B.S. Forensic Science, Concentration in Digital Evidence Benefits of a Digital Evidence degree from SJSU Major shifts in the information technology landscape over the past two decades have greatly increased the importance of proper collection and analysis of digital • Median annual salary of $99,730 for information security analysts*. evidence. Through a lab-based, applied, and investigative approach, the San José • 32% projected job growth for digital evidence examiners through 2028*. State University Forensic Science Program has taken up the challenge to train the • Master industry-standard skills for programming languages, data structure next generation of qualified experts in this emerging field by offering a new major development, forensic analysis software, investigative procedures, forensic concentration in Digital Evidence. report writing, and evidentiary best practices. Students will have well-rounded base knowledge in forensic science and computer • Internships and career opportunities in the Silicon Valley. science, supplemented with relevant courses in justice studies and technology. • Take advantage of the newly built SJSU Cybersecurity Center for hands-on They will then take specialized digital forensics courses that provide background in experience and training. the subject matter along with practical experience through mock investigations.
The concentration conforms to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Upon earning your Digital Evidence degree, you’ll be able to: Education Program standards, working towards national accreditation. It will apply • Conduct a digital forensic investigation from beginning (evidence the most relevant techniques used today, taught by professors and experts acquisition) to conclusion (forensic reporting). currently working within the field, and provide students with the opportunity to • Develop specialized digital evidence-gathering for mobile, remote, cloud, apply their skills through internships and research opportunities. servers, computers, and embedded systems.
While this may appear similar to the concentration in Cybersecurity, cybersecurity • Conduct incident response investigations, leveraging network and memory and computer (digital) forensics are quite different fields. Although both protect analysis to track advanced persistent threat teams. digital assets and gather intelligence, cybersecurity concentrates on the prevention • Use industry tools to gather, analyze, and interpret digital evidence. of cybercrimes within an organization, while digital forensics focuses on the • Provide expert testimony on forensic cases. aftermath of a cyber attack/crime. • Develop analytical requirements and communicate findings to technical and A range of career opportunities are available in digital evidence. Given the cyber- non-technical audiences. industry influence in the Bay Area, along with the growing role of digital • Understand the application of science to criminal and civil laws environments in society, SJSU is uniquely positioned to broaden professional • Collaborate with private sector companies and government agencies. opportunities in cyber-related fields. Possible careers in digital evidence include: For more information • Private companies (e.g. Visa, Google, Target) • Law enforcement (e.g. District/US attorney, State/Local Police, Interpol) Dr. Bryce Westlake • Counter-intelligence (e.g. CIA, FBI, USSS) Email: [email protected] • Military and defense Office Location: Health Building 210B *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2020) at: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
Find Us Upper-Division Course Requirements
Department of Justice Studies • FS 100W: Forensic Science Writing Workshop College of Social Sciences • FS 130: Introduction to Digital Forensics
• FS 131: Digital Forensic Analysis San José State University • FS 161: Crime Scene Investigation One Washington Square San José, CA 95192-0050 • FS 162: Forensic Science Applications • FS 169: FS Senior Seminar MacQuarrie Hall 524 (MH 524) • JS 114: Research Methods in Justice Studies Mon – Fri, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm • JS 181: Internship: Justice Studies
• CS 146: Data Structures and Algorithms Contact Us
Computer Systems Courses (3 of the Following) 408-924-2931 [email protected] • CS 147: Computer Architecture Follow Us • CS 149: Operating Systems • CS 157A: Introduction to Database Management Systems Facebook @Justice Studies at San Jose State University • CS 157B: Database Management Systems II Instagram @sjsu.justicestudies • CS 158A: Computer Networks Twitter @SJSUJustice • CS 158B: Computer Network Management • CS 166: Information Security Meet Us • CS 175: Mobile Device Development
Paul Knepper, Ph.D. Claudio Vera Sanchez, Ph.D. Forensic Science Upper-Division Electives Department Chair Programs Coordinator 408-924-1350 408-924-1350 [email protected] [email protected] • FS 106: Forensic Entomology (ENT 106) • FS 160: Special Topics in Forensic Science Alessandro De Giorgi, Ph.D. Ericka Adams, Ph.D. • FS 163: Fingerprint Science Undergraduate Coordinator Graduate Coordinator • FS 164: Crime Scene and Evidence Photography 408-924-2967 408-476-7626 • FS 165: Forensic Biometrics [email protected] [email protected] • FS 166: Forensic Chemistry
• FS 167: Forensic Molecular Biology John Halushka, Ph.D. Internship Coordinator • FS 168: Fluorescent Applications in Molecular Biology 408-924-1311 • FS 169: Forensic Science Senior Seminar [email protected] • FS 170: Human Rights Investigations • FS 171: Forensic Criminology Shawna Bolton, Ph.D. Mark Barash, Ph.D. Forensic Science Coordinator Forensic Science Coordinator Highlights 408-924-8974 408-924-5513 [email protected] [email protected] • Forensic Science Educators Conference (AAFS FSEC) Mary Juno, M.S. • Annual CSI Summer Camp Forensic Science Minor Coordinator • Forensic Science Speaker Series 408-924-2956 • Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic [email protected] Science
Edith Kinney, Ph.D. Legal Studies Minor Coordinator Scholarships 408-924-2946 [email protected] • California Association of Criminalists A. Reed and V. McLaughlin Endowment Scholarships Sambuddha Ghatak, Ph.D. • J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Leadership Scholarship Human Rights Minor Coordinator • Additional Justice Studies Department scholarships, also 408-924-1836 available to forensic science students [email protected]
For more information, please visit the Forensic Science program Student Organizations website at: https://www.sjsu.edu/justicestudies/degrees/forensic_science/ • Forensic Science Student Club (FSS) • Students for Firearm Safety
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