Digital Forensic Tools Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Spencer Nelson (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

<p>s0330995@actx.edu</p> <p>SLNelson@amarillocollege.com</p>

Phone

<p>(806) 679-8046&nbsp; -&nbsp; <strong>This is the best way to contact me.&nbsp; Call or Text for assistance.</strong></p>

Office Location

<p><s>Byrd 338</s> Online 1 hour before classes start.&nbsp; Check email for link to Google Meet.</p>

Office Hours

Fall II  (October 16 - December 18)

Tuesday: 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Thursday: 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ITDF-2325-001 Digital Forensic Tools

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ITDF 1300

Course Description

Skills-based course in the applications of forensic analysis software. Tools used in this course may include EnCase, ILook, Forensic Tool Kit, write blockers, StegAlyzerSS, "X-Ways", ProDiscover Basic, and others.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required:

Digital Forensics Workbook by Michael K. Robinson

  • Paperback: 252 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; Csm Wkb edition (October 24, 2015)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1517713609
  • ISBN-13: 978-1517713607

This book is available online and at the AC bookstore.It is required and should be purchased within the first week of class. 

Supplies

  • Laptop or Desktop Computer using Windows 7 OS or Above (Administrator Access is Required for this Course)

  • Reliable Access to Internet

  • USB Flash Drive, 4GB or Larger

Student Performance

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE (as in catalog):

Course Description: Skills-based course in the applications of forensic analysis software.
 
End-of-Course Outcomes: Demonstrate data collection from digital devices using multiple forensic-based tools; demonstrate methods of detecting digital information concealed or protected by steganography, encryption, and other methods; utilize "hashing" and other digital means to identify files and verify the accuracy of digital copies of original evidence; present a report of forensic analysis and findings.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

1.      Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work.  Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College.  The faculty of the CIS Department reserves the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test by reproducing any specific section or all of the test in question.

2.      Any action that comprises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking, cracking, negligence, or any other potentially malicious behavior can result in a grade of “F” in this course and possible further disciplinary action.

3.      Cell phones MUST be turned off or set so ringing cannot be heard for the duration of the entire class.  If a call must be taken, students will be required to step outside the classroom for the duration.  Emergency calls may be left with campus security, who will then contact the designated student.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria/Grading Scale:
     A - Superior, Minimum of 90% average on exams and quizzes plus
           all homework turned in with 100% average on that graded.
     B - Good, Between 80% and 89% average on exams and quizzes plus
           all homework turned in with a minimum average of 80% on that graded.
     C - Adequate, Between 70% and 79% average on all work.
     D - Minimum, Between 60% and 69% average on all work.
     F - Failing, Below 60% average on all work.
 
Grading Criteria:
All Weekly Reports and Lab Documentation are due at the end of the following week with the exception of Week 8.  For example, the assignments from Week 1 are due at the end of Week 2.
Late Work Policy:
For each week that an assignment is late, there will be a cumulative -10 to the grade.  For example, if an assignment from Week 1 is submitted at any point during Week 3, there would be a -10 to the grade.  (-20 at Week 4, -30 at Week 5, etc...) A week is considered to start on the first day of class for that week.
Attendance
Final Report
Lab Workflow
Weekly Reports
15%
30%
25%
30%
Assignment, homework, quiz, and test dates are provided for each student at the beginning of the semester.  It will be your responsibility to complete each assignment, all homework, and turn in projects on the scheduled dates.
 

**Additional outside of class Lab time will be required.

 

Attendance

Calculation of the Attendance Grade
At the start of the semester, all student's attendance grades will be set to a score of 100.  For each absence, 6.25 points will be deducted from this grade and 3 points will be deducted for students who are tardy.  A student is considered tardy when they arrive after the lesson has begun.  Starting on Week 2, while a student is able to maintain an A in this class, they will be exempt from attendance requirements and no points will be deducted.  If the student's score drops below an A, however, they will take the penalties as described above if there are further absences.
 
Please remember the deadline for dropping a class at AC is published in the official Amarillo College Schedule of Classes. If you are failing this class and do not officially drop the course by this deadline, you will receive an “F” for the course.
 

It is the responsibility of the student to make up any work missed due to absences and to gain missed lecture notes through outside reading and/or note from classmates.

Make up examinations (and other assignments) will be permitted at the discretion of the instructor. The time and place for make-up test will be determined by the instructor.

** Outside of class lab time will be required.**

 

Calendar

ITDF-2325-001: Digital Forensics Tools

Instructor: Spencer Nelson

Cell: (806) 679-8046

Email: SLNelson@amarillocollege.com

Week 1 – Syllabus and Course Introduction Chapters 2, 3, 4

Week 2 – Chapters 5, 6, 7

Week 3 ­­– Chapters 8, 9, 10

Week 4 – Chapters 11, 12, 13 – Start Final Project

Week 5 – Chapters 14, 15, 16– Continue Final Project

Week 6 – Chapters 17, 18, 19 – Continue Final Project

Week 7 - Chapters 20, 21 – Continue Final Project

Week 8 – Chapters 22, 23 (Extra Credit) – Final Project Due

Schedule may be subject to change.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

 

October 26

 

  Second 8-week Classes Begin

November 2

 

  Census Day (Second 8-week classes)

Nov. 26-29

 

Thanksgiving Holiday

December 8

 

Last Day to Withdraw (Second 8-week classes)

December 17

 

Final Project Due by 11:59pm 

December 18

 

  Second 8-week Classes End, Grades Due (noon)
     

 

TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTING ISSUES
  • Open Computer Labs: The Business Systems and Emerging Technology Department hosts an open computer lab on the 2nd Floor of the Byrd Business Building. Labs are open 7 days a week. Assistance with this course and/or technical assistance are available in the computer labs. Visit the Computer Information Systems (CIS) website for additional details: http://cis.actx.edu.
  • Computer Services Center: Located within the AC Bookstore, trained staff will diagnose computer-related issues and repair problems on a fee-for-service basis. Laptop rentals are also available. Visit the Computer Services Center website for additional details: https://www.actx.edu/bookstore/computer-service-center.
  • Student & Faculty Help Center: Located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons, the Help Center provides technical support to students and faculty. The Help Center offers assistance in logging into AC Connect, Blackboard, resetting passwords, and general computing and software questions. Visit the Student & Faculty Help Center website at https://www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter.
COURSE ASSISTANCE
PERSONAL ISSUES
  • Advocacy & Resource Center: The Advocacy & Resource Center is located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons. A variety of resources are available in the areas of social services, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and adult student programs. Visit the Advocacy & Resource Center website at http://www.actx.edu/arc/advocacy-and-resource-center.
  • Counseling Center: At the Counseling Center, student and counselor work together to develop more personal awareness and the skills needed to overcome barriers to success. All services are free and confidential. Visit the Counseling Center website at: https://www.actx.edu/counseling/index.php.
  • Legal Clinic: The Legal Clinic is a free, walk-in clinic assisting enrolled AC students on various legal issues including family law, immigration, probate, landlord-tenant issues, and general legal matters. Visit the Legal Clinic website at https://www.actx.edu/legalstudies/legal-student-intership.

 

Syllabus Created on:

10/26/20 9:36 AM

Last Edited on:

12/10/20 4:17 PM