Course content
Year 1 / Level C
Introduction to Forensic Investigation
This unit will provide you with a deeper appreciation of the legal aspects, command structure and operational procedures of UK forensic investigations and provide a deeper insight into a range of forensic sciences available. It will provide you with the theoretical understanding to enhance practical experience in the recovery of physical evidence.
Investigative & Reporting Skills
Providing you with the core skill set necessary for undergraduate study in a science subject, this unit will particularly develop independent learning. By the end of the unit you will have completed a simulated science-based investigation exercise, demonstrating the application of a range of core skills as an investigative scientist.
Topics in Contemporary Science
You will be exposed to a range of contemporary themes in science, either driven by research taking place within the School or by topical science agenda. The unit is delivered by a seminar series covering all aspects of the science relevant to the School of Applied Sciences. Topical or popular issues are examined and the science that underlies them explored.
Practical Skills
The practical and field skills necessary for undergraduate study in a science subject specifically within the fields of archaeology, environment & biological-forensic science will be covered. You will be taught through a series of short courses and self directed learning exercises designed to develop your independent learning skills.
Biology
The fundamental concepts of biology, including cell biology, molecular biology, anatomy and physiology will be studied in this unit. It will explore the molecular basis of life, physiological processes and the function, structure and regulation of the most important organ systems in animals. You will also develop core bioscience skills, such as practical ability, data handling, time management and team work through laboratory classes.
Chemistry
You will be provided with an understanding of some aspects and processes within fundamental chemistry and analytical chemistry and develop your laboratory skills. The unit will predominately be delivered through lectures and practical laboratory sessions. The laboratory sessions will enable reinforcement of the theoretical concepts by dealing with experimentally generated data and will allow for one-to-one and small group discussions.
Year 2 / Level I
Biochemistry
This science-based unit is designed to enable you to be conversant with biochemical aspects of modern biological sciences whilst serving to provide a foundation for final level study such as Biomolecules and Toxicology in the third year. Supported by some of the laboratory practical sessions, the unit will deliver the contents of four core parts of modern biochemistry, namely structure of macromolecules, transmission of genetic information, function of proteins, and metabolic pathways.
Crime Scene
This unit aims to provide details on the legal aspects, command structure and operational procedures of UK scene of crime investigations and provide an introduction to a range of forensic sciences. It will also provide practical experience in the recovery of evidence from potential scenes of crime.
Forensic Science
The basic scientific and analytical principals underlying the practice of forensic science will be explored in this unit. You will be introduced to a range of basic case types and to the analytical techniques commonly employed in forensic casework.
Human Osteology
The basic principles of analysis and interpretation involved in the study of skeletal remains of modern humans will be covered in this unit. It introduces the concepts and uses of biological data in examination and analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological and forensic contexts and involves the determination of basic bioprofiling characteristics including sex, age at death, ancestry and stature. Attention is also given to considering skeletal data at the level of populations as opposed to that of individuals.
Introduction to Toxicology
The basic principals of toxicology will be explored in this unit, designed to offer foundation knowledge for those intending to study toxicology at higher levels or for those intending to study subjects peripheral to toxicology or where a basic understanding of toxicology will be relevant.
Option units: choose one of the following:
Human Origins & Evolution
Past and current theories surrounding human origins and evolution will be explored. This unit will consider various lines of evidence including modern human biology, fossil anatomy, genetic studies, primatological evidence and archaeological material. You will be introduced to concepts of evolutionary theory, approaches to understanding specific adaptations and to differing hypotheses regarding human ancestry and how these may be approached critically.
Applications of Archaeological Science
This unit will develop your understanding of how thematic archaeological research questions may be addressed through the use of archaeological scientific techniques and approaches. Knowledge of case studies will be developed to promote understanding of the potential applications of archaeological science to investigate the behaviour of past human societies.
Year 3 / Level H
Advanced Forensic Science
You will enhance your knowledge and critical thinking skills associated with the scientific and analytical principals underlying the practice of forensic science in this unit. You will gain in depth knowledge of key areas of forensic science.
Forensic Toxicology
This course aims to provide you with a knowledge and understanding of the complex issues involved with the analysis of common drugs and poisons in human tissues and the ways in which they exert their effects on the body and influence behaviour.
Biomolecules
By the end of this unit you will be conversant with the concepts and approaches of holism compared with reductionism in modern biological sciences. It will review the principles of biology and modern biotechnologies from molecular levels to systems biology, such as DNA analysis, DNA profiling, functional genomics, gene expression and cDNA microarray, proteomics and protein interactions, epigenetics, bioinformatics, recombinant DNA, and biotechnology.
Independent Research Project
The Independent Research Project provides you with an opportunity to gain experience of research in a topic of your choice relevant to your degree and to demonstrate your ability to report that research. Such experience is considered essential for those students interested in pursuing academic and/or professional research at a higher level of responsibility and achievement.
Option units: choose one of the following:
Applied Anthropology
Introducing you to the wider applications and potential of research in Biological Anthropology, you will explore the analysis and interpretation of skeletal pathology and trauma and examine ways in which the study of disease can inform about health status in past societies. Attention is also given to considering how such pathology can provide important information that may lead to the identification of deceased individuals recovered from forensic contexts. Consideration is also given to the ways data is captured and analysed at the level of populations and of both the problems and prospects such analysis carry.
Environmental Forensics
The range of issues covered by the term Environmental Forensics will be explored in this unit. These range from pollution investigations to wildlife crime at local, national and international levels. You will also address techniques and the organisations associated with the investigation of environmental crimes.
Forensic Practice
This unit will consolidate much of the second and third year by virtue of examination of key players and organisations in forensic sciences and how they impact upon operations at the crime scene, the laboratory and the courts. You will become familiar with professional skills required by the forensic scientist particularly focusing on the role of the expert witness.
