This course - accredited by the Forensic Science Society (FSSoc) - will prepare you for a career in crime scene investigation, forensic labs, technical management, consultancy, research and development or media and public service. The course is very practically orientated so you'll have the chance to put theory into practice. You'll get hands-on use of a wide range of instruments and techniques covering all areas of forensic science. These may include: Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) DNA profiling Analytical chemistry Bloodspatter analysis Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) In Year 1, you'll learn about the intricacies of crime scene investigation and the importance of preservation of evidence. You'll cover relevant biological and chemical principles as well as photography and other crime scene documenting techniques. In Year 2, you'll focus on analysis and measurement. You'll also expand on the principles of criminalistic methods, forensic chemistry, forensic biology and DNA profiling. You'll develop your research and communication skills and in many of your practical exercises, you'll work in small teams. In your final year, you'll get to put your forensic knowledge into practice by working in teams on simulated scenes in our crime scene house. You'll also carry out an in-depth independent research project in a current forensic field. You'll be assessed via seen and unseen exams, portfolios, laboratory reports, group and individual presentations, role plays and poster presentations. If you would like to study this degree but your current qualifications do not meet our entry requirements for degree level study, our Forensic Science with a Foundation Year is available.

This course has been designed in conjunction with practitioners and professionals within the forensic arena to give you the skills and knowledge required to seek employment within the forensic field. You will have developed skills in biological and chemical applications to forensic science alongside criminalistic methods and crime scene processing. This, in addition to the Forensic Science Society accreditation, gives you a sound foundation to pursue a career in many areas of forensic science. We have graduates who have gone on to find employment in the many facets of forensic science from scenes of crime officers to DNA analysts to exhibits officers to scientists in overseas forensic laboratories to insurance company loss adjusters. The skills and knowledge developed over the course not only equip you to find employment within a forensic context but also within traditional science environments as well. We have graduates who have secured employment as: water quality chemists, hospital pathology laboratory technicians, polymer chemist, pharmaceutical chemist, occupational hygienist, laboratory coordinator, as well as going in to science teaching and postgraduate study at both MSc and PhD level. In addition the team working, problem solving, communication and time management skills you develop also mean you are able to seek employment in areas outside of science, such as human resources and recruitment.