FSC-30027 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Successful completion of FHEQ level 5 modules or equivalent in Forensic Science

Barred Combinations

CHE-20085 International Study Module (Forensic Science)

Description for 2024/25

In a competitive job market, employers are increasingly looking beyond degree results and towards academically successful graduates who also understand how the professional work environment functions and who have well-developed employability skills. Narrowing the gap between the skills students develop during their degree and the skills graduate employers desire can be key to a graduate securing employment and studies suggest a link between graduates who have undertaken a placement and securing employment.
During this Placement Year module, you will undertake a long-term (minimum of 30 weeks, full-time) work placement with a company or organisation undertaking forensic science in an applied setting. You will be supported in developing key professional and employability skills whilst applying the forensic science theories and skills you have learnt to real situations in the workplace.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a long-term work-based learning experience (minimum 30 weeks equivalent of full-time work) in the broad field of forensic science between Years 2 and 3 (Levels 5 and 6) of their degree programme. The module will be underpinned by professional skills development, reflective assessment, employer and tutor evaluation, with support from academic tutors.

Intended Learning Outcomes

apply the forensic science theories and laboratory skills learnt to real situations in the workplace to design, plan and critically evaluate workplace tasks.: 1,4
advance key professional skills in the accurate documentation of information.: 2,4
advance employability skills in the presentation and communication of data/information; the writing of reports; and the ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team.: 2,4
explain how their perspective on forensic science has been influenced by working in a forensic science workplace.: 3,4

Study hours

The placement year is the equivalent of 120 credits and the student will be expected to be on placement for a MINIMUM of 30 weeks equivalent of full-time work (this is roughly equivalent to a standard university teaching period), therefore a minimum of 1125 hours should be spent on placement. The placements can continue for up to 12 months, providing the necessary assessments are submitted and passed for progression into the final year (FHEQ Level 6).

50h. A reflective diary (~2000 words) on the student¿s placement experience, documenting key activities and reflecting on skills gained from those activities;
150h. A report (~3000 words) summarising the background to the work completed, the results obtained, and the methodology used.
15h. Generation and oral presentation (~30 mins) on the forensic science work undertaken by the student on their placement year, featuring 5 mins of questions.
160h independent study work.

School Rules

Students must be in good academic standing, have a good University attendance record and must have passed all Level 4 and Level 5 (Semester 1) modules with an overall average of equal to or greater than 60% to be eligible for the Work Placement Year module.

Description of Module Assessment