Forensic Science with Integrated Master's - MSci drafted draft
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Program Overview
Course overview
Forensic science is a critical element of the criminal justice system. As criminals are using ever advancing tools and techniques to commit crime, the field of forensics is pivotal in identifying and presenting admissible scientific evidence for use in courts of law to support the prosecution or defence in criminal and civil investigations.
Our Forensic Science MSci is a four-year interdisciplinary programme, enabling you to graduate with a masters level qualification. Your first three years will focus on exploring the entire forensic process, from evidence collection, analysis, interpretation to court reporting. Your final year will develop the skills required to become an effective researcher within an academic or commercial environment.
Throughout your studies you will develop an understanding of continuity of evidence and how the crime scene, laboratory and the court contribute to the forensic and legal process. You'll also explore specialist branches of forensic science, including forensic chemistry, forensic biology, anthropology, fire investigation and toxicology.
Laboratory work features strongly throughout the programme to enable you to fully understand the application of theoretical principles and to acquire a wide range of practical skills, including, in particular, the use of analytical instrumentation.
Year one
The first year of the programme is carefully designed to introduce many of the basic science topics that underpin the study of forensic science. You will acquire a solid grounding in the principal concepts of basic chemistry, biology, and forensic investigation, whilst gaining hands-on practical experience in a variety of experimental skills and analytical methods through laboratory work.
To provide a wider understanding of the subject, you will also examine forensic science as a professional discipline, looking at the crime scene, laboratory and the court, why people commit crime and how digital infrastructures, such as the internet are used to facilitate crime.
Year two
From year two, you will build on the knowledge gained in your first year to develop an appreciation of the key themes in forensic science that are relevant to professional practice. This includes the tools used for identifying individuals by DNA profiling, forensic analysis of counterfeits, fakes and forgeries, the techniques used to build a biological profile using forensic anthropology and the role of forensic science in the investigation of drugs and drug-related crime.
Year three
Your third year allows you to unleash your creativity and apply the knowledge and techniques you have developed throughout your studies by working on a final year forensic science dissertation and team research project. You will also carry out the forensic examination of a crime scene and report on the evidence within the professional context of crime scene examiner, forensic scientist and expert witness.
Dissertation work will allow you to integrate your personal passions and career aspirations within your studies. You will examine your chosen area from a forensic perspective and your team research project will further develop your expertise, team working and communication skills required for a career within the field.
Dissertation topics from previous students include:
To add breadth to your learning, you will also study a variety of advanced forensic science topics, including the forensic examination of explosives and fires, specialist areas of forensic geoscience and advanced forensic analysis of ballistics, paint, glass, fibres - with particular emphasis on examination of evidence in court issues.
Year four
In your final year you will build your knowledge on the two end-points of the forensic process - the crime scene and the court and develop the skills to become an effective researcher within an academic or commercial environment. You will examine how forensic science at the crime scene is used to provide investigative leads as well as evidence leading to conviction in the court, critically review approaches to evidence evaluation and gain advanced skills in the preparation of concise expert witness report and oral testimony to court.
Throughout your final year you will work on an independent research project. This will enable you to study a specific research topic in depth, to undertake experimental work to investigate fundamental aspects of that topic or to develop and evaluate new methods of investigation or analysis. You will gain a variety of skills in learning how to effectively literature search a new research field, identify gaps within it and communicate your findings to a variety of audiences. Your work will be supervised by a member of staff over the two semesters, with the first semester being devoted to researching and planning the project while the experimental work, data analysis and reporting of results are undertaken in the second semester.
Learn from our campus - our own 'living and natural laboratory'
From recovering evidence in our indoor and outdoor crime scene facilities to replica skeletal remains within the grounds of Keele woods, our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic environment to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life scenarios you may encounter within forensic investigation. These practical experiences will also provide you with the opportunity to develop and refine the methods and techniques that are integral to work within the field.
Study abroad
In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend time studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enable you to understand your field from different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.
Student support
We offer a multi layered student support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. Our open-door policy enables you to engage with us directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback or discuss any matters related to your course on a regular basis. You will also benefit from the support of a academic mentor and Keele's Student Experience and Support team.