Study Programme

We offer various study programmes consisting of both coursework and research.  This exposes students to a broad range of disciplines that carry the potential for significant practical application.  Students will gain hands-on experience in the analysis of material associated with a crime scene, use techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, experience chemical analytical techniques including Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography, as well as learning how to employ DNA sequencing using specific genomic markers.  In addition, students will conduct experiments with animal carcasses as human models.  From these experiences students will not only learn basic human anatomy but also aspects of pathology, and decompositional processes associated with estimating the time of death, all of which may be relevant to violent crime.

Lectures and workshops will contain a combination of theoretical material, enabling students to make judgements on the veracity of scientific evidence, and sufficient practical experience of techniques in order to evaluate and apply analytical processes.  The opportunity exists, within the research component of the Master's degree, for students to become proficient in one or more areas of specific expertise.  Research projects will be discipline- and problem-based and conducted under the supervision of one or more academic supervisors. 

Part of the research component of both the Diploma and Master degrees will be a critical case study, which will involve research into forensic evidence, documentation and law.  Finally, as part of this section of the course, students will be expected to display evidence of proficiency within a mock courtroom before members of the legal profession.

The Centre for Forensic Science will administer the programme within the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences under the Director.  Facilities, independent of the contributing schools, will be made available to students where they can study, use library facilities, and handle evidence in a safe and secure environment.