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Undergraduate Courses

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Chemical and Forensic Sciences

What courses are available?

• Chemistry
• Chemistry for Analysis
• Chemistry for Drug Discovery
• Chemistry for Medicines Development
• Chemistry for Forensic Sciences
• Chemistry with Pharmaceutical and Forensic Science
• Forensic and Medical Sciences
• Forensic Science

Also see our Chemistry4 pages for courses in:

• Chemistry
• Chemistry for Analysis
• Chemistry for Drug Discovery
• Chemistry for Medicines Development
• Chemistry for Forensic Sciences

You may also be interested in our courses in Biomedical Sciences and our courses in Clinical Sciences

Useful Links

• Course booklet pdf
• School of Life Sciences
  • Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences
• Maps of the Campus

How many places are available?

We take up to 100 new undergraduates per year

What are the employment prospects like?

88% of our 2007 graduates found employment, or went on to further study, within six months of graduating* (see note)

* These statistics are derived from annually published data based on those UK domiciled graduates who are available for employment and further study and whose destinations are known.

How do I find out more?

Full course and syllabus details are available in a detailed booklet. Call 0800 073 1225

Contact Details

Director of Forensic Sciences
Dr Steve Dobrowski

Admissions Tutor
Dr Tasnim Munshi

Admissions Secretary
Miss Liz Rooker
Tel: 01274 236295
Fax: 01274 309742
Email: cfs.admissions@bradford.ac.uk
Website: www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/cfs

Special Features

• Courses which are grounded in the core sciences underpinning forensic investigation
• Course integrating study of forensic sciences with, and providing pathways in, the chemical sciences, or the biosciences, or both, appropriate to entry qualifications and subject interest
• Training in modern chemical analysis and bioanalytical techniques, including ‘hands-on’ experience in the use of research equipment
• An emphasis on practical work that builds confidence and experience in specialist chemical, bioscience and forensic laboratories, leading to an extensive practical research project of your own choice
• The option to spend a year gaining valuable experience in a laboratory workplace environment supported by the Division's sandwich course programme
• Bachelor and Master study patterns which develop theoretical, practical and professional skills, and (in Master's courses) training in research methods, in preparation for graduate employment and research
• One of the best track records in the country for placing graduates into employment or further study

The Division of Chemical and Forensic Sciences at Bradford has a long history in teaching and research, and is reputed for its national leading role in developing undergraduate "forensic" courses grounded in the core sciences to meet the needs of the professions.

What Degrees are Available?

All our courses provide training in the core sciences and give you the opportunity to specialise in one or more topics through study options.

Whichever course you choose, you will be able to transfer between the 3-year and the 4-year Bachelor (BSc), and from BSc to Master (MChem/MSci) in those courses that offer this pathway up to the end of your second year. Students who choose the four-year sandwich course spend a whole year gaining valuable, paid experience in a laboratory environment away from the University. The Master’s routes deepen your understanding in selected areas of the core sciences involving advanced-level study and an extended research project on a topic of your own choice over the whole of the second part of the final year.

New courses - Chemistry

• Chemistry
  • BSc/CH
• Chemistry for Analysis
  • BSc/ChAn | MChem/CA | MChem/CA4
• Chemistry for Drug Discovery
  • BSc/ChDD | MChem/CDD | MChem/CDD4
• Chemistry for Medicines Development
  • BSc/ChMD | MChem/CMD4 | MChem/CMD
• Chemistry for Forensic Sciences
  • BSc/CFS | MChem CFS | MChem CFS4

Bradford's new initiative in chemistry represents the fourth phase of chemistry teaching programmes in Bradford. The new Chemistry-4 suite of programmes has been designed in response to employers' needs in the 21st century for graduates with sound chemical skills and an appreciation of the context of their application. The four specialist pathways in the programme relate to key employment sectors for chemistry graduates: pharmaceuticals, forensic science, biotechnology and QC/analytical. Each pathway has been developed in consultation with major graduate employers and incorporates specific training related to the practice of chemistry within each sector.

• More details are here

(note) Mechanisms are available to include an industrial placement in an MChem/MSci programme. This will result in a five-year enhanced MChem/MSci programme.

The focus of the interdisciplinary, chemistry-based Chemistry with Pharmaceutical and Forensic Science (CPFS) course is on developing your core skills in chemistry and chemical analysis and their applications in forensic casework.

“Chemistry is a diverse subject on its own, so when I saw the course at Bradford offered pharmaceutical and forensic science as well, I was really excited. The course gave me lots of options and I was interested in learning more about forensic science and how chemistry could be applied to the forensic field – that’s what attracted me. “
Antara Ghosh - Chemistry with Pharmaceutical and Forensic Science

The focus of the interdisciplinary, chemistry-based Chemistry with Pharmaceutical and Forensic Science (CPFS) course is on developing your core skills in chemistry and chemical analysis and their applications in forensic casework.

The CPFS course covers the full range of core subjects in chemistry together with specialist training targeting the pharmaceutical and forensic professions. The foundations of forensic examination and of drug analysis are established in the first year together with the underlying physical, structural, synthetic and analytical principles underpinning them. In the second and third years of the course, you develop your knowledge in these core sciences, and an appreciation of the requirements, scope and limitations of forensic investigation of a wide range of physical evidence types. In the Master’s course you are further able to develop your research skills in the chemical and forensic sciences, with specialist modules in chemical synthesis and analysis of materials.

The focus of the bioscience-based Forensic and Medical Sciences (FMS) course is on developing your core skills in the biological sciences, and their application in medical sciences and forensic casework. The foundations of forensic and crime scene examination are established in the first year together with an understanding of the normal structure and function of cells, tissues, organs and organisms, and you are introduced to the techniques and procedures available for their investigation. In the second year the emphasis in the biosciences shifts towards disease processes, and limitations of forensic investigation of a wide range of physical evidence types. The third year allows you to specialise in several of these topics, and to develop your professional skills through a forensic research dissertation on a topic of your choice.

In addition to the pursuit of core sciences, forensic investigation in the areas of anthropology and topics relating to archaeology and the degradation of human remains and physical materials are common options in the third year of the CPFS and FMS courses where you will extend your appreciation of core scientific issues, and develop your skills in forensic interpretation. Expert practitioners from the Forensic Science Service and the scientific support laboratories of the West Yorkshire Police Force will contribute to the course from time to time. Both courses also integrate a practical forensic research project in the third year, and an opportunity for you to investigate a particular forensic theme via an extensive practical research project lasting the whole of the second semester in the Master's year.

The Forensic Science (FS) course provides a chemistry-based pathway. The FS course is distinguished from the CPFS and FMS courses
in providing greater opportunity for development of investigative skills and interpretation of forensic evidence, and pursuit of modules in law. You are also able to develop your research and professional skills through a dissertation on a forensic topic of your choice. The FS course also integrates a practical research project on a forensic topic of your own choice in the third year.

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Are there any placements available?

The three- and four-year BSc patterns have identical academic content. Students who choose the four-year option spend a year away from the university in a laboratory environment as the paid employee of an approved organisation. This experience enables you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems, learn about work practices, and improve your career prospects. On successful completion of your placement, you will qualify for the Diploma of Industrial Studies that enhances your qualifications.

How will I be assessed?

Your progress is assessed using a range of methods including coursework, laboratory reports, essays and unseen examinations. There is usually a single form of assessment in each module and a range of assessment methods over the year. In the first year, these are used to assess performance. From the second year, assessments are used to determine your degree classification.

What are the career prospects?

Our graduate employment record is excellent, with 88% of 2007 graduates in employment or further study just six months after graduating.

There are wide-ranging career opportunities, including the health service, the forensic science or police scientific support laboratories, the Health and Safety Executive, and the public analysts’ laboratories, as well as opportunities in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food, drink and electronics industries. The scientific skills, knowledge and methods you will acquire during the course can also be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; medical publishing or other information services.

Both BSc and MChem/MSci qualification can lead to opportunities for research and higher degrees.

Application and Admission

If you are offering any combination of GCE A levels, Vocational A levels, AS levels, and Scottish Framework qualifications, our standard offers are:

Chemistry with Pharmaceutical and Forensic Science 260 points (e.g. B,C,C)
including at least 100 points (B grade) at GCE advanced level in chemistry. A second science-based award is desirable.

Forensic and Medical Sciences 260 points
including at least 100 points at GCE advanced level (B grade) in chemistry or biology. A second science-based award is desirable.

Forensic Science 260 points
including at least 100 points (B grade) in Chemistry. A second science-based award is desirable.

Science Foundation Year
If you are offering other qualifications or do not expect to meet the requirements specified above, you are invited to contact the Admissions Tutor. We will be able to offer entry to any of our courses if you can show evidence that you will benefit from study on them, and entry to our courses is always guaranteed to any applicant who successfully completes our Science Foundation Year course. You should offer 120 points. At least 80 points must be in two sciences, one of which must be chemistry

All Courses
General Studies and Key Skills are not normally considered in the points score.

At GCSE level, English, Mathematics and a science subject (or dual award) are required at grade C or above.

If you are considered for a place you are normally required to attend an Applicant Visit Day.

16 June 2009