Essentially Forensic Science is the application of science to law enforcement, so the forensic scientist uses a range of scientific techniques to provide admissible evidence in a court of law.

• The programme at UEL aims to provide students with a broad background to a large number of scientific techniques used by forensic scientists and also an introduction to the relevant aspects of law.
• Offers extensive laboratory training through all years of the programme
• Shares a common first year with other Bioscience degrees at UEL, leaving you an option to transfer at the end of the first year

• Most students follow a 4-year sandwich degree pathway - however 3-year full-time and part-time routes and combined honours are also available
• Level 1 is essentially a foundation year, designed to cement and extend areas of study which should already be at least partly familiar to students. In two Skills modules students will develop the study skills and IT skills required in any modern degree programme together with the more specialist background knowledge in areas such as chemistry, cell biology and statistics, which are required by a Forensic Scientist. A module on legal methods and skills provides an introduction to the relevant aspects of law.
• At Level 2, four modules are essential: Biological Evidence, Biochemical Techniques, Introduction to Toxicology and the Environment and Criminal Law. Two further modules are chosen from a selection of law, pharmacology and biochemistry modules.
• The third year of study can be spent away from the University in an agreed work placement
• The final year (Level 3) has further modules specialising in aspects of Forensic Science with options of further study in law or toxicology.
• In your final year, you do an individual research project, involving original work

Learning is encouraged through participation in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory-based practicals, external visits, distance learning, web-based learning etc. Each module has 5 to 6 hours contact per week, and may need up to 10 hours further individual study per week on each module.

Success at university depends on developing your ability to study independently using library resources, Computer-assisted learning (CAL), handouts and web-based study activities. The first year has a Skills module in each semester. These help you make the major shift to independent learning needed at university, compared to schools and FE colleges, and also help to develop those transferable skills so important in working life.

Students are assessed in practical work and theory. In most modules 50% of the module mark is derived from coursework during the semester (this can take a variety of forms including laboratory work, data analysis, essays, oral presentations etc.) and 50% (50-100% for Law modules) from unseen written theory examination at the end of the semester. Some modules also include laboratory practical exams.

• Level 1 (Year 1) modules introduce you to the standards and types of assessment used at university. Some have theory exams staged at intervals through the semester. Although they do not contribute to your final Honours grade, you are expected to achieve at least 40% in all Level 1 modules.
• Your final Honours grade uses marks from Level 2 and Level 3 modules only. Your Level 1 modules prepare you to do your best in these later years.
• If a module is not passed at the first opportunity, marks from later opportunities are not capped.

• The 4-year Sandwich programme offers a year working in a laboratory and maybe in a forensic lab, hospital, research institution or in a medical, industrial or food company. Placements are available nationwide and sometimes abroad.
• Your experience can be written up to pass a Work Experience module that will appear on your degree transcript. You also have the opportunity to take a work-based learning module which can contribute to your final degree classification.

• Project work is an essential component of an Honours degree programme and one that most students enjoy. Small projects and group work exercises feature throughout the programme.
• Up to one third of your final year is spent on an individual research project. If a double project module is chosen this will contribute over 20% to your total Honours mark.
• Project work encourages students to show initiative in their individual work under supervision in a laboratory, using appropriate analytical techniques to generate and interpret new data.
• Library based research projects may also be undertaken.

• Extensive personal support throughout the programme.
• Sound practical as well as academic training.
• The sandwich year working in a laboratory will add value to your job prospects at the end of the programme.
• Effective careers advice and support available.

• Developing your knowledge of Law and Biology as applied to Forensic Science.
• Studying practical methods relevant to Forensic Science.
• Understanding how current procedures in Forensic Science depend on study at many levels: humans, cells, other organisms and Law.
• Improving your scientific skills of logical argument and analysis.

• TV programmes on forensic investigations.
• Reading or hearing about research and/ or medicine (do you already enjoy TV documentaries like Horizon or Equinox, radio science programmes, New Scientist articles?).
• The challenge of increasing not just your knowledge of facts, but also your understanding of how science may contribute to solving crimes and the criminal justice system.
• Doing scientific procedures and experiments in laboratories and IT labs with precision.
• Working in groups in laboratories using standard and new techniques to solve problems.
• Being able to study quietly and individually away from formal staff-led sessions.

• The chance of reviewing your degree programme at the end of the first year and possibly changing to Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Immunology, and other Biosciences degrees.
• The option of a year's work experience in a laboratory away from the University.
• To be able to spend up to one third of your final year on your own individual research project at the university (usually developing laboratory skills, but IT, survey or library projects also negotiable).

The programme will enable you to pursue careers in forensic science and related occupations, such as diagnostics, scientific support for the police, consumer protection/trading standards, health and safety, public health, environmental monitoring and control, accident investigation and quality assurance in the manufacturing industries including food and pharmaceutical. It can also be utilised by those students who have less specific career aspirations but who wish to study a rigorous scientific programme. One rapidly growing field of work is in the insurance industry providing the technical support in claims assessment.

The School of Health and Bioscience provides immediate contact with University support systems.

• In your first year, you are allocated a Personal Tutor (a member of staff familiar with your degree). You will see your Tutor at regular intervals to discuss progress and life in general.
• Module leaders and Degree pathway leaders also give support on academic matters, and advice about other specialist help available through the University.
• The School also has a Help Desk to provide administrative assistance and advise how to get the right help.
• Internet homepages are used by many staff to support their teaching and your learning.
• Lecture and practical files, quizzes, mark summaries and much more is now available for several modules via UEL UELPlus Online Programme links.

Throughout the programme you will find a number of scheduled support activities devoted to specific aspects e.g. how to write your project report, or more general aspects such as careers.

Support for students on a University level includes:

• Libraries and Learning Resource Centres
• Childcare for students with children aged 21/2 years to 5 years.
• Careers advice and information
• Counselling and Advice for practical problems
• Health Centre with a nurse regularly on duty.
• Language tuition
• Dyslexia support
• Accommodation

• A School of Biosciences with staff and facilities to match to the wide interests and backgrounds of students.
• Sports facilities at the Atherton Centre, which is just a few minutes walk away.
• Multiplex cinema, theatre, supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs a few minutes walk away in Stratford - a major site of new development in East London.
• Central London only 20 minutes away by underground and extensive transport links with all parts of London.