Forensic Science (With Foundation Year)

Technological advances have made the role of the forensic scientist increasingly important in crime investigations and other fields such as archaeology. Our degree course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the biological and chemical sciences involved as well as exploring the most recent advances in areas such as DNA analysis, toxicology, criminal psychology, and fire and explosive analysis.

Foundation Year
In the Foundation year you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years.

Course accreditation

Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Science is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) so you can be sure its content and teaching are of a high, internationally recognised standard.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Modern STEM building with high-tech labs and bespoke study spaces, providing you with a vibrant and supportive learning environment.

• Mock crime-scene flat designed as a typical residential home, allowing you to simulate crime scenarios and apply your learning to real-life situations.

• Specialist forensic laboratory with state-of-the-art microscopes and insectary.

• Practise for court appearances in the University’s Moot Court.

Career-powered links

Our Life Sciences Liaison Board works with industry professionals across the pharma-biotech, health and food sectors, including Glaxo Smith Kline, the NHS and Cellmark Forensics. Our collaboration within the sector help you establish links and gain valuable work experience.

Your student experience

Prepare for future employment with our courses’ hands-on approach to learning.

Our academic team are industry professionals in forensic science.

Take part in night-time, mock crime-scene investigations at our Putteridge Bury campus.

Gain additional lab-work experience via the Student Skills Lab scheme where you can try out techniques for real-world applications, under the guidance of recent graduates.

Learn from our regular masterclasses and interactive demonstrations by industry experts such as Paul Kingdon, former New Scotland Yard detective and police training manager for the Metropolitan Police Service Crime Academy.

Explore your prospects and connect with leading employers at our annual STEM Careers Expo.

Study with academics who have world-leading research expertise in areas such as community safety, offending and youth justice; their experience shapes their teaching, keeping you up to date with the latest industry developments.

Put theory into practice in a real-world research project of your choosing.

Course modules

Year 1
Human anatomy and physiology – Explore the interconnected nature of the body’s systems. Molecular genetics – Develop your understanding of this field, with a focus on cell division and genetic inheritance. Chemistry for forensic scientists – Understand chemical principles and their application in forensic science while developing safe, effective lab skills. Skills for forensic scientists – Build a range of key study skills including analysis, presentation of data and basic lab techniques. Evidence examination skills – Gain foundation skills in the lab-based examination of forensic evidence, including fingerprints and footwear. Psychology and criminal behaviour – Explore the psychology of offending behaviour while examining offender types and criminal career pathways.

Year 2
Skills in science – Build confidence in key skills like experimental design, lab safety, data analysis, finding sources and writing proposals. Animals and plants in crime – Focus on the use of biological evidence in forensic investigations. Crimes against property – Practise laboratory techniques commonly associated with evidence recovered from crimes against property. Biology in forensic science – Explore the different types of biological crime-scene evidence and the roles biologists play within an investigation. Presentation of evidence – Learn basic statistical methods, with a view to evaluating and communicating a variety of scientific findings. Forensic genetics – Learn techniques used in DNA analysis and profiling. Psychology and criminal justice – Explore the role of psychology in criminal justice systems.

Year 3
Forensic science research project – Plan, design and complete a piece of research in an area of interest relevant to the course. Forensic toxicology and drug analysis – Understand where legal and illegal drugs come from, their key properties, and how they are analysed in the lab. Crime scene to court – Work on a simulated forensic investigation, from the recovery of crime-scene evidence to the presentation of results in court. Fire analysis – How fire evidence can be used to reconstruct a crime scene and document events to find the cause of a fire. Advanced applications in forensic genetics – Gain the knowledge and skills to plan an analytical strategy for DNA evidence based on case circumstances. Suspicious death investigation – How to investigate a suspicious death, using forensic techniques to build a biological profile when the deceased is unknown.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.

https://www.beds.ac.uk/courses/forensic-science/