Forensic Investigation

Description

This programme is distinctive in that it marries a deep understanding of scientific principles with a broad and varied educational background which significantly enhances the graduate's employment prospects. The programme has been designed to give the graduate a solid science base on which to build. The core of the programme is in Chemical Sciences with a substantial contribution from Biological Sciences, to underpin the main accident / incident theme.

There is an option grouped into two academically coherent strands from in level 3 and level 4 (Honours), so that students can choose an Environmental Forensics or Forensic Biology strand, to address their particular interests or ambitions. Forensic investigation is the application of scientific and technical expertise to produce evidence acceptable in a court of law. What makes this programme so exciting is the nature of the problems waiting to be solved and this provides its own reward. The degree not only gives you a unique opportunity to acquire a high level of expertise in a chosen specialist subject area, but also skills widely sought after by potential employers.

Detailed Course Facts

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• English

Course Content

Year 1: Introductory modules in Chemistry, Biosciences, Law, Maths and Physics. Introduction to Forensic Investigation, a scenario-based module, invites you to apply scientific expertise to real life forensic problems with also some elements of general Psychology to provide an introduction to the biological basis of behaviour and gives an insight into perception, learning and intelligence. These themes are crucial in Forensic Investigation.

Year 2: The core Chemistry theme continues with Chemical Analysis, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. A Biology module (The Gene) underpins DNA profiling aspects. Relevant Law is studied in the Civil and Criminal Procedure module.

Year 3: Techniques learned in Instrumental Analytical Chemistry will be applied through Forensic Analysis to areas such as substances of abuse and the analysis of toxic residues and fire/major disaster incidents. There will be an emphasis on making valid analytical measurements, including knowledge of the concepts of traceability, robustness and reliability, on which court cases often rely. At this level there is the choice from two specialisms, Environmental Forensics and Forensic Biology, which are continued into level 4 (Honours).

Year 4: In the Dissertation, each student has an individual lab based project relevant to a chosen forensic type problem. Again modular teaching is made relevant to real-life forensic type problem solving. Microscopy in Forensic Analysis is a major theme which includes both optical and state-of-the-art advanced techniques like atomic force microscopy. The two options continue:- Environmental Forensics and Forensic Biology.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• Higher: BBBC
• A-Level: BCC
• Essential Subjects: Chemistry (H/A-level), Mathematics, English (Standard Grade Credit Level/Intermediate 2, GCSE level at C or above).
• Recommended Subjects: Biology (or Human Biology) Higher, English (H), Mathematics (H)
• ILC: BBBC

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Glasgow Caledonian University.

Accreditation

The BSc (Hons) Forensic investigation degree is recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry as satisfying the academic requirements for associate membership.