Cyber Forensics and Security, B.S.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

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

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
Critical Thinking Course5
Critical Thinking Course3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 140 Bison image  Cap graduation image Applied Calculus3
FSC 224 Bison image Intro to Forensic Science4
Core II Humanities3
CJ 200 Bison image Intro to Criminal Justice3
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
CFS 440Digital Evidence (Writing Intensive)4
CFS 460Applied Cyber Forensics (Writing Intensive)4
Multicultural or International3
CFS 490 Bison image Capstone3
Major-Specific
NRRM 200Analytical Methods: Statistics4
MTH 140 Bison image  Cap graduation image Applied Calculus3
FSC 224 Bison image Intro to Forensic Science4
Physical/Natural Science Elective Sequence 14
Physical/Natural Science Elective Sequence 23
CIT 163 Cap graduation image Intro to Programming: C++3
CIT 263 Cap graduation image Web Programming I3
CIT 352Network Protocols and Admin3
CIT 365Database Management3
CJ 200 Bison image Intro to Criminal Justice3
CJ 314Crime Scene Investigation3
CJ 424Computer Crime3
CFS 200Introduction to CFS3
CFS 261Introduction to Linux3
CFS 305Open Source Intelligence3
CFS 357Network Penetration and Attack4
CFS 400Intro to Cyber Forensics3
CFS 440Digital Evidence4
CFS 448Multimedia Forensics3
CFS 460Applied Cyber Forensics4
CFS 454Network Defense4
CFS 462Network Forensics4
CFS 467Mobile Device Forensics4
CFS Technical Elective3
CFS Technical Elective3
CFS 490 Bison image Capstone3
Free Elective4
Free Elective3
Free Elective3
Free Elective1

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.

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition 3
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
Multicultural or International 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
Core II Humanities (CT) 3
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
CIT 163 Cap graduation image Intro to Programming: C++ 3
CJ 200 Bison image Intro to Criminal Justice 3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
CFS 200 Introduction to CFS 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Second Year
First Semester
CIT 352 Network Protocols and Admin 3
CFS 400 Intro to Cyber Forensics 3
NRRM 200 Analytical Methods: Statistics 4
Physical/Natural Science Elective - Seq 1 4
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester
CIT 263 Cap graduation image Web Programming I 3
CFS 261 Introduction to Linux 3
CMM 103 Bison image Fund Speech-Communication 3
MTH 140 Bison image  Cap graduation image Applied Calculus 3
Physical/Natural Science Elective - Seq 2 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
First Semester
CIT 365 Database Management 3
CFS 305 Open Source Intelligence 3
CFS 357 Network Penetration and Attack 4
CFS 460 Applied Cyber Forensics 4
 Credit Hours14
Second Semester
CJ 424 Computer Crime 3
CFS 454 Network Defense 4
CFS 462 Network Forensics 4
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
First Semester
CJ 314 Crime Scene Investigation 3
CFS 467 Mobile Device Forensics 4
CFS 448 Multimedia Forensics 3
FSC 224 Bison image Intro to Forensic Science 4
Select one of the following CFS Technical Electives: 3
Incident Response
Exploit Development
Cyber Warfare
Mobile & Web Pen Testing
Network Security
Special Topics
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
CFS 440 Digital Evidence 4
CFS 490 Bison image Capstone 3
Free Elective 4
Select one of the following CFS Technical Electives: 3
Incident Response
Exploit Development
Mobile & Web Pen Testing
Cyber Warfare
Network Security
Special Topics
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120