Forensic Anthropology

Description

Why study Forensic Anthropology at Dundee?

Since 2004 the University of Dundee has offered the first undergraduate degree programme in forensic anthropology in the UK. We are home to the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID), a centre which is regularly contacted for advice and input in high-profile identification cases both at home and abroad.

The Centre was awarded a prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education in November 2013. Presented in recognition of 'world class excellence', the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are among the most highly-regarded awards for the UK’s universities and colleges.

What exactly is Forensic Anthropology?

Forensic Anthropology is best described as the analysis of human remains for the medicolegal purposes of establishing identity. It's a specialised area of science that requires detailed anatomical and osteological training. Being able to assign a name to the deceased is critical to the successful outcome of all legal investigations, and this becomes increasingly complex as the body passes through the various transitional phases of decomposition.

The course is centred around human anatomy as the identification of the deceased relies heavily on not only hard tissue but also soft tissue information. A complex subject such as identification requires a multidisciplinary approach that demands free collaboration with many other fields of research and teaching including medical and dental disciplines, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, law and imaging analysis.

Naomi Aird is studying Forensic Anthropology. She says "I really value the opportunity to dissect while studying anatomy, as I found it so much easier to learn from the bodies than just from looking at pictures. The juvenile osteology collection is a fantastic resource and made it easier to visualise the osteological development of the individual bones."

What's so good about Forensic Anthropology at Dundee?

Teaching staff delivering the course have national and international reputations, and several have practical experience of working in conflict zones including Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Iraq. The cases in which our staff have involvement are reflected in much of the research undertaken by the Centre, enabling it to maintain a high profile within the forensic community. In turn, this research feeds into our teaching, particularly at levels 3 and 4.

One of our most well-known members of staff is Professor Sue Black, who has recently been featured on BBC 2's History Cold Case, after finding proof of an African presence in medieval England.

Naomi Hatch is a 4th year student from South Africa studying for a BSc in Forensic Anthropology. She says: "The lecturers are all working forensic anthropologists and have first-hand experience in the field. They are all well known within the scientific community and it's amazing to think they are teaching me."

Careers

As a graduate in forensic anthropology you will have an excellent grounding for a career in biomedical research, scene of crime analysis, forensic science, human biology and osteological research. Those who choose to enter a degree in medicine will find that the skills they have acquired will stand them in good stead, particularly with regards to radiology, paediatrics, gerontology and orthopaedics.

Some graduates may, of course, choose to progress to become teachers and researchers in the field of forensic anthropology or to provide their skills and services on both the national and international forensic front. This BSc degree programme provides the first stage in the Forensic Anthropology Career Foundation Path offered by this University. Your communication and transferable skills will be widely recognised and valued by a wide range of employers.

UCAS Code: FL46

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Fee category

Fees for students starting September 2015

Scottish students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Rest of UK students

£9,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years, even if you are studying a four year degree. See our scholarships for rest of UK applicants.

EU students

£1,820 per year of study (for Sept 2014 entry). Fees for September 2015 will be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2015.

Overseas students (non-EU)

£15,950 per year of study. See our scholarships for international applicants.

Not specified Start date September 2015 Course Starts in September Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time

Course Content

What you will study

Typical Degree Programme

Levels 1 and 2

Our programme in Forensic Anthropology shares common core modules in Levels 1 and 2 from the College of Life Sciences. From Level 3 onwards you will follow specialised modules for BSc Forensic Anthropology within the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID). The Level 1 and 2 curriculum provides a general introduction to the life sciences through an integrated programme of lectures, tutorials, practical work and field excursions.

Please refer to the Biological/Biomedical Sciences degree structure and overview webpage for details of the common curriculum in Levels 1 and 2.

Modules specific to Forensic Anthropology include:

• Human Form and Function - examines the relationships between structure and function in the human body.
• Introduction to Human Anatomy - introduces you to the principles of the dynamics and topography of human form, particularly in relation to the skeletal system.

Level 3

At Level 3 you will specialise in the following subject areas:

• gross anatomy
• human osteology
• comparative osteology

• Practical human anatomy is a substantial component of the Level 3 programme.

• You will:

• begin to appreciate the intimate relationships between human form and function
• acquire a detailed understanding of the anatomy of the human body
• be able to identify individual skeletal elements and begin to formulate an educated opinion on their origin (human or nonhuman) and their stage of development (i.e. age at death)

Summer work placements

Many students take advantage of opportunities for summer work placements, normally between Levels 3 and 4, which are available as externally-funded competitive placements, or as voluntary laboratory work.

Level 4

Your studies at Level 4 will be at the level of current research in your chosen subject area.

• sex determination from human remains
• age determination from human remains
• biological identity
• personal identity
• pathology and trauma
• time death interval
• police, the law and the mortuary

Your studies will involve extensive use of scientific literature and the opportunity to attend a regular programme of seminars given by invited speakers from Britain and abroad.

• Research project - several formats are available including laboratory-based research under the supervision of a leading scientist, computer modelling, multimedia teaching packages, literature and electronic database review.

How you will be assessed

All modules are assessed by a combination of in-course and end-of-course procedures. Regular in-course assessments (e.g. practical reports, computer-based exercises, essays and data processing exercises) provide feedback on your progress and help you prepare for end-of-module examinations.

On-line assignments are used extensively at Levels 1 and 2, with access via a PC on or off campus. Peer assessment operates in many team projects.

Requirements

See Course Homepage for Full Details

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 University of Dundee.