Biological and Forensic Sciences
Entry requirements
A level
to include Biology. Excludes General Studies.
The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits above Merit of which 15 must be at Distinction in Biology units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English, Mathematics and two Sciences.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
to include 5 points in Biology at Higher level.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
in a Biological Science subject. Excludes Health and Social Care.
Scottish Higher
to include Biology at Advanced Higher.
UCAS Tariff
[1] 4 qualifications for tariff points allowed [2] Must include 32 points or above in a Biological or Chemical Science based subject [3] May also include AS level and EPQ
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**This course combines the rich, diverse study of biology and the living world, with the forensic challenge of using scientific analysis to investigate legal cases.**
This combination of subjects provides a broad perspective that is very appealing to employers.
Graduates are able to tackle challenges like the spread of infectious diseases and developing new treatments, and also practical problem-solving skills to analyse evidence from crime scenes.
Course aims:
* Enable you to apply critical thinking skills to assess and solve problems in biological and forensic sciences, considering different perspectives and ethical approaches
* Develop your knowledge and understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of human health and disease, and of forensic science, including the criminal justice system processes and investigative practice
* Provide a broad and varied educational experience, with experiential learning including a wide range of community and international contexts, and multidisciplinary real-world problems
**Key Course Benefits**
* A teaching team of multidisciplinary experts from various subjects, including biologists, chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, forensic scientists, investigators and lawyers who bring their research and practical experiences into their teaching.
* Hands-on practical experience, both in the state-of-the-art Superlab+ and in the immersive crime scene simulation houses and outdoor search and decomposition facilities, so that you can confidently walk into a graduate job knowing that you have already used the same equipment used in hospital, commercial, police and research laboratories*.
* A 3D printing lab where you can learn to design and 3D-print your own creations*.
* Regular expert guest lectures from professionals in their field, who provide insight into the numerous employability options available*.
* Opportunities to study international cold cases and take a global approach to your studies with collaborative online projects and the possibility of international field trips*.
* 1st for graduate prospects (on track) in Forensic Science in The Complete University Guide 2023.
*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.
Modules
Year one
In your first year, you will join a vibrant community of students studying bioscience-related courses in biomedical science, human biosciences and pharmacology. The common first year ensures that you have a firm understanding of core areas of modern biosciences, from the cellular and molecular level through to whole body anatomy and physiology. These subjects are underpinned by relevant aspects of chemistry, maths and data analysis.
The topics are taught in an integrated manner to ensure that the links between disciplines such as biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology are evident. You will also have the opportunity to start to apply your knowledge to collecting and analysing evidence from a crime scene, in the Applied Techniques in Biology module. You are supported with the aim of becoming a confident, competent and safe laboratory scientist.
Modules
Human physiology: Homeostasis and Health - 20 credits
Genetics, Heredity and Evolution - 20 credits
Structure, Function and Analysis of Biomolecules - 20 credits
Cell Communication, Structure, and Function - 20 credits
The Microbial World - 20 credits
Applied Techniques in Biology - 20 credits
Year Two
In year two, you will build on your knowledge of biology in areas such as genetics, microbiology, neurophysiology and human health and disease. You will study forensic aspects including crime scene evaluation, collection, preservation and analysis of evidence linked to legal aspects of criminal cases. You will continue to extend your skills and competencies, including effective communication to diverse audiences, in both scientific and non-scientific arenas. Individual professional development activities enable you to identify strategies and approaches to enhance your own capabilities and to build your professional profile.
Modules
Fundamentals of Forensic Science - 20 credits
Microorganisms in Human Health and Disease - 20 credits
Human Genetic Diversity - 20 credits
Forensic Science and Evidence Analysis - 20 credits
The Immune System in Health and Disease - 20 credits
Neurophysiology - 20 credits
Placement Year
Our sandwich degree option allows a full year work placement, which can be taken abroad, or you can undertake a study year abroad. Previous students in our department have been successful in securing places to study in Spain, France, Canada and the US.
If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,250. For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.
Final Year
The final year will build on the knowledge of biological and forensic sciences. You will further develop research skills and will undertake a research project which will be designed and reported with the support of an academic supervisor, providing a capstone experience to the course. Studying international cold cases will allow you to take a global approach to your studies with collaborative online projects (subject to availability) and the possibility of international field trips. You will also study the application of cutting-edge forensic techniques to real-life cold cases and test your presentation skills reporting forensic evidence in a mock courtroom.
Modules
Infectious Disease: Present and Future Challenges - 20 credits
Forensic Futures: Contemporary and Global Issues - 20 credits
Research Design - 20 credits
Crime Scene to Courtroom - 20 credits
Genomics, Disease and Personalised Therapy - 20 credits
Independent Project - 20 credits
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
Assessment methods
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
* Tests
* Essays
* Group work
* Presentations
* Reports
* Projects
* Coursework
* Individual Assignments
* Laboratory competency tests
* Portfolios
* Mock court room oral testimony
* Posters
* Critical reviews
* Reflections
* Case study-based approaches with scenarios based on real world issues
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Coventry University
School of Life Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biosciences (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Forensic and archaeological sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biosciences (non-specific)
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
These stats refer to the prospects of graduates from general courses in biosciences. About a quarter go into further study and for those who go into work, bioscience, teaching and finance jobs are the most common types of employment. But you can go into most careers with this kind of degree — the majority of jobs for graduates don’t ask for a particular degree subject - and you will acquire a wide range of skills valued by many employers. If you want to find out more specifically about the prospects for your chosen subject, it might be a good idea to go on open days and talk to tutors about what previous graduates from your chosen subject went on to do.
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.
Biosciences (non-specific)
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£18k
£23k
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.
Forensic and archaeological 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.
£18k
£22k
£24k
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.
Explore these similar courses...
This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Course location and department:
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
Have a question about this info? Learn more here