Forensic Computing @ UCLAN and mature students

Hi,

I'm just wondering if there is anyone who has studied this course at UCLAN?

I recently (quite late in the day to be perfectly honest) tried to get some information about the course at UCLAN. I'm an 32 year old mature student. I found that the Senior Lecturer I spoke to didn't seem to have much time for me at all.

I was considering entering via clearing for 2012, but was immediately shot down by the lecturer. All I'd really wanted, was someone to go through the modules with me and give me a brief overview of each, so I'd know what I was working towards. My worry was that the course would be very programming intensive. I've worked in IT sales. IT helpdesk and for an SEO company, along with building/maintaining my own computer, playing with linux and experimenting with custom Android ROMs on my phone. So I'm certainly not illiterate when it comes to computers. Programming I've had very little experience of.

After initially telling me that "to the University you're nothing but money" The lady I spoke to seemed determined not to go over the modules with me. When I asked she would try to steer the conversation back to software design. She also seemed very negative about the course in general. Suggesting that if I wasn't very familiar with C# then I'd probably crash and burn.

I was asked if I was a "tidy" person - which I thought was a glib question so I laughed and said "probably not if you asked my girlfriend" - to which the Lecturer replied "well forensics probably isn't for you then". After all it's possible to have a messy bedroom but always be neat and tidy at work.

I was advised to "read the Guardian technology section (not the daily mail!)" - Which surprised me since there are definitely better tech blogs for news (plus I'm a member of XDA-Developers and frequent their news section along with the forums. (It didn't actually click just how patronising this was until after I'd left the meeting).

Finally I was presented with an Aptitude test, (which I wasn't expecting at all since I was only there with an enquiry). I think there were 4 sheets, I was given time to fill out 2 of them. At which point they were marked and I was told I'd not done too well on them. Which is to be expected I suppose since It's been about 10 years since I've taken one before.

I wasn't asked anything about my previous employment, or any computer related questions at all. Which struck me as very odd.

Overall the experience has left me none the wiser about the course and far more jaded with the prospect of returning to higher education.

Has anyone had a similar experience at UCLAN? Or is anyone who's on/has done the course able to provide some insight as to what's expected in the course modules?

Thanks

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1

mbateman

Hi. I'm one of the lecturers within Computing at UCLan. Firstly I'm sorry you had a bad experience with your interview. I'll attempt to answer your question.

This is the list of the modules with a brief description. I've only included the core modules, you get some options as well. Feel free to ask me anything about the modules and I'll try to answer (or I'll ask someone that knows). I've included my web address at the bottom of this post so you can find my email address/phone number if you'd prefer.

Okay here's the list (sorry for the long post)

First year

CO1404 Introduction to programming
Students will learn how to write basic programs. They will develop the ability to analyse a given problem and to implement, test and evaluate a structured program from a given specification using an appropriate programming language.

CO1401 Programming
This module builds directly on the Introduction to Programming module (CO1404). The students will gain the ability to further analyse, design, implement, test and debug more complex programs using an appropriate programming language.
or
CO1405 Visual Programming
This module emphasizes rapid application development using a component-based development environment. It uses event-driven programming with standard Graphical User Interface (GUI) components in the Windows environment. The use of prototyping to meet clients’ needs is emphasised.

CO1501 Computer and networks
This module provides a practical overview of the hardware and operating system associated with a modern PC system. This involves analysing the underlying architecture with reference to the microprocessor and associated hardware components. A range of hardware options, associated costs and selection criteria are investigated. In addition the critical role of the operating system with reference to provision of a virtual machine and associated facilities will be examined. Key principles relating to computer networks will be introduced.

CO1111 Computing Skills [This module is taken in a 4 week burst mode at the beginning of the first year]
By introducing the students to a broad range of computing concepts, the module will provide an introduction to topics which will be studied in more depth during the remainder of the first year. Upon completion of the module, the students will begin to be able to make informed choices about the course of study they wish to pursue.

Through a series of intensively supported exercises and guided discovery, working in teams the students will create, evaluate, market on-line and present a sophisticated computing-related product.

CO1605 Systems Analysis & Database Design
This module introduces the student to:

1. Interactions between the stakeholders and analysts in the specification of information systems
2. The techniques of information gathering and representation using appropriate tools and techniques
3. The process of database design using normalisation
4. The role of the Database Management System
5. The design and implementation of robust database systems

CO1706 Interactive Applications
This module considers what is required to develop interactive applications for current and emerging technologies. The material has a focus on online applications, using HTML5, CSS3 and PHP as the basis for prototyping and developing an interactive application for use on a number of different devices.

CO1801 Practitioner skills
This module develops communication and inter-personal skills appropriate to computing practitioners, and knowledge of relevant law and ethical debates.

Second year
CO2403 Professional skills
This module develops the project management skills required by computer practitioners and applies these skills in the context of a course-specific group project. It also reinforces the students' understanding of the professional, ethical and legal aspects of Computing. It prepares Honours students for their final year project by introducing the necessary project planning and investigation skills. It provides further opportunity for developing personal and communication skills, particularly for teamwork.

CO2502 Communications and networks
This module introduces students to the fundamentals of data communications and computer networks. It explains how the networking components work, and how they are put together to implement a system. Students design, set-up, test a Local Area Network (LAN) using a ‘peer-to-peer’ and a ‘client/server’ models.

CO2508 Computer Security
Organisations and individuals depend on the security of their computer systems to protect those systems and the data that they store, process, and communicate. The data might be, for example: personal and financial details; medical databases; research databases; commercial or military secrets and designs; commercial orders; and so on. Computers might control sophisticated (and perhaps dangerous) hardware. Damage or loss through accident or malicious attack can have serious implications for those affected and can threaten the existence of organisations. Society has become so heavily dependent on computers and networks to support its functioning that computer security is a fundamental human concern.

CO2514 Digital Forensic Experimentation
Legal & Ethical Issues
Data Protection Act, Human Rights, Obscene publications, research data governance, personal private data, forensic artefacts that could reveal personal information, ethics committees

Experiment Design & Implementation
Forming research questions. Finding and evaluating relevant literature
Identification of dependent and independent variables, confounding factors, hypothesis generation, designing an experiment and data collection
, ethical approval – particularly relating to vulnerable participants

Experiment Analysis
Reverse engineering of data structures, data analysis, statistical measures and tests, statistical significance, hypothesis confirmation and assessment of alternative explanations, reporting methods and results, presenting results to technical and non-technical audiences. Use of literature in academic and non-academic writing.

Forensic Software
Familiarity with forensic software, building hash libraries to identify both notable and known files to reduce the workload of a forensic investigator, identification of system artefacts, viewing data in different formats (both different data encoding and structural formats), basic investigative techniques

Test System Design
Virtual Machines, Honey Pots, different operating system features, network based experiments, network security settings, acquisition of evidence

Non-PC Devices
Alternative devices such as those using OS X, FATX, mobile phones, PDAs, games consoles, satellite navigation systems, and other embedded operating systems

One Option (options not listed)

Third year
CO3505 Digital Forensic Investigation
Investigative procedures and legal issues
Investigative techniques
Exploring hidden locations
Real-time analytical techniques for detecting security events on active systems and networks: software monitors, intrusion detection.
Searching for and retrieving information.
Analysis
Presentation

CO3514 Wireless and Mobile Networks
Wireless and mobile networks systems have become an essential part of the modern world. Technologies such as 802.11, GPRS, and Bluetooth are being used in ever increasing numbers of businesses and homes. This module focuses on these technologies in depth, covering both the theory and practice of their use.

CO3603 Computers, Society and Law
The information-processing capability of computer technology raises unique ethical issues that affect the decisions made by computer professionals. The module will encourage students to tease out key issues and implications of alternatives in a complex situation.

CO3808 Project
The double module project will involve research, independent study and the production of a substantial report, which will be based on the investigation of a problem and the development of a solution. This project will be the culmination of the student's study and will draw substantially on the material and skills developed during the course. The project must be relevant to the student’s course.
One Option (options not listed)

Thanks

Martin
http://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/~mb/

University of Central Lancashire

Preston

Visit website

Reply 2

Fidget080

Hi Martin,

Thanks for replying! Really helpful to have the overview on each module included as well. I do have a couple of questions if thats ok? (and also a couple of statements, I'd appreciate your feedback on, regarding what you look for from students applying for the course)

With regard to the programming modules how much prior knowledge is expected? Although nothing is specifically stated on the entry requirements page. I wonder if there is an unwritten rule that some programming knowledge is required? I ask this because the lecturer I spoke to made reference to some High Schools now teaching programming?

I have had some experience with programming in the past. When I left 6th form I went straight to University (UCLAN). I opted for a combined honours course Computing/Management/Electives. I do feel that by taking the combined honours route I may have spread myself too thin. Also living at home in Lancaster I feel I missed opportunities to socialise and converse with other students. I did not complete the course first time round which I regret to this day. The language used at the time was C++. Which I understand has now been replaced by C# as the main language used on the course?
I seem to remember one of the assignments being to create an application which when a weight of a parcel was entered by the user, would then calculate the cost to send the parcel by post. Which I was able to complete.

Something I have slightly more experience with (assuming I'm understanding the module overview correctly) is Visual Programming. I have some experience using what is now "MIT App Inventor". Not to any great degree, but when the software was first released by Google I was able to follow one of their tutorials and build a (very basic) soundboard app for Android. This basically consisted of a picture of a cat which when tapped would 'meow'. I enjoyed working with the 'logic blocks' as I found it easier than memorising code.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply Martin. It's greatly appreciated.

Reply 3

mbateman

Original post by Fidget080

With regard to the programming modules how much prior knowledge is expected? Although nothing is specifically stated on the entry requirements page. I wonder if there is an unwritten rule that some programming knowledge is required? I ask this because the lecturer I spoke to made reference to some High Schools now teaching programming?

No programming knowledge is assumed. Although it is true that some high schools now teach programming the coverage isn't universal so we have to assume that an incoming student hasn't already been taught how to program.

Original post by Fidget080

The language used at the time was C++. Which I understand has now been replaced by C# as the main language used on the course?

Within the first year the main language is C# but it depends which degree you do as in later years we teach the language that is most suitable for the degree. For example games developer students mainly use C++, software engineering do a mixture of languages, etc.

Original post by Fidget080

Something I have slightly more experience with (assuming I'm understanding the module overview correctly) is Visual Programming. I have some experience using what is now "MIT App Inventor". Not to any great degree, but when the software was first released by Google I was able to follow one of their tutorials and build a (very basic) soundboard app for Android. This basically consisted of a picture of a cat which when tapped would 'meow'. I enjoyed working with the 'logic blocks' as I found it easier than memorising code.

We use App Inventor within CO1111 which is delivered as a four week burst mode module at the beginning of the year. Visual programming (CO1405) is in C# and it is geared toward GUI development.

Original post by Fidget080

Thanks again for taking the time to reply Martin. It's greatly appreciated.