UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
University of Central Lancashire
3. University School/Centre
School of Forensic and Applied Sciences
4. External Accreditation
Forensic Science Society
5. Title of Final Award
BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full Time, part time
7. UCAS Code
FM42
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
No benchmarks currently apply
9. Other external influences
National Occupational Standards for Crime Investigators
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
March 2015
(Revised November 2013 – minor change)
(Revised July 2013 – minor change)
Updated June 2014
Updated July 2014
11. Aims of the Programme
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To foster the development of key academic, vocational and personal skills to prepare students for
a career as a crime scene or crime investigator, particularly with those domestic and international
agencies which place a high reliance on scientific evidence in the identification and prosecution of
offenders.
To provide detailed contextual knowledge of subjects underpinning forensic and investigative
science in the broad areas of law, criminal investigation, and one of anthropology or crime scene
investigation.
Through simulated experience of gathering evidence from both scientific and other sources, to
develop the practical skills necessary to contribute to a criminal, crime scene and scientific
examination.
To provide practical experience of scientific and criminal investigations and forensic casework.
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To foster the development of the transferable and key skills required for further academic and
vocational training and in employment, including communication and inter-personal skills.
To develop critical and analytical thought.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Describe the principles relevant to criminal investigation and the court process, crime scene
science, forensic science and evidence gathering
A2. Explain and apply the rules of domestic and international criminal law
A3. Explain and evaluate the roles of the people within the English and international legal systems,
A4. Correctly use the terminology and classification of law and criminal investigation
A5. Apply the practical skills essential to a modern criminal investigation
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures (internal and invited speakers), tutorials and seminars; role-play sessions and simulations of
crime scenes and incidents, problem oriented legal and practical case studies, practical
demonstrations and exercises.
Assessment methods
Workbooks, essays, short notes, reports (e.g. practical reports), formal unseen written examinations,
partially seen examinations, assessed role-plays, assessed seminars, group and individual
presentations and a dissertation.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Apply range of practical techniques in the investigation of crime and the recovery, preservation and
documentation of scientific evidence
B2. Critically evaluate evidence within the law of evidence and relate it to substantive law.
B3. Describe and evaluate major concepts and principles of law.
B4. Use the correct terminology, nomenclature and classification of law and criminal investigation.
B5. Organise and conduct investigative interviews.
B6. Assess and examine crime scenes and recover, analyse and interpret physical evidence.
B7. Apply specialist knowledge of forensic practices to investigations and cases.
B8. Work safely and effectively in the laboratory, at crime scenes and in simulated law enforcement
situations
B9. Demonstrate skills in communication, independent thought, analysis and research, observation
and teamwork.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, tutorials, practical exercises, role-play, group work, laboratory classes with workbook or
practical manuals.
Assessment methods
Examination, practical reports, case files and briefs of evidence, individual and group projects,
dissertation, assessed seminars, written assignments.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Select and analyse information from written, electronic and interview-based sources.
C2. Formulate structured arguments, hypotheses and lines of enquiry, with the execution and critical
evaluation of these.
C3. Evaluate and present the results of investigative studies.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Tutorials, academic guidance sessions, dissertation support, role-play sessions and simulations.
Assessment methods
Work books, assessed role-play, group presentations, oral presentation, written assignments and
examinations.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Manage time and learning/work activities.
D2. Work individually and in a group to solve ‘real world’ problems.
D3. Learn independently, making use of written, electronic and human sources of information.
D4. Communicate effectively.
D5. Apply specialist knowledge of forensic practices to investigations and cases.
D6. Perform calculations and appropriate statistical analysis.
D7. Manage people and situations, such as crime scenes and incidents.
D8. Analyse problems and generate a dissertation plan.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Role-play, practical exercises, presentations, use of IT based assignments, evidence of appropriate IT
sources; evidence of use of the library and literature searching; oral work in discussion and
presentation; numeracy and statistics in association with problem solving. Students are given guidance
on the development of keys skill by their personal tutors.
Assessment methods
Written reports; oral and visual presentation skills. Presentation of group work, dissertation.
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 6
Module
Code
FZ3035
FZ3501
FZ3940
FZ3041
FZ3042
FZ3046
FZ3049
FZ3050
FZ3036
FZ3037
FZ3051
Module Title
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
Application of Forensic Science
20 (Comp) Bachelor Honours
And one of the following:
Degree in Forensic
Science and Criminal
Forensic Science Dissertation
40 (C)
Investigation
Policing and Criminal Investigation
40 (C)
Dissertation
Requires 360 credits at
level 4 or above including
And one of the following:
a minimum of 220 at Level
Major Crime Inquiries
20 (O)
5 or above and 100 at
Policing Cybercrime
20 (O)
Level 6
Fraud
20 (O)
Bachelor Degree in
International Humanitarian and Criminal
20 (O
Forensic Science and
Law
Criminal Investigation
Counter Terrorism
20(O)
Plus one of
Requires 320 credits at
STREAM ONE
20 (O)
level 4 or above including
Support Skills for CSM
20 (O)
a minimum of 180 at Level
Crime Scene Management
5 or above and 60 at Level
6
STREAM TWO
40 (O)
Forensic Taphonomy
Level 5
FZ2030
FZ2036
FZ2045
FZ2046
FZ2049
FZ2037
And one of the following:
Advanced Crime Scene Investigation*
FZ2051
Forensic Anthropology*
FZ2130
FZ2136
FZ2137
FZ2145
FZ2146
FZ2149
FZ2151
Level 4
Criminalistics*
Forensic Practice*
Investigation Skills II*
Proactive Investigation Techniques *
Offences relating to property and
weapons*
FZ1034
FZ1041
FZ1042
FZ1044
FZ1047
* Students undertaking Erasmus
Exchange programmes will take the
equivalent 10 credit module
Aspects of Criminalistics*
Aspects of Forensic Practice*
Aspects of Advanced Crime Scene
Science*
Interviewing Suspects & Witnesses*
Drugs and Pro-Active Investigation*
Offences Relating Theft*
Aspects of Forensic Anthropology*
Volume Crime Scene Science
Introduction to Law and Police Powers
Offences against the person and public
order
Study Skills for Criminal Investigation
Investigation Skills I
Diploma in Higher
Education in Forensic
Science and Criminal
Investigation
Requires 240 credits at
20 (Comp) Level 4 or above including
a minimum of 100 at Level
5 or above
20 (O)
20 (Comp)
20 (Comp)
20 (Comp)
20 (Comp)
20 (O)
10 (O)
10 (O)
10 (O)
10 (O)
10 (O)
10 (O)
10 (O)
20 (Comp) Certificate in Higher
20 (Comp) Education in Forensic
Science and Criminal
20 (Comp) Investigation
20 (Comp) Requires 120 credits at
20 (Comp) Level 4 or above
And one of the following :
FZ1036
FZ1054
Crime Scene Photography
Introduction to Osteology and
Anthropology
20 (O)
20 (O)
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is delivered and monitored through skills modules and the personal tutor system. Students are
provided with a PDP handbook in electronic format and are introduced to the idea by their personal tutor
(PT). Their PT will then guide them throughout their time at university, both in constructing their PDP
and in making sure that they are developing the right skills, helping them to identify and address any
issues.
Each student sees their PT six times a year (seven in first year) for a small group tutorial where the PT
and other students will discuss a particular skill or employability issue. Typically the student will have
prepared a document or done a task in preparation for the meeting. Topics targeted at meetings include
time management and vocabulary developing at Level 4, ranging up to psychometric testing and help
with job applications at Level 6. These tutorials help students to identify and develop their skills and also
encourage a culture of confidence between tutee and PT, so that if any specific problems arise with a
student the PT will be in a position to assist.
The PT topics are constantly reviewed and updated in response to current practice in the workplace and
to feedback from PTs and tutees. PTs insist on seeing a completed PDP before writing references.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been
made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the
most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Applicants normally will be required to have, one of:
BBC - ABB at A2, ND DMM - DDM, IB 25 - 27P. Pass Access course with Distinctions in 30 Level 3
Credits.
In addition applicants will be required to have Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or equivalent.
Applicants will be required to have a minimum level of proficiency in English Language equivalent to
IELTS grade 6 with no subscore lower than 5.5.
Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications, relevant work or life experience and who
can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree-level studies are welcome. If
candidates have not studied recently they may be required to undertake an Access programme.
APL/APEL will be assessed through standard University procedures.
Please consult the UCLAN admissions department for the most up to date requirements.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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University web site (www.uclan.ac.uk)
UCAS web site (www.ucas.ac.uk)
School website (www.uclan.ac.uk/forensic)
Course Leader
Admissions tutor
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Module
Level Code
Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
A1
FZ3035 Application of Forensic
Science
FZ3501 Forensic Science
Dissertation
FZ3940 Policing and Criminal
Investigation Dissertation
FZ3041 Major Crime Inquiries
FZ3042 Policing Cybercrime
FZ3046 Fraud
FZ3049 International Humanitarian
& Criminal Law
FZ3050 Counter Terrorism
FZ3036 Support Skills for CSM
FZ3037 Crime Scene Management
FZ3051 Forensic Taphonomy
FZ2030
FZ2036
FZ2045
FZ2046
Criminalistics
Forensic Practice
Investigation Skills II
Proactive Investigation
Techniques
FZ2049 Offences relating to
property and weapons
FZ2037 Advanced Crime Scene
Investigation
FZ2051 Forensic Anthropology
A2
A3
A4
A5
COMP
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C*
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C*
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O
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COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
Programme Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking
Skills
Knowledge and
understanding
B2
B3
B4 B5
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B6
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B8
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B9
C1
C2
C3
D1
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D5
D6
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B7
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B1
Other skills relevant to
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COMP
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O
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D8
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D7
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FZ2130 Aspects of Criminalistics¶
FZ2136 Aspects of Forensic
Practice¶
FZ2137 Aspects of Advanced Crime
Scene Investigation¶
FZ2145 Interviewing Suspects &
Witnesses*
FZ2146 Drugs and Pro-Active
Investigation*
FZ2149 Offences Relating Theft*
FZ2151 Aspects of Forensic
Anthropology¶
FZ1034 Volume Crime Scene
Science
FZ1041 Introduction to Law and
Police Powers
FZ1042 Offences against the person
and public order
FZ1044 Study Skills for Criminal
Investigation
FZ1047 Investigation Skills I
FZ1036 Crime Scene Photography
FZ1054 Introduction to Osteology
and Anthropology
COMP
COMP
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O
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COMP
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COMP
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COMP
O
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COMP
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COMP
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COMP
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COMP
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COMP
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* One of the dissertations must be taken and cannot be condoned
¶ These modules are only available for those students undertaking Erasmus Exchange programmes
Note:
Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
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