You are here:
Home ›
Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation (FCCI) Programme

Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation (FCCI) Programme

 

Forensic Computing and Cybercrime

Investigation (FCCI) Programmes

  

 

Overview

The UCD Centre for Cybersecurity & Cybercrime Investigation (UCD CCI) offers a full range of qualifications within the area of Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation (FCCI). This includes qualifications at Master of Science, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate level. In addition, UCD CCI also offers individual modules for study under its Continuous Professional Development programme (CPD).

The FCCI programme is comprised of a range of online modules which form the UCD Masters/Diploma/ Certificate/CPD courses in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation. Students decide which qualification level they wish to attain and can then select the modules that are of most relevance to them.

Please note that all Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation programmes/modules are open to members of LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY. If you are not a member of law Enforcement, you may wish to apply to the UCD MSc in Digital Investigation 

UCD Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation Programmes

The following Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation qualifications are available:
The UCD Centre for Cybersecurity & Cybercrime Investigations programmes are recognized internationally as being among the leading qualifications for law enforcement within this field. The purpose of the FCCI programme is to produce graduates with skills enabling them to effectively carry out investigations across a broad spectrum of cybercrimes. It introduces the concepts and principles of professional practice in forensic computing and cybercrime investigation. 
 
All of these programmes are designed to be accessible to members of law enforcement on an international basis; therefore lectures are delivered online, with workshops and exams taking place annually in Dublin. Many of these programmes are available on both a full or part time basis and students can tailor their qualification to match their career requirements, by choosing those modules of most relevance. Students may start their programme in January or September.
 
Within the Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation programme, there are a large range of modules on offer. Students, in choosing their own modules, design their own Certificate/Diploma/Masters. While the majority of students may choose to gain a qualification in “Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation”, students on the Dip/Cert programme can also choose to specialise in either “Forensic Computing” OR “Cybercrime Investigation”. However, specialisation is not required and if students wish to take modules from both areas, they can receive a qualification in “Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation”.
 
Students who do not wish to commit to the Cert/Dip/MSc FCCI programme can choose to take modules individually through the CPD programme and learn at their own pace. If these students later decide to apply to the Cert/Dip/MSc FCCI programme, they can apply for credit towards their chosen qualification, based on their successful completion of the CPD modules (modules must be taken within a specified time period, typically of the order of three years).

Modules Available

The table below contains a list of the modules available within the FCCI programme (please click on the module title for more information). Each module has a credit value of 5/10/30 ECTS credits and runs once a year, either in the January or the September term. Students on each programme can generally choose any of the modules listed, however if a student chooses to specialise in either Forensic Computing or Cybercrime Investigation, they should select modules from within that area, as below.
 

Module  Code

Module Title

 Credits* MSc/Dip/Cert  CPD 

Forensic Computing Specialist Modules

Cybercrime Investigation Specialist Modules

Jan.-May Term

Sept.-Dec. Term
 COMP 40120  Introduction to Programming for Cybercrime Investigators  10  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes  
 COMP 41590  Advanced Computer Forensics  10  Yes  Yes  Yes    Yes  
 COMP 40150  Case Study  10  Yes  -  Yes  Yes    
 COMP 41570  Advanced Scripting  10  Yes  Yes  Yes    Yes  
 COMP 41580  VoIP and Wireless Investigations  10  Yes  Yes    Yes  Yes  
COMP 41330   Open Source Intelligence  5  Yes  Yes    Yes  Yes  
 COMP 41300  Money Laundering Investigations  5  Yes  Yes    Yes  Yes  
 COMP 40100  Computer Forensics  10  Yes  Yes  Yes      Yes
 COMP 40110  Network Investigations  10  Yes  Yes    Yes    Yes
 COMP 40140  Hacking and Malware Investigations  10 Yes   Yes    Yes    Yes
 COMP 41560  Mobile Phone Forensics  5  Yes  Yes  Yes     Yes 
 COMP 41430  Linux for Investigators  10  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes    Yes
 COMP 41360  Live Data Forensics  5  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes    Yes
 COMP 40160  Research project  30  Yes  -        
 COMP 41480  Investigation of Sexual Abuse of Children on the Internet  5  Yes  Yes    Yes  Yes  
 *Credits are a standardised way of representing the amount of student effort and educational activity associated with a module. One ECTS credit represents 20-25 hours of total student effort.  Therefore, a standard 5-credit module represents 100-125 hours of student effort.  
Delivery & Attendance

Lectures are pre-recorded and provided online via a virtual online learning environment, where they can be downloaded and viewed locally. For most modules, these lectures can be accessed throughout the semester from day 1; however students must complete related assignments by certain dates. Handouts, articles and links to online forums and resources support the lectures.  Study is supported by forum discussion and assignments.

While study is online, all students are required to come to Dublin once a year to complete examinations & workshops. Students on the MSc/Dip/Cert programme are also welcome to attend the graduation ceremony and an optional welcome session.

Entry Requirements

  •  Applicants to the FCCI MSc/Diploma/Certificate will normally be expected to have either an appropriate law enforcement qualification or a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related discipline. Each applicant will be assessed on a case by case basis.
  • All applicants to the FCCI CPD programme will be assessed on a case by case basis and do not require a bachelor’s degree to apply.
  • Students on the CPD programme, who wish to enter the MSc/Diploma/Certificate programme at a later stage, may apply based on their performance in the CPD programme. All progressions within the programme are subject to agreement with the Course Director and are NOT automatic.
Please note that all Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation programmes/modules are restricted to members of LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY. This includes agents of any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation.

Fee Information

Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation Programme 2011/2012 

Award
Credit value per award
Mode
Duration
EU fee
Annual
Non EU fee
Annual
MSc
90
Full time
1 year
€6,120
€13,900
MSc
90
Part time
2 years
€3,370
€6,730
Diploma
60
Full time
1 year
€4,280
€8,570
Diploma
60
Part time
2 years
€2,350
€4,690
Certificate
30
Part time
1 year
€2,140
€4,280
CPD
5-10 per module
N/A
N/A
€100 per credit
€200 per credit
Other information on Fees is available on the UCD fees page

The cost of examination trips is not included in the tuition fee and students are expected to support themselves while attending examinations and other events.

Application Procedure

All applications to the UCD Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation programme are via the UCD Online Applications system at:http://www.ucd.ie/apply/.
 
Once you click on this link, you will be brought to the UCD Online Applications website. Here you will be asked to complete the application form by providing your personal information, and then selecting which course you wish to apply to. If you are unsure about which options to select, instructions on how to complete the form can be found by clicking the following link: Completing the UCD Online Application form.
Applications for September 2012 are currently being considered. It is strongly recommended that you submit your application before Friday 1st June 2012.
Please note that as this programme tends to be oversubscribed, applicants will be considered on a first come, first served basis. By making an application to this programme you are NOT committing to undertake this course of study. If you are successful in your application, you will receive an official offer which you can then either accept or decline.
 
Further Information

For additional information and queries please contact the UCD Centre for Cybersecurity & Cybercrime Investigation at:

Email: cci.info@ucd.ie

Telephone: +353 (0) 1 716 2947

Alternatively, if you wish to discuss the programme content, you may contact the Course Director Dr. Pavel Gladyshev via email at pavel.gladyshev@ucd.ie.