 04/10/2007 3:04 pm
 ddow
(@ddow)
Posts: 278
Reputable Member
 

In essence I think UK universities are great at developing a thorough academic appreciation of the discipline and developing an ability to undertake detailed research - both of which remain useful beyond Uni.

I believe this applies to all universities in almost all diciplines. The general believe among (us) academics is that we are preparing students not for (just) a job today. We are instead preparing students for jobs that don't exist yet to use technology that doesn't exist yet.

Medicine is the most significant field I can think of where the focus is on the immedate job. So folks, how should it be for forensics? For those of you who have taken a uni program and found it lacking; what can be done better?

 
Posted : 04/10/2007 5:15 pm
(@minesh)
Posts: 75
Trusted Member
 

Fab4,

I couldn't agree more. Most jobs require someone who is experienced, which makes it very hard for anyone to get in the industry without previous forensics exposure…. catch 22.

I remember reading some months back about someone disappointed at one particular uni, who didn't disclose which. Was it you? Would welcome a PM with details if it was.

I suppose the same could be said with most of the training courses available, including CCE bootcamp? I would have thought uni's at least give test images to examine and work with.

I was planning on doing an MSc next September, but as days go by, it seems a less likely option.

Kind Regards,

Minesh

 
Posted : 04/10/2007 6:16 pm
Fab4
 Fab4
(@fab4)
Posts: 173
Estimable Member
 

I remember reading some months back about someone disappointed at one particular uni, who didn't disclose which. Was it you? Would welcome a PM with details if it was.

Minesh,

No - t'was not me!

 
Posted : 05/10/2007 2:28 am
(@chanko86)
Posts: 57
Trusted Member
 

For your study abroad in the US. . You might want to look at Bloomsburg University, their program has been great so far.

 
Posted : 05/10/2007 6:40 pm
DoDForensics
(@dodforensics)
Posts: 16
Active Member
 

I remember reading some months back about someone disappointed at one particular uni, who didn't disclose which. Was it you? Would welcome a PM with details if it was.

Minesh

I know it wasn't me! I'm very vocal about one of the most worthless US colleges! *cough* Champlain *cough*

 
Posted : 05/10/2007 7:02 pm
(@diablodaz)
Posts: 10
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the response, Im going to the open days of glamorgan, staffordshire and de montfort but Im swaying towards glamorgan because of the many good comments I have heard and also they seem to have slightly more forensics modules than the rest, but I'll have to wait and see.

 
Posted : 06/10/2007 3:47 pm
(@jhooker)
Posts: 17
Active Member
 

Im currently taking a Bcs(hons) Forensic Computing at Stafford - and I think it is important to have just as much computer science as evidence gathering. It's all very well and good having hands on forensics all the time, but stuff like the guts (maths, how filesystems work, assembler) really give you that edge when s**t hits the fan in the real world.

 
Posted : 09/10/2007 2:04 pm
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