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CHE-30029 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 28 April 2022

CHE-30029 - Forensic Dissertation
Coordinator: Richard J Darton Tel: +44 1782 7 33345
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. This will be supported by an academic supervisor and generic skills classes, and examined by a viva voca allowing students the opportunity to further develop communication skills.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students to nonexperimental 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.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/che-30029/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

initiate a programme of investigation into a clearly defined topic and summarise the project aims and key primary sources: 1
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

Workshops: 3 hours
Scheduled supervisor contacts and oral examination: 8 hours
Research work and directed study: 79 hours
Dissertation preparation: 50 hours
Viva preparation: 10 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 80%
Dissertation
The dissertation of approximately 4500 words as a logical and critical argumentation of the literature in order to answer a particular forensic problem.

2: Viva weighted 20%
Viva voce interview on the project
The viva is an oral examination about the dissertation which will assess the student's knowledge and critical understanding of the topic (ca. 45 min).

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will 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: 28 April 2022