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FSC-40051 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

FSC-40051 - Contemporary Topics in Forensic Science
Coordinator: Charlene Greenwood Tel: +44 1782 7 32821
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
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

You will explore the current cutting-edge research topics on forensic sciences, critically evaluating these topics in terms of their strengths, weaknesses and significance for both the discipline and society. This module will be based on a combination of guest lectures and workshops. By the end of the module you will have further developed your research skills, have acquired in depth knowledge of forensic science topics at the forefront of the discipline, will have acquired the necessary skills to design and produce a podcast and popular scientific article to a professional standard and will have further developed your scientific communication skills.

Aims
The module aims to encourage students to explore and critically evaluate the cutting-edge research literature on forensic science in terms of its strengths and weaknesses as well as its significance for the discipline and society. The module also develops scientific communication skills.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/fsc-40051/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Extract, evaluate and synthesise information from the current research-based literature on specific topics in forensic science using literature searching facilities: 1
Communicate a contemporary topic in forensic science through a podcast, providing both an overview and a critical evaluation of its importance to the discipline and to wider society.
: 2

Study hours

Active learning hours:
23 hours synchronous workshop activities
12 hours guest lectures from forensic science experts in contemporary topics
Independent study:
115 hours for research and completion of scientific article and podcast

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Research Paper weighted 50%
Popular scientific article based on a specific forensic science topic
Carry out a review on a specific forensic science topic and present the results from this exercise via an article written for a popular scientific magazine (equivalent length = 2500 words).

2: Podcast weighted 50%
Scientific Podcast providing a critical review of a specific forensic science topic.
Students will work in small groups (up to 3 students per group) to produce a podcast (5 mins per student plus 5 min introduction) on a contemporary forensic science topic covered during the module, aimed at an informed scientific audience, demonstrating scientific accuracy, clear communication, and critical engagement with the subject.

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