Full entry requirements

International students can progress directly on to these courses from the International Foundation Year in Science and Computing.

About these Courses

There are many facets to the chemical sciences and the Chemistry with Forensic Science degree provide a unique insight into important and fascinating aspects of chemistry. The specialised training on offer will give you skills that are highly sought after in areas of forensic science and analytical chemistry. The course builds upon the strengths of the University of Leicester, such as internationally-renowned expertise in Law, Genetics and Biochemistry.

This course covers the core chemistry modules, but differs from the regular chemistry degree by offering specialised supplementary modules including Forensic Science, Learning Legal Skills and Introduction to Analytical Chemistry. In addition, you will do experiments specifically designed for this degree and you will visit a crime scene house.

The degrees may be studied as either a three-year BSc or a four-year MChem course. The MChem course has a stronger element of chemistry research training and provides excellent preparation for those contemplating further research studies at PhD level. The MChem courses also allow you the option of spending a year in industry or a year studying abroad.

Skills Gained

A thorough study of chemistry is combined with a rigorous training in transferable skills. You will learn legal skills and gain analytical and bioanalytical knowledge. In addition, you will gain skills in IT, problem-solving, working individually or in groups, numeracy, analytical thinking and presentation skills. These skills are sought after by employers in both scientific and non-scientific areas, for example, commerce and law.

Graduate Opportunities

As well as having a thorough understanding of chemistry this degree will provide you with the skills that are essential in Forensic Science.

You could find employment in the Forensic Science Service working as technical support or as a reporting officer. You could also find employment in the criminal justice system and the civil service, including the police force as a scene-of-crime officer, or working in the customs or immigration service.

The Chemistry with Forensic Science course focuses on analytical and bioanalytical techniques and so employment in public health laboratories, analytical consultancy services, trading standards laboratories, and analytical quality control in the chemical, pharmaceutical and other manufacturing industries is also possible.

First and Second Years

The first two years are the same for both the BSc and MChem degrees. The core chemistry modules are supplemented by more specialised modules including:

• Criminal Justice System
• Learning Legal Skills
• Introduction to Forensic Science
• Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
• Bioanalytical Chemistry

In addition to doing standard chemistry practicals, specific experiments will focus on developing techniques for use in forensic science (e.g. fingerprint analysis, detection of accelerants).

Third Year – Year in Industry (where chosen)

In the Third Year, you will spend a year working in paid employment with a chemical, pharmaceutical or analytical chemistry company. During the year working in industry you will undertake a project with the company, which is written up as a report and assessed as a module contributing to your degree. In addition, three chemistry modules must be completed by distance learning.

We have also had a number of students who have worked for chemical companies in Europe. These students have been able to add fluency in a foreign language to their collection of skills. The Year in Industry option is only available to those doing a MChem degree.  Companies that have recently participated include:

• Quotient Bioresearch
• AWE
• Crowder
• AkzoNobel
• Tata Steel

Third Year – Year Abroad (where chosen)

In the Third Year you will have chance to study at a University abroad. There are universities in Europe (Spain, Italy, France and Germany) and the USA (Colorado, Florida, New York State, Ohio) that you may attend.

In addition, we are currently setting up Year Abroad programmes in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. For those that study in Europe you will receive an Erasmus grant (€378 per month) and intensive language training during your Second Year. The Year Abroad option is only available to those doing the MChem degree.

Third Year – BSc

In the Final Year of the BSc degree you will take a number of core chemistry modules including Advanced Organic, Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry. You will also take the Forensic Science module which covers topics such as pathology, forensic engineering, explosives detection, fire investigation and road traffic accidents. Detailed case studies will also be presented on how forensic science has been used successfully to solve crimes and a series of lectures by visiting forensic science specialists will also be given.

This module also involves a mini-forensic project and a visit to a crime scene house. During your Third Year you will also be required to complete a research project in analytical chemistry or toxicology. A recent BSc project has been: Application of ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy for Discrimination and Identification of Ball Point and Marker Pen Inks.

Third and Fourth Years – MChem

In the Third Year of the MChem course you will take the same core modules as those in the Final Year of the BSc course (including the Forensic Science module). You will also take a laboratory course on specialist preparative, analytical and spectroscopic techniques.

In the fourth year, the main part of the course is an extensive research project in analytical chemistry or toxicology. A recent MChem project has been: Analysing Fingerprints from Localised Corrosion.

In addition to your research project you will take an Advanced Forensic Science course which will cover topics such as forensic archaeology, digital evidence and the admissibility of evidence in a criminal and civil trial. You will also need to choose three advanced chemistry modules from:

• Advanced Structure Determination
• Advanced Synthetic Methods
• Earth System Science
• Computational Chemistry
• Green Chemistry

Contact

Admissions Tutor: Dr Corey Evans
0116 252 2100
Fax: 0116 252 3789
chemadmiss@le.ac.uk
www.le.ac.uk/chemistry/

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