Year 1 entry
The tuition fee for 2009 entry for applicants assessed as ‘home’ for fees purposes is £3,225. This course attracts a scholarship of £1,000.
At least 40% of the curriculum involves laboratory or computer based experimentation and access to modern instrumental techniques is paramount in your development. Light and airy, spacious laboratory provision is complimented by specialist facilities such as state of the art analytical instrumentation, courtrooms and the ‘crime scene’ facility.
Course Staff
The course benefits from specialist teaching staff of former forensic scientists and places a strong emphasis on ‘hands on’ laboratory work. Subject specialists are utilised throughout the course from areas such as biology, chemistry, mathematics and law. Visiting lecturers who are current forensic practitioners are also involved in course delivery and programme development. Teaching staff have won several awards for the quality of their teaching within the university such as ‘Applauding and Promoting Teaching’ Awards and the ‘e-Tutor of the year 2007′.
Course Research
The final year project is a chance for students to explore, in greater detail, an aspect of emerging forensic science and benefits from the expertise of specialist staff members. Current scientific research from members of the teaching team enriches the curriculum. Teaching team members also carry out pedagogic research to constantly improve the teaching and learning methods utilised in delivery of the course.
Conferences
Northumbria University hosts national and international conferences to which you may be invited to attend, such as the 2007 ‘Shaping the future of Forensic Science Conference’, and ‘Dealing with Disasters Conference’ and the Higher Education Academy Special Interest Group in Forensic Science ‘Practical Projects in Forensic Science’. You will also be encouraged to attend events outside the university.
Our graduates are highly motivated and skilled with the ability to respond to employment opportunities in varied science sectors such as forensic science, chemistry, biotechnology and the police and criminal justice system. Other careers, where the benefits of a science- based degree are recognised include accountancy, medical science and teacher training.
Forensic Science covers a wide range of scientific disciplines applied in a legal context. A forensic scientist examines items of evidential value and presents their findings in court. They work within a specific area of expertise such as forensic biology, which includes, for example, blood pattern analysis and DNA interpretation and forensic chemistry which includes, for example, drug analysis and paint/glass examination.
Forensic scientists may be called on to attend scenes of crime to apply their specific knowledge in a potentially hostile environment and collect items of potential evidential value. They will utilise analytical techniques based on the sub disciplines of biology and chemistry to interpret these samples. They will then produce a written (expert witness) statement which explains those findings in ‘layman’s terms’ for the judge and jury.
The course benefits from specialist teaching staff of former forensic scientists and places a strong emphasis on ‘hands on’ laboratory work.
Core themes of pure and applied sciences are taught in the context of forensic science. The three key areas of forensic investigation:-
Crime scene investigation
Laboratory analysis
Court presentation
are embedded throughout, which will allow you to explore all areas thoroughly before embarking on a career choice.
Support through a thorough grounding in theoretical aspects, provides the skills, knowledge and problem solving abilities required for a successful career in industry, teaching, research and other careers where scientific skills are valued.
The final year project is a chance for you to explore, in greater detail, an aspect of emerging forensic science and benefits from the expertise of specialist staff members.
The tuition fee for 2008 entry for applicants assessed as ‘home’ for fees purposes is £3,145. This course attracts a scholarship of £1,000. For further information, including international student fees and scholarships,
At least 40% of the curriculum involves laboratory or computer based experimentation and access to modern instrumental techniques will be paramount to your development. Light and airy, spacious laboratory provision is complimented by specialist facilities such as state of the art analytical instrumentation, courtrooms and the ‘crime scene’ facility.
Course Staff
The course benefits from specialist teaching staff of former forensic scientists and places a strong emphasis on ‘hands on’ laboratory work. Subject specialists are utilised throughout, from areas such as biology, chemistry, mathematics and law. Visiting lecturers who are current forensic practitioners are also involved in course delivery and development. Teaching staff have won several awards for the quality of their teaching within the university such as ‘Applauding and Promoting Teaching’ Awards and the ‘e-Tutor of the year 2007′.
Course Research
The final year project is a chance for students to explore, in greater detail, an aspect of emerging forensic science and benefits from the expertise of specialist staff members. Current scientific research from members of the teaching team enriches the curriculum. Teaching team members also carry out pedagogic research to constantly improve the teaching and learning methods utilised in delivery of the course.
Conferences
Northumbria University hosts national and international conferences to which you may be invited to attend, such as the 2007 ‘Shaping the future of Forensic Science Conference’, and ‘Dealing with Disasters Conference’ and the Higher Education Academy Special Interest Group in Forensic Science ‘Practical Projects in Forensic Science’. You will also be encouraged to attend events outside the university.
Our graduates are highly motivated and skilled with the ability to respond to employment opportunities. In addition to the forensic science sector, forensic science knowledge and expertise is applicable to a range of professions within the criminal justice sector including police officers/investigators, crime/intelligence analysts. The course will provide you with knowledge and skills in chemical/instrumental analysis and DNA analysis that would equip you to enter a wide range of scientific careers in sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry/analytical chemistry etc. Other careers, where the benefits of a science- based degree are recognised include accountancy, medical science and teacher training.
Forensic Science covers a wide range of scientific disciplines applied in a legal context. A forensic scientist examines items of evidential value and presents their findings in court. They work within a specific area of expertise such as forensic biology, which includes, for example, blood pattern analysis and DNA interpretation and forensic chemistry which includes, for example, drug analysis and paint/glass examination.
Forensic scientists may be called on to attend scenes of crime to apply their specific knowledge in a potentially hostile environment and collect items of potential evidential value. They will utilise analytical techniques based on the sub disciplines of biology and chemistry to interpret these samples. They will then produce a written (expert witness) statement which explains those findings in ‘layman’s terms’ for the judge and jury.
This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to pursue a research career in Forensic Science or enhance your career prospects in areas where an extensive knowledge of Forensic Science and its techniques are valued. This integrated masters degree places a strong emphasis on laboratory work and applications, underpinned by a thorough grounding in theoretical aspects.
The course benefits from specialist teaching staff of former forensic scientists and places a strong emphasis on ‘hands on’ laboratory work.
Core themes of pure and applied sciences are taught in the context of forensic science. The three key areas of forensic investigation:-
Crime scene investigation
Laboratory analysis
Court presentation
are embedded throughout, which will allow you to explore all areas thoroughly before embarking on a career choice.
At least 40% of the curriculum involves laboratory or computer based experimentation and access to modern instrumental techniques will be paramount in your development.
Support through a thorough grounding in theoretical aspects, provides the skills, knowledge and problem solving abilities required for a successful career in industry, teaching, research and other careers where scientific skills are valued.
The final year project is a chance for you to explore, in greater detail, an aspect of emerging forensic science and benefits from the expertise of specialist staff members.
Direct entry to the final year of the MSci Forensic Science is available for students with appropriate qualifications at BSc (Honours) level – if you wish to be considered for this, please contact us for more details on 0191 227 4721.
Interpretation of Forensic Biology
This module builds upon body fluid examination techniques (taught in the core modules) and reviews the evaluation and interpretation of the evidence within the context of a major crime investigation. You will explore how advances in science are contributing to evidence enhancement and recovery techniques both at the scene and in the laboratory. In addition, the use of databases and other investigative tools will be evaluated as will the merits of other biology based evidence types encountered at a crime scene, for example entomology and archaeology.
Forensic Toxicology
This module explores key themes in forensic toxicology – analytical toxicology, current issues, interpretation and novel approaches to the discipline. The focus of the module is research based to include for example, post-mortem drug redistribution, tolerance, genotoxicity, where you will be able to critically evaluate the impact of existing methodologies, interpret experimental data and apply this knowledge.