Forensic Science

Introduction

Our past and present students often tell us how much they have enjoyed their experience at Keele, and as you start your degree we are sure that you will gain as much from your time here as they have. Certainly you will learn a whole range of academic and practical skills that will be of value not only in your studies and future career, but in your whole life.

We look forward to meeting you at the start of the new academic year and we hope that you make the most of your opportunities here.

Best wishes,
Dr Craig Adam, course director
Dr Vladimir Zholobenko, 1st Year Tutor

Preparing to come

It is not necessary that you carry out any specific preparation for your degree studies in Forensic Science during the summer vacation as all aspects of the subject will be covered from basics. If, however, you are keen to get started, then visit your local library and borrow a few books these will help you become familiar with some of the main concepts and terminology. In addition, the following list contains the main text books that we recommend to enhance your understanding of the topics that you will study in Year 1. It is not essential to buy these texts as multiple copies are available in the University library:

Other essential equipment to bring:

Basic drawing equipment, including coloured pens and pencils, a protractor and a stapler.
Diary (paper or electronic) for storing class times, coursework deadlines, etc.
Memory stick or similar device for storing electronic data.

You should bring your calculator as well if you have a good one capable of dealing with scientific calculations. However do not buy a new one at this point as the university has recently produced a list of approved calculators for use in examinations at Keele and you should delay any purchase until you have been given this list during welcome week.

Forensic Science A.R.W. Jackson and J.M. Jackson, 2nd Edition, Pearson Education, 2007	Chemistry: A Molecular Approach N.J. Tro, Pearson Education, 3rd Edition (2013), 2nd Edition (2010), 1st Edition (2008)	Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight P. Atkins, L. Jones, 6th Edition (2013) or 5th (2010) Edition	Practical Skills in Forensic Science A. Langford, J. Dean, R. Reed, D. Holmes, J. Weyers, A. Jones, Pearson Education, 2005.
Quantitative Chemical Analysis D C Harris, 6th (2003) or 7th (2007) Edition	Human Molecular Genetics 3 Tom Strachan and A P Read, Garland Science, 2003	Essential Mathematics and Statistics for Forensic Science Craig Adam, Wiley, 2010

A lab starter kit, including a lab coat, two lab books, safety spectacles and a few other useful bits, may be obtained from the department at a price of £16. Alternatively, you can bring your own lab coat and lab books.

Other essential equipment to bring:

Scientific Calculator capable of evaluating basic science functions.  Please note the University guidelines on the use of calculators in examinations:

“permitted calculators shall be hand held, battery operated or solar powered, noiseless and have no facility for the storage of alphabetical information other than hexadecimal numbers and no communications facility.”

Basic drawing equipment, including coloured pens and pencils, a protractor and a stapler.
Diary (paper or electronic) for storing class times, coursework deadlines, etc.
Memory stick or similar device for storing electronic data.

Starting Arrangements

Monday 30th September 2013 Registration and Welcome meeting

Your first commitment to the Forensic Science degree programme is to register on to the course and get some basic information. The registration and welcome meeting will take place in the Hornbeam Building HNB0.26 from 12.00 – 1.00 pm on Monday 30th September. During the registration, you will receive a summary of essential information about the Forensic Science course, including getting your laboratory pack, and meet key staff. It is essential that you attend this session.

Tuesday 1st October 2013 Laboratory Health and Safety session; module introductions

Attendance at this session is an essential prerequisite to carrying our practical work in the laboratories. It will take place on Tuesday at 1.30 - 2.30 pm in the Lennard-Jones Laboratories lecture theatre, LJ1.75. There will also be some further preparation for studying the semester one modules included in this session.  

Friday 4th October 2013 Introductory practical session

There will be an introductory session of practical work from 9-00 - 11-00 am in the Forensic Science laboratory LJ1.70. This is intended to introduce you to working in our laboratories. Further details will be provided during the introductory lecture on Monday. Again it is essential that you attend this session.

Additional Information

• University Welcome Web – a very useful resource providing insights into most aspects of Keele University

Please feel free to contact the Forensic Science 1st Year Tutor Dr Vladimir Zholobenko (tel: 01782-734352, e-mail: v.l.zholobenko@keele.ac.uk),

the course leader Dr Craig Adam (tel: 01782-733854, e-mail: c.d.adam@keele.ac.uk),

or the School Office (tel: 01782-734211) p.thompson@phys.keele.ac.uk should you require any further information.