Forensic Science and Chemical Analysis
UCAS Code: FF41
Master of Science - MSci
Entry requirements
96 to 112 UCAS points at A2 including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
96 to 112 UCAS points including 15 level 3 credits in Biology or Chemistry
GCSE/National 4/National 5
5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Maths and English or equivalent. Equivalent qualifications are Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English or Level 3 Key Skills in Maths and Communication.
Pass IB Diploma including 96 - 112 UCAS points from Higher Level subjects including HL Biology or Chemistry
96 - 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
including acceptable Chemistry and Biology units
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
including acceptable Chemistry and Biology units
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC Applied Science from 2016 - Must include 6 of the following BTEC modules at Merit - Principles and Applications of Science I, Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques, Science Investigation Skills, Laboratory Techniques and their Application, Principles and Applications of Science II, Investigative Project, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Diseases and Infection, Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques, Industrial Chemical Reactions, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science, Materials Science, Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation BTEC Applied Science pre 2016 - Must include 6 of the following modules at Merit - Fundamentals of Science, Scientific Investigations, Scientific Practical Techniques, Mathematical Calculation for Science, Using Statistics in Science, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biochemistry and Biomechanical Techniques, Microbiological Techniques, Chemistry for Biology Technicians, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science Techniques
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC Applied Science from 2016 - Must include 6 of the following BTEC modules at Merit - Principles and Applications of Science I, Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques, Science Investigation Skills, Laboratory Techniques and their Application, Principles and Applications of Science II, Investigative Project, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Diseases and Infection, Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques, Industrial Chemical Reactions, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science, Materials Science, Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation BTEC Applied Science pre 2016 - Must include 6 of the following modules at Merit - Fundamentals of Science, Scientific Investigations, Scientific Practical Techniques, Mathematical Calculation for Science, Using Statistics in Science, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biochemistry and Biomechanical Techniques, Microbiological Techniques, Chemistry for Biology Technicians, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science Techniques
96 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
96 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
UCAS Tariff
Including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science. Our typical offer is 96 to 112 UCAS Points. We operate a flexible admissions policy and treat everyone as an individual. This means that we will take into consideration your educational achievements and predicted grades (where applicable) together with your application as a whole, including work experience and personal statement.
About this course
**Course Overview**
- Take an advanced route through Forensic Sciences, enhancing your degree studies by exploring masters-level analytical techniques and understanding.
- This is a four-year integrated masters course, which means you’ll study the same specialist modules you’ll find on our forensic science programme, before moving on to cover advanced modules in chemical analysis. So, in the first years, you’ll cover several key areas of forensics – investigation, biology, anthropology and chemistry – before focusing on the application of spectroscopic techniques for the analysis of trace evidence, and finally carry out a novel research project in an area of your choice.
- Throughout the programme, you’ll have the chance to learn from experienced senior forensic scientists and CSIs, as well as academics who are leaders in their field. You’ll develop professional-standard techniques by getting hands-on with cutting-edge instrumentation, such as electron microscopes, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance machines, Raman and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass-Spectrometers.
- Thanks to our role within the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy, you may also have the opportunity for CSI workplace experiences, placements in scientific support and live research projects that will have a real-world impact. As such, by the time you leave us, you should have the advanced understanding, specialist analytical tools and practical skills that will offer a significant advantage when it comes to getting a job in this highly competitive field.
**Why study with us**
- Our Forensic Science teaching is ranked 1st in the North West and in the UK’s top 10 (Complete University Guide 2020).
- Our research-active staff have strong links with constabularies, criminal investigation agencies and hospital laboratories, further enhanced by our pioneering Lancashire Forensic Science Academy.
- Master of Science in Forensic Science and Chemical Analysis is ranked 1st in the North West with 88% of students in graduate-level work or further study after graduating (Guardian University Guide 2021)
Modules
Year 1: Compulsory modules; Crime Scene Science, Skills for Forensic Scientists, Introduction to Osteology and Anthropology, Biology for Forensic Scientists, Chemistry for Forensic Scientists. Optional modules; Introduction to Biology, Introduction to Chemistry, Bones Bodies and Burials, Elective
Year 2: Compulsory modules; Criminalistics, Forensic Practice, Forensic Chemistry, Introduction to Forensic Genetics, Law for Forensic Scientists. Optional modules; Death Science, Forensic Anthropology
Year 3: Compulsory modules; Dissertation, Application of Forensic Science, Forensic Genetics, Advances in Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology
Year 4: Compulsory modules; Research Methods, Separation Science and Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Spectroscopy, Research Project (triple module)
Tuition fees
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The Uni
University of Central Lancashire
School of Natural 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.
£18k
£20k
£22k
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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