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FSC-10023 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

FSC-10023 - Programming for Forensic Scientists 
Coordinator: Barry Smalley Room: LJ2.05 Tel: +44 1782 7 34229
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

In this module you will learn the basics of computer programming through the teaching and use of fundamental python programming concepts that will allow you to apply these coding skills to a forensic context. You will then demonstrate how these employability programming skills can be used to solve a series of numerical problems faced by Forensic Scientists.

Aims
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and techniques of Python programming, with a specific focus on applications in Forensic Science. Students will develop the skills necessary to write, debug, and execute Python programs, enabling them to analyse and interpret forensic data effectively. It will develop students' ability to apply programming knowledge to real-world forensic scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving skills and analytical thinking.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Develop and test well-structured programs using appropriate functions and external libraries: 1
Implement basic numerical algorithms to solve forensic science problems: 1
Test and evaluate the effectiveness of numerical algorithms in Forensic applications: 1

Study hours

Active Learning:
Lectures: 12
Computer Laboratory: 12
Independent Study
Independent work on assignments: 44
Private study: 82

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 100%
Programming Assignments
A series of three programming assignments. The first two exercise assignments will involve writing a short computer program to solve a Forensic Science problem, with students expected to spend around 6 hours on each. The final exercise will involve writing and evaluating a Python program to investigate an aspect of Forensic Science, with students expected to spend around 26 hours on this. The first two exercises will be worth 15% each, with the final one worth 70% of the component mark.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025