B.Sc. (Hons) Forensic Science / Psychology

In Year 1 you will study both subjects equally. The forensic science core units will introduce you to essential scientific knowledge and practical laboratory skills to support your study of forensic science. You will also be introduced to a range of topics in forensic science such as trace and contact evidence, drugs of abuse and alcohol, firearms and discharge residue, and data handling and statistics. In psychology you will study an introduction to key theories and practices in psychology and a range of research methods.

In Year 2 you can continue with equal study or choose a major/minor route and so the units you will study depend on the route you have chosen. Studies in forensic science include crime scene investigation, forensic biology, molecular biology, and forensic physical sciences. Psychology units currently cover areas such as applied social psychology, cognitive psychology, community social psychology, developmental psychology, neuropsychology, personality and abnormal psychology, and practical psychology.

In your final year you can continue with an equal study or major/minor route. A further option in the final year is named route study. If you have chosen to major in psychology in Year 2, then you could choose to focus solely on psychology in your final year, leading to a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree. Named route study isn’t currently available in forensic science.

Studies in forensic science currently include forensic pathology and DNA studies, forensic instrumental analysis, and further topics in forensic physical sciences. Psychology units currently cover areas including applied cognitive psychology, community psychology, conceptual and historical issues in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy, criminology, and parapsychology. You will also complete a final year project or dissertation. If you take equal study you can choose to do this unit in either forensic science or psychology. If you are taking a major or named route, this unit will come from the relevant subject.