BSc (Hons)
Forensic Science

Module Overview

Molecular biology is of critical importance when understanding biological systems. This module is designed to provide students with an insight into the techniques used and applied by molecular biologists in a number of specific contexts. The module will explore the origins of molecular life on Earth, before examining the molecular control of eukaryotic replication, transcription and translation. The focus will then move to in vitro experimentation including DNA isolation, amplification, sequencing and manipulation; before looking at applications of molecular biology and how they can be applied to our understanding in areas such as population genetics and health and disease.

Module Overview

Students can contextualise the skills learnt on their course and develop new, job-specific skills through a work placement.

Module Overview

The School believes that an option to study overseas is a valuable educational opportunity for our students. Provision of this option supports the educational aims of the School of Life Sciences and enhances the distinctiveness of its degrees at Lincoln. The optional year is intended to:

- enable students to benefit from studying within a cross cultural environment

- expose students to a wider academic and cultural experience

- enhance their future employment opportunities

- by increasing their cultural and professional mobility.

This module is optional for students within the School. Study Abroad is a year long module which enables students to spend a year studying abroad at one of the University's approved partner institutions. Eligible students must have completed their second year of study to a satisfactory standard and successfully completed the application process for the year abroad.

During the year spent abroad, students share classes with local students and study on a suite of locally-delivered taught modules which have been approved in advance by the University. Upon their return, as part of the assessment for this module, students are required to critically reflect upon their experience of living and studying in a different cultural environment and the skills acquired.

Module Overview

This module introduces the chemistry and physics of fire and explosives and considers the investigation of fire and explosion scenes with an emphasis on arson and the use of improvised explosive devices. The challenges of evidence recovery, laboratory examination and chemical analysis are covered. This module also considers the various aspects of nuclear terrorism, in the context of global security. The underpinning science and the forensic investigation of nuclear materials for intelligence building is discussed.

Module Overview

This module is designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of forensic anthropology. Students will be introduced to forensic anthropology before embarking on a series of lectures and practical sessions covering human osteology and the methods used to estimate a biological profile; sex, ancestry, age and stature estimation. This module will also introduce the student to the various pathological conditions and traumatic injury affecting human bone. This module will equip the students with the fundamental knowledge and skills to participate in forensic anthropological analysis by preparing a case report on a skeleton.

Module Overview

In this module, students undertake a project under supervision from a member of staff. The module will develop students' project planning and independent learning skills and their capacity for the critical appraisal of scientific literature. Research governance will also be examined including research ethics, COSHH and risk assessments and their importance in order to safely and appropriately carry out a programme of research. This module provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate original and critical thought, as well as to build analytical and project-management skills. Projects may be in the laboratory or field, involve systematic literature reviews, surveys, or meta-analysis of pre-collected data. The findings of the project will be written up and also presented orally.

Module Overview

The forensic field course will give students the opportunity to experience first-hand the work of the forensic scientist within a national or international context. This may take place in a country other than the UK. Students will also familiarise themselves with the professional skills required to carry out this type of work.

Module Overview

This module provides students with an opportunity to focus on the public understanding of forensic science. Students will work independently to identify one or more disciplines that are used within forensic investigations, but also known to the general public. Examples could include DNA, fingerprints, gunshot residue, fire debris analysis or analysis of drugs. Once the discipline has been identified, students will, through critical analysis of the literature, work to build a comprehensive understanding of the history of the discipline, its current use, benefits and drawbacks, its place within forensic regulations and the current legal framework.