BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (with Foundation Year)

What you will study

Year 1 (Foundation Year)

The Skills You Need (Core) - This module aims to ensure that you develop key academic, personal, and professional skills required for successful study at higher education level. The module focusses on developing the necessary practical, intellectual and communication skills which ensure a successful transition to Level 4 and progression through the Honours degree programmes and prepare you for subsequent employment and/or further study

Introduction to Science (Core) - The aim of this module is to provide you with the fundamental background knowledge in natural science required for your full degree study in the relevant areas. Specifically, it aims to encourage you to develop confidence in your own abilities in science, introduce a basic bank of knowledge in major scientific areas, develop your learning skills and your ability to apply science concepts to problem-solving, and enable you to gain an understanding of how science and technology influence and are influenced by contemporary society.

Laboratory and Field Skills (Core) - This aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of basic laboratory and field skills in natural science providing a solid foundation for your full degree study in the relative areas. Specifically, you will develop an understanding of basic scientific theories and concepts required to carry out the relevant laboratory and field work and develop laboratory and field skills.

Plant and Animal Biology (Core) - The aim of the module is to provide you with a broad overview of biology, contextualised in terms of plants and animals, and with emphasis on examples of relevance to your programme. The module will introduce you to the key themes in biology which are essential for planning a career in the life sciences.

Maths & Experimental Design (Core) - The aim of this module is to equip you with essential skills that will enable you to design and carry out experiments or surveys in the laboratory and field, and collect, process, and interpret experimental data collected. To achieve these aims the module will explore the principles of experimental design and teach you to critically review experiments and data. You will also be introduced to ways in which the scientific community communicate numerical data, and key mathematical concepts that underpin it.

Contextual Issues (Core) - The module aims to introduce you to a broad variety of contemporary issues to stimulate discussion, debate, and engagement. It will enable you to engage with a variety of topic areas with follow-on research activity and reflective practice amongst subject groups.

Year 2 (Level 4)

Maths & Statistics for Science (Core) - For a proper understanding of science, both pure and applied, you need to have a good working knowledge and understanding of mathematics. This module will bring you up to the required mathematical level for university science programs. You will also cover essential statistics, probability, and data analysis in this module to equip you with key skills for data processing in your later modules. Additionally, you will be given examples of how math and statistics are applied in forensic science, biochemistry, and biomedical science.

Introduction to Chemistry (Core) - The aim of this module is to provide you with sufficient background knowledge and insight in chemistry, which is required to cope with the subsequent modules in the program you study. The module will also illustrate the relevance of chemistry to the fields of forensic science or biochemical science.

Crime Scene Investigation (Core) - The aim of this module is to introduce you to observation, recording, and preservation of crime scenes and evidence. This module will develop your knowledge of anti-contamination strategies implemented at crime scenes to preserve forensic evidence in line with ISO17020. You will gain practical experience in the collection of fingerprints, the correct use of sterile swabs and tape lifts, as well as how to collect marks and impression evidence. You will also be taught how to accurately record the crime scene using diagrams, photographs, and contemporaneous notes.

Criminal Justice (Core) - This module aims to ensure you gain an understanding of the police process and criminal justice system. After completing this module you will be able to explain the criminal justice system, including key terminology and the role of key partners/stakeholders. You will understand the legislation, functions and statutory processes associated with detaining and escorting a suspect to, and then interviewing /charging them in custody. You will understand the process for ethical recording of policing incidents and disclosure, and the responsibilities associated with giving evidence at court. You will also understand the complexities and law associated with providing a service to victims and Witnesses. Finally, you will be able to explain the importance of effective partnership collaboration with respect to offender rehabilitation.

Essential Laboratory Skills (Core) - The aim of this module is to develop essential skills in laboratory procedures and techniques with due regard to personal safety and the safety of team members, PPE requirements, understanding the importance of risk and COSHH assessments. You will be introduced to key methods in qualitative and quantitative analysis and taught contamination avoidance procedures. Links between theory and experiments will be established to help you achieve a deeper understanding of the experimental method and results. Laboratory reports based on each experiment conducted will help you develop and improve report writing skills.

Cell Biology, Biochemistry & Genetics (Core) - You will become familiar with cell structural components, biochemistry and how cells function, with particular emphasis on genetics and DNA structure. You will be introduced to laboratory techniques for the study of cell biology, biochemistry and genetics, including microscopy, protein assays, DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis

Year 3 (Level 5)

Forensic Evidence & Quality Management (Core) - In this module, you will develop an understanding of the importance of quality control and management in their approach to identifying and analysing forensic evidence in a laboratory setting. You will investigate a range of evidence types, demonstrating a systematic approach to the recovery and appropriate forensic procedures in receipt, analysis, documentation, and storage of exhibits. The module encourages analytical thinking skills as well as asking you to justify your work and present clearly the potential complexity of investigations. 

Forensic Ecology (Core) - This module offers you the opportunity for hands-on engagement in the collection, preservation, and analysis of ecological evidence. You will be introduced to some key biological field skills and work with a wide range of ecological samples reflective of those that may be present at a crime scene.

Analytical Methods in Applied Science (Core) - This module will introduce you to the main techniques used for the isolation and chemical analysis of trace materials, including general chemical separation and analysis, chromatographic methods, immunoassay, and electrophoresis etc., with the case studies to demonstrate their applications in forensic and biochemical fields.

Research Methods (Core) - This module is intended to develop your understanding of what is required in academic research and provide support in preparing you for your dissertation. The module will introduce you to the process of devising, carrying-out and disseminating your own research in the form of a small-scale research project. You will gain experience of formulating appropriate research questions, research designs, hypothesis testing and understand its application in the interpretation of analytical results, developing proposals, and critical selection of analytic techniques for conducting research in their chosen programme of study.

Taphonomy (Option) - The aim of this module is to introduce you to what happens to the body between death and recovery. This module will introduce you to several different processes of preservation and decay in various contexts. In addition, you will be introduced to the biological and geological interactions that take place following death and deposition of remains. You will be encouraged to critically examine current taphonomic research and the ethical implications involved in this type of research.

Anatomy & Pathology (Option) - This module will familiarise you with the basic concepts of anatomy and pathology, and how in particular these link to forensic science. You will be introduced to the concept of the human body as a crime scene and the post-mortem examination of human remains. It will help to demonstrate an understanding of the roles of specialists with particular attention to the forensic pathologist and anthropologist and how they establish identity and the cause and manner of death. The module will cover a range of crimes including offences against the person, road traffic collisions, sexual assault, suicide and homicide. 

Forensic Instrumental Analysis (Option) - This module will introduce you to the working principles of main spectroscopic techniques used in sample analysis, including UV, IR, Fluorescence, Mass, Atomic Absorption, NMR and X-ray diffraction. It will also cover several electron microscopic techniques. Highlights will be given to the applications of all these instrumental analysis methods in the forensic 
investigation.

Laboratory Instrumental Analysis (Option) - This module aims to introduce you to the practical side of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques and develop their competence in operating a range of modern analytical instruments for forensic related samples and conversant use of related computer software. It also aims to provide training on the understanding of parameters involved in method selection in experimental design, adherence to safe laboratory working procedures (e.g. PPE requirements, risk assessments and COSHH assessments) and academic transferrable skills (e.g. literature survey, data acquisition, result analysis and report writing-up)

Cell & Molecular Biology (Option) - The module aims to develop further knowledge and understanding of cell and molecular biology that builds on the anatomy, physiology and cell biology learnt at Level 4. It starts with the chemical components of living cells, macromolecules and cell structures and organelles. The essential functions of the cell including metabolism, DNA replication, gene expression and genetic variability. How a complex of cells can form a tissue is examined. Finally, molecular biology is explored in depth – with the aim of developing an appreciation of techniques and topics such as polymorphic markers, genetic disease, genotyping and genomics. 

Applied & Medical Microbiology (Option) - The module develops your skills and knowledge on the fundamental in microbiology. This will involve identification of microbes based on factors such as structure, staining profile, biochemical properties, and other unique features. Sessions will cover a deeper understanding of important aspects such as lifecycles of microorganisms with emphasis on prevention, disease control and diagnosis.

Year 4 (Level 6)

Research Project (Core) - The purpose of this module is for you to integrate and apply knowledge gained during
your degree programme in a self-motivated, practical, enquiring, and problem-solving manner. You will expand your own learning in a specific area of applied science. The aim of this module is to develop your skills in practical research and research methods in preparation for postgraduate study/graduate level employment.

Emerging Technologies & Digital Forensics (Core) - The aim of this module is to introduce you to software and techniques used in digital forensics. You will gain practical experience in recovering photographs from memory cards, as well as extracting geolocation and camera information from JPEG files and other digital techniques. You will also be exposed to emerging technologies and their potential uses in both forensic investigations and research.

Drugs & Toxicology (Option) - This module is intended to introduce the chemistry of drugs and poisons and their major routes of administration and uptake by the human body. You will also be taught the main classification systems as well as the key methods utilised in drug analysis in the fields of forensic and biosciences. The role of pharmacokinetics will be considered, and you will explore drug related case studies to broaden your scientific and technical knowledge. 

Drugs & the Human Body (Option) - This module will help you develop an understanding of the mechanisms by which major drug categories affect the human body. Drug characteristics, route of administration, mechanism of action, and interactions will be investigated. The module is also intended to develop a strong understanding of contribution that pharmacology makes to other biomedical sciences and forensic science

Forensic Archaeology (Option) - You will develop an understanding of the principles and techniques of forensic archaeology, including the recovery and analysis of human remains and other buried or concealed evidence. The module will cover the legal and ethical considerations involved in the excavation and analysis of buried remains, including the importance of proper documentation and preservation of evidence. With a focus on hands-on experience in fieldwork and laboratory techniques, including the use of excavation equipment, mapping, and documentation, you will gain an appreciation of the various types of evidence that can be recovered through forensic archaeology. How forensic archaeology can be used in criminal investigations, including the reconstruction of crime scenes and the identification of suspects will be addressed, as well as the role of forensic archaeology in addressing human rights issues, such as war crimes, genocide, and other mass atrocities.

Case Studies in Forensic Science (Core) - This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to critically review how forensic science is used in real-world criminal investigations. It will cover a variety of forensic science disciplines and how they are used in different types of criminal cases as well as giving you the opportunity to reflect on how the discipline has changed over time. A focus will be given to critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the examination of a variety of case studies including major incidents such as murder and terrorism.

Professional Practice & the Expert Witness (Core) - This module aims to consolidate learning from across the course to allow you to better understand the role forensic science can play in the wider criminal justice system. By following a simulated case from the crime scene through to the court room you will better understand the professional, legal, and regulatory frameworks that govern expert witnesses whilst conducting and presenting expert testimony of your own.

This summer, you can gain the fundamental scientific knowledge and skills needed to progress onto one of our Applied Science degrees, with our Science Summer School.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

The academic requirements for the course are 48-72 UCAS tariff points at GCE A-level or equivalent.

Teaching & Assessment

A broad range of assessment methods are used; these include task-based exercises, crime scene and courtroom scenarios, oral and poster presentations, essays and laboratory reports, and written exams. Each module is assessed by a variety of methods, enabling students to display their full potential. A project dissertation will form one of the final parts of your assessment.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Graduates from a BSc (Hons) Forensic Science go on to work in a variety of fields, including:

• Forensic Science Laboratories: Conducting analyses and investigations of evidence covering areas such as DNA, Footwear, Ballistics and Toxicology
• Police and Law Enforcement: Work as crime scene investigators, exhibit officers, fingerprint analysts or in collision investigation
• Private Sector: Join forensic consultancies or companies specialising in investigation and security. This could be as a forensic archaeologist, search dog handler or expert witness.
• Government Agencies: Opportunities in national security, intelligence, and regulatory agencies. This includes the Ministry of Justice, National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service or HM Revenue & Customs
• Research and Academia: Pursue further studies and become a research scientist or academic helping to develop new techniques or educate the next generation of forensic practitioners

Qualifications and Further Study

Your degree can serve as a stepping stone to further qualifications or specialisation, such as a Master's or PhD in forensic science, criminal justice, or related fields.

Employability Features

This course includes hands-on practical experience and specialised training to enhance your employability. You'll be well-prepared to enter the workforce as a competent and skilled scientist.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

View the full programme specification

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our accommodation pages to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.

International

If you are applying as an European / International Student, and live outside of the UK, you should make your application through our online application system, Centurus.

For information about the university’s entry requirements for EU/international students, please visit our international section.