Computer Forensics & Security
The Computer Forensics and Security (CFS) major is perfect for people who want to use technology to solve crimes or want to ensure that computer equipment is well secured and protected against hacker attacks. Since 9/11, there is a much increased need for people in the security fields. For this major, students take computer, criminal justice, forensics, and security courses.
What You Will Learn
- This program has two related emphases providing a balance between system/network protection and forensic analysis. The curriculum stresses technical skill development in the fields of computer and network security as well as computer forensics, teaching students how to properly collect and maintain evidence.
- Students will learn how to follow applicable laws, the proper way to interact with law enforcement and government agencies, and how to effectively investigate computer and network breaches.
Program of Study
A University of Dubuque CFS program stresses theory and skill development in the technical areas of web development, PC internals, networking, computer programming, computer forensics techniques, operating systems, servers, database management, information security, and penetration techniques. Students take several CFS electives to develop strengths in their particular areas of interest. In addition, students take criminal justice courses in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedures and forensics. Students can easily take a few additional criminal justice classes to earn a Criminal Justice minor.
What Our Students Do
Students work with current hardware and software, in many cases hands-on, to learn modern technology skills and criminal justice practices. Students also learn from participation outside the classroom. Students can join the computer club, partake in job shadow opportunities, attend conferences, help with STEM festivals, compete in computer-related contests, and participate in meaningful internships.
Where Our Graduates Go
DFS graduates obtain careers as risk advisors, security consultants, digital forensics specialists, digital forensics examiners, and networking and security specialists. Their potential employers include; law enforcement, the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, military branches, law firms, private investigators, information security companies, or companies with in-house security staff.
News from the Department
J-term 2017 Class: Forensics in Italy
Professor Mark Woodhouse will be leading a Forensics in Italy course during J-term 2017. This course will examine law enforcement philosophies and practices in European countries with a special emphasis on forensics and cyber-forensics as practiced by the five law enforcement agencies in Italy. Students will be meeting with the carabinieri (provincial police) in Florence. Students will also examine law enforcement within the Vatican and the cooperation between the Vatican police and the Swiss Guard. And of course there will be gelato tasting while in Italy!
Computer Forensics & Security - Program of Study
The courses below are a program sample of what students may encounter. Students will meet with their advisers to develop a personal educational program to plan their elective course choices, internships, undergraduate research, and other educational opportunities and experiences.
Year One
Fall Semester
WVS 101: World View I (3)
ENG 101: Composition and Rhetoric (3)
BAC 120: Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
BIO 125: Population, Resources and Environment (3) or other Stewardship course
CIS 103: Computer Applications in Business (3)
J-Term
Required (3)
Spring Semester
WVS 201: World View II (3)
COM 101: Speech Communication (3)
UDMA 112: Algebra (3) or other Math course
CIS 202: Intro to Computer Information Systems (3)
CIS 213: Networking I (3)
Year Two
Fall Semester
RES 104: Research Writing (3)
SOC 112: Contemporary Social Problems (3) or SOC 111: Sociology (3)
CIS 205: Web Publishing (3)
CIS 207: PC Internals (3)
CIS 215: Programming I (4)
J-Term
CIS Elective 1 (3)
Spring Semester
BIO 110: Human Biology and Lab (4) or other Science Lab Course
REL 110: Judeo-Christian Journeys or other Christian Religion class (3)
CIS 248: Computer Forensic Techniques (3)
CIS 284: Operating Systems (3)
SCJ 110: Intro to Criminal Justice (3)
Year Three
Fall Semester
ART 111: Survey of Western Art (3) or other Aesthetics B course
CIS 332: Database Systems I (3)
CIS 338: Security I (3)
CIS Elective 2 (3)
SCJ 211: Criminal Law (3)
CIS Topics Class (1)
J-Term
Recommended
Spring Semester
REL 110: Judeo-Christian Journeys (3) or other Christian Religion class
CIS 340: Network Forensics (3)
CIS 438: Security II (3)
CIS Elective 3 (3)
SCJ 212: Criminal Procedure (3)
CIS Topics Class (1)
Year Four
Fall Semester
ENG 112/260: Literature (3)
CIS 310: Servers (3)
CIS 360: Penetration Techniques (3)
SCJ 316: Forensics (3)
CIS 495: Information Policy (1)
CIS Topics Class (1)
HWS 110: Physical Activity (1)
J-Term
Recommended
Spring Semester
CIS Elective 4 (3)
General Elective (3)
General Elective (3)
CIS Topics Class (1)
CCS 101: Cross Cultural Studies (1)
HWS 110: Physical Activity (1)
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Hythem Abdalla
Adjunct Professor PhD; Engineering Science MS, Alneelain University; Computer Science BS, Alneelain University; Mathematics and Computer Science Email: habdalla@dbq.edu |
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Corissa Goertzen
Assistant Professor of Mathematics PhD, University of Iowa MA, University of South Dakota BA, Wartburg College Office Phone: 563.589.3413 Email: cgoertzen@dbq.edu Office Location: 225 Dunlap Technology Center |
Andrew Haas Adjunct Instructor |
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Jason Juett
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Office Phone: 563.589.3180 Email: JJuett@dbq.edu Office Location: 228 Dunlap Technology Center |
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Alina Klein
Assistant Professor of Economics PhD, West Virginia University BS, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania Office Phone: 563.589.3376 Email: AKlein@dbq.edu Office Location: 340 Severance Hall Biography - Click Here
Alina Klein earned a B.S. in Economics at the Academy of Economics in Bucharest, Romania, in 2003, then a Ph.D. in Economics at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, in 2010. Before joining UD, she worked as Assistant Professor of Economics at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA. Alina has publications in the International Economics and International Finance fields. |
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Rudy Klein
Assistant Professor of Economics PhD, West Virginia University BS, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania Office Phone: 563.589.3681 Email: RKlein@dbq.edu Office Location: 338 Severance Hall Biography - Click Here
Rudy Klein received his Ph.D. in economics from West Virginia University (WVU) and B.S. in economics from the Academy of Economic Studies, in Bucharest, Romania. Before joining the University of Dubuque, he worked as a graduate teaching assistant at WVU, where he taught both online and traditional courses. Afterwards, he moved to Virginia and taught economics courses at Lynchburg College and Sweet Briar College. |
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Arthur Manning
Adjunct Professor MSEE, University of Texas-Austin Email: atmanning@dbq.edu Office Location: Dunlap Technology Center Biography - Click Here
Manning has lived in Dubuque since 2001 teaching at Emmaus Bible College full-time in the computer studies deparatment. He has a specialization in robotics and high-speed image processing and pattern recognition. |
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Duncan Marshall
Adjunct Professor of Computer Information Systems Email: DMarshall@dbq.edu Office Location: 201 Dunlap Technology Center |
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Ann Mauss
Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems MBA, Northern Illinois University Office Phone: 563.589.3612 Email: amauss@dbq.edu Office Location: 217 Dunlap Technology Center Biography - Click Here
I have just started teaching as an adjunct at UD, however, I am in my 17th year teaching at Loras College., At Loras, I have been developing and teaching curriculum in Management Information Systems and Computer Science. I have taught various courses within Computing and Information technology areas, some of which are of: Computing Basics, Intro to Programming, Visual Basic Programming, Network Management, Database Management, Project Management, and Systems Engineering. When I am not teaching, I enjoy my time off with my husband and two sons at our home about 10 miles south of Dubuque. |
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David has been an EDI Specialist with McKesson Health Solutions in Dubuque since July 2012. Previously, he was the Supervisor of Client File Management for Securian Financial Group in Saint Paul, MN. McElroy has developed production applications in Java, Python, Groovy, C#, PL/1 and PERL. He has extensive experience with Windows Server, Linux, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, DB2, TIBCO BusinessWorks, TIBCO Foresight and MySQL. |
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Dawn Nelson
Teaching Specialist Faculty MS, Western Illinois University; Instructional Design & Technology Office Phone: 563.589.3462 Email: dnelson@dbq.edu Office Location: 219 Jackaline Dunlap Technology Center Biography - Click Here
Dawn Nelson is an adjunct professor teaching Intro to Computers and Computer Applications in Business. She is on campus Tuesdays and Thursdays. Nelson is from Delmar, Iowa and has three children all in college. She enjoys spending time on the river and camping with friends. She loves teaching and working with students. Nelson especially likes helping students succeed with class struggles and/or just to listen and be a supportive ear. |
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Richard (Dick) Smith
Associate Professor of Mathematics MA, Loras College Office Phone: 563.589.3276 Email: dsmith@dbq.edu Office Location: 231 Dunlap Technology Center Fax: 563.589.3688 Biography - Click Here
Richard (Dick) Smith is a frequent writer and speaker for the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association, Iowa State Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Council of Teacher of Mathematics, and American Mathematical Association. |
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Dr. Majid Tabrizi
Adjunct Professor Doctor of Industrial Technology Email: mtabrizi@dbq.edu Office Location: 229 Dunlap Technology Center |
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Lori Welsh
Adjunct Professor MBA, University of Dubuque BA, Clarke College Email: lwelsh@dbq.edu Office Location: Jackaline Dunlap Technology Center |
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Roseanne Wolf
Associate Professor of Mathematics PhD, University of Iowa Office Phone: 563.589.3716 Email: RWolf@dbq.edu Office Location: 214 Dunlap Technology Center Fax: 563.589.3688 |
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Gregory Mark Woodhouse
Assistant Professor MSCTE, Nova Southeastern University Office Phone: 563.589.3233 Email: GWoodhouse@dbq.edu Office Location: 226 Dunlap Technology Center Fax: 563.589.563.589.3410 Biography - Click Here
Mark is a Bible teacher and conference speaker with 20+ years of higher education teaching experience. Commercial Pilot, Multi-engine, Instrument, Advanced Ground Instructor Ratings; Chief Firearms Instructor, Proficient Defense Training; Chaplain with Dubuque Police Department and Sheriff's Office; Advisor, UD Computer Club; Advisor, UD RC Pilots Club |
Careers in Computer Forensics & Security
The University of Dubuque's Computer Forensics & Security (CFS) program combines computer, criminal justice and security courses to prepare students to help solve crimes using technology and protect computers and networks from intrusion. For example, data residing on electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones is often useful in criminal and civil investigations and needs to be recovered. Some of these devices are damaged by abuse, user errors, or intentional acts of sabotage. In other cases, private information such as deleted text messages, account logins, passwords, and Internet browsing history needs to be accessed. Consequently, demand is high for people with the skills to extract information from digital devices while assuring the integrity of such data and preserving its evidentiary value. Since 9/11, demand is especially high for professionals who can secure computers and networks to protect them from intrusion by hackers.
BS Opportunities
The Computer Forensics & Security program prepares graduates for careers as risk advisors, security consultants, computer forensics specialists, computer forensics examiners, and networking and security specialists.
Post-graduate Opportunities
Students who successfully complete the CFS program will be prepared to test for a number of computer forensics and security certification exams. In addition, UD readies students for graduate school. An advanced technology degree opens doors for research, teaching, and more technical industry positions.