2024/25 entry
MSc Forensic Bioscience
About this course
LJMU's Forensic Bioscience MSc is ideal for forensic science practitioners and science graduates with its state-of-the-art facilities and research-informed curriculum.
- Accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
- Enrol on this course which is taught by leading experts in the field and informed by research and excellent industry links
- Enjoy access to state-of-the-art laboratories, crime scene facilities and a moot room
- Learn from forensic anthropologists, biologists, crime scene and fire investigation specialists and leading in-house academics
- Benefit from a local, national or international work placement
- Develop transferrable skills in legal matters and research methods and specialise in your chosen area
Forensic bioscience involves the understanding and application of many diverse techniques and this programme aims to enhance your depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and practical skills via a stimulating and challenging curriculum.
Unique in the North West, the course is led by experts in the field and focuses on the biological aspects of forensics. Key topics include decomposition, entomology, microbiology, histology and DNA analysis. You will also study forensic medicine and issues such as post mortem interval determination and identification. You will explore the criminal justice system as a setting in which a forensic scientist might work and discover how to apply appropriate techniques to complex forensic cases, critically evaluating current crime scene techniques.
The course attracts graduates from disciplines including biology, zoology, biochemistry and forensic science, as well as those working in DNA Analysis, forensic biology, anthropology and the environmental sector. Indeed, anyone interested in the molecular and biological aspects of forensics will appreciate this programme.
You will explore emerging and specialist disciplines as well as extending your understanding of current and biological techniques and practice. Developing analytical, critical and problem solving skills, you will become a creative problem solver. You will also enhance your independent research skills, going on to enjoy excellent career development opportunities in forensic and analytical biosciences.
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Professional body recognition
MSc Forensic Bioscience is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The Forensic Bioscience department has an impressive range of national and international industry contacts and works closely with local police forces.
Numerous career paths are available including forensic practice, working in biology-based industries, the NHS, trading standards and teaching and lecturing in schools, colleges and universities. Further possibilities include roles working with diagnostic products, proficiency testing, quality assurance, reference standards and genomics.
Alternatively, you may choose to further your research career, concentrating on specific areas of forensic science, such as DNA analysis or entomology.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Your programme is made up of a number of core and option modules and a research project.
Core modules
Bioanalytical Techniques
20 credits
This module examines state-of-the-art biomolecular techniques, including DNA and protein analysis. Commonly used techniques in the forensic field will be critically analysed and performed along with emerging techniques which can form the basis of the dissertation or further postgraduate study.
Forensic Bioscience
20 credits
This module combines theory and practical work in post mortem interval determination, entomology, microbiology and pathology.
Law and Court Room Skills
20 credits
This module discusses the criminal justice systems under which a Forensic Scientist may work and examines expert witness testimony. Aspects of regulation and quality assurance are touched upon.
Research Project
60 credits
This module will provide you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner.
Forensic Research Methods
20 credits
This module covers grant application, critical appraisal of leading research and data interpretation and evaluation - leading naturally into the dissertation.
Optional Modules
Trace Evidence Analysis
20 credits
This module teaches you to identify, differentiate and analyse different types of trace evidence using advanced techniques. Microscopy, including SEM (EDX) and atomic force, form the basis of the practical analysis performed, along with other techniques.
Taphonomy and Trauma Analysis
20 credits
In this module, you will examine decomposition processes and trauma analysis.
Wildlife Forensic Science
20 credits
This module will primarily run as two five day field trips and provide students with the opportunity to interact with a range of interested groups. Mock crime scenes and other practical activities will form an important part of the module to provide students with a thorough understanding of the subject, including relevant legislation and the difficulties with investigating such crimes.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Teaching hours
There will be some week-to-week differences in the exact time and location of the scheduled teaching for each module, depending on whether the sessions involve lectures, practicals or other forms of teaching. You should spend the remaining time in private and independent study, preparing assignments, revising for tests and exams and, very importantly, reading around your subject. The total amount of private study time that you should spend in a particular module will be provided when you start the course. For the research project (May-August) you will be expected to attend full-time, i.e. 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday-Friday.
Teaching methods
There is a 50/50 split between theoretical and practical content and you will learn via a mix of seminars, workshops, case studies, external visits, lectures, practical sessions and e-learning.
Applied learning
With regular lectures from professional practitioners, the curriculum is directly informed by the latest developments and entirely relevant to the needs of todays employers. The programme has been praised by external bodies for its "modules designed around national standards" and the "realistic environments created to facilitate learning and assessment".
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Assessment methods for this programme include: paper analysis, scientific reports, dissertations, court room presentations and expert witness statements.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Suzzanne McColl
Programme Leader
Dr McColl joined LJMU as a lecturer in molecular biology, before progressing to her role as Programme Leader. She wrote the first QAA benchmark statement for Forensic Science and has worked closely with the Chartered Society of Forensic Scientists to lead the accreditation of LJMU's undergraduate programmes. Dr McColl has supervised a number of PhD students in a diverse range of subjects and works closely with contacts in Britain, Europe and across the world.
It is particularly rewarding to see students develop their forensic awareness as the courses progresses.
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Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer
School facilities
What you can expect from your School
You will study at the Byrom Street site in the University's City Campus. With an ongoing £12 million investment in laboratory facilities here and state-of-the-art research facilities in the newly developed Life Sciences building, you'll enjoy a first class study environment. Legal aspects of the course are taught in the Moot Room in the multi-million pound Redmonds building on Brownlow Hill.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a minimum 2:2 honours degree in a relevant science, including forensic science
International requirements
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IELTS
- IELTS requirements 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in each component)
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Other international requirements
- If you have applied to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Please contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for further details
Further information
- Extra Requirements
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RPL
- RPL is accepted on this course
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.