Digital Forensics @ URI

Digital Forensics is the application of forensic science techniques to the acquisition and analysis of evidence that exists in digital form (e.g. evidence found in files on hard drives, in emails, in network activity, etc). The University of Rhode Island offers one of the most comprehensive degree programs in digital forensics through a Computer Science Department at a major university. computer forensics computer forensics

The URI Digital Forensics Program offers the following degrees:

An Undergraduate Minor in Digital Forensics. This minor can be obtained with any major.
A Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics. This is a formal graduate degree, but is focused on digital forensics and requires less course work than a full Master's Degree. Note that the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics is designed to be done completely online so that professionals from anywhere may take all requirements for the degree online.
A Master's Degree in Computer Science with Digital Forensics Track.. This is a full Computer Science Master's Degree that includes the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics.
A PhD degree in Computer Science with Digital Forensics Research.. This is a Computer Science PhD degree that includes the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics and novel research in digital forensics.

The URI Digital Forensics Program has associations with the following organizations:

The URI Digital Forensics Center. The URI DFC is a fully equipped digital forensics lab, staffed with a combination of professionals and student interns that perform digital forensics services and research.
The URI Forensic Science Partnership. This is a university-wide collaborative center where various departments at the university share courses, a weekly seminar series, etc relating to forensic science in many disciplines (explosives, fire, DNA, fingerprinting, digital, etc).
The Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit. The RISP provides an on-going internship to URI students and collaborates on research requirements and testing.

The US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Computer Crimes Unit. The NCIS unit, based in Newport RI, provides an on-going internship to URI students and collaborates on research requirements and testing.
The Rhode Island State Crime Lab. The RISCL provides an on-going internship to URI students and collaborates on research requirements and testing.
The US Internal Revenue Service Computer Crimes Unit. The main digital forensics courses are taught by Daniel Dickerman a federal agent and world-recognized leader in the field who regularly trains for the U.S. government.
The URI Digital Forensics program also works with several private companies that provide forensic services and develop forensic software products.