Note: The "Computer and Digital Forensics" minor is being updated effective Fall 2022. The new minor is called "Digital Forensics", and will have adjusted requirements. If you have declared an Applied Computer Security minor prior to Fall 2022, please reach out to itpadvising@usc.edu for your remaining requirements, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Digital Forensics

Investigate cyber breaches by gathering and examining digital evidence and preparing evidence for court following forensic processes.

Skills

Ethics
Hacking
Digital analysis
Investigation techniques
Forensic report writing

Careers

Consultant
Cyber investigator
Incident response analyst

Requirements

All minors at USC need 16 units that only meet minor requirements and do not meet any other major, minor, or GE requirement.
All courses completed for your minor or specialization must be completed for a letter grade.
You must earn a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA in the courses completed for your minor or specialization.

Minor (18 units)

Core requirements (10 units):

ITP-125L “From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security” (2 units)
ITP-375 “Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Investigations” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-125]
ITP-475 “Advanced Digital Forensics and Incident Response” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-375]

Electives (8 units):

ITP-325 “Ethical Hacking” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-125]
ITP-445 “Apple Forensics and Security (macOS and iOS)” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-375]
ITP-447 “Mobile Device Forensics and Security” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-375]
ITP-479 “Cyber Law and Privacy” (4 units)

Substitutions:

The following courses are also pre-approved electives for the minor. If you enroll in one of the following courses, please email our academic advisors so that they can update your STARS report. Substitution courses are not automatically applied to your minor requirements, so you will need to ask our academic advisors to make the change for you.

ITP-499 “Open Source Intelligence Collection and Analysis" (2 units)

Specialization (10 units)

Core requirements (10 units):

ITP-125L “From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security” (2 units)
ITP-375 “Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Investigations” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-125]
ITP-475 “Advanced Digital Forensics and Incident Response” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-375]

Course Plan

Use the chart below to plan your course schedule to complete your minor. Pay careful attention to prerequisites. Make sure you consult with your major advisor about how best to incorporate the requirements for your minor with your major and general education requirements.

Please contact our academic advisors with questions about course sequencing, departmental clearance and course substitutions.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

"I signed up for “From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security” and loved it. I then pivoted into focusing on a career in cybersecurity while continuing to major in a non-technical area. The information I learned from USC ITP formed my foundational cybersecurity knowledge that I use on a day-to-day basis in my career even 6+ years later."

-Lauren Donaghy, Psychology

Class of 2013

"ITP opened my eyes to fields, jobs, and careers that I had not encountered as a Neuroscience major. If it had not been for this minor I would not have discovered my interest in pursuing a career in Risk Management, Cyber Law, and Privacy, and I would not have found my current job."

-Andrea Sotelo Gasperi, Neuroscience

Class of 2020

"I had two free units one semester and took ITP125 and loved it. I wouldn't have my current job (Cybersecurity Associate) if I hadn't completed my ITP minor. ITP offers skills that employers value directly."

-Ayman Siraj, Chemical Engineering

Class of 2018

What our students and alumni say

Next steps

How can I add this program?

Apply online

Current USC students can use our online application to declare a minor or specialization. Your application will be processed within 4 to 9 business days, and you will be notified at your official USC email address of your admission to the program of your choice.

Complete your application >

Contact us with questions

If you have a question about the program, you're welcome to write to us or schedule an advisement appointment. We can help you navigate our program requirements and resources and refer you to other offices as needed.

Contact our advisors >