1. Core Courses 1.1 Liberal Studies (12.0 credits) |
Credits |
| Mandatory courses: (6.0 credits) |
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LIBS 7001 |
Critical Reading and Writing
Develops advanced skills in critical analysis, close reading and composition through lectures, discussion and group activities in which students analyse and evaluate materials from various disciplines. Readings might come from professional journals, reports, newspapers, magazines and literature. Multimedia such as video, music and the Internet may also be included. Prerequisite: equivalent of three credits of university/college composition or six credits BCIT Communication.
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3.0 |
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LIBS 7002 |
Applied Ethics
Fosters abilities and values required for ethical decision making at work. Develops skills in logical analysis, a working knowledge of moral principles and theories, and the ability to diagnose and resolve moral disagreements commonly found at work. Examines and applies moral principles to historically famous cases in manufacturing, human resources, management, engineering, health care, and computing. Prerequisite: Equivalent of three credits of university/college composition or six credits of BCIT Communication.
|
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. |
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| 1.2 Applied Management: (6.0 credits) |
Credits |
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BUSA 7250 |
Management Skills and Applications
The course provides an overview of the basic skills of a manager and applies these skills through a series of projects and case studies. It examines the evolution of management and the organizational culture and environment. It also teaches the decision-making skills and the skills involved in planning, organizing, leading and controlling, including planning and facilitating change, teamwork, applying motivational techniques and effective communication.
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3.0 |
| and |
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FSCT 7120 |
Project Management for Investigations
There are two management concepts that when applied to any endeavor - including conducting complex criminal or civil investigations - historically tend to produce very successful outcomes. These concepts, using the strength of teams and project management, each have followers on an individual basis. The focus of this course will be to expose the student to both concepts to enable them to develop and experience an organized approach of any type of investigation. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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or |
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FSCT 7130 |
Business Continuity Planning Management for Information Technology
The course is divided into the following major modules: 1) Concepts and processes of business continuity planning. 2) Risk Assessment. 3) Business Impact Analysis. 4) Technology requirements and techniques. 5) Developing recovery scenarios and plans. 6) Maintaining and testing plans. 7) Use of templates and software to facilitate the development, maintenance and testing of BCP plans. Course instruction may also include guest speakers from local industry, instructional videotapes and off-site visits to demonstrate and reinforce course material. Students will work through a practical assignment where they will develop a real-world business continuity / disaster recovery plan. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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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. |
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| 1.3 Legal Framework: (8.0 credits) |
Credits |
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FSCT 7001 |
Forensic Applications of Criminal Law 1: Legal Procedures
The Canadian criminal justice system is an adversarial system which pits the accused person against the State. The adversarial process follows a well-defined series of procedural steps from initial complaint to verdict and sentencing. This course provides a detailed examination of the legal procedures that govern criminal proceedings in Canada including the tendering of evidence by both Crown and defence, with a particular emphasis on issues applicable to forensic investigators and technicians. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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2.5 |
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FSCT 7002 |
Criminal Law 2: Legal Evidence
Forensic evidence is subject to all the general rules related to the admissibility of evidence in the criminal trial process and is also subject to certain unique rules of scrutiny. This course examines the fundamental laws of evidence within the adversarial process and provides a context for the expert in their role as witness. Prerequisites: FSCT 7001
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2.5 |
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FSCT 8530 |
Law for Computer and IT Professionals
This course is designed to introduce students to the dominant legal issues arising in relation to computers, Information Technology and the Internet. It is also designed to provide students with basic legal research skills they can use to monitor developments in the law relevant to their interests or job functions. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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| 1.4 Investigative Framework: (8.0 credits) |
Credits |
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FSCT 7210 |
Introduction to Commercial Crimes in Canada
This course provides an introduction to commercial crimes in Canada. Three main issues are considered: theory (the criminal code section and the fundamental legal principles underlying the offence); practical criteria (identifying the priority elements of proof that are required from a practical point of view) and satisfying the criteria (reviewing the usual types of evidence required to prove the offence). Primary commercial crimes considered include: fraud, theft, counterfeit currency, credit and debit card offences, internet based frauds, conspiracy and money laundering. Others, briefly introduced topics include: stock market manipulation and other securities related offences, criminal breach of trust, custom and excise offences, secret commissions, planned bankruptcy and possession of goods obtained by crime. Reference is made to various industry issues such as banking regulations as they impact on the offences being studied. In addition, 21st century issues such as the global economy, telemarketing, the cable industry and gaming are also discussed. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 7220 |
Introduction to Computer Crime Studies
This course will provide the student with an introduction to the use of computers in policing. The material will be broken down into five sections: 1. Computing fundamentals and computer history; 2. Networks, networking technologies, the Internet; 3. Security technologies, tools and techniques; 4. Computer crime, investigative techniques, forensic examination; and 5. Administrative computing in the police environment. The course will provide an overview of these areas and provide enough information to allow investigators to make intelligent decisions when confronted with computer systems, computer-based crime, proposals for new computing projects, or to assist their agencies in working with the community. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 7230 |
Forensic Interviewing 1
The outcome of most investigations usually depends on the information supplied by victims, witnesses and suspects to an investigator. The amount and veracity of this information is of utmost importance. In this course, investigators learn methods and techniques available for interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects to obtain proper, informative and legal statements that will both aid in the investigation and be acceptable to the court. Prerequisites: 60% in FSCT 7002
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2.0 |
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| 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 |
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FSCT 8512 |
Computer Crime Investigative Technique
This course introduces investigative techniques involving computers. It covers the methods by which computer crime is committed, and the criminal code of offences and other statutes involved in those actions. Emphasis is on the proper identification of relevant evidence and securing, analyzing and presenting that evidence in court. It also includes forensic software tools that are used by computer crime investigators. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator. (N.B. Students are advised to have a basic knowledge of computing hardware, architectures, components, and technologies). NOTE: This course replaces FSCT 8510 and FSCT 8511. Students who have received credit for either of these courses will not be eligible to receive credit for FSCT 8512.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8520 |
Internet for Investigation
The Internet consists of about ten billion pages of information yet many investigators and analysts make only superficial use of this amazing resource. This course was designed for those who need to search more aggressively and use information more carefully than the general public. The intention of this course is to turn those who already have some computer and Internet experience into power users of the Internet and to reveal how the Internet can augment their traditional investigative methodology. It covers not only technical issues, but includes how to formulate good search strategies and mine the Invisible Web. Students develop and refine their search skills in the first half of the course. The second half introduces tools and techniques to make searchers more efficient, effective, and secure. The course concludes with a module on cybercrime. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8540 |
Computer Security Networks 1
Maintaining an Internet focus, this course provides the investigator a general understanding of computer network systems and architectures with an emphasis on overall system security and forensic techniques. After gaining an understanding of how computers communicate via the Internet, Wide and Local Area Networks, combined with an overview of system administration as it pertains to police investigations, students will receive hands-on experience in the use of basic UNIX commands, symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic tools and firewalls. Also covered are various techniques that can be employed for the interception and tracking of Internet communications, network penetration tools and an overview of hacker culture. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8560 |
Computer Security Networks 2
This course builds on the foundation of LAN security and forensic techniques established in FSCT 8540: Computer Security Networks 1. More advanced TCP/IP topics will be covered in a practical hands-on environment. The goal of this course is to address current network attacks and exploits in the real world, and the security strategies widely used to protect the network environment. Students will learn about common IP-based attacks and manipulations, network traffic analysis, perimeter defense through firewall design and implementation, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) as well as network monitoring. Throughout this course, extensive hands-on exercises provide the students with practical experience in using and implementing packet filters, firewalls, IDS and network monitoring, coupled with good understanding of hacker tools and exploits and how to defend against them. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8570 |
Computer Forensics
The focus of the course will be on crime scene investigations by first responders, examination of digital evidence, investigative uses of technology, investigating electronic technology crimes, and digital evidence retention and documentation, and courtroom presentation of digital evidence. Case studies of investigations performed on a real-world compromised system with lab-style, hands-on setting will be included in the course. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator. (N.B. Students are advised to have a basic knowledge of the various operating systems).
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8580 |
Encryption
This course will focus on the concepts and applications of cryptography, covering topics on symmetric and asymmetric cryptography; secret key and key exchange; stream and block ciphers; message digests; public and private keys; digital signatures, digital certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI); SSL, IPSec VPN's, S/MIME, PGP and WEP/WPA; cryptographic and non-cryptographic attacks; randomness and primality; cryptographic algorithms (DES, 3DES, AES, Blowfish, RSA, DSA, DH, El Gamal, ECC, MD5, SHA, RC4, etc.); and authentication, confidentiality, integrity and non-repudiation. Introduction to real-world use and applications will be included. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8590 |
Network Exploits and Vulnerabilities
The course covers a wide range of topics from common vulnerabilities and tools that are used to exploit, to incident response and handling. Addresses theoretical and practical issues in malicious programs and scripts, stegonagraphy, worms and different types of network exploits and attacks. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator. (N.B. Students are advised to have a basic knowledge of data communications and networks).
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3.0 |
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| Electives: |
Credits |
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FSCT 7110 |
Case Management for Major Crime Investigation
This course is designed to provide the forensic investigator the concepts of case management and the application of case management methods in organizing investigative teams, planning investigative actions and analyzing evidence and intelligence. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8010 |
Forensic Behavioural Science
This course provides an introduction to the assessment of risk for sexually deviant and violent behaviour. Participants learn about factors which are correlated to prediction of violent behaviour in people. The discussion of psychopathy, mental illness, personality disorders, deviance, and substance abuse takes place in the context of the behavioural science approach to police investigation. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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3.0 |
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FSCT 8435 |
Introduction to Intelligence; Theory & Practice
This course introduces students to contemporary techniques and applications of intelligence used within the enforcement, regulatory and compliance community. The subject will provide the basis for advanced study in intelligence analysis and strategic intelligence. Prerequisite: Admission to a Forensic credential program or permission of the Program Coordinator.
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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. |
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| 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. |
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FSCT 8610 |
Graduation Project/Internship 1
The student is encouraged to complete this portion of the graduation requirement in a workplace setting. The student will conduct a literature review, choose, prepare and present a proposal for an industry related project. An advisory team consists of mentor(s) from the industry, instructor(s) in the relevant area, and/or the Program Head. The project/internship product should be innovative, experimental or explanatory in nature to demonstrate the practical application of knowledge and skills. A detailed project proposal will be prepared. The Graduation Project Panel will assess the feasibility and merits of the proposal. Prerequisite: Completion of framework courses. Corequisite: Enrolment in specialized courses that will bring the total of such courses to a minimum of 19 credits in specified areas.
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2.0 |
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FSCT 8620 |
Graduation Project/Internship 2
In the second of the capstone courses the student will carry out the work specified in the project proposal, reporting progress orally and in writing to the faculty mentor at mutually agreed intervals. The student must complete this phase of the project to a satisfactory level, as determined by the faculty mentor in consultation with the internship employer and the Graduation Project Panel, before completing the third and final course - FSCT 8630. The student is encouraged to complete this portion of the graduation requirement in a workplace setting. Under the supervision of the advisory team, the student further develop, conduct and complete the project/internship as proposed in FSCT 8610. Prerequisites: Completion of all framework and specialized courses and FSCT 8610.
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5.0 |
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FSCT 8630 |
Graduation Project/Internship 3
The student will conclude the project/internship proposed and conducted in FSCT 8610 and FSCT 8620 respectively. A written final report will be submitted and presented orally to the advisory team. Prerequisites: FSCT 8620
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2.0 |
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| 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. |
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FSCT 0000 |
Practicum Placement Course
The required work period can be in a paid job, either temporary or permanent, in which students do productive work that is directly related to the core competencies of their chosen option within the B.Tech. degree in Forensic Investigation. An unpaid position may also be acceptable for a work period. Regardless, positions must clearly demand the application, at a professional level, of the core competencies of the B.Tech. program, and it is expected that such positions will involve regularly-scheduled work hours. The intent of the work period is to provide experiential learning for the purpose of complementing and supplementing the various theories and topics covered throughout the course of studies. The student will apply forensic skills, knowledge, and ability in a forensics-related area. A final work-period report will be submitted. Performance during the work period will be graded as satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U), according to BCIT Policy 5004 (Student Regulations Policy). NOTES: Students will not be allowed to apply work performed as part of their required work period towards their "capstone" graduation project. However, once the required hours have been reached and upon mutual agreement between all parties, the student may continue in the same organization to complete an appropriate graduation research project. Prerequisite: Completion of all required courses in the Liberal Studies, Legal Framework, Applied Management, and Investigative Framework areas of the degree program; and completion of at least fifty percent of the total credits required in the Specialty Courses area of the degree program or the approval of the Director.
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0.0 |
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| Total Credits: |
61.0 |