Course overview

Forensic detection methods have become increasingly important within the contemporary criminal justice system. Today, a large number of individuals and organisations make use of forensic techniques to solve a broad range of criminal justice problems. This honours degree course in Criminology and Forensic Studies is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the interdisciplinary nature of criminology, crime science and forensic science. Focusing on a practical and applied criminological analysis of forensic issues as the backbone of the course, there will be an integration of coherent subject themes, including history, psychology and law.

Criminology and Forensic Studies utilizes an interdisciplinary approach which examines a range of methods relating to crime detection, classification and prevention and how these can be combined with classical criminological ideas.

This degree offers not only a wide and exciting range of topics to study, but also offers excellent prospects upon graduation. To assist students in their career choices, we operate a careers panel of recent graduates who have either worked within the criminal justice sector or have extensive contacts with it.

Graduates of this degree could expect to be working within the police, probation, and forensic science services, in a wide range of jobs, including scenes of crimes officers, crime analysts, fraud investigation officers, risk assessors (as part of probation), prison and police officers (including senior investigation officers).

Placements

This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work / research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. The option gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, to reflect on the ways in which you've done so, and to learn to express this to potential employers.

Course content

The course facilitates the development of independent study and collaborative work and contains a strong, practical research focus, which will be facilitated by the research interests and experience of the teaching staff. Both core units and option choices enable students to firstly, develop and specialise their individual interests and secondly, optimise their abilities. The core strength of the programme is the tremendously wide range of option choices.

Year one

• Introduction to Criminology
• Introduction to Crime Scene Examination
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Forensic Science and Detection Methods
• Skills for Criminologists
• Researching Criminology 1

Year two

Core units:

• Researching Criminology 2
• Criminal Investigations
• Techniques of Scientific Investigation

Optional themes in year two may include:

• Punishing Offenders
• Police, Law and Community
• Criminal Law and Psychology
• Crime, Media and Culture
• Learning From Experience (Faculty wide option)
• Languages (University wide option)
• Victims of Crime: Key Players in Criminal Justice
• Policing a Diverse Society
• Crimes of the Powerful
• Substance Use and Misuse
• Contemporary Terrorism and the Global Response
• Forensic Biology and Earth Sciences
• Global, State and Corporate Security
• Youth Crime, Youth Justice
• Crime Reduction, Partnerships and Community Safety

Year three

Core units:

• Dissertation/Major Project (Criminology)
• Crime Reconstruction and Offender Profiling
• Management of Criminal Investigations

Optional themes in year three may include::

• Safer Communities and Neighbourhood Policing
• Dangerous Offenders and the Criminal Justice System
• Fighting Fraud and Corruption
• Hate Crime
• Crime Scene Photography
• Crime, Exclusion and Mental Heath
• Forensic Psychology
• Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders
• Cyber Crime: Virtual-realities, Control and Mitigation
• Forensic Psychology

Please note that whilst a range of options will be offered, there will inevitably be some variation in the availability of individual units at any given time.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Our teaching approach involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops and forensic crime scene examinations. Students will be expected to fully participate in group discussions, projects and practicals. They will be given an introduction to software packages and web-based learning materials that increasingly support the educational experience.

The learning experience for undergraduates is different from pre-degree study and we address the issue by teaching the skills necessary for degree level work through study skills tutorials in year one and two. Tutorial support continues in year three focusing on dissertation supervision.

Assessment is through a combination of coursework, practical crime scene assessments and examinations. These include open, pre-seen papers and closed traditional examinations. Coursework involves seminar papers, presentations, group projects and the 10,000-word dissertation. Full support is given to help students develop the techniques necessary for their assessed work.

Career prospects

The course aims to provide a sound academic base for a variety of criminal justice, local government and charity sector careers such as police and probation officers, Home Office researchers, scenes of crime officers and research, intelligence and crime analyst positions, as well as a wide range of private and public industries.

Facilities and features

The teaching buildings are in close proximity to halls of residence and the city centre and you will have access to the latest facilities in a modern and comfortable environment. The University has added an £11 million extension to the library, making it a modern, light and attractive space for learning. It has ample study spaces, a new café, more spaces for books and journals and open access areas for IT. There is also continuing development of excellent elearning resources. In addition, ICJS has designated forensic facilities (including a forensics house and forensics vehicle), where crime scenes are simulated and students are asked to undertake a broad range of practical detection and recovery techniques therein.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).