Teaching & modules
Modules
Required Modules
You are required to take:
- Analytical Chemistry for Forensic Science & Toxicology (15 credits)
- Forensic Genetics (15 credits)
- The Forensic Process (30 credits)
- The Chemistry of Drugs and Explosives (30 credits)
- Forensic Biology (30 credits)
You are also required to complete a research module depending on your choice of study pathway (60 credits for MSc pathway and 120 credits for MRes pathway):
- Forensic Project (60 credits)
- Forensic Science Research Project (Extended) (120 credits)
Teaching methods - what to expect
Contact time includes lectures, laboratory practicals and workshops. Approximate total contact hours for the taught modules is 390 hours.
You are also expected to undertake 810 hours of team and individual study.
Taught modules total 120 credits. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Research modules are 60 credits. Project selection is through student application and interview.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Examinations
- Research project
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework (laboratory competency; presentations, courtroom assessment, strategy planning, critical thinking) and examinations (unseen written essays, use of specialist computer software for forensic genetic reports). Coursework contributes approximately 45% and examinations approximately 55% to your final mark. Research assessment: experimental plan, journal article, poster and viva (MRes seminar presentation).
Course structure
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits for the MSc and 240 for the MRes.