Forensic Science with Integrated Master's - MSci drafted

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:

The influence of animal scavenging on forensic casework

Bite mark evidence in court

Identification of burnt remains: Are tattoos a reliable source?

The role of forensic science in the fight against global wildlife smuggling/poaching

Detection and prevention of counterfeit drinks

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.

Program Outline

Modules

---

Modules for Forensic Science with Integrated Master's

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

---

Year 1

---

Compulsory Modules

Cybercrime

Forensic Chemistry and Analysis

Forensic Identification and Investigation

Forensic Science Skills and Practice

---

Optional Modules

Understanding Crime

---

Year 2

---

Compulsory Modules

Forensic Genetics

Spectroscopy and Advanced Analysis

Counterfeits, Fakes and Forgeries

Forensic Anthropology and Taphonomy

Criminalistic Methods

Drugs of Abuse

Digital Forensics

---

Year 3

---

Compulsory Modules

Evaluation of evidence, explosives and arson

Advanced Topics in Forensic Analysis

Forensic Science Team Research Project - ISP

Interpretation, Evaluation & Presentation of Evidence - ISP

Forensic Dissertation

Forensic Toxicology

Forensic Geoscience

---

Year 4

---

Compulsory Modules

Analytical Science: Principles and Practice

Research Skills for Analytical Science

MSci Independent Project

Forensic Evidence: At the crime scene and in the court

---

Your future career

95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

You will graduate with advanced skills in problem-solving, data interpretation, communication and research to enable you to stand out from the crowd in a highly competitive field.

Joining the Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists (CSFS) may help with keeping up to date with developments in the sector and making valuable contacts. Please note you may need to take further study such as a PhD to enter some of the professions listed below.

Careers that are related to your degree include:

analytical chemist

forensic computer analyst

forensic scene investigator

forensic scientist

intelligence analyst

microbiologist

quality control scientist

research scientist

security analyst

toxicologist

---

Enhance your employability

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

---

Teaching, learning and assessment

We offer a personalised learning experience in an environment where you can feel part of a community. Many of our teaching staff are Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy, the professional body for teachers in Higher Education. Fellowship provides individuals with recognition of their practice, impact and leadership of teaching and learning. To ensure you receive a high-quality learning experience, teaching will be delivered through a blend of in-situ and digital approaches.

Methods of teaching include:

group/ team-work and independent project work

lectures (including those from guest speakers from the profession)

mini-projects and extended research projects

practical laboratory classes

practical simulated crime scene examination (indoor and outdoor)

problem-based learning workshops

team-based learning workshops

tutorials and problems classes

use of e-learning/the Keele Learning Environment (KLE) (Blackboard) and MS Teams

---

Assessment

The wide variety of assessment methods used on this programme at Keele reflects the broad range of knowledge and skills that are developed as you progress through the degree programme.

Assessment methods include:

class tests

court expert witness statements

crime scene investigation reports

cross-examination assessment

dissertation and research paper literature critical reviews

end of module examinations, open book assessments and case work portfolios

essays

laboratory diaries, proformas, reports and examination form

oral, digital and poster presentations

problems sheets and data analysis exercises

project plans, team project interviews and viva

technical leaflets