Course content

You will be taught by a range of academics and forensic professionals using facilities in our modern laboratories with industry standard equipment. We have a dedicated Crime Scene House that allows you to put the theory into practice.

Studying this course will allow you to cover the forensic process from the collection of evidence at the crime scene, to its presentation in court. You will explore key forensic areas such as genetics, anthropology, toxicology, ballistics and arson, alongside newer fields such as digital forensics. You will also develop your analytical science skills, so that you are able to analyse a wide variety of evidence types. This is complemented by additional emphasis on professional practice and an understanding of the roles of the crime scene investigator and the forensic scientist as an expert witness in the court.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Forensic Science is also available as a Combined Honours degree. It can be studied in the following combinations:

• Astrophysics and Forensic Science
• Biology and Forensic Science
• Chemistry and Forensic Science
• Computer Science and Forensic Science
• Forensic Science and Human Biology
• Forensic Science and Neuroscience
• Forensic Science and Physics
• Forensic Science and Psychology
• Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science

You may also be interested in:

• Forensic and Analytical Investigation (Integrated Master's)
• Forensic Science and Criminology

Detailed course content

Year One

During your first year, you will be introduced to key forensic skills and the core chemistry required for the course. These will be complemented with modules providing a context for crime from different perspectives and an understanding of digital infrastructures, such as the internet, and how these are used to facilitate crime.

Other core modules focus on the key spectroscopic techniques used by the forensic scientist in the analysis of trace evidence and the statistical methods needed for data analysis and interpretation of results. You will also be introduced to the biological aspects of forensic science including the study of protein biology, DNA, genetic markers, and an introduction to biological sample preparation and analysis.

Year Two

In the second year, the focus is to develop the core themes within the forensic discipline that are directly relevant to professional practice and related evidence types. This will include expanding your understanding of chemical separation techniques such as gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS), investigating decomposing and skeletal remains to determine identity, time and cause of death, and the interpretation of DNA profiles from biological material.

These topics will be complemented with modules covering the analysis of questioned documents and digital material, the chemistry and effect of illicit drugs on the body, and how we investigate marks and impressions left at the crime scene such as blood spatter patterns and fingerprints.

Year Three

In your third year, you will undertake a year-long team research project and an individual dissertation under the direct supervision of a member of staff in an area of forensic science that is of interest to you. You will also get to experience the entire ‘forensic process’ from the collection of evidence at the crime scene to its presentation in court alongside studying topics such as pharmacology, toxicology, explosives, arson, ballistics and forensic geoscience.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

Our teaching strategy is designed to enable you to become an independent scientist who will have a great deal to offer prospective employers.

Our graduates have entered careers in a range of professional forensic science sectors, including DNA profiling to digital forensics, or as analytical scientists and researchers within the broader business sector, such as chemical analytical consultancies, pharmaceuticals or environmental monitoring.

Some of our graduates also undertake postgraduate qualifications such as an MSc, PGCE or PhD qualification prior to entering employment.

Previous employers:

• 2030 Labs LTD
• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
• North Yorkshire Police
• Sandwell and Dudley Hospital
• Nottinghamshire Health

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Forensic Scientist
• Scene of Crime Officer
• Toxicologist
• Microbiologist
• Scientific Laboratory Technician
• Analytical Chemist
• Police Officer
• Prison Officer
• Environmental Health Officer
• Researcher
• Scientific Publishing

(Please note that some of these roles may require further qualifications or training.)

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

Facilities

You will be taught in our Central Science Laboratories and Crime Scene House using modern analytical instrumentation which can be viewed on our Facilities and Equipment webpage.

We have short videos to give you a flavour of the facilities and equipment you will have access to. These can be accessed via the links below:

• CSL First Floor: This is our laboratory space used for fume hood experimental work. This facility contains modern equipment for a range of forensic science work required to detect, and process evidence, for example analytical balances, centrifuges, rotary evaporators and UV viewing cabinets used in areas of forensic chemistry
  
  
• CSL Dark Rooms: On the ground floor of the Central Science Laboratories building are our imaging suites, these dark room facilities are used for enhancement techniques, for example imaging of latent fingerprints enhanced with fluorescent powders using an alternate light source (Crime-lite light source)