Forensic Science

The Forensic Science degree will offer modules that give you a firm grounding in the theoretical and practical aspects of crime scene investigation, evidence analysis and expert witness skills.

You will have the opportunity to attend mock crime scenes, to recover and analyse forensic evidence, and to present your results in a variety of ways, such as expert witness reports and oral and poster presentations. You will encounter evidence types and learn from real forensic practitioners how to examine and interpret the evidence.

The programme will include a significant amount of laboratory work in order to ensure you gain competence in the selection and use of a range of methods used in the location, identification, recovery, examination, comparison, extraction and scientific analysis of commonly encountered physical, chemical and biological materials.

Teaching takes place through a variety of methods, including small group seminars, field work and laboratory practicals. You will gain valuable practical skills and develop your independent thinking by working under crime scene conditions and undertaking evidence collection using the universities facilities such as new laboratory, taphonomic facility and a dedicated crime scene house.

In Year 1, you study key issues in forensic investigation and begin to develop your own research and analytical skills. Core modules include History of Forensic Science, Introduction to Forensic Evidence, Non-Biological Evidence, Biological Evidence, Contemporary Issues, Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Academic and Employment Skills.

In Year 2, you explore modules on Forensic Medicine, Research Methods, Practical Skills, Forensic DNA Evidence, Forensic Ecology, Geoforensics and Forensic Toxicology.

In your final year, you will study modules in Crime Scene Investigation and Court Room Skills, and carry out an extended research project of your own design. This enables you to specialise in your chosen field of research, under the guidance of your supervisor.

Some optional modules are available in Years 2 and 3, depending on your own interests. These may include Case Investigation and Review, Fakes and Forgeries, Volunteering, Document Analysis, Forensic Linguistics and Advanced Forensic Examination.

Key transferable skills are gained throughout the course, which are important for employability and those entering further education. These include the ability to communicate findings through oral and poster presentations, to write detailed and clear laboratory logs and expert witness reports, and to present evidence orally under cross-examination.

This is a versatile degree that gives you an excellent basis for a future career in the field. As a strategic thinking graduate equipped with valuable transferable skills you will be prepared for employment in a wide variety of fields, such as governmental agencies, forensic investigation, policing, quality assurance in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory analysis and chemical and biological research.

This programme is currently seeking recognition from The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.