Awards
Target Award
Award Description:Master of Science - MS
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Accreditation
Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
Programme Offerings
Full-Time
F2F-JMU-SEP
Educational Aims of the Course
The overall aim of the programme is to produce postgraduates who are able to play a significant role in the development of approaches to the study and application of knowledge in the field of forensic bioscience. The curriculum and approach to Teaching, Learning and Assessment aims to meet the challenges of employment in a global society through the development of intellectual, analytical and research skills relevant to this area of study. The specific aims of the programme are: 1. To provide students with specialist knowledge of biological sciences pertinent to forensic science including both theoretical and practical aspects. 2. To enhance students' critical, analytical and practical skills relevant to the modern multidisciplinary forensic industry. 3. To enable students to extend their capacity for independent study and to make an original contribution to research. 4. To enhance students capacity for teamwork. 5. To enhance students oral and written communication skills. 6. To develop those learning, IT, communication and reflective skills necessary to enable students to participate in lifelong learning. 7. To provide students with a high level understanding of the role of the expert witness and relevant aspects of the law under which they may have to work.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the facts, concepts, principles and theories relevant to the broad area of forensic bioscience.
2.
Critically appraise laboratory methods and the design of laboratory experiments, their implementation and interpretation of their results.
3.
Convey their findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences in an appropriate manner.
4.
Collect, analyse and interpret experimental data.
5.
Display autonomy in planning, design and execution of experiments.
6.
Critically evaluate current research and scholarship in the student's chosen discipline.
7.
Plan and execute safely laboratory experiments with an awareness of good laboratory practice (GLP) and control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) assessment. Consideration of ethical requirements if necessary.
8.
Develop the organisational skills to manage resources and time.
9.
Communicate effectively by discussions, written materials, use of images and data to make oral, written and poster presentations. Use of IT to enable this effective communication.
10.
Collect, record and interpret numerical data.
11.
Exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
12.
Possess a clear awareness of the professional, moral and ethical responsibilities (including relevant laws, expert witness regulations and current and future constraints) placed on the forensic scientist.
13.
Develop an ability to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.
14.
Critically evaluate current themes and/or insights, at/or informed by, the forefront of the forensic Industry and its related disciplines.
15.
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the biological organisms and analysis applicable to the area of forensic science.
16.
Show originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of processes which facilitate the critical evaluation of research, scholarship and methodologies within the area of forensic bioscience.
17.
Critically evaluate information and data from a variety of sources.
18.
Apply planning, research methodology and analytical skills to an in-depth study of a topic in a chosen field of study.
19.
Select the appropriate tools for analysing and presenting complex concepts and ideas, communicating findings clearly.
20.
Demonstrate originality in tackling and solving problems.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Acquisition is achieved through a combination of interactive lectures, small group teaching (tutorial),workshops, CAL, seminars, literature reviews, extended essays, portfolios, oral presentations, directed supervisions and project work. Practical skills are achieved by wet and dry practical activities, demonstrations, project work, external visits and seminars (external/internal speakers). The five month project serves to develop knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories applicable to forensic bioscience. The range of assessment types includes a combination of unseen/seen examination papers (essay and interpretative style questions) and coursework in the form of laboratory reports, essays, case studies, oral examination, poster presentation, scientific paper production, e-portfolio, problem solving exercises, and a dissertation thesis. Intellectual skills are developed throughout the teaching and learning programme. Critical analysis and problem solving skills are embedded in all modules and are taught, developed and practised through workshops, tutorials (small group),formative assessment exercises and all forms of project work. Experimental, research and design skills are further developed and practised through a broad range of coursework activities, laboratory work and all project work. Individual feedback is given on all work submitted. Experimental research and design skills are assessed by essays, portfolio, oral presentations, and practical report write-up including the dissertation thesis. Additionally the expert witness statement and oral defence within the law and court room skills module assesses a range of specific practical skills. The assessments are specifically designed to allow students to enhance their transferable skills alongside more specific, programme related outcomes.
Programme Structure
Programme Structure Description
The programme is composed of modules with credit ratings of 20 and 60.The programme is offered as a one year full-time course. The taught component of the programme covers a period of seven months (October-April) and the project five months (May-September). The project module has a credit rating of 60 … For more content click the Read More button below.
All students will be enrolled initially onto the Research Project. Students who are offered the opportunity to complete their project during a placement, will be transferred to the Placement Project. Industrial placements are subject to availability and successful interview.
Structure
Level 7
Entry Requirements
IELTS
Other international requirements
RPL
Undergraduate degree
HECoS Code(s)
(CAH07-04) general, applied and forensic sciences