Biological and Forensic Sciences
Coventry University
UCAS Code: CF94 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
to include Biology. Excludes General Studies.
The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit of which 15 must be 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 a minimum of 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.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
The Biological and Forensic Sciences BSc (Hons) course combines the rich diverse study of biology and the living world, with the forensic challenge of using scientific analysis to decipher legal cases.
This course provides graduates with a broad perspective that is very appealing to employers. The biology content supports employment in biological research and industry whilst the forensic science elements further broaden employment options, to include a range of forensic roles.
* It aims to blend the study of human biology with the techniques used in forensic laboratories, including analysis of blood, fibres, particulates, fingerprints, drugs, documents, DNA, fire/explosives residue and other trace evidence.
* You will be taught key experimental techniques and develop essential experimental, data handling, reporting and broader scientific skills, such as literature researching, information technology, bioinformatics, data processing and the use of statistics.
* Our experienced staff aim to adopt a ‘Crime Scene to Court’ approach to their teaching, which should help you to understand forensic science, in particular the need to methodically collect samples, analyse them and present the results to the standard required by the courts.
**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 students can confidently walk into a graduate job knowing that they have already used the same equipment used in hospital, commercial, police and research laboratories.
* A 3D printing lab where students can learn to design and 3D-print their own creations.
* Regular expert guest lectures from professionals in their field, who provide insight into the numerous employability options available (subject to availability).
* Opportunities to study international cold cases and take a global approach to their studies with collaborative online projects and the possibility of international field trips.
* Joint 2nd for graduate prospects in Forensic Science in The Complete University Guide 2022.
Modules
Your main study themes are:
**Human Biology** Biology related to human beings, covering the disciplines of human: physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, immunology and oncology.
**Forensic Science** Crime scene protocols for recovery, physical, biological and chemical techniques for analysis, statistical interpretation and legal aspects governing presentation of evidence for the criminal justice system.
**Laboratory Competence** Generic and specialised skills in experimental biology, including experimentation and measurements on humans, anti-contamination and audit trail procedures, safety (eg. key laboratory skills and competencies, good laboratory practice) and ethical considerations.
**Research Methods** Critical analysis, reflection, information searching and experimental design in the biological sciences. Data collection, analysis and presentation.
For more information about what you will study, please visit our website.
Tuition fees
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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.
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)
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)
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.
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
Biological and sport 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
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.
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
£23k
£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.
Biosciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£20k
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.
- What's it like studying a degree in Biological and sport sciences
- What's it like studying a degree in Biosciences
- What's it like studying a degree in Physical sciences
- What's it like studying a degree in Biological sciences
- What's it like studying a degree in Forensic science
- What's it like studying a degree in General, applied and forensic sciences
- What's it like studying a degree in Forensic and archaeological sciences
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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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.
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Graduate field commentary:
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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?
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