Bachelor in Digital Forensics

Overview

Want to investigate crimes, stop cyber criminals? Like computers? Solving puzzles?

With the increasing use of computers to commit crimes and growing demand for computer-based data in civil proceedings, a need has rapidly developed for forensic experts to extract useful information from computer evidence.

Bloomsburg University offers the only digital forensics bachelor's degree in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is Pennsylvania's Center for Digital Forensics. Bloomsburg graduates are working in law enforcement, homeland security agencies, law firms and private companies.

At BU, digital forensics majors will:

• Examine computers and smartphones
• Recover deleted pictures, documents, and internet activity
• Explore hidden areas on hard disks
• Trace network activity to find weaknesses and compromises
• Test the security of computer systems and networks
• Determine system and network vulnerabilities
• Discover ways to protect systems and data from hackers
• Respond to cyber breaches

Center of Academic Excellence

Bloomsburg University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education with a focus in the area of digital forensics through the academic year 2021. The CAE designation, jointly sponsored by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, recognizes that Bloomsburg’s digital forensics program has met stringent criteria in regards to the curriculum, faculty, research, and demonstrates an institution-wide commitment to information assurance practices and cyber defense education.

Students attending CAE designated schools become eligible to apply for related scholarships and grants through the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program.

Digital Forensics Program

• Course Sequence
• Degree Checklist
• Schedule of Course Offerings

CyberAuto Challenge more than just competition

It wasn’t just the competition that made this summer’s SAE CyberAuto Challenge, which included a 24-hour hacking contest, so memorable for a pair of Bloomsburg University digital forensics majors. They came away with a great learning experience and job leads by networking directly with professionals from the cybersecurity and automotive industry.

“The competition is comprised of three-and-a-half days of classes,” said David Lucas, who was joined by Donald Tennant at the five-day SAE challenge in Michigan. “We’d start at 8 a.m. and finish around 9 to 10 p.m. each day. These were intense classes on different types of ways we can hack a vehicle.”

“The tremendous amount of knowledge paired with leaving certified in CanBUS networks was an award in itself,” Tennant said.

Founded in 1839, Bloomsburg was built on the vision that higher education should be available to anyone who is ready to work for a better life. Today that tradition continues, with limitless opportunities for our students across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Bloomsburg University is an inclusive comprehensive public university that prepares students for personal and professional success in an increasingly complex global environment. Building on a rich history of academic excellence as one of 14 public universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Bloomsburg University prepares and inspires students to become dynamic and confident leaders. As the university on the hill, Bloomsburg University overlooks the Town of Bloomsburg and is situated a few hundred yards from the community's business district with Bloomsburg Hospital across the street from a cluster of residence halls.