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Forensic and Analytical Science BSc(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement year

Entry requirements

A Level - BBC-BCC

BTEC - DMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

30

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
  2. Your learning will take place in purpose-built forensic science labs and crime scene facilities, you'll gain real-world experience through mock criminal court hearings and organised crime scenes.
  3. Excellent employment prospects: 95% of graduates from this course were in work or further study 15 months after graduation.

Fascinated by the forensic techniques you see in films and on TV? Or perhaps you’re eager to learn more about the scientific principles behind them?

From fingerprint development (chemical and physical) to spot tests for blood stains, refractive index, chromatography, spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence, you’ll explore a host of methods used within forensic science labs.

Why study Forensic and Analytical Science BSc(Hons)

You’ll study from purpose-built, on-campus forensic science labs and specially made crime scene facilities, with the course covering a host of modules. Practical work on this course is supported by lectures on forensic awareness and will explore how forensic scientists interact with the police force and other bodies.

Modules are varied; in the first year alone, the curriculum includes:

  • Practical Forensic Science 1
  • Analytical Science 1
  • Data Handling for Forensic Science

These are supported by core chemistry modules:

  • Organic Chemistry 1
  • Physical Chemistry 1
  • Inorganic Chemistry 1

Accredited by Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, this course can be taken over three years or four; choose a four-year degree course and you can gain real-world experience on a rewarding placement in a relevant industry setting within forensic and analytical science.

During this course, which will help you hone a wide range of sought-after, practical skills, you be supported by academics and experienced practitioners in forensic science and analytical science.

Get to grips with a variety of topics – in lectures, via problem-based tutorials, lab classes and in our crime-scene facilities. Mock criminal court hearings and organised outdoor crime scenes will also help extend your understanding of the subject. Career prospects for graduates cover a broad range of fields, too, from scene of crime officers (SOCO), forensic toxicologists and bloodstain pattern analysts to working in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, hospital or analytical service laboratories and beyond.

Course detail

Practical Forensic Science 1

This module is an introduction to basic forensic techniques and the scientific principles underlying them. Techniques used include fingerprint development (chemical and physical), spot tests for blood stains, identification of glass fragments by density, refractive index and x-ray fluorescence, microscopic examination of hairs and fibres and methods for determining alcohol and drugs in the blood. Practical work is supported by lectures on forensic awareness and how forensic scientists interact with the police force and other bodies.

Analytical Science 1

This module aims to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to the range of skills required in modern analytical science and illustrate how analytical methodology underpins scientific investigation across the conventional discipline boundaries. The module will build on and develop your prior knowledge of analysis whilst not assuming any particular area of expertise and will also endeavour to improve your numerical, IT and communication skills by illustrating analytical methodology in the context of these key skill areas. This module also aims to develop your ability to obtain and interpret a wide range of spectroscopic data in a systematic and logical fashion. In this way you'll be taught to apply your knowledge to a wide range of new problems and in so doing develop your general problem solving skills. The module will be taught primarily by lectures and tutorials with illustrative practical work to highlight salient points from the lecture material.

Inorganic Chemistry 1

This module introduces you to the chemistry of the elements. Starting with the earliest known chemical events in the universe, this module discusses the elements, their origin, structure and properties before looking at the structure and bonding in and reactions of chemical compounds and encompasses a number of areas of (mostly) main group chemistry including, but not limited to, the constituents of the earth's crust and the chemistry of the atmosphere.

Data Handling for Forensic Science

This module provides an introduction to the use of computers for scientific data handling and networking. It will also consolidate the mathematical ability of students entering the course from a variety of backgrounds and provides the essential groundwork in this subject area together with an introduction to probability and statistics.

Organic Chemistry 1

This module teaches you to recognise a range of functional groups and to name systematically compounds that contain them. Structure and bonding in organic compounds are discussed, as are the concepts of the octet rule, orbital hybridisation, formal charge, bond polarisation and resonance. The importance of molecular geometry is introduced and the basic principles of molecular conformation and of stereochemistry are covered. In preparation for the chemistry to follow, an integrated treatment of the 'language of chemical change' is presented. The ideas of mechanism and reaction intermediates are met, together with the curly arrow symbolism which chemists use to represent the electron movement inherent in chemical reactions. In the second half of the module, the chemistry of the principal functional groups is considered, using the ideas developed earlier. The lecture programme is reinforced by regular tutorials in which problems are worked. Running parallel to the lecture programme is a continuously assessed practical course that introduces you to the basic techniques of preparative organic chemistry.

Physical Chemistry 1

This module covers four areas of physical chemistry: properties of ideal and non-ideal introductory thermodynamics, solution chemistry of acids, bases and salts and reaction kinetics, including catalysis.

Entry requirements

BBC-BCCat A Level including a minimum grade C in Chemistry. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A Level study, and is a requirement for entry to our degree course.

112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications including a minimum grade C in Chemistry at A Level.

DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Forensic and Criminal Investigation.

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above including modules in Chemistry.
  • 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications, including Higher Level Chemistry at grade 5.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Science Extended Degree (BCF0).

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Meet our students


In her film, you can watch Forensic and Analytical Science BSc(Hons) student Miranda explore the crime scene facilities at the University of Huddersfield. She also talks about her 'fantastic' placement with West Yorkshire Police. 

Placements


In the third year of this course, you’ll get the chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world on an optional placement year working for an organisation related to your areas of interest. This is when you’ll really be able to see your knowledge in action, pick up invaluable skills for your future career and boost your employability to help you hit the ground running after graduation.

You could stay to do your placement in the UK or experience a new culture and work abroad for one year. Where could this year take you?

Previous students in the Forensic and Analytical Science subject area have undertaken placements with ALS Environmental Unit, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Chemfix, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals, Surfachem, Thornton & Ross, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire and Humberside Scientific Support Unit.

During my placement year, I had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of technicians that taught me the value of teamwork.  My confidence grew massively, and I learnt so many new skills that I will carry with me forever.

None

Orica Taylor-Cameron, Forensic and Analytical Science BSc(Hons), placement with The University of Huddersfield as a Laboratory Technician.

Your career


As a graduate of this course, you may consider a career in crime scene investigation, forensic pathology, toxicology, clothing damage analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic technology or forensic anthropology or forensic podiatry, as well as roles in chemistry and analytical chemistry within sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and drink manufacturers or health.

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area of Forensic Science have gone on to work in roles such as Analytical Scientist at Minerva Scientific Ltd, Offshore Chemist at Benchmark Animal Health, Scientist at Broughton Nicotine Services and Analytical Scientist at RB (Reckitt Benckiser).**

*95% of graduates from this course were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes 20/21, UK Domiciled).

**LinkedIn.

95% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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