4 years with placement
In Year 4, we’ll build upon the knowledge of chemistry and biology you gained in Year 2 and apply it to forensic casework. Year 4 extends your knowledge of specific types of crime: those involving death, fire, drugs and poisons.
We look at the process of searching for and identifying human remains – and how forensic scientists can help to investigate and determine cause of death. We also explore crimes involving fire, drugs and poisons – touching on the types of analysis you can carry out including pharmacology and toxicology.
Forensic scientists often appear in court to give evidence so, in preparation for your future career, we look at the role of the expert witness in court proceedings. As part of your studies, you’ll collect and process your own evidence and be examined in a moot (simulated) court setting.
Finally, you’ll explore a subject of your choice through your Undergraduate Major Project, or dissertation. You’ll present your finished dissertations at a student conference, attended by guest speakers from the field of forensic science.
Introduction
Learn to collect and analyse material from crime scenes, and present scientific evidence in court with our accredited BSc (Hons) Forensic Science degree.
Our course will teach you the principles of forensic science, from crime scene to court room. Based in our £45m Science Centre in Cambridge, you’ll analyse and investigate a range of evidence in crime scene rooms and the forensic lab.
With a focus on chemical and biological analysis, you’ll find out what that evidence means. We look at ways to ‘read’ data, interpret the results and present your evidence in court.
You’ll get hands-on with specialist analytical equipment, under the guidance of expert tutors. And you’ll learn outside the classroom too, with visits to law courts and a local mortuary, and opportunities to work with local police forces and forensic labs.
Graduate with advanced skills in chemistry, biology and laboratory analysis – ready to start a career as a forensic scientist.
Get a sneak preview of our course: try your hand at online quizzes, solve a crime, hear about our latest research and tackle a chemistry word search.
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As a forensic scientist you'll provide evidence for use in courts of law to support criminal and civil investigations.
You need training in the latest analytical techniques and processes, and a sound knowledge of the UK legal system to do this. All of that’s on offer at ARU.
While studying BSc (Hons) Forensic Science in Cambridge, you’ll learn how to package evidence correctly and perform preliminary tests for body fluids and drugs of abuse.
You’ll also examine ‘real’ forensic samples including ignitable liquid residues, and trace evidence such as paint and fibres. Together, we’ll explore techniques including microscopy, microspectrophotometry, spectroscopy and chromatography; and get hands-on experience of specialist instruments for biological analysis. You’re free to book additional time with this equipment outside of lessons.
As well as refining your lab skills, you’ll learn to conduct thorough, independent research – and to feel confident about presenting evidence in a court of law.
As a Forensic Science student at ARU, you’ll be eligible for student membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
Specialist labs
At ARU you’ll be based in our Science Centre in Cambridge, which features:
- authentic crime scene rooms
- specialist equipment such as gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) instruments with different detection systems
- biological analysis instruments including a Nanodrop 1000 spectrophotometer, Qubit fluorometer and a Lightcycler 96 real-time PCR system
- comparison, polarizing light and confocal microscopes
- the opportunity to get hands-on experience of analytical techniques including Raman spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, and microspectrophotometry.
Learn outside the classroom
All our forensic science students can take part in:
- visits to the Magistrates' Court and Crown Court
- guest lectures from visiting professionals
- an optional work placement year.
There’s also the opportunity to conduct your dissertation in collaboration with Cambridgeshire Police or a forensic laboratory.
Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
Studying this accredited course qualifies you to become a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
Careers
As a forensic science graduate you’ll be ready to work in a range of careers including laboratory analysis, quality control analysis, crime scene investigation and policing.
In fact, having gained a number of transferable skills, you’ll find you can explore roles in broader scientific and analytical-based jobs. Or you can consider a career in areas such as research, teaching or further education.
Some of our recent graduates are working in local police forces, and in lab settings for companies such as LGC, Chemtest, Treatt, Anglian Water and Cellmark.
Whichever direction you take, you can be sure that you’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities that industry needs. We work with employers, and they help us review what we teach and how we teach it – offering hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. If you’d like to continue your studies we offer a range of postgraduate courses including MSc Forensic Science. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Placement year
£1,250Placement year
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