BSc (Hons) Psychology with Applied Forensic Investigation

Course detail
During this course you will:
study core psychological content required at undergraduate level.
be taught by experts, to keep you abreast of all the latest developments in the field, helping you develop an understanding of theory in action.
gain knowledge in all aspects of psychology, and understand it as a science.
have the opportunity to meet practising psychologist and hear them speak about current developments in the field.
focus on contemporary issues in the psychological understanding of the human mind and behaviour, particularly in a forensic context.
gain a firm understanding of forensic investigation in a lab context, for example examining blood spatter, DNA evidence and the investigative process.
study an engaging, challenging and interesting curriculum.
apply psychological theory to real life situations wherever possible.
learn with a strong emphasis on applied psychology.
be at the front of developments in the field, from lecturers who work their own research interests into the course content.
benefit from modules in Forensic Science.
Modules
Year One (Level 4)
Behaviour and Mind
Criminal Minds
Growing Up
History of Psychology
Introduction to Forensic Science*
Research Methods 1
Research Methods 2
Year Two (Level 5)
Cognition in Action
Forensic Investigation of Crime*
Further Research Methods
Individual Differences
Lifespan Development
Social Psychology
Year Three (Level 6)
Experiential Learning
Dissertation
Biological Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Forensic Investigation Techniques*.
Plus one option from a range that includes:
Developmental Psychopathology
Gender Psychology
Health Psychology
Introduction to Theories of Counselling
Language and Mind
Neuropsychology and the Broken Brain
Occupational Psychology
Philosophy of Psychology
Positive Psychology
Psychology of Mental Health
Violent Relationships
*Modules undertaken within Forensic Science

Optional modules are subject to staff availability and may change over time.

Module summaries

Year one (Level 4)
Behaviour and Mind
This module will examine the contribution that behaviourist, bio-psychological and cognitive perspectives have made to our understanding of behaviour, including maladaptive behaviour and drug addiction. Consideration will be given to both the biological basis and cognitive processes that contribute to our perception of the world and how we form memories.
Criminal Minds
This module will explore a range of perspectives in psychology that strive to explain patterns of thinking that lead certain individuals to commit crimes whilst others do not. This module will consider the possible neural underpinning that may suggest whether criminals are born ‘pre-wired’. This will be contrasted with social perspectives on crime, that is, the nature vs nurture debate will be contemplated. Furthermore, the module will explore whether the lack of an attachment figure can lead to the development of criminal modes of thinking.
Growing Up
This module looks at the extent to which social context and culture (or 'nurture') influence human development and behaviour throughout life, and examines cross-cultural and intra-cultural influences on development and behaviour.
History of Psychology
This module is an introduction to conceptual and historical issues in psychology. It covers the history of scientific psychology, from its earliest beginnings up to the present day.
Introduction to Forensic Science
This module introduces the concepts of forensic science, and examines the types of evidence found at crime scenes, which are vitally important for investigations.
Research Methods 1
This module provides the first stage in an introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology. It aims to introduce some basic concepts in research design, data analysis, and research reporting. This module explores a range of methods of psychological research, including experimentation, survey methodology, statistics and sampling.
Research Methods 2
This module provides the second stage in an introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology. It aims to further develop your understanding of some basic concepts in research design, data analysis, and research reporting. This module introduces qualitative methods employed in psychological research.

Year two (Level 5)

Cognition in Action
This module explores how the mind works - how our brains process, store and modify information through our senses. It examines how we process sensory signals, what role attention plays in dealing with information from our senses, and how we store and transform this information. It also investigates theories of memory and memory loss, and how our brain organises knowledge. Finally, it looks at thinking, reasoning and language.
Forensic Investigation of Crime
Here we look at key aspects of evidential material, using case studies.
Further Research Methods
This module further extends knowledge gained from Research Methods 1 and 2. Further research methods, examines research methods and using statistical package SPSS to carry out statistical analyses and apply them to real-world research issues.
Individual Differences
This module examines the concepts, theories, methods and findings in the psychology of personality and intelligence. Principles of measurement are a key component of this module, as is psychometric testing in the study of the similarities and differences between people.
Lifespan Development
This module examines concepts, theories, methods and findings in developmental psychology. We take a lifespan perspective, focusing on human development from early childhood through to adolescence, adulthood and old age.
Social Psychology
This module focuses on various issues concerning the social and interactive aspects of human behaviour. It provides an overview of the main areas of study and introduces the diversity of social psychology - presenting findings on a variety of topics central to social psychological enquiry.

Year three (Level 6)

Experiencing Psychology in Practice
This module looks at how psychological theory, concepts and research can be applied in real life. You will do at least 30 hours of experiential learning in an organisation relevant to your course and career plans.
Dissertation
This module requires an original piece of empirical quantitative or qualitative research in a recognised sub-area of the discipline
Plus one option from a range that includes:
Developmental Psychopathology
This module will explore the origins, time course, and varying manifestations of a number of child and adolescent psychological disorders over development. By taking an integrative approach we will be examining the relative contributions of biological, behavioural, and cognitive processes and that of the family and wider social forces to the emergence of these disorders during development.
Forensic Psychology
This module provides an overview of key topics in forensic and criminological psychology. We look at theories of crime, domestic and sexual violence, crime and mental health, eyewitness testimony, investigative interviewing, and interrogations and confessions.
Gender Psychology
This module explores (among other things): theories of gender development; socialisation of gender by parents, teachers and peers; gender in the media in things like Disney and pornography; and particular problem issues that come from gender such as body image, the sex industry, gender relations at work, and how gender attitudes could potentially lead to rape.
Health Psychology
This module covers key theoretical themes and issues and highlights the link between theory and practice in psychology. It focuses on factors that promote or inhibit psychological wellbeing and health-related behaviour, and will help you develop critical analytical skills when reviewing literature. It also provides a forum for discussing a broad range of health psychology topics.
Introduction to Theories of Counselling
This is a brief overview of psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural and humanistic approaches in counselling, with a look at two therapies associated with each approach. We also examine the integrative approach and how it brings together ideas and practices from the three main approaches to create new forms of therapy.
Language and Mind
This module focuses on one of the most remarkable abilities of the human species – our ability to use language! You will learn about how the brain works to generate and understand language, how we read and write, and what happens when things go wrong. We will talk about how people who speak more than one language manage to keep them separate, and what happens to multilinguals with brain damage.
Neuropsychology and the Broken Brain
In this module we examine the relationship between the brain, behaviour and cognitive abilities. We focus on specific brain functions, such as memory, visual perception and language, using comparisons between brain injury patients and healthy individuals.
Occupational Psychology
This module introduces a variety of issues related to work, and how psychological principles may be applied to enhance people's wellbeing and productivity in the workplace. We address the application of psychological theory and research methods in the context of work, at individual and organisational levels.
Philosophy of Psychology
This module will look at the central issues in the philosophy of psychology, issues such as: The nature of inner, subjective Consciousness (the 'hard problem'). Can any psychological theory make sense of our private, personal experience – the taste of this ice-cream, the blueness of this view of the sea, the inner agony of this pain? Can information-processing, or neuroscientific or other scientific accounts make sense of this – or must it forever elude our grasp?
Positive Psychology
Applied positive psychology attempts to reconceptualise the way we understand mental health with a focus on the scientific understanding of strengths, and understanding psychological wellbeing and happiness rather than pathology, illness and weaknesses.
Psychology of Mental Health
This is an introduction to psychological disorders. Initially, lectures look at historical perspectives in abnormal psychology, classification and assessment, and different perspectives and treatment methods. We then focus on specific disorders, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety and phobias, eating disorders and substance use disorders.
Violent Relationships
We examine violence and abuse in the context of relationships, from a range of perspectives. Psychological understanding and its implications are increasingly relevant, and we look at aspects of violence that most affect the psychology of relationships.
Optional modules can vary over time and reflect the current expertise within the department.

There are also module options on Substance Use and Misuse.