Digital Forensics

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

Learn about:
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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 TAC specializations need at least 4 TAC units that only meet specialization 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):
  • TAC-125L “From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security” (2 units)
  • TAC-375 “Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Investigations” (4 units) [prerequisite: TAC-125]
Electives (8 units):
  • TAC-443 “Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering” (4 units) [prerequisite: TAC-325 and TAC-375] Spring only
  • TAC-445 “Apple Forensics and Security (macOS and iOS)” (4 units) [prerequisite: TAC-375] Fall only
  • TAC-447 “Mobile Device Forensics and Security” (4 units) [prerequisite: TAC-375]
  • TAC-458 “Defending and Investigating Compromised Networks” [Capstone] (4 units) [prerequisite: at least 2 of the following: TAC-325, TAC-357, TAC-370, TAC-375] Fall only
  • TAC-475 “Advanced Digital Forensics and Incident Response” (4 units) [prerequisite: TAC-375] Spring only
  • TAC-479 “Cyber Law and Privacy” (4 units)
Substitutions:

INCO BA Students: A minor requires 16 unique units. You can earn the Digital Forensics minor by substituting TAC 375 for an additional elective. 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.


Specialization (10 units)
Core requirements (10 units):
  • TAC-125L “From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security” (2 units)
  • TAC-375 “Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Investigations” (4 units) [prerequisite: TAC-125]
  • and any 4 unit course from the Minor elective list

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 Image
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 >
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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 >
Published on May 24th, 2017Last updated on September 17th, 2026