CIS 5373-115, CRN 60217, Digital Forensics
Online
Summer 2023
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
COURSE DATES, MODALITY, AND LOCATION
This course meets online (8 weeks of the Summer of 2023), with all materials made available
online using the TAMUCT Canvas Learning Management System:
[https://tamuct.instructure.com]. All announcements regarding homework assignments, class
tests, and midterm/final exams will be posted in Canvas. Students are expected to access the
Canvas course page regularly to get any updates regarding this course. They can also install the
Canvas student app on their phone.
INSTRUCTOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Instructor: Abhijit K Nag, Ph.D.
Phone: (254) 519- 5933 (COBA office)
Email: Canvas Inbox. If Canvas is not available, email: aknag@tamuct.edu
Office Hours:
I am available for students on an appointment basis. Send me an email (aknag@tamuct.edu) to
schedule an appointment to meet.
Student-instructor interaction:
Students are encouraged to send all course-related correspondence to the Canvas email
message. Students can meet me during regular office hours (mentioned above) or by
appointment to discuss any course related issues
SAFEZONE. SafeZone provides a public safety application that gives you the ability to call for
help with the push of a button. It also provides Texas A&M University-Central Texas the ability
to communicate emergency information quickly via push notifications, email, and text
messages. All students automatically receive email and text messages via their myCT accounts.
Downloading SafeZone allows access to push notifications and enables you to connect directly
for help through the app.
You can download SafeZone from the app store and use your myCT credentials to log in. If you
would like more information, you can visit the SafeZone website [www.safezoneapp.com].
To register SafeZone on your phone, please follow these 3 easy steps:
1. Download the SafeZone App from your phone store using the link below:
o iPhone/iPad: [https://apps.apple.com/app/safezone/id533054756]
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oAndroid Phone / Tablet
[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.criticalarc.safezoneapp]
2. Launch the app and enter your myCT email address (e.g. {name}@tamuct.edu)
3. Complete your profile and accept the terms of service
For updates on COVID information, please monitor the University website
[https://www.tamuct.edu/covid19/]
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Overview and Description:
This course is designed as an overview of the investigative methods and tools associated with
computer forensics. Topics include: processing crime and incident scenes, digital evidence
controls, recovery of information, network forensics, data acquisition, and legal and ethical
issues associated with investigations.
Course Objective:
Student Learning Outcomes:
• Describe digital forensics and relate it to an investigative process.
• Explain the legal issues of preparing for and performing digital forensic analysis based on the
investigator's position and duty.
• Perform basic digital forensics.
• Demonstrate the use of digital forensics tools.
• Recognize the state of the practice and the gaps in technology, policy, and legal issues.
Competency Goals Statements (certification or standards): None
Required Reading and Textbook(s):
Name: Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations, 6th edition.
Author: Bill Nelson; Amelia Phillips; Christopher Steuart
Note: A student of this institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a
university-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent
retailer, including an online retailer.
Supplemental Material: The course textbook will be supplemented with other materials,
including handouts, oral presentations, software demonstrations, PowerPoint presentations, etc.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Course Requirements:
Students are required to complete one midterm exam, one final exam, four homework
assignments/lab assignments, six quizzes, and two discussion questions. The topic of all exams
and quizzes will be declared in the course canvas portal. Following the course reading materials
on a regular basis is mandatory for this course. It is required to have a Windows Machine (OS:
Windows 10 or later) to install some forensics tools to complete assignments.
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In this course, we will be using the ThriveDX lab accessed through your canvas portal. Students
need to purchase the subscription from our bookstore. Students are expected to complete this
step by the end of the first week of this course. Faculty will provide a tutorial to use this lab
environment.
Exams
There will be one midterm and one final exam. The midterm exam will contain 200 points, and
the final exam will contain 200 points. The final exam will NOT be comprehensive for this
course. Midterm and final exams will include MCQ and True/False questions.
Quiz
There will be six quizzes. Each quiz will contain 60 points, and it will be conducted using Canvas
Quiz section. There will be MCQ and True/False questions as part of the quiz.
Assignments
Four assignments (homework and lab assignments in total) will be given to the students. The
due dates of these assignments will be posted in Canvas. Each assignment will be worth 50
points.
Discussions
Discussion questions (two of them) will be counted toward class participation marks. As this
course focuses on hands-on exercises in different capacities, it is required to read all the
required chapters every week during this semester. Total discussion questions is worth 40
points.
Grading Criteria Rubric and Conversion
The distribution of points for various student activities and the grading scheme are
mentioned below:
Student Activity Quantity Points Total
Assignments/ Lab 4 50 200
assignments
Quiz 6 60 360
Midterm Exam 1 200 200
Final Exam 1 200 200
Discussions 2 20 40
Total 1000
Point Range Letter Grade
1000-900 A
899-800 B
799-700 C
3
699-600 D
599-0 F
Posting of Grades
All students’ grades will be posted on the Canvas Grade book, and students can monitor their
progress in this course using Canvas Portal. Students can expect to see their grades within eight
days of the closing of class tests, exams, and assignments. Students are expected to visit the
Canvas course webpage regularly (multiple times a week) to get any updates regarding this
course.
COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR
Complete Course Calendar
The Tentative course outline is mentioned below. The announcement dates may change
depending on the pace of the course, lab assignments, and overall student learning. All
assignments, class tests, midterm, and final exam due dates will be announced via Canvas
announcements.
Week Date Topic Due
1 Week 1 Read Chapter 1: Understanding the Digital Discussion 1
Forensics Profession and Investigations Quiz 1
2 Week 2 Read Chapter 2: The Investigator’s Office Assignment 1
and Laboratory Quiz 2
3 Week 3 Read Chapter 3: Data Acquisition Quiz 3
4 Week 4 Read Chapter 4: Processing Crime and Assignment 2
Incident Scenes Midterm Exam
(Due July 01)
5 Week 5 Read Chapter 5: Working with Windows Discussion 2
and CLI Systems Quiz 4
6 Week 6 Read Chapter 6: Current Digital Forensics Assignment 3
Tools Quiz 5
7 Week 7 Read Chapter 8: Recovering Graphics Quiz 6
Files
8 Week 8 Read Chapter 9: Digital Forensics Assignment 4
Analysis and Validation Final Exam (Due
July 27)
INSTRUCTOR POLICIES
Policies related to grading
• All the assignments must be submitted within the posted deadline on Canvas Course
Website unless arrangements are made beforehand (at least 36 hours before the deadline
and the students need to send an email explaining the situation and providing necessary
documentation).
• For assignments, it is required to zip all the files prior to submission to Canvas (except any
docx file). The name convention for the file: firstname_lastname_CIS5373-
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AssignmentNumber.zip.
• Assignments and class tests posted before the midterm exam CANNOT be
completed/submitted after the midterm exam.
• Assignments more than 36 hours late are subject to a 20% late penalty.
• Requests for Incomplete grades:
o Incompletes will only be given in emergencies or other extreme circumstances. Any
request for an incomplete grade in this course must be approved by the course
professor prior to July 10, 2023. Where possible, requests should be submitted in
written form with reasons and must include an address and/or telephone number
where you may be contacted throughout the following semester.
o For a request of an incomplete grade to be considered, at least 70% of the total
coursework (700 points) must be completed for this course.
o Finally, approval of an incomplete grade (I) is up to the department chair and college
Dean, not only to the course instructor.
Instructor’s Personal Statement
• The instructor reserves the right to modify the course syllabus during the semester for the
benefit of the students.
• The instructor reserves the right to supplement materials presented in the text with
additional course material that may help the students to understand the topic better.
• The instructor reserves the right to modify grading policy rubrics. Any Change to grading
rubrics will be applied to current and possible future assignments.
• The instructor will not accept any pending course assignments after July 25, 2023, in the
Summer 2023 semester.
•
Important University Dates:
Please visit the following link to access the 2022-2023 academic calendar:
https://www.tamuct.edu/registrar/academic-calendar.html
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT
Technology Requirements
This course will use the A&M-Central Texas Instructure Canvas learning management system.
We strongly recommend the latest versions of Chrome or Firefox browsers. Canvas no longer
supports any version of Internet Explorer.
Logon to A&M-Central Texas Canvas [https://tamuct.instructure.com].
Username: Your MyCT username (xx123 or everything before the "@" in your MyCT e-mail address)
Password: Your MyCT password
Canvas Support
Use the Canvas Help link, located at the bottom of the left-hand menu, for issues with
Canvas. You can select “Chat with Canvas Support,” submit a support request through “Report
a Problem,” or call the Canvas support line: 1-844-757-0953.
For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.
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Other Technology Support
For log-in problems, students should contact Help Desk Central.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Email: helpdesk@tamu.edu
Phone: (254) 519-5466
Web Chat: [http://hdc.tamu.edu]
Please let the support technician know you are an A&M-Central Texas student.
UNIVERSITY RESOURCES, PROCEDURES, AND GUIDELINES
Academic Accommodations
At Texas A&M University-Central Texas, we value an inclusive learning environment where
every student has an equal chance to succeed and has the right to a barrier-free education. The
Warrior Center for Student Success, Equity and Inclusion is responsible for ensuring that
students with a disability receive equal access to the university’s programs, services and
activities. If you believe you have a disability requiring reasonable accommodations, please
contact the Office of Access and Inclusion, WH-212; or call (254) 501-5836. Any information you
provide is private and confidential and will be treated as such.
For more information, please visit our Access & Inclusion Canvas page (log-in required)
[https://tamuct.instructure.com/courses/717]
Academic Integrity
Texas A&M University-Central Texas values the integrity of the academic enterprise and strives
for the highest standards of academic conduct. A&M-Central Texas expects its students, faculty,
and staff to support the adherence to high standards of personal and scholarly conduct to
preserve the honor and integrity of the creative community. Any deviation by students from
this expectation may result in a failing grade for the assignment and potentially a failing grade
for the course. All academic misconduct concerns will be referred to the Office of Student
Conduct. When in doubt on collaboration, citation, or any issue, please contact your instructor
before taking a course of action.
For more information regarding the student conduct process,
[https://www.tamuct.edu/student-affairs/student-conduct.html].
If you know of potential honor violations by other students, you may submit a referral,
[https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?TAMUCentralTexas&layout_id=0].
Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must complete the Drop Request Dynamic
Form through Warrior Web.
[https://federation.ngwebsolutions.com/sp/startSSO.ping?PartnerIdpId=https://eis-
prod.ec.tamuct.edu:443/samlsso&SpSessionAuthnAdapterId=tamuctDF&TargetResource=https%3a%2f
%2fdynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com%2fSubmit%2fStart%2f53b8369e-0502-4f36-be43-
f02a4202f612].
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Faculty cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The Registrar’s
Office will provide a deadline on the Academic Calendar for which the form must be completed.
Once you submit the completed form to the Registrar’s Office, you must go into Warrior Web
and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. If you still show as enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the
Registrar’s Office immediately. You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid
penalty for absence. Should you miss the drop deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will
receive an F in the course, which may affect your financial aid and/or VA educational benefits.
Important information for Pregnant and/or Parenting Students
Texas A&M University-Central Texas supports students who are pregnant, experiencing
pregnancy-related conditions, and/or parenting. In accordance with requirements of Title IX
and related guidance from US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, the Dean of
Student Affairs’ Office can assist students who are pregnant and/or parenting in seeking
accommodations related to pregnancy and/or parenting. Students should seek out assistance
as early in the pregnancy as possible. For more information, please visit Student Affairs
[https://www.tamuct.edu/student-affairs/pregnant-and-parenting-students.html]. Students
may also contact the institution’s Title IX Coordinator. If you would like to read more about
these requirements and guidelines online, please visit the website
[http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/pregnancy.pdf].
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex
and gender–including pregnancy, parenting, and all related conditions. A&M-Central Texas is
able to provide flexible and individualized reasonable accommodation to pregnant and
parenting students. All pregnant and parenting students should contact the Associate Dean in
the Division of Student Affairs at (254) 501-5909 to seek out assistance. Students may also
contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
Tutoring
Tutoring is available to all A&M-Central Texas students, both virtually and in-person. Student
success coaching is available online upon request.
If you have a question, are interested in becoming a tutor, or in need of success coaching
contact the Warrior Center for Student Success, Equity and Inclusion at (254) 501-5836, visit the
Warrior Center at 212 Warrior Hall, or by emailing WarriorCenter@tamuct.edu.
To schedule tutoring sessions and view tutor availability, please visit Tutor Matching
Services [https://tutormatchingservice.com/TAMUCT] or visit the Tutoring Center in 111
Warrior Hall.
Chat live with a remote tutor 24/7 for almost any subject from on your computer! Tutor.com is
an online tutoring platform that enables A&M-Central Texas students to log in and receive
online tutoring support at no additional cost. This tool provides tutoring in over 40 subject
areas except writing support. Access Tutor.com through Canvas.
University Library & Archives
The University Library & Archives provides many services in support of research across campus
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and at a distance. We offer over 200 electronic databases containing approximately 400,000
eBooks and 82,000 journals, in addition to the 96,000 items in our print collection, which can be
mailed to students who live more than 50 miles from campus. Research guides for each subject
taught at A&M-Central Texas are available through our website to help students navigate these
resources. On campus, the library offers technology including cameras, laptops, microphones,
webcams, and digital sound recorders.
Research assistance from a librarian is also available 24 hours a day through our online chat
service, and at the reference desk when the library is open. Research sessions can be scheduled
for more comprehensive assistance, and may take place virtually through WebEx, Microsoft
Teams or in-person at the library. Schedule an appointment here
[https://tamuct.libcal.com/appointments/?g=6956]. Assistance may cover many topics,
including how to find articles in peer-reviewed journals, how to cite resources, and how to
piece together research for written assignments.
Our 27,000-square-foot facility on the A&M-Central Texas main campus includes student
lounges, private study rooms, group work spaces, computer labs, family areas suitable for all
ages, and many other features. Services such as interlibrary loan, TexShare, binding, and
laminating are available. The library frequently offers workshops, tours, readings, and other
events. For more information, please visit our Library website
[http://tamuct.libguides.com/index]
University Writing Center
University Writing Center: Located in Warrior Hall 416, the University Writing Center (UWC) at
Texas A&M University–Central Texas (A&M–Central Texas) is a free service open to all A&M–
Central Texas students. The hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday thru
Thursday in Warrior Hall 416 (with online tutoring available every hour as well) with satellite
hours available online only Monday thru Thursday from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday 12:00-3:00
p.m.
Tutors are prepared to help writers of all levels and abilities at any stage of the writing process.
While tutors will not write, edit, or grade papers, they will assist students in developing more
effective composing practices. By providing a practice audience for students’ ideas and writing,
our tutors highlight the ways in which they read and interpret students’ texts, offering guidance
and support throughout the various stages of the writing process. In addition, students may
work independently in the UWC by checking out a laptop that runs the Microsoft Office suite
and connects to WIFI, or by consulting our resources on writing, including all of the relevant
style guides. Whether you need help brainstorming ideas, organizing an essay, proofreading,
understanding proper citation practices, or just want a quiet place to work, the UWC is here to
help!
Students may arrange a one-to-one session with a trained and experienced writing tutor by
making an appointment via WCOnline [https://tamuct.mywconline.com/]. In addition, you can
email Dr. Bruce Bowles Jr. at bruce.bowles@tamuct.edu if you have any questions about the
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UWC, need any assistance with scheduling, or would like to schedule a recurring appointment
with your favorite tutor.
OPTIONAL POLICY STATEMENTS
A Note about Sexual Violence at A&M-Central Texas
Sexual violence is a serious safety, social justice, and public health issue. The university offers
support for anyone struggling with these issues. University faculty are mandated reporters, so if
someone discloses that they were sexually assaulted (or a victim of Domestic/Dating Violence
or Stalking) while a student at TAMUCT, faculty members are required to inform the Title IX
Office. If you want to discuss any of these issues confidentially, you can do so through Student
Wellness and Counseling (254-501-5955) located on the second floor of Warrior Hall (207L).
Sexual violence can occur on our campus because predators often feel emboldened, and
victims often feel silenced or shamed. It is incumbent on ALL of us to find ways to actively
create environments that tell predators we don’t agree with their behaviors and tell survivors
we will support them. Your actions matter. Don’t be a bystander; be an agent of change. For
additional information on campus policy and resources visit the Title IX webpage
[https://www.tamuct.edu/compliance/titleix.html].
Behavioral Intervention
Texas A&M University-Central Texas cares about the safety, health, and well-being of its
students, faculty, staff, and community. If you are aware of individuals for whom you have a
concern, please make a referral to the Behavioral Intervention Team. Referring your concern
shows you care. You can complete the referral online
[https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?TAMUCentralTexas&layout_id=2].
Anonymous referrals are accepted. Please see the Behavioral Intervention Team website for
more information [https://www.tamuct.edu/bit]. If a person’s behavior poses an imminent
threat to you or another, contact 911 or A&M-Central Texas University Police at 254-501-5805.
