Forensic Science - BSc (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

At all stages in this programme, the modules listed are compulsory.

Teaching and assessment

There are approximately eight one-hour lectures each week, laboratory classes, project work and problem-solving seminars.

Assessment is by a combination of written examinations, continuous assessment and other assignments. You must pass the Stage 1 examinations in order to go on to Stage 2. Coursework assessments include incident analysis, evidence preservation, presentation skills and expert witness testimony.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• Instil enthusiasm for forensic science, an appreciation of its application in different contexts.
• Provide a broad and balanced foundation of the science and law that underpins forensic practice and methodology in a modern society.
• Develop the ability to apply knowledge and skills to the solution of forensic problems.
• Teach you the use and understanding of a variety of scientific and quantitative techniques applied to forensic science problems.
• Provide a knowledge and skills base from which you can proceed to further studies in the forensic and scientific area or in aspects of chemistry, physics or bioscience that are relevant to forensic and related practices.
• Provide a stimulating, research-active environment for teaching and learning.
• Provide an understanding of scientific methodology and the ability to undertake and report on an experimental investigation.
• Generate an appreciation of the importance of forensic science and its practice in a judicial, industrial, economic, environmental and social context, and of the importance of chemistry in an industrial, economic, forensic, and social context.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• Core and foundation scientific physical, biological, and chemical concepts, terminology, theory, units, conventions, and laboratory methods in relation to forensic science.
• Areas of chemistry as applied to forensic analysis, and areas of bioscience, including cells, biochemistry, human DNA.
• Numeracy, forensic investigation and interpretation and apply them to forensic examination and analysis.
• Incident investigation, evidence recovery, preservation, and presentation as an expert witness within the judicial environment.

Intellectual skills

You gain intellectual skills in how to:

• Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to the subject to find the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems.
• Recognise and analyse novel problems and plan strategies for their solution by the evaluation, interpretation and synthesis of scientific information and data by a variety of computational methods.
• Recognise and implement good measurement science and practice and commonly used forensic laboratory techniques.
• Write essays and present scientific material and arguments clearly and correctly, in writing and orally, to a range of audiences including legal contexts.
• Communicate complex scientific argument to a lay audience.

Subject-specific skills

You gain the following subject-specific skills:

• Safe handling of chemical materials, taking into account their physical and chemical properties, including any specific hazards associated with their use and to risk assess such hazards.
• Conduct of standard laboratory procedures involved in analytical work and in the operation of standard forensic instrumentation.
• Competence in the planning, design and execution of investigations, from the problem-recognition stage through to the evaluation and appraisal of results and findings.
• Safe handling of firearms, ammunition, and propellants; analysis of forensic evidence related to firearms, firearm discharge, and ballistic theory; collision analysis: mathematical interpretation, field application and reconstruction.
• Ability to interpret data derived from laboratory observations and measurements, and to present such data to an examining body in the role of expert witness.

Transferable skills

You gain the following transferable skills:

• Communication skills covering both written and oral communication.
• Self-management and organisational skills with the capacity to support lifelong learning.
• Problem-solving skills, relating to qualitative and quantitative information.
• Information-retrieval skills, in relation to primary and secondary information sources.
• IT skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Time-management and organisational skills.
• Study skills needed for continuing professional development and preparation for employment as a practising forensic scientist.
• Ability to plan and implement independent projects at degree level.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Forensic skills are used in a range of professions and industries, for instance at disaster scenes, within archaeology and in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Our graduates go into areas such as:

• government agencies
• forensic service providers
• consultancies
• emergency services
• local authorities
• contract laboratories
• research or further vocational training.

Some of our graduates have gone on to work at the Forensic Explosives Laboratory, which is part of the Ministry of Defence and provides scientific support to the Police and Crown Prosecution Service.

Career-enhancing skills

You graduate with excellent forensic skills, including:

• scene-of-crime skills
• laboratory skills
• document examination
• criminal law and forensic expert witness skills.

In addition, you develop the key transferable skills that graduate employers look for, including:

• excellent communication skills
• teamworking
• the ability to analyse problems
• time management.

You can also enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

Help finding a job

The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.