Program Goals:
The Computer Systems Engineering Technology - Forensics Option provides an in-depth insight into criminal justice and information technology for analysis of digital information commonly used in criminal investigations. This program is intended as a transfer pathway to multiple four-year institutions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Know fundamental business methods, including communications, math, and writing.
- Demonstrate the application of information technology to common business functions, including the implementation and use of basic end user software.
- Understand the common processes and procedures used to conduct criminal and noncriminal investigations of activities involving evidence with digital media, including the laws that apply to these processes.
- Perform support and maintenance of computer hardware.
- Analyze and apply operating systems concepts to implement and support multiple industry standard operating systems in enterprise networking environments.
- Apply networking concepts to design, implement, and maintain LANs and WANs to support modern implementations, including internetworking and data convergence.
- Design and implement basic and advanced routing utilizing the TCP/IP and other common networking protocols and utilities.
- Analyze and apply security in computer and networking infrastructures while detecting any legal and ethical breaches.
- Define and manage network services for effective network performance.
- Develop documentation appropriate to clearly communicate computer network specification, configuration, and/or processes.
- Troubleshoot computer networking infrastructures to resolve user problems.
- Demonstrate the implementation of digital forensics techniques and processes in a business and/or law enforcement environment through cooperative education and seminars or service learning experience.
Admissions Process:
Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.
Program Admissions Requirements:
Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.
- High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.
CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks may be required. Fingerprinting and drug testing may be required.
Additional Cost:
See the Program Fees page.
- Students who pursue any of the industry certifications will incur additional expenses for testing fees.
Technical Performance Standards:
See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).
Credit for Prior Learning:
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience@qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.
Career Outlook:
Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 11.1003.
Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:
Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.
Additional Information:
- The Forensics Option offers extensive coursework, lecturing on theoretical information technology design, principles, and approaches and supplementing the lecture with practical hands-on application in QCC’s state-of-the-art CSET labs.
- The Forensics Option offers courses that teach material from several industry standard certifications including:
- Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA):
- A+ - CSC 233
- Network+ - CSC 234
- Linux+ - CST 245
- Security+ - CST 205
- Microsoft’s 365 Certified Associate in the following topics:
- Windows Desktop - CSC 141
- Cisco’s Certified:
- Network Administrator (CCNA) - CST 240
