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FSC-30009 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

FSC-30009 - Forensic Dissertation
Coordinator: Christopher Aris
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module provides students an opportunity to develop their non-experimental research skills and apply and develop their knowledge and understanding of an aspect of forensic science. Students will research a selected topic in forensic science and produce a dissertation detailing their findings and the rationale for a potential future research project. This will be supported by an academic supervisor and generic skills classes, and examined by a proposal presentation allowing students the opportunity to further develop communication skills as well as receive feedback prior to their final dissertation submission.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to non-experimental research skills. The students will research the literature and available online forensic resources, and produce a written report detailing their findings, providing a critical appraisal of their area of research and specifying conclusions and recommendations for further research.

Intended Learning Outcomes

initiate a programme of investigation into a clearly defined topic and summarise the project aims and key primary sources: 1,2
critically appraise information of relevance to the topic obtained from a variety of sources including scientific literature, forensic science databases and other primary sources: 1,2
produce a comprehensive dissertation outlining the project background, a critical summary of research, and conclusions drawn: 1
demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of the selected topic: 1,2
communicate verbally and discuss the project aims, key findings and conclusions with other specialists: 2

Study hours

Teaching Sessions: 3 hours
Scheduled supervisor contacts and proposal presentation: 7 hours
Research work and directed study: 80 hours
Dissertation preparation: 50 hours
Proposal Presentation preparation: 10 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 80%
Dissertation
The dissertation of approximately 4000 words is a logical and critical argumentation of the literature in order to answer a particular forensic problem. The dissertation will be expected to include a background and literature review of the problem topic chosen, as well as a rationale and list of aims and objectives which could be met in order to conduct research into the problem/topic - synergising with the Forensic Science Team Research Project.

2: Presentation weighted 20%
Proposal Presentation
The presentation is a 10 minute oral recording covering the background, rationale, and aims/objectives of the dissertation research project. This may synergise with the written research proposal assessment from the Forensic Science Team Research Project module. The assessment will assess the student's knowledge and critical understanding of the topic as well as ability to verbally communicate the aims. The feedback provided will also serve to assist students in areas of improvement ahead of the their final dissertation submission.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023