MSc Forensic Science
Attendance
Full-time, Part-time
Full-time one year
Part-time two years
Starts September
At a glance
About this course
This course is for strong science degree graduates who want to learn about and seek a degree in forensic investigation. It provides a balance of science and law appropriate for practising forensic scientists, and gives you the skills and knowledge to gain employment in forensic science or a related area.
You study one third science modules, one third law modules and complete a major research project. Scene investigation is integral to the course.
During the course you develop science skills and knowledge related to forensic investigation, along with an understanding of the relevant law and legal processes.
The core science is studied in context, so that its relevance to forensic work is clear. We also include sections on physical and chemical methods for those considering a career in forensic chemistry and DNA for those interested in forensic biology.
Through your study and laboratory work, you develop a sophisticated understanding of various analytical techniques and their application in forensics.
You gain hands-on experience of scientific instruments and learn current practice and research techniques throughout the course. We have a wide range of advanced analytical equipment available in our modern and well-equipped labs.
In the law modules you work with students from other courses in the forensic masters programme. This enables you to see the legal side from the point of view of several specialist professions, which all have to collaborate effectively in forensic work.
We maintain contact with professional forensic scientists and value their input to the course. There is a series of external lectures through the year, and your final project may be a collaborative one with an external partner.
There are four other forensic courses available. They are all designed to meet a wide range of individual needs and expectations. Each course complements your degree study or previous work experience.
Associated careers
As well as careers in laboratory forensic science or scenes of crime work, graduates may find employment in investigative analytical science, such as in counterfeit detection process troubleshooting contract analysis pharmaceutical analysis trading standards environmental protection
The course can also provide a stepping stone towards a career in law or law enforcement.
Course content
Modules
legal methodology criminal litigation law of evidence DNA in forensic science drugs of abuse fire arms and explosives scenes of crime techniques research project
Legal methodology
This module provides the necessary grounding to study law effectively. It teaches the core skills required with emphasis placed on research and legal reasoning. You examine the court system and legal professions and we introduce the Human Rights Act of 1998.
Criminal litigation
Criminal litigation is essentially the steps required to take a criminal case to trial. Effective collaboration between police, expert witnesses and lawyers is essential. This module examines the initial stages of an investigation.
You examine police powers criminal procedure rules the general principles of criminal law required to ensure that charges are understood and correctly drafted pre-trial hearings the initial stages of a criminal prosecution with emphasis on how they are significant to expert witnesses.
Law of evidence
Within the trial there are rules and accepted protocols which affect all participants. If these are not followed then miscarriages of justice can occur - recent cases involving expert witnesses are included.
This module follows the investigative process from the initial court hearings through to the completion of the trial. It addresses subjects including rules and principles on expert testimony the burden of proof the significance of disclosure and pre trial hearings for expert witnesses the rules governing advocacy and trials salient rules of evidence, such as hearsay.
Scenes of crime techniques
If a scene is not investigated thoroughly and evidence collected properly then all the subsequent scientific and legal effort may be thrown out in court. It's vital to get it right and there's only one chance to do so. The module goes from scenes into simple laboratory work then process management, and includes personnel and duties recording sampling photography light sources marks and impressions fingerprints presumptive tests microscopy fibres paint documents reports statistics quality.
DNA in forensic science
The DNA revolution transformed forensic biology and now forms its core. Developments continue, so further changes in basic technology and in application can be expected. Statistics are essential for correct interpretation of results. The module covers key aspects, including DNA structure and regions extraction methods restriction fragment length polymorphisms, short tandem repeats and single nucleotide polymorphisms polymerase chain reaction amplification sequencing methods frequencies and statistics cases and applications.
Drugs of abuse
Concern about damage to society forms the basis for drugs of abuse legislation. However, many individuals use and abuse substances for personal reasons, leading to a race between legislation and detection on one hand, and an underground market on the other. The forensic scientist needs to understand the whole process, so the modules includes legal classifications sources (natural and synthetic) physiological effects chemical structures physicochemical properties metabolism methods of analysis.
Fire, firearms and explosives
Our world is not at equilibrium, either chemically or socially, and the effects of this occasionally break out in dramatic and tragic manner. Investigators need to understand the science thoroughly to interpret complex scenes correctly.
This module considers the forensic aspects of combustion and its manifestations fire components, initiation, propagation and fire scene investigation types of firearms, ballistics, chemistry, investigation and analysis explosive components, energetics, initiation, effects, scene investigation and analytical methods.
Research project
You undertake an eight week research project under the direction of a member of staff. The topics are matters of current interest or concern in the forensic community, and often involve outside organisations such as the police force or forensic laboratories. Before the project you have time to research the background and prepare a plan of work with your supervisor.
Past projects have included legal highs drugs of abuse presumptive tests for blood gunshot residue analysis age of remains through tooth analysis DNA from fingerprints persistence of accelerants.
Assessment
Coursework and examinations. Coursework includes essays, short projects, group presentation and conference debates.
Entry requirements
Typically you need
at least a first or 2.1 in an appropriate science. If you dont have a degree you may be considered if you have at least five years professional experience.
two academic or professional references
If English is not your first language you typically need an IELTS 6.5 score with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Places are limited but there is no discrimination against any group or individual on the grounds of ethnic origin, nationality, gender, disability, marital status, sexuality, political or religious belief
We normally interview students before admissions are finalised. International students may be interviewed by telephone or e-mail.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
Full-time typically £5,355
Part-time typically £1,785 for year one and £3,570 for year two
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,980 for the course
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 for the course
How to apply
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form