Forensic and Analytical Science

Year 1

You will develop an understanding of the basic principles of Chemistry, Biology and Analytical Science together with the broad principles of Forensic Science. You will also learn basic laboratory skills appropriate to chemical and biological analysis and forensic investigation.

Year 2

You will further develop knowledge of analytical techniques in Chemistry and Biology and acquire an understanding of more complex instrumentation, reinforced through practical work. You will also develop an underpinning legal knowledge through a study of the legal framework.

Year3

You will increase your competence in laboratory practice through specialist areas including analytical chemistry and forensic toxicology; fire, explosions and firearms. You’ll undertake group exercises in trace forensic analysis, and present data to a court of law. At the end of this year there is an optional placement opportunity - see the placements section for more details.

Year 4

You will cover advanced analytical and DNA techniques and further develop key forensic investigation and presentation skills in a court of law. You will also undertake an individual Research Project and demonstrate scientific writing and presentation skills.

Graduate Story

Activity Summary

You will study the equivalent of four 15-credit modules during each of the two terms per year. A normal workload should involve 12 hours of lectures and tutorials and up to six hours of laboratory work (all in class sizes of approximately 35) per week.

Laboratory activities include crime scene and recovery of evidence exercises, Forensic and Analytical Chemistry, Biology laboratory work, project work and courtroom training. The crime scene exercises involve group working and in the latter stages of the course, part of the assessment takes place within the Moot court.

How long is a BSc (Hons) Forensic and Analytical Science course?

The duration of the Forensic and Analytical Science degree is 4 years. This is to include independent study and coursework preparation, tutorials, lectures and other activities.

Year 4

• Lectures -35 students per group,7 hours per week
• Tutorial - 35students per group,2 - 3hours per week
• Project Supervision -one-to-one, 24.5 hours per week for 6 weeks
• Practical class or workshop - 35students per group,3 hours per week

Independent Study

Independent learning enables you to acquire an increased breadth of understanding and develop a critical approach to practice and thus attain scientific competence in a forensic and analytical science context. Each module includes an allocation of directed and self-study to enable this, with a total average of 41 hours per week.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The course is delivered by highly-experienced forensic practitioners and Analytical Scientists who are focused on providing you with the scientific and investigative skills you will need to succeed in this highly competitive profession, or in analytical laboratories. Our academics include registered forensic experts with the National Crime Agency so you can be confident you are learning the skills that are commonly used today.

Staff on this course also include: visiting lecturers and industry experts, E-learning Advisers and study skills staff.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 6 written exams with an average time of one and a half hours
• 3 reports
• 1 oral assessment
• 1 set exercise
• 3 practical skills assessments

Year 2

• 5 written exams with an average time of two hours
• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 2 reports
• 1 oral assessment
• 3 set exercises
• 2 practical skills assessments

Year 3

• 6 written exams with an average time of two hours
• 3 reports
• 2 oral assessment
• 1 set exercise
• 1 moot court exercise

Year 4

• 3 written exams with an average time of two and a half hours
• 4 written assignment, including essay
• 1 report
• 3 project outputs
• 1 oral assessment
• 1 practical skills assessments
• 1 moot court exercise

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

You have the option to spend one year in a scientific laboratory between Years 3 and 4 of the course, subject to availability. Successful students will then be awarded a degree with an additional 120 credit module. Placements can be sourced by you directly, or through liaison with the Placement Officer. These may or may not be paid subject to availability.

Job Prospects

A diverse range of opportunities within the Scottish Police Services Authority and Forensic Science Laboratories are available, including scene examination, fire investigation, laboratory analysis and health and safety, and police graduate entry. Alternatively, a number of students opt for careers in industry in which employment prospects are particularly good (including pharmaceutical, oil and biotechnology).

Is Forensic and Analytical Science a good career choice?

Previous Forensic and Analytical Science graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:

• Analytical Scientist
• Technical Service Chemist
• Freeze Drying Technician
• Applications Technician
• Lab Technician
• Research & Development

Postgraduate study in specialist forensic disciplines and teaching are other routes many of our graduates choose to take. There are also opportunities for students to pursue forensic and analytical research at the university, for example in anti-fraud technology, advances in DNA technologies, environmental chemistry and drugs and toxicology.