System and Network Engineering: Forensics

This Master programme gives you the theoretical insight and practical tools you need for understanding, developing and maintaining complex IT systems and networks. How do you apply different software components within a complex architecture, so that you get an efficiently working system? How do you make a system that not only technicians, but everyone can use?

These are the kind of questions you ask yourself during this Master. Together with a experienced teaching staff and highly motivated fellow-students you look at the many software systems that exist and wonder how to get all these systems connected in a way that's practical, safe and scalable.

Two tracks: Networking and Forensics

The Master System and Network Engineering has two different tracks: Networking and Forensics. While the tracks start off together, they split after the first semester.

The first of two month-long research projects start in January and is followed by two different courses for each track. The Master is completed with an individual month-long research project in the chosen track.

The Forensics track aims to make you a specialist in forensic intelligence. As a forensic analyst, you are responsible for tracing digital evidence on all levels, from a single computer to a large network. What activities were performed? Which errors were intentionally made and where were they hidden? Are certain files missing and where can they be found? To answer these kind of questions, you need the profound knowledge this Master has to offer. Not only will you be able to track down cybercrime, you will also learn how to document your evidence in a way that others can understand and will even hold up in court.

The curriculum for System and Network Engineering encompasses 10 courses in total. Students usually have a theoretical course in the morning and carry out related practical assignments in the afternoon. Guest lecturers are often invited to augment courses and to provide insights into current events or research. The two tracks Networking and Forensics follow the same courses during the first semester and split in January with the first research project.

Practical courses:

• Essential Skills
• Classic Internet Applications

Technical courses:

• Security of Networks and Systems
• Distributed Systems
• Large Installation Administration
• Offensive Technologies

Networking courses:

• InterNetworking and Routing
• ICT and Company Practice

Forensics courses:

• Cybercrime and Forensics
• Visual Analytics

Research projects:Both tracks follow two month-long research projects, one in January and one at the end of the year. During the first project you will work in team-form, the second project is individual. More information on the courses and research projects is available in the UvA Course Catalogue and on the SNE/OS3 website

Teachers and guidance

Due to the busy programme and many practical assignments in the SNE lab, the guidance by the teaching staff is intensive and personal. There is a permanent team of 3 teachers available for questions and help with assignments or any problems that arise. A practical teacher is present in the SNE lab during assignments.

The teaching staff has extensive experience in both the academic and professional field. There is also a direct link to the top-notch System and Network Engineering research group and the NFI (Netherlands Forensics Institute)

Internship and thesis

The Master System and Network Engineering does not incorporate an internship nor thesis. The two research-projects, together with the exam results for the different courses, practical assignments and overall performance of students lead to a final grading.

Degree requirements

A Master of Science in System and Network Engineering is awarded upon successful completion of all the core courses in the curriculum and a written Master's thesis based on the independent research project. This translates into a total of 60 ECTS.

Students with a Dutch higher professional education (HBO) Bachelor's degree or its equivalent are required to participate in an selection procedure; students with a Dutch Bachelor of Science degree or its equivalent in Computer Science are requested to take part voluntarily.The selection procedure consists of a number of exams that test students' abilities in discrete mathematics, UNIX knowledge, networking knowledge and language skills, as well as in other areas. The procedure takes a full day.As a prospective student, you will be invited to give a small presentation on the topic of your Bachelor's thesis in the weeks following the tests. The results of the tests will also be discussed at that timeEnglish language requirementsAll our international programmes are conducted in English. Non-native English speakers need to submit proof of their proficiency in the English language before enrolling in one of these programmes.Please note we only accept the TOEFL Test, the test of the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) or a Cambridge Examination Score. The test result should be received by the International Office of the Faculty of Science before May 1st of the year of application.The minimum scores required on the TOEFL Test are:Computer-based test (CBT): 235A Cambridge Examination Score with a minimum test result of CAE A or B will also be accepted. For the CPE test a minimal score of B is required.Chinese applicants are required to take an IELTS test or the TOEFL (Internet-based test only). These are the only two tests accepted by the NESO, which provides certificates to all Chinese students who wish to study in the Netherlands.Please note there are some differences between the TOEFL and IELTS test. Available practice material, test dates, prices and locations differ per country. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test: 90

Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: The Netherlands