South Dakota Board of Regents

New Baccalaureate Degree Minor

Note: Use this form to propose a new baccalaureate degree minor that requires either existing or new courses. An academic minor within a degree program enables a student to make an inquiry into a discipline or field of study beyond the major or to investigate a particular content theme. It too should be organized around a specific set of objectives that are achieved through a series of courses. Minors are intended to provide limited competency in the subject. Course offerings in a minor may be centered in a specific department or drawn from several departments as in the case of a topical or thematic focus. Some specific requirements are included. Regental undergraduate minors typically consist of 18-24 semester credit hours. Flexibility typically is achieved by offering the student a choice from among a group of courses to complete the credits. Minors are established by Board of Regents action. The Executive Director or the Board may request additional information concerning proposals.

University:	Dakota State University
Title of Proposed Minor:	Computer Forensics
Degree(s) in which minor may be earned:	Any
Existing related majors or minors:	BS Computer & Network Security, BS Computer Science Minor: Computer & Network Security, Computer Science, Networking
Proposed Implementation (term):	Fall 2007
Proposed CIP Code:	11.1003 Computer and Information Systems Security

University Approval

To the Board and the Executive Director: I certify that I have read this proposal, that I believe it to be accurate, and that it has been evaluated and approved as provided by university policy.

	4-27-07
President of the University	Date

After approval by the President, a signed copy of the proposal should be transmitted to the Executive Director. Only after Executive Director review should the proposal be posted on the university web site and the Board staff and the other universities notified of the URL.

1. Do you have a major in this area?

Yes

XX

No

2. If you do not have a major in this area, explain how the proposed minor relates to your mission.

DSU does not currently offer a degree program in computer forensics. However, the content in the proposed Computer Forensics minor is closely related to the Information Assurance content area that DSU covers at the undergraduate and graduate levels (BS Computer and Network Security, MS Information Assurance). Also, this minor will add depth to the Scientific Forensics Major offered by the College of Arts & Sciences. The addition of a Computer Forensics Minor will be a starting point for a certification program and could possibly lead to the development of a Computer Forensics Major.

3. How will the proposed minor benefit students?

This minor will give students in related degree programs the opportunity to expand their content knowledge in computer forensics. This will be particularly helpful to students with majors in computer science, computer and network security and scientific forensic technology.

4. Provide estimated enrollments and completions in the table below and explain how the estimates were developed.

	Fiscal Years*
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Estimates	FY08	FY09	FY10	FY11
Students in the minor (fall)	5	10	15	20
Completions by graduates	0	5	10	15

* Do not include current year.

5. What is the rationale for the curriculum?

The addition of this minor will give students the opportunity to add a Digital Computer Forensics component to compliment existing degree programs: Scientific Forensics Degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences and Computer Networking and Security and Computer Science in the College of Business and Information Systems. Students in these technology-based degree programs will have an opportunity to expand their educational experience into an additional content area, compatible with corporate and government needs and growing employment opportunities.

The Computer Forensics Minor can be a starting point for further program development which could include certification training for local law enforcement agencies and perhaps a degree program in computer forensics. The content of the proposed minor has gained verbal support from FBI and industry experts.

6. Complete the tables below. Explain any exceptions to BOR policy being requested.

A. Distribution of Credit Hours

[title of proposed minor]	Credit Hours	Percent
Requirements in Minor	18	100
Electives in the Minor	0	0
Total		100%

B. Required Courses in the Minor

Prefix	Number	Course Title	New*	Hours
CIS	385	Networking II	N	3
CIS	388	Computer Forensic Fundamentals	N	3
CIS	414	Computer Security	N	3
CIS	418	Adv Computer Forensics	N	3
CIS	432	Defense & Forensic Counter-measures	Y	3
CIS	434	Computer Forensics & Investigations	N	3
		Subtotal, required		18

* New: Y= yes, N = no.

C. Elective Courses in the Minor: List courses that may be taken as electives in the minor. Indicate any new courses to be added specifically for the minor. (If the list of existing courses is long, it may be provided as Appendix A.)

None.

7. What outcomes will be expected for all students who complete the minor? How will these outcomes be achieved?

The computer forensics minor will offer a starting point for students in the field of Digital Forensic Investigation. The minor will prepare students entering the business world with basic computer investigative training. Students will use the latest investigative tools including computer tablet technology. Students will have the skills needed to operate in a corporate environment as a security analyst.

8. What instructional technologies will be used to teach courses in the minor? This refers to the instructional technologies used to teach the new courses in the minor and NOT the technology applications students are expected to learn.

Courses will be taught using lecture and hands-on laboratory experience. The university currently has an information assurance lab and a networking lab, which are used to support the hands-on portion of the curriculum.

9. Is the University is requesting authorization to provide the minor to students at an off-campus location or by distance delivery? If yes, explain. If off-campus or distance delivery authorization is not requested, enter “None.”

Not at this time. After the minor is established, authorization to offer the minor at the University Center in Sioux Falls will likely be requested.

10. Costs, Budget & Resources: Explain the amount and source(s) of any one-time and continuing investments in personnel, professional development, release time, instructional technology and software, other O&M, facilities, etc needed to implement the minor.

None – the two additional courses can be taught within current faculty load. No additional funds are needed.