A3Q3 MSc One year full-time

Programme description

This programme aims to respond to the national and international need for professionals who can apply a critical and scientific approach to their forensic practice, and who wish to have a broad understanding of the various interrelated disciplines of forensic medicine and science. The programme will provide theoretical and practical knowledge of the forensic medical sciences, and will train students to be able to critically evaluate and interpret forensic medical and scientific evidence.

The programme will cover several aspects of forensic medical science and there is no other programme which offers such wide range of specialist topics under the umbrella of the forensic medical sciences, coupled with the opportunity to carry out research in a specialist area.

The programme offers the opportunity for graduates to further their career prospects within their own professional specialty. The degree should be regarded as intermediate level for pathologists and forensic medical examiners, who will be expected to progress to specialist exit level exams, through their respective Academic Colleges.

Course Director: Professor Peter Vanezis

Programme outline

Core modules

• Clinical Aspects of Forensic Medicine (two modules)
• Forensic Pathology (two modules)
  

Optional modules

• Legal and Ethical Issues Relevant to Forensic Medicine and Science
• Forensic Toxicology I and II
• Forensic Identification I and II.
  
  

Research project

• Laboratory based or a critical dissertation (four modules)
  

Assessment

Full attendance is expected throughout the programme and is a pre-requisite for successful completion of the programme.

For a Postgraduate Certificate, students must complete and pass four course units. Successful completion of a further four leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, Completion of a practical project by candidates awarded the Diploma and submission of a dissertation of approximately 20,000 words is required for the MSc award. The full programme comprises twelve course units, with each module contributing equally to the final mark (one twelfth of the total). The result of one course unit contributes a maximum of 8.33 per cent and the project a maximum of 33.33 per cent to the final mark.

Core and other modules will be assessed through tutorial work (including paper presentations), submitted assignments, practical reports and short examinations (Short Answer Questions or Multiple Choice Question format). There will be variation in the relative contribution of each assessment method within modules.

Further information

Dr Nina Ravic
Academic Manager for Postgraduate Courses at WHRI
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 3404
email: n.ravic@qmul.ac.uk