Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

SQA National Qualifications

Year 1 BBBC including Chemistry plus English and Mathematics at Standard Grade (Grade 3 or above)/Intermediate 2/National 5.

Year 2: ADVANCED HIGHERS: BBC including Chemistry and either Biology or Human Biology plus English and Mathematics at Standard Grade (Grade 3 or above)/Intermediate 2/National 5.

Applicants with the Scottish Baccalaureate qualification in Science may be considered for Year 2 entry.

or GCE

A-Level

Year 1 CDD, including Chemistry plus English and Maths @ GCSE.

Year 2 A-Level BBC including Chemistry plus GCSE (Grade C or above) English and Mathematics.

or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation

Year 1: Access to Science - BBB including Chemistry
An appropriate HNC/HND award with the level of entry and/or credit awarded being subject to the content of the HN programme.

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

Year 1: Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H4 including Chemistry or International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 27 points including Chemistry

Year 2: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 30 points (including Biology or Human Biology and Chemistry at Higher and 3 other subjects at Higher)
* Science subjects: Psycholgy, Maths, Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Human Biology

Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.

Further desirable skills pre-application

General Overview

Forensic Science is the application of Science in support of the legal process. Forensic Scientists aim to gather evidence and analyse it for use in a court of law in a way that is impartial, expert and based on a solid scientific basis. The great strides made in analytical chemistry and genetics in recent years have greatly increased the power of Forensic Science, and made the scientist central to the solving of many criminal cases. The scope of what can be achieved by Forensic Scientists is growing all the time with techniques such as DNA profiling being introduced and developed.

The programme provides the students with the requisite underpinning knowledge in the chemical and biological sciences that are most important in forensic science. Criminalistic topics such as crime scene investigation, forensic statistics and fingerprinting are also studied in the first two years. In year 3 and 4 the treatment and analysis of evidence is developed in specialist modules covering fire investigation, explosives,  fibre analysis, DNA profiling, chemical and biochemical analysis, evidence identification, toxicology and drugs. In the final year of the programme features an extended research project and modules in  Forensic Biology, Toxicology and Physical Evidence and Advanced Analytical Chemistry. Final year students also participate in an extended CSI project and present their findings in a mock court room.

A variety of teaching methods will be employed during the programme including site visits, guest lectures, workshops, role-play and presentations. One of the key tenets of the programme is to train and develop students as practical scientists with highly developed analytical skills capable of examining evidence, extracting information and presenting their findings both orally and in writing.

A key strength of this programme is that it will provide students with a broad grounding in a number of scientific disciplines that should allow graduates from the programme to find employment not only in the forensic sciences sector but also to have an analytical skills profile which makes them attractive to many other employers e.g. chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, occupational safety and health sector, accident investigation, public sector employers and police graduate entry.

The programme includes an optional industrial placement which allows the development of additional skills relevant to employment.

Students with an Honours degree may proceed to postgraduate studies for MSc / PhD at this or other universities.

Forensic Science covers a wide variety of theoretical, conceptual and practical areas, and requires its practitioners to display and exercise a range of knowledge and skills. Delivery of the programme therefore involves a diversity of teaching and assessment methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of the modules and of the overall programme, as indicated below:- • Lectures are used to present, discuss and evaluate subject matter and content. • Tutorial work is closely integrated with the lecture material, and generally requires students to solve problems or otherwise to develop understanding of the materials presented. • Investigations and case studies require students to gather, organise and evaluate numerical or non-numerical information, either individually or on a group basis (the latter specifically designed to develop team work skills). Several modules involve an element of practical work, to develop laboratory skills, to familiarise students with modern instrumentation, experimental techniques and to enhance investigative, evaluative and presentational skills. Assignments, investigations, laboratory results and other coursework require presentation in a variety of forms, developing skills in oral and written presentation and in the application of various forms of IT. The level and intensity of the programme is developed throughout the course in line with SCQF criteria for each level, while the content is closely aligned with QAA subject benchmark statements at all stages. Student autonomy and individual responsibility for learning is encouraged at all levels, and graduate attributes are developed throughout the programme.

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

Graduate attributes, employability and Personal Development Planning (PDP) are embedded in modules at all levels of the programme. The aim of this structure is to year on year develop attributes appropriate to the level of study and to monitor and record progress via an ePortfolio.

Exercises used for PDP and transferable skills are generally drawn from mainstream modular provision, to ensure that there is a strong link with the curriculum.

In all aspects of PDP, the emphasis will be on students taking personal responsibility for their PDP portfolio, with support from staff as appropriate.

A variety of sources have been used to inform this content; the UWS Graduate Attributes “I am UWS”, SCQF Level Descriptors and the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Forensic Science (2012).

The UWS framework for graduate attributes is called “I am UWS”, it states that as a graduate from UWS students will be:

Universal - globally relevant with comprehensively applicable abilities, skills and behaviours

Work ready - dynamic and prepared for employment in complex, ever-changing environments which require lifelong learning and resilience

Successful - as a UWS graduate with a solid foundation on which to continue succeeding and realising my potential, across various contexts

And that through studying and graduating from UWS, students will develop attributes across three dimensions:

Academic – knowledge, skills and abilities related to high-level academic study

Personal – qualities and characteristics of well-rounded, developed, responsible individuals

Professional – skills, aptitudes and attitudes required for professional working life in the 21st Century

Opportunities to develop transferable skills and graduate attributes are embedded in modules throughout the Forensic Science programme. Details can be found in individual module descriptors.

 Level 7          Term 1    Structure of Chemistry

                       Term 1    Science and Crime

                       Term 2    Chemistry and Reactions

                       Term 2    Scientific Investigation

Level 8           Term 1    Chemical Lab Techniques

                       Term 2    Chemical Analysis & Evaluation

                        Term 2    Evaluating Forensic Evidence

Level 9           Term 1    Analytical Chemistry

                       Term 2    Forensic Lab Techniques

                       Term 2    Designer Drugs

Level 10         Term 1& 2    Science Project

                       Term 2    Forensic Evidence

Students are introduced to the concept of PDP in Level 7 and supported to make use of the Royal Society of Chemistry Undergraduate Skills Record to record their ePortfolio at intervals during each year of study.

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

If selected, the sandwich placement is designed for students to gain and reflect on work experience attained during their time in the workplace. The experience may also contribute towards meeting the membership requirements of a Professional body. Students undertaking a sandwich placement are required to undertake PDP and maintain a portfolio from which they will be required to produce a comprehensive learning log report charting their development during placement. This is assessed on a pass /fail basis only with the majority of ongoing assessment being formative in nature. The student will be required, through reflection, to explore their own role within their placement organisation and to take account of the roles and responsibilities of themselves and others in the context of the structures in which they operate. On successful completion of the placement, the learner will be more employable as a result of having developed their ability to integrate essential generic skills and attributes with subject/discipline related knowledge.

The placement will be governed by a tripartite learning agreement between the student, placement provider and the University which defines the learning outcomes and confirms elements of support and commitment from all parties. The agreement will be signed by each party prior to the start of the placement and it is expected that Schools will continue to use their existing placement systems for the management of such agreements.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the placement the student will be able to:

•  L1.Critically relate elements of the placement work experience to the main themes and issues of academic study of [subject discipline] relevant within the workplace and be confident in articulating this to others

•  L2. Analyse organisational cultures and structures with particular relevance to the current workplace and exhibit the ability to critically evaluate employee roles in an applied setting.

•  L3. Recognise, critically assess and be able to clearly demonstrate to others the personal development and application of essential employability skills and  attributes within a real work situation.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on pass/fail only and all assessment elements must be passed for progression as part of the Sandwich programme. Assignments will be open to external examination in accordance with University regulations.

In order to submit for assessment students need to:

• Attend the workplace(s) in which they have been placed for a minimum total of 36 weeks (180 full working days) and have their employer(s) confirm their attendance

• Receive a satisfactory assessment of work performance from their workplace supervisor(s) and academic tutor (based on two interviews and other evidence as required)

• Maintain a PDP portfolio and use this to submit a satisfactory learning log report reflecting on the placement experience (minimum 2,000 words)

• Successfully complete a subject related project (minimum 3,000 words or equivalent)

Where a student’s sandwich placement is made up of two separate planned periods of work experience (i.e. a “Thin Sandwich”), the PDP portfolio report and subject related report will normally be submitted and assessed during the second period of placement. Assessment of the first period of placement will relate to satisfactory performance in the workplace.

Mitigating circumstances will be taken into consideration in accordance with University regulations.

Reassessment

• Minimum period in work: It is essential that the student completes at least 36 weeks (180 working days) in employment. If the student does not meet this minimum requirement then they cannot pass the placement.

• Catch up: Where through no fault of their own a student has been unable to attain at least 36 weeks placement experience they will be entitled to secure the additional work experience required through a suitable additional period of work experience provided this is agreed in advance with the Programme Team.

• Retake of Placement: a repeat or alternative placement will only be considered on health or other mitigating grounds or where the placement is terminated due to no fault of the student. In such cases the student will receive counselling from the     placement tutor on how best to proceed.

• Satisfactory Performance: The first interview will be used to assess the student’s progress. If it is considered that the student’s performance is less than expected at that stage, the student will be advised of this and of the elements of their performance that need to improve. If the student’s performance is assessed as unsatisfactory at the second interview then the student will be given further advice on the steps they need to take to achieve a satisfactory assessment and will be reassessed through a third interview at the end of their placement period.  Interviews will normally be conducted within the workplace unless a suitable         alternative method is agreed by all parties.

• Reflective Report from PDP: If the reflective report is unsatisfactory, the student will be given the opportunity to resubmit in line with University regulations

• Subject related report: If the subject related report is unsatisfactory the student will be given the opportunity to resubmit in line with University regulations

Progression/Award

• Placement students will be assigned to a specific Subject and Programme Panel.

• The relevant Programme Panel will consider the performance of each sandwich placement student enrolled on that Programme and decide eligibility for reassessment, progression and awards in accordance with University Regulations, in particular Regulation 7.10.4  

• A student who fails the sandwich placement after reassessment will no longer be eligible for a “with sandwich” award. They will either progress to level 9 or 10 (as appropriate) of a non-sandwich equivalent programme or exit with an equivalent  non-sandwich award.

Successful completion of the placement element will result in the award of Forensic Science (sandwich).

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of CertHE / DipHE or BA / BSc in Combined Studies.

For students studying BA, BAcc, or BD awards the award will be BA Combined Studies.

For students studying BEng or BSc awards, the award will be BSc Combined Studies.