Computer Crime Option Part-time Bachelor of Technology 845cbtech

Investigate It

Computer Crime

The increasing pervasiveness and convenience of computers make them vital to our everyday lives. Computers are the backbone of our infrastructure, and anyone with malicious intent can cause irreparable harm by crippling these systems. Our dependence on computers leaves us vulnerable to exploitation and all stages of computer operations or transactions are susceptible. Criminals are finding more and more ways to take advantage of this: from identity and corporate theft to credit card fraud, they are not only targeting our computers but using computers to commit these crimes. Most crimes leave some clues behind and computer crime is no exception. You have to know what, how and where to find them.

This proliferation of crime involving computers has led to a need for specialists trained in the field of computer forensics, the scientific analysis of communications and data on computer storage devices. Specialists in computer forensics unite technical expertise with investigative skills and legal knowledge, a combination which is essential for computer crime investigations. Some applications of computer forensics are:

  • Investigating and uncovering evidence of illegal activities conducted via computer
  • Investigating crimes by searching for evidence the accused may have stored on computers or data drives, although the crime itself may not have been committed via computer
  • Legal hacking, that is, working for corporations to find and close computer system security holes

Training in computer forensics is extremely important in order to understand how to handle the delicate information in storage devices. Technical people may think they know how to extract data; however, they may inadvertently alter or delete important information. Computer forensics practitioners know how to handle information extraction, as well as how to identify information that is useful in a legal case and how to explain and present it in court. Primary responsibilities of computer forensic investigators include:

  • Preserving, identifying, extracting, and documenting evidence stored in computers
  • Searching through documents on a computer for information that will help detectives build their cases, often spending much of their time recovering deleted emails and files
  • Compiling computer evidence for legal cases and working on programs that help recover computer evidence
  • Giving expert testimony when a case comes to trial

Program Entry

Most courses may be taken for professional development purposes on an individual course basis without formally applying to the program. To request approval to take a course for professional development, email the Program Advisor, Raymond Yu, identifying which course you’d like to take and attach your current resume along with a brief explanation of how it pertains to your occupation or area of studies.

Entrance requirements

Forensic investigation is a multidisciplinary profession. To reflect this, Forensic Science and Technology welcomes applicants from most academic areas. The Advanced Specialty Certificate in Forensic Investigation offers the equivalent of two years of upper-level coursework and, like others of its kind at BCIT, is a degree-completion program.

Applicants are required to complete one of the options described below prior to admission:

  • A two-year diploma (minimum of 60 credits) or associate or bachelor's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or

  • A minimum of 60 credits of courses fulfilling the requirements of the first two years of study towards the completion of a defined undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution (e.g. BA, BSc, BComm, BASc, etc) or

  • A minimum of 60 credits of courses from one or more recognized post-secondary institutions (minimum of 18 credits at second-year or higher level) or

  • Certification as a police constable AND completion of 30 credits from a recognized post-secondary institution or

  • Meeting of alternate entry/exception policy (consult the Program Coordinator for particulars).

Additional requirements to be met by all applicants:

  1. English 12 and English language proficiency

  2. A Criminal Record Check [PDF] may be required for students who are placed in a setting working with children and vulnerable adults. The department will notify you prior to your placement if a criminal check is required.

  3. Completion of any pre-admission bridging courses not included in above (refer to the Bridging Course Requirements by Option listed below).

Bridging Course Requirements by Option

Forensic Science Economic Crime Studies Computer Crime Studies Crime & Intelligence Analysis
3 credits in Chemistry 3 credits in Economics 9 credits in Computer Systems Technology 3 credits in Criminology
3 credits in Biology 3 credits in Accounting 3 credits in GIS
3 credits in Statistics 3 credits in Mathematics of Finance 3 credits in Statistics
3-4 credits in Business Law 6 credits in computer applications

BC provincial exams

Provincial exam marks are required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12. BCIT does not require applicants to write provincial exams for Grade 12 Math and Science courses.

Apply to program

Contact Forensic Science and Technology at 604-412-7436 or visit our How to Apply page for additional information.

Scheduled intakes

January, April and September

PLAR

Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) lets student use knowledge and skills learned outside recognized programs to gain exemption for particular courses in the program. Contact the Program Coordinator for details.

Application processing

Visit our How to Apply page for processing dates and deadlines.

myCommunication

Within 2 to 3 weeks of applying to a program, you will be sent a letter in the mail confirming receipt of your application. The letter will identify your student number, BCIT e-mail address and instructions on how to login to your myBCIT account.

All official BCIT correspondence will be sent to your myBCIT account. Check myCommunication often during the application process and throughout your studies at BCIT.

You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within 2 to 8 weeks.

Costs & Supplies

Tuition fees

Please see the Part-time Studies Fees page for information on tuition fees and refunds.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.

Courses

Program matrix

1. Core Courses
1.1 Liberal Studies (12.0 credits)
Credits
Mandatory courses: (6.0 credits)
  LIBS 7001 Critical Reading and Writing 3.0
  LIBS 7002 Applied Ethics 3.0

Elective courses: (6.0 credits)
All students will be required to achieve these credits in accordance with the BCIT policy on Liberal Studies course requirements. Information regarding topic areas and/or eligibility for transfer credits may be obtained from the Advanced Placement and Degree Programs office at 604-432-8230.
 
1.2 Applied Management: (6.0 credits) Credits
  BUSA 7250 Management Skills and Applications 3.0
and
  FSCT 7120 Project Management for Investigations 3.0
  or
  FSCT 7130 Business Continuity Planning Management for Information Technology 3.0
NOTE: Whichever of FSCT 7120 and FSCT 7130 is not taken to fulfill the applied management requirement may be taken as an elective.
 
1.3 Legal Framework: (8.0 credits) Credits
  FSCT 7001 Forensic Applications of Criminal Law 1: Legal Procedures
course outlinenot currently available
2.5
  FSCT 7002 Criminal Law 2: Legal Evidence 2.5
  FSCT 8530 Law for Computer and IT Professionals 3.0
 
1.4 Investigative Framework: (8.0 credits) Credits
  FSCT 7210 Introduction to Commercial Crimes in Canada 3.0
  FSCT 7220 Introduction to Computer Crime Studies 3.0
  FSCT 7230 Forensic Interviewing 1 2.0
 
2. Specialty Courses: (18.0 credits) Credits

Students must complete a minimum of 12.0 credits from the Computer Crime Investigation Specialty Courses. The remaining 6.0 credits can be taken from the Electives section below or from the Specialty Courses and Electives courses from the other options (Crime and Intelligence Analysis and Economic Crime), for a total of 18.0 credits.

Computer Crime Investigation

  FSCT 8512 Computer Crime Investigative Technique
course outlinenot currently available
3.0
  FSCT 8520 Internet for Investigation 3.0
  FSCT 8540 Computer Security Networks 1
course outlinenot currently available
3.0
  FSCT 8560 Computer Security Networks 2 3.0
  FSCT 8570 Computer Forensics 3.0
  FSCT 8580 Encryption
course outlinenot currently available
3.0
  FSCT 8590 Network Exploits and Vulnerabilities 3.0

 
Electives: Credits
  FSCT 7110 Case Management for Major Crime Investigation 3.0
  FSCT 8010 Forensic Behavioural Science
course outlinenot currently available
3.0
  FSCT 8435 Introduction to Intelligence; Theory & Practice
course outlinenot currently available
3.0
NOTES:
1. Whichever of FSCT 7120 and FSCT 7130 is not taken to fulfill the applied management requirement may be taken as an elective.
2. Students in the Computer Crime Studies option may also take, as electives, any specialty courses in the Economic Crime Studies and/or Crime and Intelligence Analysis options for which they have the specified prerequisites. Students are advised to contact their Program Coordinator in this regard.
 
3. Graduation Project/Internship (9.0 credits) Credits
In order to graduate, all students are required to complete a graduation project comprised of three capstone courses.
  FSCT 8610 Graduation Project/Internship 1 2.0
  FSCT 8620 Graduation Project/Internship 2 5.0
  FSCT 8630 Graduation Project/Internship 3 2.0
 
4. Practicum Placement Credits
Students will be placed in a relevant work place setting (paid or unpaid) in order to build hours towards the required 3 months of experience for graduation. A dedicated placement coordinator with contacts to industry will work with each student.
  FSCT 0000 Practicum Placement Course
course outlinenot currently available
0.0
 
Total Credits: 61.0

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program Details

Program length

The Bachelor of Technology in Forensic Investigation must be completed within seven years from acceptance into the program.

Grading

Depending upon the learning outcomes of various courses, students will be graded on a combination of the following:

  • Participation in in-class exercises
  • Participation in and completion of case studies
  • Participation in discussion forums
  • Submission of completed projects
  • Submission of completed assignments
  • Quizzes
  • Mid-term and final examinations

Minimum passing grade for each course is 60%.

Additional program options

Program location

Courses are held at the Burnaby campus, the Downtown Vancouver campus or delivered online.

Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC

Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC

Program structure

Components Credits
1. Core Courses 34.0
 
1.1 Liberal Studies 12.0
1.2 Applied Management 6.0
1.3 Legal Framework 8.0
1.4 Investigative Framework 8.0
 
2. Specialty Courses 18.0
3. Graduation Project/Internship 9.0
Total 61.0

In addition, students must complete a minimum of three months relevant work experience prior to program completion. The work experience must be reviewed and approved by the Program Coordinator. Contact the Program Coordinator for further details.

Graduating & Jobs

Job Opportunities

The Computer Crime option is intended to provide the additional skills and knowledge that professionals require to work successfully in the prevention and investigation of commercial crime and computer crime. There is a growing requirement for professionals in both the private and public sectors. Some position titles include:

  • Computer Forensics Investigator/Examiner
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Forensic Computer Analyst
  • Computer & Information Systems Security Manager
  • IT Security Consultant
  • Corporate Security Officer
  • Network/Internet Security Specialist
  • Vulnerability Security Research

Graduates will be able to function both as professionals in their own right and as members of multidisciplinary teams composed of financial and investigative professionals.

Apply for graduation

Students must complete a minimum of three months relevant work experience prior to program completion. The work experience must be reviewed and approved by the Program Coordinator. Contact the Program Coordinators for further details.

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit to Student Information and Enrolment Services.

Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.

All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.

Credential

Bachelor of Technology
Forensic Investigation
Computer Crime Option

Faculty, Advisors & Staff

Advisory committee

  • Dr. Darryl Plecas, RCMP Research Chair, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, UCFV
  • Ms. Andrea Berman, Senior Investigator, Canada Revenue Agency
  • S/Sgt. Dan Howard, Staff Sergeant, Program Coordinator, NCO i/c Vancouver Integrated Technological Crime Unit, RCMP
  • Mr. Dean Davison, Partner, Davison Wiebe Douvelos LLP
  • Mr. Gary D. Bass, Deputy Commissioner, Pacific Region and Commanding Officer, E Div, RCMP
  • Mr. Jagjit S. Sumra, Inspector in Charge - Pacific, Canada Post Security and Investigation Services
  • Chief Lorne Zapotichny, Chief Constable, New Westminster Police Service
  • Dr. Michael Blades, Professor of Chemistry, UBC and CFI Coordinator, UBC
  • Mr. Norm Leibel, Acting Chief Coroner, Province of BC, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Policing and Community Safety Branch, BC Coroners Service
  • Mr. Peter Armstrong, CA - IFA Vice President, KPMG Forensic
  • Mr. Stefano Mazzega, Pacific Operations Manager - Biology, National Forensic Services, Vancouver

Contact Us

Raymond Yu, Program Coordinator
604.453.4092

Tina Yeo, Program Coordinator
604.431.4924

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You can also download information about the Computer Crime Bachelor of Technology (BTech), including individual course descriptions, in this handy PDF.