Cyber Forensics and Security, B.S.
The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Forensics and Security prepares students to meet the challenges of today’s cyber threats. Cyber Forensics and Security skills are in high demand in law enforcement, business, government, defense, intelligence, and the private sector. The program has a solid foundation in science, technology, and communication skills. Students learn to conduct forensic analysis on a variety of devices and systems, defend a network, testify in court, and conduct penetration tests among other skills.
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Critical Thinking Course | 5 | |
| Critical Thinking Course | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 140 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| FSC 224 | Intro to Forensic Science | 4 |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| CJ 200 | Intro to Criminal Justice (Core II Social Science) | 3 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| CFS 440 | Digital Evidence (Writing Intensive) | 4 |
| CFS 460 | Applied Cyber Forensics (Writing Intensive) | 4 |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| CFS 490 | Capstone | 3 |
| Major-Specific | ||
| MTH 140 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| FSC 224 | Intro to Forensic Science | 4 |
| Physical/Natural Science Electives | 7 | |
| CS 110 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| CJ 200 | Intro to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 322 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 3 |
| CFS 200 | Introduction to CFS | 3 |
| CFS 261 | Introduction to Linux | 3 |
| CFS 305 | Open Source Intelligence | 3 |
| CFS 357 | Network Penetration and Attack | 4 |
| CFS 400 | Intro to Cyber Forensics | 3 |
| CFS 420 | Incident Response | 3 |
| CFS 440 | Digital Evidence | 4 |
| CFS 448 | Multimedia Forensics | 3 |
| CFS 454 | Network Defense | 4 |
| CFS 460 | Applied Cyber Forensics | 4 |
| CFS 462 | Network Forensics | 4 |
| CFS 467 | Mobile Device Forensics | 4 |
| CFS 490 | Capstone | 3 |
| CFS Electives | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 21 | |
Major Information
- Students are required to know and track their degree requirements for graduation or for entrance to a professional school.
- Coursework listed as “free elective” may vary for each student. Students are encouraged to use elective hours toward a minor or toward prerequisites.
- Students are strongly encouraged to select courses that meet two or more Core or College requirements.
- Course offerings and course attributes are subject to change semesters. Please consult each semesters schedule of courses for availability and attributes.
- Math is based on an ACT Mathematics score of 24 or higher. Students with an ACT Mathematics score less than 24 will be placed in the appropriate mathematics and science courses.
- Prior to entering their junior year, students are required to pass a background check (no arrests or convictions) and supply two letters of reference that attest to the student’s character. Under certain very limited circumstances, this requirement may be waived. That decision will be made by a review committee comprised of the university digital forensic and information assurance faculty along with the department chair. The background check is done at the student’s expense.
Semester Plan
The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Forensics and Security prepares students to meet the challenges of today’s cyber threats. Cyber Forensics and Security skills are in high demand in law enforcement, business, government, defense, intelligence, and the private sector. The program has a solid foundation in science, technology, and communication skills. Students learn to conduct forensic analysis on a variety of devices and systems, defend a network, testify in court, and conduct penetration tests among other skills.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| CFS 200 | Introduction to CFS | 3 |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CS 110 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| CJ 200 | Intro to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Core II Humanities (CT) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| FSC 224 | Intro to Forensic Science | 4 |
| CFS 400 | Intro to Cyber Forensics | 3 |
| MTH 140 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CFS 261 | Introduction to Linux | 3 |
| CFS 305 | Open Source Intelligence | 3 |
| CJ 322 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 3 |
| Physical/Natural Science Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CFS 357 | Network Penetration and Attack | 4 |
| CFS 460 | Applied Cyber Forensics | 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CFS 420 | Incident Response | 3 |
| CFS 454 | Network Defense | 4 |
| CFS 462 | Network Forensics | 4 |
| Physical/Natural Science Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CFS 440 | Digital Evidence | 4 |
| CFS 448 | Multimedia Forensics | 3 |
| CFS 467 | Mobile Device Forensics | 4 |
| Select one of the following CFS Electives: | 3 | |
| Collegiate Cyber Competition I | ||
| Collegiate Cyber Comp II | ||
| Exploit Development | ||
| Mobile & Web Pen Testing | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Internship | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Research | ||
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CFS 490 | Capstone | 3 |
| Select one of the following CFS Electives: | 3 | |
| Collegiate Cyber Competition I | ||
| Collegiate Cyber Comp II | ||
| Exploit Development | ||
| Mobile & Web Pen Testing | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Network Security | ||
| Internship | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Research | ||
| Critical Thinking Course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |