Digital Forensics and Incident Response, Associate of Science Degree
Financial Aid Eligible
Banner Code: 3_AS_DIF
Control Number: 39533
The program in Digital Forensics and Incident Response will provide students with a solid foundation in the field of cybersecurity with specialization in cyber defense techniques. The program is designed to prepare students for entry-level cyber jobs or to help them advance into mid-level cyber careers, such as cybercrime analyst, cyber incident analyst, cyber incident responder, digital forensic examiner, digital forensic technician, and vulnerability tester. Topics covered include planning and scoping a cyber incident, domestic and international cyber laws, ethics, chain of custody, incident detection and analysis, anti-forensic techniques, timeline analysis, incident containment, eradication, recovery, report preparation, and expert testimony. The program includes hands-on and technical writing assignments to help students develop their skills for the cybersecurity workforce.
Program Level Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to locate technical resources to solve security-related problems with networking hardware and software.
- Demonstrate proficiency with various tools to solve common security problems using theories learned in the classroom to design and implement a workable solution.
- Evaluate, assess vulnerabilities, and maintain secure networks.
Associate Degree Requirements
Unit Requirement
Complete at least 60 units of acceptable college work with a minimum of 12 units completed in residence at Coastline. Earn an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher from all colleges attended and a 2.0 or higher grade point average at Coastline.
*Students must be in good academic standing (not on probation and/or disqualification) during the semester graduation is petitioned.
Program of Study
Complete the required courses in one of the programs as detailed In the Requirements for the Major section of this catalog. All coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
General Education
Complete one of the three General Education options below (visit the General Education page for details):
Option 1 — Coastline General Education: designed for students pursuing an Associate degree and who may or may not be planning to transfer to a four-year university. The degree is transferable to many colleges and universities.
Option 2—CSU GE Breadth: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU system. It may also be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.
Option 3—IGETC: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU or UC system. It also may be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.
Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement
Complete at least 2.5 units from any Global and Multicultural Studies courses. See what courses fulfill the Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core: | ||
| CIS C157 | Introduction to Python Programming | 3 |
| CST C128 | Network+ | 3 |
| CST C158 | Server+ | 3 |
| CST C230 | Introduction to Security | 3 |
| CYBR C150 | Introduction to Digital Forensics | 3 |
| or CST C245 | Introduction to Digital Forensics | |
| CYBR C160 | Introduction to Incident Response | 3 |
| CYBR C170 | Cybercrime and CSIRT Coordination | 3 |
| CYBR C250 | Intermediate Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CYBR C260 | Intermediate Incident Response | 3 |
| Total Units | 27 | |
| Requirement | Units |
|---|---|
| Total Units for Major Preparation | 27 |
| Degree Option 1, 2, or 3 | Varies |
| Electives to satisfy unit requirement | Varies |
| Total Degree Units | 60 |
Digital Forensics and Incident Response Degree Program Map
This program map is a recommended example of all major (program) requirements as well as general education requirements for two-year completion or transfer. This path may be altered to fit your individual academic needs. These two-year program maps were created by program faculty and counselors and demonstrate a recommended path to completion. Students are advised to meet with a Coastline Counselor for individualized program planning.
Your Path to Success
Follow this path to earn your degree in Digital Forensics and Incident Response in 2 years.
Don’t forget to consult a counselor for an education plan!
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Semester | ||
| ENGL C100 | Freshman Composition | 4 |
| MATH C160 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| CMST C101 | Fundamentals of Human Communication | 3 |
| CST C128 | Network+ * | 3 |
| CST C158 | Server+ * | 3 |
| 2nd Semester | ||
| BIOL C100 | Introduction to Biology | 3 |
| PSYC C100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| MUS C139 | History of Rock Music | 3 |
| HIST C175 | United States History since 1876 | 3 |
| CIS C157 | Introduction to Python Programming * | 3 |
| CST C230 | Introduction to Security * | 3 |
| 3rd Semester | ||
| ENGL C102 | Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing | 3 |
| PHIL C120 | Ethics | 3 |
| HLTH C100 | Personal Health | 3 |
| CYBR C150 | Introduction to Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CYBR C160 | Introduction to Incident Response | 3 |
| CYBR C170 | Cybercrime and CSIRT Coordination | 3 |
| 4th Semester | ||
| ASTR C100 | Introduction to Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR C100L | Astronomy Laboratory | 1 |
| PSCI C180 | American Government | 3 |
| SOC C233 | Racial and Ethnic Relations in America | 3 |
| CYBR C250 | Intermediate Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CYBR C260 | Intermediate Incident Response | 3 |
| * | Offered in the summer session |