Overview
This degree allows you to practice techniques to build forensic evidence records and oversee investigations from ‘crime scene to courtroom’.
Analytical chemistry techniques are used in a diverse range of industries – from medical, pharmaceutical and environmental analysis to cosmetics and food manufacture. Alongside molecular sciences, they are also used extensively during the investigation of criminal offences, in areas such as toxicology, fibre analysis fingerprints, questioned documents, the analysis of blood, DNA and fire/explosives residue.
Responding to the growing demand for analytical scientists both nationally and internationally, this exciting course recognises the multidisciplinary requirements of the modern analytical chemist and aims to produce graduates with the skills and knowledge needed by such employers. Our multimillion pound, state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building features a suite of analytical and biological laboratories and a video linked ‘crime-scene’ house where you can gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge industry techniques.
Our experienced staff adopt a ‘Crime Scene to Court’ approach to their teaching, which really helps you to understand forensics, in particular the need to methodically collect samples, analyse them and present the results to the standard required by the courts. However, the multidisciplinary nature of this predominantly analytical chemistry course means that graduates are well placed to seek work in multiple fields of employment, evidenced by our excellent 100% graduate employability record. (DLHE, 2014/15)
93% of students agreed that their course has given them opportunities to explore ideas or concepts in depth - National Student Survey 2018.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
Royal Society of Biology
Many of our staff are Chartered Biologists by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB)
Royal Society of Chemistry
Many of our staff are Chartered Chemists by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
Many of our staff are professional members of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS)
Our Facilities
Mock Operating Theatre
Our Alison Gingell building includes a full-size mock operating theatre, containing scrub sinks and theatre lights. We also have a mock hospital ward so that we can study a complete patient pathway.
Ambulance
Our facilities include a mock ambulance, which students can use as part of their studies, to help simulate the patient journey. This gives students the opportunity to learn in situations that mirror real life scenarios.
Hospital Wards
We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing 4 beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools.
Course information
This is a varied, applied course, which focuses on developing the skills required for the application of science to real-life situations, such as the procedures of a forensic investigation from the collection of evidence right through to the trial.
Analytical measurements are now an essential component of 21st century life, required to identify and control the quality of a vast array of products and samples –including medicines, textiles, agricultural products and forensic samples, such as illicit drugs, and the air that we breathe and food that we eat.
Designed to provide you with a thorough understanding of modern analytical chemistry, our course helps prepare you for a career in contemporary science. Introducing some fundamental chemistry theory throughout the course, we start with simple concepts, such as the principles of bonding, reaction rates and preparation techniques, but rapidly advance to complex spectroscopy and separation theory. To help ensure you are ‘industry ready’ on graduation, we also cover important aspects such as quality control, statistics and equipment/experimental validation techniques.
93%
of students agreed staff are good at explaining things
NSS, 2018
Course Specification
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Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
We have been ranked joint first amongst Modern Universities in England for career prospects - Guardian University Guide 2021
In more detail...
In laboratory sessions, you will cover key experimental techniques and develop essential lab, data handling, reporting and broader scientific skills, such as literature researching, information technology, bioinformatics, data processing and the use of statistics. The course is underpinned with practical experience, enabling you to participate in ‘real-life’ simulated situations within our dedicated video-linked crime scene house or mock court room, for example. There is also the opportunity to become familiar with a wide range of other academic disciplines, including cell structures and function, biochemistry and genetics, which play a key role in the forensic arena.
You’ll be taught by our experienced staff, many of whom bring professional or research expertise to their teaching in the areas of toxicology, environmental analysis, pharmacology, biochemistry, genomic and molecular biology, as well as highly specialist areas such as footwear analysis and sensor design. Staff on this course have held roles in major pharmaceutical companies, such as GSK and British Biotech, as forensic scientists in the Forensic Science Service or as analytical scientists in government laboratories.
You may also have the chance to conduct research alongside members of staff or the many professional organisations we have links with – such as Leicester Royal Infirmary, Key Forensic Services Ltd, Nemaura Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Nicholls Colton and West Midlands Police.
- Support applying for short and long-term placements in laboratory and industrial settings.
- Scene of crime outfit, basic fingerprint kit, laboratory coat and safety spectacles provided for use.
- Regular guest speakers have previously included: Derek Forrest OBE, Interpol’s lead on Disaster Victim Identification; a former student now working as a DNA analyst and a forensic scientist with many years’ experience of presenting evidence in court.
- Many of our staff are professionally recognised as accredited as Chartered Chemists by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chartered Biologists by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) and are professional members of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS).
- Hands-on experience of a wide range of laboratory techniques including High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, UV and IR Spectrometry, Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Capillary Electrophoresis, gene amplification using PCR and Gene Sequencing (DNA17).
- Strong network of professional agencies and potential employers and excellent research links with Key Forensic Services Ltd and LGC Forensics Ltd, whose practising forensic scientists have previously provided guest lectures and workshops to help students prepare themselves for the real-world experience of forensic science, as well as specific topics for final year research projects.
- International opportunities as well as being part of the Chemistry society.
Based in the multimillion pound Alison Gingell Building featuring a purpose built analytical suite, the largest Class II containment teaching lab in Europe.
Our main study themes are:
- Chemical analysis: We deal with the important areas of sampling, sample preparation, extraction techniques and analysis in the analytical sciences. The quantitative aspects of spectrometry, chromatography and electrophoresis will be emphasised. We will examine the various processes and techniques involved and their possible uses in analysis of a wide variety of chemical and biological materials including foods, environmental and pharmaceutical samples within industrial and manufacturing environments.
- Forensic science: Covers crime scene protocols for recovery, physical, biological and chemical techniques for analysis, statistical interpretation and legal aspects governing presentation of evidence for the criminal justice system. Techniques covered range from ‘spot tests’ for blood, drugs and firearm residues to the development of latent fingerprints, the identification of glass and paint fragments and the microscopic examination of hairs and fibres.
- Biology for chemists: Covers key biological principles including the structure and activities of both prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic cells, the structure and function of biological macromolecules, enzymes and metabolic pathways, and genetic inheritance. These concepts are vital for understanding of key techniques employed in forensic science such as DNA analysis.
- Laboratory competence: Generic and specialised skills in experimental biology, including experimentation and measurements on humans, anti-contamination and audit trail procedures, safety (e.g. key laboratory skills and competencies, good laboratory practice) and ethical considerations.
- Research methods: Critical analysis, reflection, information searching and experimental design in the Analytical Chemistry and Forensic Sciences. Data collection, analysis and presentation.
This course is available as a full-time three-year or optional four-year course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field. Previous students have worked as Forensic Intelligence Operators for Maryland Police in the USA or analysts at Veolia Environmental Services, for example.
You will have the opportunity to study a range of practical classes, where you will undertake analysis of real samples such as bodily fluids such as blood and saliva, environmental samples including soil, food and agricultural elements, and pharmaceutical agents, as well as forensically specific samples such as drugs and fire debris. In order to analyse this, you will use a range of analytical equipment including ICP-OES, GC-MS, HPLC, ATR-FT-IR, analytical titrations and DNA prisms. These are designed to deliver a logical acquisition and development of laboratory skills.
Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to receive insight from the latest research and input from guest speakers in specific areas of analytical chemistry and forensic science, such as environmental disaster management and offender profiling.
Each year, the School of Life Sciences organises various field trips based upon Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) – collaborations include Seville and Barcelona (additional costs may apply and opportunities may be subject to application, availability and meeting any applicable visa requirements).
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework, tests, essays, practical or project work, formal examinations, presentations and posters and group work.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
On successful completion, you should have knowledge of:
- Basic theoretical concepts of a wide range of analytical chemistry techniques and their application to problem solving.
- Qualitative and quantitative aspects of analysis.
- The theory and application of techniques used in forensic science, including those of a biological nature.
- Mathematical techniques appropriate for a science degree course.
- Effective laboratory skills and aspects of health and safety applicable to a laboratory environment.
On successful completion, you should be able to:
- Analyse, evaluate and interpret information from a variety of sources and compile the information in the appropriate form required.
- Demonstrate an analytical approach to problem solving by having the ability to recognise and analyse novel problems and plan strategies for their solution.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of numerical, oral and written forms.
- Safely carry out laboratory procedures.
- Undertake effective forensic and analytical work using a skilled, accurate and precise approach.
- Produce well-structured and logical arguments.
- Design and implement problem solving techniques to solve appropriate forensic and analytical problems.
- Demonstrate numerical and data manipulation skills at an appropriate level.
- Operate independently or as part of an effective part of a team to solve problems of a technical and practical nature and provide appropriate solutions.
- Interpret data derived from laboratory observations and measurements in terms of their significance and the theory underlying them.
In a typical teaching week, you will have up to 18 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down as:
- Personal tutorial/small group teaching: workshops/online tutorials each week.
- Medium group teaching: workshops or seminars each week.
- Large group teaching: lectures each week.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 18 hours of self-directed study each week eg. revising or using online resources
Our four-year degree option allows a full year work placement, which can be taken abroad, or you can undertake a study year abroad.* A number of students in our department have been successful in securing places to study in Spain, France, Canada and the US.
The course attracts many international students, particularly from Romania, Poland, Switzerland and the Middle East, providing a diverse learning experience. We also have links with a number of international law enforcement agencies to provide chemistry and forensic science training for trainee police officers. The experiences that these students can provide are a valuable resource for all students.
COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects and field trips opportunities are available to all students (which may be subject to additional costs, application, availability and meeting any applicable visa requirements).
*This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.As well as covering mandatory UK field trips, key materials and laser print, the fees for this course also include: A scene of crime outfit and basic fingerprint kit, lab coat and safety goggles.
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
This course may incur additional costs associated with any equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire.
EU Student Fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
The applied nature of this course not only provides a stimulating academic experience, but also means that you have extensive opportunities to graduate as an all-round analytical chemist with a thorough training in the applications of forensic science.
This means you should be well-placed for employment in a variety of science areas including public services analysis, for example in air or water analysis laboratories, forensic science services, food manufacturers, beauty care and cosmetics companies, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
The skills of analytical chemists are also in demand for checking the quality of our food and water, protecting the environment and monitoring industrial materials and processes. You may also consider regulatory organisations such as the Foods Standards Agency (FSA), or the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
Where our graduates work
Previous graduates of this course have secured laboratory positions with forensic providers in both Government and private sector organisations, while others have acquired posts in various analytical labs including those within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, environmental, geotechnical and waste treatment industries with companies such as Viola Environmental, BP, LGC Forensics, and Charles River Laboratories.
Graduates not wishing to work in laboratory based occupations have previously secured posts in scientific equipment and medical sales, where they can apply their scientific training to real-world problem solving. A number have also gone on to work in managerial positions where their numeracy and analytical skills have been of benefit, for example, as a workflow planning manager for a building supplies company in Cambridgeshire or team leader of the DNA reference samples team of Key Forensic Services Ltd.
for Career Prospects in Forensic Science in the Guardian University Guide 2020
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
