Forensic Science (with Placement Year)
UCAS Code: F41S
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
GCSE/National 4/National 5
3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English and Maths.
UCAS Tariff
from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent), including grade C in Biology or Chemistry.
About this course
You’ve got a keen, analytical mind and a need to get to the truth. Build on your respect for evidence and analytical sciences with our three year Forensic Science degree, accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Our Cambridge-based course gets you hands-on with specialist analytical equipment, authentic crime scene rooms and placement and internship opportunities with local police forces and forensic labs. You’ll graduate with the skills to start a career in forensic science and other analytical science-related fields.
This course will teach you the fundamental principles of forensic science from crime scene to court. You’ll learn how to analyse and investigate a range of evidence at crime scenes and in the forensic laboratory. In the first year of your degree, you will cover key forensic concepts including how to package evidence correctly and perform preliminary tests for body fluids and drugs of abuse. You will also gain knowledge in the scientific disciplines to equip you for the more advanced analytical modules you will encounter as the degree progresses. During your degree you will have the opportunity to analyse a range of ‘real’ samples including ignitable liquid residues, drugs of abuse, trace evidence such as paint and fibres and biological material. By the time you graduate, you will have developed an understanding of the UK legal system and your role in it as a forensic scientist. You will be able to present your observations and conclusions as evidence in a court of law. You will also have learnt how to conduct thorough, independent research, and feel confident about presenting comprehensive reports, both verbally and in writing.
You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of a range of analytical techniques including Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission (ICP-OES) spectroscopy, Microspectrophotometry (MSP) and various Gas Chromatography (GC) and Liquid- Chromatography (LC) instruments with different detection systems. For biological analysis we have a range of instruments available including a Nanodrop 1000 spectrophotometer, Qubit fluorometer, Lightcycler 96 real-time PCR system and an AB 3130 genetic analyser. In addition, we have a variety of microscopes available including comparison, polarizing light and confocal, as well as a selection of specialised forensic equipment.
Our lecturers are all research-active and have first-hand experience of crime scene examination or the analysis of forensic evidence. As well as benefitting from their knowledge, you’ll have guest lectures from visiting professionals and get an understanding of the workplace through visits to places such as the Magistrates Court, Crown Court, and other field trips.
Studying this course qualifies you to become a member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
You have the option to take a placement year as part of your degree.
Modules
Year one, core modules
Introduction to Forensic Methodologies
Introduction to Biology and Forensic Chemistry
UK Law and Legal Systems
Physical Criminalistics
Introduction to Police and Forensic Photography
Physical and Quantitative Chemistry for Forensic Scientists
Year two, core modules
Forensic Spectroscopy Techniques
Scene and Laboratory Investigation
Forensic Analytical Chemistry
The Forensic Analysis of DNA
Project Preparation
Chemical Criminalistics
Work placement (optional placement year)
Year three, core modules
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Pathology
Advanced Fire and Explosion Investigations
Advanced Forensic Methodologies
The Forensic Analysis of Drugs and Poisons
Undergraduate Major Project
Assessment methods
Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. This course has a hands-on approach, so a lot of your assessment will be through practical work. You’ll also do exams, essays, portfolios, role plays and presentations.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Cambridge Campus
Life Sciences
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Forensic and archaeological sciences
Teaching and learning
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Forensic and archaeological sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
General, applied and forensic sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£19k
£27k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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