BSc (Honours)/MSci Forensic Science
UCAS code
F410Attendance
Full-time
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time, plus one year to MSci (optional)At a glance
Learn how to use chemical and biological science to provide important evidence to help solve crimes, in modern well-equipped labs. Then gain valuable professional experience, by applying for a placement with one of our national or multinational partners including forensic science providers, equipment manufacturers and multinational pharmaceutical companies.
Key points
Learn how to use scientific techniques and knowledge to solve crimes.
Study in modern well-equipped labs that prepare you for a career in forensic science and related areas.
Enhance your career prospects by applying for a placement.
Develop attributes valued by employers such as the ability to communicate and problem solve.
What is forensic science?
Forensic science is an extremely diverse field, taking in any scientific discipline that could be used in court from engineering to zoology to accounting. However, there are types of evidence that appear in court more often than others such as, drugs, fingermarks, DNA, glass and fibres.
In these central forensic disciplines, scientists can be involved in an enormous range of cases, such as drug trafficking, burglary, violent disorder and kidnapping. Solving serious cases such as these is one of the aspects that makes a career in forensic science so exciting.
About this course
If you choose a career as a forensic scientist, your role will be to provide important evidence to support the law and help solve crimes. So you need a sound knowledge of science and an understanding of English law.
Analytical and bioanalytical science are at the core of forensic science and are central to your studies on this course. By gaining an in-depth understanding of analytical techniques, you are able to detect DNA, fibres, drugs or other compounds in crime scene samples.
Throughout your studies you attend lectures, seminars and tutorials then test what youve learnt in crime scene practical exercises in our forensic facilities. These include a crime scene investigation house and a new virtual simulation of the same house that allows you to gain additional practice in crime scene investigating. You also learn how to use the latest DNA evaluation equipment.
Forensic practitioners such as police crime scene investigators, fire service fire investigators, forensic toxicologists and retired senior investigating officers from local police forces regularly give guest lectures offering their professional perspectives on the subject.
You then get the opportunity to apply for a placement in year three. We strongly recommend this as it allows you to develop your skills and makes you much more attractive to employers, such as forensic science providers.
Thanks to the courses excellent reputation with employers in the field of forensic science, successful students can choose from a range of national and multinational placement partners. These include Foster and Freeman Reckett and Benckiser Environmental Scientifics Group LGC Quotient Bioresearch biotechnology industries.
At the end of the course you demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have gained by carrying out a research project, either at the University or at an outside organisation. Recent forensic topics include trace DNA evidence legal highs fibres fingerprint chemistry.
The course is underpinned by research, and most of our teaching staff are active in our internationally recognised Biomedical Research Centre (BMRC). This allows us to feed scientific developments directly into the teaching programme.
The optional transfer to the MSci postgraduate qualification is suitable for students who gain good marks in years one and two of the course.
Key areas of study
The course has a strong laboratory focus and you develop skills using the latest techniques in forensic, chemical and biological sciences.
Associated careers
As a graduate of this course you can begin a career in forensic science on the path to becoming an expert who gives evidence in court. After gaining a graduate role with a forensic science provider, it takes several years of in-house training and casework before you have the breadth of experience necessary to be able to give expert testimony in court.
The forensic techniques taught on this course are similar to techniques used in pharmaceutical development, medical diagnostics, consumer protection and industrial analysis, so the analytical emphasis of this course also helps you gain employment in these wider areas.
Many graduates progress to specialist postgraduate courses or carry out research for a PhD.
Your numeracy, problem-solving and analytical skills help you find careers in areas such as teaching and legal or financial services.
Course content
Year one modules
forensic analysis and chemical principles crime scenes and the legal system introduction to cells and molecules human anatomy and physiology practical and professional skills for the forensic scientist
Year two modules
forensic chemistry trace evidence and law analytical and bioanalytical science forensic biology and pathology practical and professional skills
Year three modules
optional work placement
Final year modules
topics in forensic science forensic case study advanced analytical science research project professional practice
MSci year (optional)
research methods and statistics research projects
Assessment
examinations coursework written assignments tests group work laboratory work
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language, mathematics (or level 2 equivalent such as Level 2 adult literacy/numeracy or Key Skills Level 2 communication/application of number) and science, plus one of the following
260 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels to include the study of chemistry or biology with at least 80 points from one of these subjects, or BTEC National qualifications that include some study of biology or chemistry. We do not accept general studies A level.
successfully completing our Extended Degree in Biosciences and Chemistry (preparatory year) or equivalent
Access an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.
You also need to demonstrate an ability to
study academic subjects at degree level
debate topics and issues
draw on conclusions from written material
study independently as well as a member of a group
use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations
These are normally achieved through completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.
If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) and explore any issues you may have.
2013 entry requirements
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language, mathematics (or level 2 equivalent such as Level 2 Adult Literacy/Numeracy or Key Skills Level 2 Communication/Application of Number) and science, plus one of the following
260 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels to include the study of chemistry or biology with at least 80 points from one of these subjects, or BTEC National qualifications that include some study of biology or chemistry. We do not accept general studies A level.
Fees
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk