FSC-40035: Research Project Design and Management (15 credits)

This module aims to provide training to successfully manage your research and career through reflective practice, a short progress report of research and research training activities carried out throughout the year, and a poster presentation of preliminary results. The content of the module will be delivered via a combination of one-to-one meetings with your project supervisor(s), independent research and self-learning techniques. It is expected that supervision meetings take place at least once every two weeks.

FSC-40045: Forensic Research Skills (15 credits)

This module aims to build on your research skills developed from your Level 6 research project. You will enhance your ability to design and manage a research project. You will use self-reflection on your research skills to enhance your scientific writing skills and will further develop the ability to professionally present the findings of scientific research. These fundamental skills will help you succeed in carrying out your research project under guidance from your supervisor.

FSC-40051: Contemporary Topics in Forensic Science (15 credits)

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 covering computer aided literature searching, reviewing research manuscripts, web authoring techniques, and writing an article for a popular scientific magazine, as well as independent research. 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 web site to a professional standard and will have further developed your scientific communication skills.

FSC-40061: MSc Forensic Research Project (60 credits)

This forensic research project module focuses on a student-led research project culminating in the write-up of the research project in the form of a masters dissertation, which is arguably the most important module of the whole course. The module is delivered via a combination of one-to-one meetings with the project supervisor(s), independent research and self-learning techniques. It is expected that supervision meetings take place at least once every two weeks.

FSC-40015: Literature Review (15 credits)

The emphasis of this module will be to develop your information literacy and skills in searching for, selecting and critically evaluating peer reviewed research literature relevant to your masters research dissertation and then synthesising these appraisals into a literature review. This module will be a combination of seminar/tutorials with the project supervisor and self-learning techniques. It is expected that supervision meetings will take place at least once every two weeks and will develop your confidence in discussing and critiquing natural and social science, and issues within the field of research.

FSC-40029: Environmental and Wildlife Forensics (15 credits)

Through this module, you will have the opportunity to apply your forensic expertise to environmental and wildlife crime, exploring advanced topics ranging from industrial contamination of land to the illegal trade of exotic animal products. We will equip you with the advanced skills to investigate environmental crime scenes, interrogate a range of natural and artificial evidence types, and to combine different types of data to protect the environment and wildlife in the U.K. and beyond.

FSC-40037: Forensic Science Principles (30 credits) 

This module will provide you with the necessary scientific background for you to be able to complete a MSc in forensic science. You will develop the ability to carry out the forensic examination and reporting of evidence within the professional context of crime scene examiner, forensic scientist and expert witness. The semester 1 content will focus on developing your understanding of forensic science as an academic discipline. It will also provide you with a background in chemistry and biology that is required for the semester 2 content and assessments. Semester 2 will take you from the crime scene to the court. You will process a crime scene and collect the key evidence needed for your investigation. This evidence will be taken back to the lab where you will analyse and evaluate it in the context of the case. Finally, you will produce an expert witness report which you will present in a mock courtroom setting.

FSC-40039: Major Scene Investigation: From Crime to Trial (15 credits)

Throughout this module you will gain professional, expert experience, skills and knowledge, whilst strengthening skills learnt through previous modules that are transferrable for use in professional forensic practice.  Focussing on Forensic Strategy and how joint investigations are managed - you will investigate major crime scenes, report to Senior Investigating Officers and undertake practical work.  Ultimately, making you a credible ‘Expert Witness’ to present your evidence in court.

FSC-40041: Marks and Traces Advanced Examination (15 credits)

This module provides advanced knowledge and practical experience of marks and trace examination that will prepare you for the forensic laboratory practitioner workplace. Working through current SOPs and guidelines at the forefront of the discipline will provide valuable employability skills. An emphasis will be made on the documentation of advanced forensic physical trace evidence that will be usable in court.

FSC-40043: Forensic Analysis: From Academia to Industry (15 credits)

As you start your final year, thoughts turn to what you are going to do after university. This module is designed to aid the transition from the academic laboratory to one in industry. This module will build on the analytical skills that you have developed throughout the course and teach you some of the key concepts that are important in an industrial laboratory. This will give you an insight to being an analytical scientist in industry which will be invaluable for interviews and your future career. This module will be more hands on than lecture based, and the assessments are centred on activities that are carried out in industry.

FSC-40049: Forensic Anthropology: Complex Scenes, Recovery and Analysis

In this module you will build on your existing knowledge of forensic anthropology and taphonomy, practicing more specialist techniques and developing your critical analysis skills. You will spend time working out in the field, practicing the methods used to locate and recover skeletal remains, as well as in the laboratory where you will gain experience in microscopy, virtual anthropology, photography and soil sampling. The module will encourage you to apply environmental evidence, such as botany, diatoms, and entomology to casework, and you gain confidence in differentiating between human and animal bone.

FSC-40055: Digital Forensics: Applications and Advanced Examinations

This module will provide leading knowledge and understanding of Digital Forensics at the forefront of the discipline. Using AXIOM, software used within industry, you will work through a number of tasks to gain the critical skills vital for working within a digital forensics unit. You will be asked to complete written assessments, one of which will be a court report focusing of digital evidence and take an external examination to become a certified examiner within the software.

FSC-40057: Advanced Topics in Forensic Biology (15 credits)

This module will allow you to build advanced skills in collecting and interpreting forensic biological data. This will involve expanding your abilities in working with soft tissue, DNA analysis, teeth and entomology. This will involve learning in the lab to grow practical skills in both collecting and analysing forensic biological evidence. Assessment is aimed at assessing your abilities in a practical sense through forensic reports. This module aims to provide career prospects in forensic biology at the forefront of the discipline, and is ideal if you have an academic interest in biology and/or aspirations to work within forensic biology in the future.

FSC-30049: Crime Scene to Court (30 credits)

This module builds on your forensic examination skills from all Level 4 and 5 core modules. You will continue to develop your ability to professionally examine and report evidence, building on skills that will be vital for work in a professional context. You will attend a simulated crime scene as a crime scene examiner; investigate the evidence as a forensic scientist and finally report your findings as an expert witness in our simulated courtroom.