Faculty of Science
19.12Department of Chemistry, Pure and Applied
Forensic Science
MSc in Forensic Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Science
Course Regulations
[These regulations are to be read in conjunction with Regulation 19.1]
Admission
19.12.1Notwithstanding Regulation 19.1.1, applicants shall
(i)possess a degree (or in the case of direct entry to the degree of MSc, a first or second class Honours degree) from a United Kingdom university (in an appropriate discipline); or
(ii)possess a qualification deemed by the Course Director acting on behalf of Senate to be equivalent to (i) above; or
(iii)be deemed, by the Course Director acting on behalf of Senate, to have achieved an academic standard equivalent to (i) above. In addition, applicants applying in terms of (iii) above should possess appropriate formal education in Chemistry.
Duration of Study
19.12.2Regulations 19.1.5 and 19.1.6 shall apply.
Mode of study
19.12.3The courses are available by full-time study only.
Place of Study
19.12.4In accordance with Regulation 19.1.8, some off-campus work may be required.
Curriculum
19.12.5All students shall undertake an approved curriculum as follows:
for the Postgraduate Certificate – no fewer than 60 credits
for the Postgraduate Diploma – no fewer than 120 credits
for the degree of MSc – no fewer than 180 credits including a dissertation
Compulsory ClassesLevelCredits
FS 904Essentials of Forensic Science: Theory*530
FS 905Essentials of Forensic Science: Practical*520
FS 906Practical Crime Scene and Court Exercise520
* These classes may be assessed conjointly.
Optional ClassesLevelCredits
No fewer than 50 credits chosen from:
FS 907Forensic Biology*530
FS 908Forensic Chemistry*530
FS 909Specialist Topics in Forensic Science*530
FS 910Practical Examination in Optional Class*520
* The Practical Examination may be assessed conjointly with the optional theory class.
Students for the degree of MSc only:
99 900Dissertation560
Examination, Progress and Final Assessment
19.12.6Regulations 19.1.19 and 19.1.27 shall apply.
19.12.7The final assessment will be based on performance in the examinations and coursework together with the dissertation where undertaken and, if required, an oral examination.
Award
19.12.8Degree of MSc: In order to qualify for the degree of MSc in Forensic Science, a candidate must have performed to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners and must normally have accumulated no fewer than 180 credits, of which 60 must have been awarded in respect of the dissertation.
19.12.9Postgraduate Diploma: In order to qualify for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science, a candidate must normally have accumulated no fewer than 120 credits from the taught classes of the course.
19.12.10Postgraduate Certificate: In order to qualify for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Science, a candidate must normally have accumulated no fewer than 60 credits from the taught classes of the course including at least 30 credits from a theory component.
19.12.11
to 19.12.19(Numbers not used.)
Forensic Science Studies
MSc in Forensic Science Studies
Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science Studies
Course Regulations
[These regulations are to be read in conjunction with Regulation 19.1]
Admission
19.12.20Notwithstanding Regulation 19.1.1, applicants shall
(i)possess a degree (or in the case of direct entry to the degree of MSc, a first or second class Honours degree) from a United Kingdom university (in an appropriate discipline); or
(ii)possess a qualification deemed by the Course Director acting on behalf of Senate to be equivalent to (i) above; or
(iii)be deemed, by the Course Director acting on behalf of Senate, to have achieved an academic standard equivalent to (i) above. In addition, applicants applying in terms of (iii) above should possess appropriate formal education in Chemistry.
Duration of Study
19.12.21Regulations 19.1.5 and 19.1.6 shall apply.
Mode of study
19.12.22The courses are available by part-time study only.
Curriculum
19.12.23All students shall undertake an approved curriculum as follows:
for the Postgraduate Diploma – no fewer than 120 credits
for the degree of MSc – no fewer than 180 credits including a dissertation
In accordance with Regulation 19.1.4 and at the discretion of the Course Director, exemption from part of the course may be granted to students submitting evidence of appropriate academic attainment or accredited prior experiential learning.
Compulsory ClassesLevelCredits
99 908Basic Forensic Science560
Optional ClassesLevelCredits
No fewer than 60 credits from:
99 905Forensic Molecular Biology540
99 906Forensic Analytical Chemistry540
99 907Specialist Topics520
Such other classes as may be approved by the Course Director
Students for the degree of MSc only:
99 900Dissertation560
Examination, Progress and Final Assessment
19.12.24Regulations 19.1.19 and 19.1.20shall apply.
19.12.25Candidates for the degree of MSc will normally be expected to perform satisfactorily on the taught components of the course and in the dissertation before being permitted to proceed to the final oral and practical examinations.
19.12.26The final assessment will be based on performance in the examinations, coursework and the dissertation where undertaken.
Award
19.12.27Degree of MSc: In order to qualify for the award of the degree of MSc in Forensic Science Studies, a candidate must normally have accumulated no fewer than 180 credits, of which 60 must have been awarded in respect of the dissertation and have satisfied the Board of Examiners in respect of the final oral and practical examinations.
19.12.28Postgraduate Diploma: In order to qualify for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science Studies, a candidate must normally have accumulated no fewer than 120 credits from the taught classes of the course.