Open Source Intelligence Course

Program Overview

The Open Source Intelligence Course is a part-time, online program that equips students with the skills to collect, analyze, and drive actionable intelligence from social media, usability testing, and experiments. It provides insight into open source information outlets and practical training in investigative resources and advanced research techniques, preparing graduates for careers in law enforcement, security, intelligence, marketing, business, and government.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Title:

Open Source Intelligence Course

Duration:

Part-time, 20 credit points, 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week.

Start Date:

1 April 2024

Delivery:

Online

Objectives:

• Develop student skill in collecting, analyzing, and driving actionable intelligence from social media, usability testing, and experiments.
• Provide insight into open source information outlets and practical training in investigative resources and advanced research techniques.
• Train students to utilize the potential of predictive analysis through open source information.

Description:

This course aims to equip students with the ability to:

• Understand the potential of predictive analysis through open source information.

• Become adept in network and link analysis.

• Assess the validity of their work within a legal context.

Outline:

Content:

• Open source intelligence (OSINT) - definition, collection, processing, exploitation, technology, software, legal and ethical implications.
• Social media analytics - gathering data from stakeholder conversations, processing into structured insights, enhancing business decisions, customer centrality.
• Usability testing - gathering data from user experiences, identifying usability issues, improving product design.
• Experiments - designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, drawing conclusions.
• Network and link analysis - identifying relationships between entities, understanding the structure of networks.
• Predictive analysis - using data to predict future events or trends.
• Practical exercises throughout the duration of the course.
• In-class quizzes to ensure understanding.
• Written assignment (synopsis of a current event where OSINT could have assisted law enforcement - 50% of final grade).
• Set exercise (practical exercises submitted via Blackboard - 50% of final grade).

Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to OSINT
• Module 2: Social Media Analytics
• Module 3: Usability Testing
• Module 4: Experiments
• Module 5: Network and Link Analysis
• Module 6: Predictive Analysis
• Module 7: Legal and Ethical Considerations in OSINT

Assessment:

• Written assignment (50%): Synopsis of a current event where OSINT could have assisted law enforcement.
References required, screenshots of findings optional. Examples from class can be used, but original thought is preferred.
• Set exercise (50%): Practical exercises completed throughout the course and submitted via Blackboard.
• In-class quizzes: Assessing understanding of subject areas before completing the written assignment.
• Formative feedback: Provided by the module tutor following practical exercises submitted via Blackboard.

Teaching:

• Delivery: Online
• Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• School: School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences
• Teaching methods:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Practical exercises
• Group work
• Unique approaches:
• Utilizes the "WeLink" social media monitoring system, which extracts data from 16 social networking sites.
• Provides hands-on training in investigative resources and advanced research techniques.

Careers:

• Potential career paths:
• Law enforcement
• Security
• Intelligence
• Marketing
• Business
• Government
• Opportunities:
• Criminal investigations
• Public sentiment analysis
• Market research
• Outcomes:
• Graduates will be able to collect, analyze, and drive actionable intelligence from open source information.
• They will be able to use this information to inform decision-making in a variety of fields.

Other:

• Contact: Michael Davidson, Interim Director of Policing, School of Applied Social and Policy Science (email: m.davidson1@ulster.ac.uk)
• Disclaimer: Subject to change, including discontinuation, modifications, or mergers.