Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Foundation Year

Overview

The Foundation Year provides students with a good understanding of the scientific concepts that underpin Forensic Science; students gain knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for the BSc Forensic Science. The course is modular in structure and allows all science foundation students within the school of Applied Science to be together for the first part of the study period. Students who wish to change programme at the end of this period can do so through consultation with the course director.

Its an exciting way to explore and learn about all kinds of science. The second part of the course specialises in forensic science core subjects accompanied by some specialist laboratory work. There is a good mix of assessment strategies with an emphasis on “learning by doing” and problem solving. Once completed there is a seamless integration with the parent BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science. The course will suit those students who are enthusiastic about Forensic Science yet have not developed all the knowledge and skills to study the subject at an advanced level. It delivers a future-fit curriculum at Foundation level and a great introduction to university life allowing you to become confident in your abilities and broadening your horizons.

Why Forensic Science at LSBU?

• We’re ranked 8th in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2022)
• This course is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
• Our specialised facilities include our very own Crime Scene Flat, and an extensive range of analytical instrumentation dedicated to forensic science students
• Our staff members are experts in their respective fields including Fingerprints, DNA, Explosives, Fire, Fibres and sexual assault.

Course Accreditations

• The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Location

• Southwark Campus

Entry Level Requirements

• UK Qualifications
  • To be considered for entry to the course applicants would normally need at least 1 A level in a science subject or a minimum of 64 UCAS points from an equivalent L3 qualification as follows:
    • BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma but may not have achieved the appropriate grades to immediately join the BSc Programme.
    • English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent).
• International Qualifications
  • Overseas entrants are required to have European and overseas qualifications deemed to be equivalent to the above qualifications by the National Academic Information Centre for the UK, with ILETS level 6.0.

Advanced Entry

• If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.

Course Status

• This course is validated by London South Bank University. Applications are being accepted.

Tuition Fees

• United Kingdom: £9535
• International: £15500

Scholarships

• We offer students considerable financial help through scholarships, bursaries, charitable funds, loans and other financial support. The majority of our scholarships are given as direct Tuition Fee discounts and we encourage all eligible students to apply for our National Scholarship Programme (NSP). The NSP features 100 full scholarships that exempt students from all Tuition Fees, and there are many more partial scholarships. Find out more about scholarships and fee discounts for undergraduate students.

Accommodation

• Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.

Finance

• You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

Course Content

Foundation Level

• Introduction to Academic Skills for the Applied Sciences
• Foundation Maths for Science
• Foundations of Biology
• Foundations of Chemistry
• Foundations of Human Nutrition
• Foundations of Forensic Science

Year 1

• Introduction to Forensic Science
• Scientific Skills
• Fundamentals of Measurement and Instrumentation
• Introduction to Forensic Biology
• Core and Materials Science
• Introduction to Law for Forensic Scientists

Year 2

• Explosion, Fire and Firearms
• Criminal Law for Forensic Scientists
• Crime Laboratory
• Crime Scene Management and Processing

Year 3

• Incident Investigation
• Biological Evidence
• Case Assessment and Interpretation
• Research project (with advanced topics in forensic science)
• Law of Evidence for Forensic Scientists

Facilities

• At LSBU we offer our students the opportunity to gain practical experience of undertaking forensic investigations in our well-equipped laboratories. The facilities we have to offer include liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), glass refractive index measuring system (GRIM-3), and DNA extraction and analysis facilities. You will have access to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). We also have a Crime Scene Flat which we use to demonstrate various practical aspects of forensic science.

Careers

• Forensic science is used to settle an increasing number of criminal cases – making sure law courts have accurate information to determine an outcome of guilty or not guilty. Forensic scientists use a combination of biological, chemical, physical and mathematical methods to obtain and analyse evidence from a variety of sources. These include: blood and other body fluids, hair, textile fibres, glass fragments and finger, footwear and tyre marks.
• Many independent forensic laboratories provide services to the criminal justice system. At LSBU, we offer a whole range of transferable skills to enable careers in forensics and other scientific disciplines.
• Scientific journalism, the pharmaceutical industry, environmental monitoring, laboratory-based employment and accident investigation are all popular destinations for forensic science graduates.

Teaching and Assessment

• We have recorded all the experiments and practical activities, for instances when students can’t attend campus. Take a look at two examples experiments, the first is a ninhydrin development method to uncover finger marks on paper, and the second provides an overview of fluorescence methods used to search for evidence at a crime scene.
• Percentage of time spent in different learning activities:
  • Year 1: 32% lectures, seminars and lab-based study, 68% self-directed learning
  • Year 2: 34% lectures, seminars and lab-based study, 66% self-directed learning
  • Year 3: 28% lectures, seminars and lab-based study, 72% self-directed learning

Personal Tutoring

• As an undergraduate Applied Sciences student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU. The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.
• Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.
• Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.
• You will have appointments with your personal tutor twice a semester for 15 minutes to one hour throughout your course. Office drop in times will be made available and you can contact your tutor for additional support by email.

Assessment

• Assessment methods are specified in each module guide. Surface learning is assessed formally by both seen and unseen examinations. Deep learning is examined using various coursework pieces, including case studies, essays and case file preparations. Practical skills are examined in the laboratory environment in terms of the quality of your measurements. You will also undergo courtroom examinations and project presentations and vivas, which will examine your ability to process your knowledge under pressure and communicate to different audiences.