Analytical Chemistry and Forensic Science BSc (Hons)

" Analytical Chemistry and Forensic Science BSc (Hons)

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— Coventry University (@covcampus) February 9, 2015 OVERVIEW

This course runs in 2016/17.

Analytical chemistry and molecular science techniques are employed to solve crimes and are used in a diverse range of industries from pharmaceutical and environmental analysis to cosmetic manufacture.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

This course is designed to help you to understand how modern analytical techniques are applied in a wide range of industries such as pharmaceutical science, food analysis, and environmental monitoring, as well as their vital role in the prevention or investigation of crime.

If you choose this course you will benefit from:

• An extensive laboratory programme where you will gain hands-on experience in the use of key industrially recognised techniques, such as GCMS, HPLC, FT-IR, AAS and ICP-OES. This experience will provide you with the key laboratory skills that analytical chemistry and forensic employers require for graduate jobs;
• links with external professional bodies like The Forensic Institute Research Network (FIRN) and law enforcement agencies;
• experienced teaching staff who bring professional or research expertise into their teaching;
• links with a large number of local schools, which offer work experience if you are interested in teaching;
• links with a number of employers such as Veolia Environmental Services, Severn Trent Water and Chemtura, as well as Excilica, a chemistry company that was set up by Coventry University;
• guest speakers in specific areas of analytical chemistry and forensic science, such as environmental disaster management and offender profiling, to ensure that material is up-to-date and as applied as possible;
• an applied “Crime Scene to Court” approach which aids forensic understanding by simulating real investigations.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The emphasis throughout this course is on the application of the basic science to real-life situations. In your first year you will learn about fundamental principles within chemistry and forensic science. Subjects include: principles of molecular science, principles of analysis, chromatography, atomic spectrometry, molecular spectrometry, sample collection and preparation, forensic science, biochemistry, genetics, and biomedical analysis.

Laboratory work is a substantial component of the course, enabling you to learn a wide range of techniques in modern well-equipped laboratories and help you develop the key experimental, data-handling and reporting skills required for a career in science. We also ensure that students have a thorough grounding in law and statistics, which are considered vital elements to the modern forensic scientist.

HOW WILL THIS COURSE BE TAUGHT?

Our modules are based on lectures, with associated laboratory/practical classes, workshop activities and personal tutorials.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

An estimated percentage breakdown of how your final grade is assessed is as follows: formal examinations 15%; coursework, tests, essays 45%; practical or project work 25%; group work etc.5%; presentations, posters etc.10%.

A compulsory Add+vantage module must also be completed: please see the page on the Add+vantage scheme for more details.

TEACHING CONTACT HOURS

In a typical week you will have up to 18 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Personal tutorial/small group teaching: 6 hours of workshop/online tutorials (or, later, individual project supervision) each week

Medium group teaching: 6 hours of practical classes or skills workshops each week

Large group teaching: 6 hours of lectures each week

Personal study: 18 hours each week studying and revising in your own time.

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