Course Outline

SEC705 Digital Forensics 1

Course Coordinator:Andrew Lee (alee1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Adelaide

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This online course will introduce digital forensic processes including seizure, acquisition, analysis, and reporting of digital evidence.  You will learn how to identify and seize digital evidence and become familiar with the tools, techniques, and procedures employed by digital forensics examiners to acquire forensic images and protect and preserve electronically stored information. You will learn how to examine and analyse digital evidence. You will also learn how to reach logical conclusions about digital evidence and how to report and present digital evidence.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous learning material 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – On campus seminar 1hr Week 1 2 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous learning material 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – Online seminar 1hr Week 1 2 times

Course Topics

Creation and verification of forensic images.

Safe evidence handling techniques.

iOS Devices: Overview, extraction techniques, data structures, and analysis.

Android Devices: Overview, extraction techniques, data structures, and analysis.

Expert report writing requirements and techniques.

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Use decision making and problem solving to identify, analyse, and understand digital evidence and digital artefacts Creative and critical thinker
2 Solve complex technology related crimes. Empowered
3 Seize and secure digital evidence in a safe and admissible manner. Ethical
4 Document and report on interactions with digital evidence; Identify and utilise the appropriate software and hardware tools to support an investigation. Empowered
5 Identify and explain the types of specialised technical and investigative methodologies used in digital forensics. Knowledgeable
6 Prepare and present digital forensic reports in accordance with ethical and evidentiary requirements. Knowledgeable
Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

SEC601 or enrolled in SC513

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Using marking rubrics, students will participate in continuous peer and self-assessment tasks. Opportunities will be provided during tutorials for peer-review of responses to online tutorial questions. 

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Practical / Laboratory Skills Individual 25%
300 words each approx. for 8 weeks.
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Submission
All 2 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 35%
3 hours
Week 10 Online Test (Quiz)
All 3 Report Individual 40%
3000 words approx.
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Practical Exercises
Goal:
The goal of this task is to develop the knowledge and technical skill necessary to undertake digital forensic examinations.
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Students will be presented with a small image file as part of an ongoing case study and will identify and analyse artefacts on the image by applying techniques learned in the weekly tutorials in order to respond to short-answer questions regarding user-specific computer use and data on the image file. Students will be required to submit practical exercises weekly for 8 weeks (weeks 2 -9).
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Use of decision making and problem-solving techniques
1 2
2
Application of tradecraft skills
3 4
3
Review and critique arguments to form strong expert opinions
1 6
4
Identify and explain various digital forensic processes and methodologies
5
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 2:Exam
Goal:
Demonstrate understanding of digital forensic and investigation theory.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Students will sit an online exam.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Use of decision making and problem-solving techniques
1 4
2
Identification and analysis forensic artefacts
2 4
3
Demonstrate a strong knowledge of digital forensic processes
5
Generic Skills:
All - Assessment Task 3:Forensic Examination Report
Goal:
Develop technical documenting and reporting skills as well as affirm and build upon the technical competency developed throughout the course
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Individual
You will be provided with digital examination media and a case study. You will play the role of a digital forensic examiner within the case study scenario which will provide a clearly defined scope for their examination and reporting. The final product should include a computer examination report and any ancillary files to be produced within the scope of the examination.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Apply digital forensic methodologies to seize, secure, and document electronic evidence
3 5
2
Application of complex technical decision making and problem-solving skills
1
3
Analysis of various encoding schemes, file types, and user applications
4
4
Interpretation of digital forensic analysis to identify events and user behaviours
2
5
Production of digital forensic reports in accordance with ethical and evidentiary requirements
6
Generic Skills:

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Bill Nelson,Amelia Phillips,Christopher Steuart 0 Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations n/a n/a

Specific requirements

This is an online course and will require access to a computer and the internet for at least 12 hours per week. The computer must have a modern processor and at least 200GB of storage available. A dedicated graphics card and SSD or faster storage is highly recommended. You may be required to download files in excess of 50GB.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: