Chemistry with Forensic Investigation MChem - 2021/2

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Levels 6 and 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MChem Chemistry with Forensic Investigation

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
BSc (Hons) Chemical Sciences
CertHE Chemistry
Ord Chemistry
DipHE Chemistry

Professional recognition

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time UCJ20003 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Chemistry (Bachelor), Chemistry (Master)

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Chemistry

Programme Leader

TURNER Scott (Chm Proc Eng)

Date of production/revision of spec

09/09/2022

Educational aims of the programme

  • To prepare students for possible careers as professional chemists in industry, as academic researchers and for a wide range of related professions requiring critical, analytical and investigative skills
  • To give students a well-grounded understanding of investigative concepts and methods
  • To give students a well-grounded understanding of chemical theories, the analytical tools necessary to evaluate and conduct chemical research, the capacity to initiate independent thought and enquiry, and the confidence and knowledge to apply these skills in their careers after graduation
  • To develop appropriate practical skills taking into account an awareness of health and safety issues
  • To provide students with a well-founded education in the principles of chemistry, which reflects the QAA subject benchmark statement for Chemistry (2014) and provides access to qualified membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry and forms a basis for partially satisfying the academic requirements for the Chartered Chemist award through further study or continuing professional development
  • To provide students with a range of key and transferable skills, integrated into the subject material, including team-working, information technology, communication and problem solving
  • To provide students with experience and knowledge of the application of forensic techniques in investigations in the legal, industrial and environmental areas
  • To provide students with an opportunity to work for a year on placement in an industrial or related working environment. (4-year programme only)
  • To enhance students' employment potential by encouraging them to put their subject knowledge into practice, enhance their problem-solving and analytical skills, and further develop transferable skills within a working environment. (4-year programme only)
  • To prepare students following integrated Masters programmes with an advanced chemical training beyond that followed by Bachelors students

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Demonstrate a knowledge of chemistry as an empirical science K CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Appreciate the relevance of chemistry to real problems in professional and employment settings with an emphasis on forensic investigation and analysis K CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Understand and demonstrate an understanding of the major theories and principles in the core areas of chemistry K CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Be aware of the nature and major sources of evidence in areas of forensic investigation K CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Be aware of the nature and major sources of evidence and methods in the core areas of forensic investigation, for example physical evidence, expert witness, characterisation of materials, investigation of fire, ballistics, explosives, illicit drugs, biomedical methods K CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem
Assemble/generate data from a variety of sources and discern and establish connections C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Synthesise, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary data from a variety of sources C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Conduct and report an individual chemical study (through the practical modules and empirical research project) C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Critically assess chemical research C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem
Critically assess forensic investigations C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem
Plan, conduct and report an individual chemical study (through the practical modules and empirical research project) C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem
Analyse/synthesise/evaluate own work and that of others C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem
Solve problems in chemical science, forensic investigation and allied areas C CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem
Use and develop various experimental techniques P CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Interpret quantitative and qualitative data P CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Observe and comment constructively on aspects of forensic team investigations as part of group working under `forensic' conditions P CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Take responsibility for planning and organisation of work both own and in a team P CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem
Analyse, define and develop generic learning skills for independent problem solving T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Learn to work independently or as a member of a team as appropriate to a problem T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Work effectively in small groups towards common goal T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Use up to date information technology as appropriate T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Apply basic statistical and numerical skills to physicochemical and forensic science data T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Develop the ability to promote oneself through maintenance of professional development profiles and current CV T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Have developed the ability to be self-motivated and able to study independently T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Work effectively and efficiently in a work environment, employing and developing subject and transferable skills learnt in first two years of the programme, acquiring knowledge of new techniques as appropriate T CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons)
Work effectively, efficiently and progressively independently in a work environment, employing and developing subject and transferable skills learnt in first two years of the programme, acquiring knowledge of new techniques as appropriate and using them in unfamiliar situations, including execution of an independent research project (degree qualifications only) T Ord, BSc (Hons), MChem

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Integrated Master's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and 7). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
CHE1038 INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY Compulsory 15 2
CHE1039 FUNDAMENTALS OF FORENSIC SCIENCE: FROM CRIME SCENE TO COURT Compulsory 15 1
CHE1040 MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING AND STATISTICAL SKILLS Compulsory 15 1
CHE1042 PERIODICITY AND REACTIVITY OF THE ELEMENTS Compulsory 15 1
CHE1044 PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Compulsory 15 1
CHE1041 ORGANIC STRUCTURE, REACTIVITY AND FUNCTIONAL GROUPS Compulsory 15 2
CHE1043 PHYSICAL PROCESSES IN CHEMISTRY Compulsory 15 2
CHE1045 TRANSFERABLE SKILLS Compulsory 15 2

Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4

N/A

Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
CHE2044 ORGANIC CARBON-CARBON BOND FORMATION AND HETEROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY Compulsory 15 1
CHE2036 APPLIED ORGANIC SPECTROSCOPY Compulsory 15 1
CHE2027 WORLD OF WORK Compulsory 15 1
CHE2035 ADVANCES IN ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION Compulsory 15 1
CHE2040 PHASES, COLLOIDS AND ELECTRONIC TRANSITIONS Compulsory 15 2
CHE2038 MATERIALS CHEMISTRY: FUNDAMENTALS TO APPLICATION Optional 15 2
CHE2037 BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND DRUG DISCOVERY Optional 15 2
CHE2042 STRUCTURE, BONDING AND REACTIONS OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS Compulsory 15 2
CHE2043 COMPUTER MODELLING IN CHEMISTRY Optional 15 2
CHE2033 FORENSIC CHEMISTRY Compulsory 15 2

Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

Choose one from the four listed optional modules.

Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
CHE3039 SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (DISTANCE LEARNING) Compulsory 15 1
CHE3064 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF SEMICONDUCTING MATERIALS (DISTANCE LEARNING) Compulsory 15 2
CHE3042 STRUCTURE AND SPECTROSCOPY IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY (DISTANCE LEARNING) Compulsory 15 2
CHE3068 INDUSTRIAL OR ACADEMIC RESEARCH TRAINING Compulsory 75 Year-long

Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

N/A

Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
CHEM036 ADVANCED ORGANIC SYNTHESIS Optional 15 1
CHEM039 APPLICATIONS OF ORGANOMETALLIC, TRANSITION AND MAIN GROUP CHEMISTRY Optional 15 1
CHEM040 FRONTIERS IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY Optional 15 2
CHEM038 ADVANCED METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH APPLICATIONS OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Compulsory 15 2
CHEM029 MCHEM RESEARCH PROJECT Compulsory 60 Year-long
CHEM034 ADVANCED METHODS IN FORENSIC INVESTIGATION Compulsory 15 1

Module Selection for Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7

Choose two from the three optional modules.

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics Y
Professional Training Year (PTY) Y
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) Y
Dual degree N

Other information

Students are required to achieve a Level mark average of 60% or above at each of Levels 4 and 5 to remain on the MChem programme, or to be allowed to transfer onto it. Additionally, students enrolled on the MChem programmes are normally required to achieve marks of 60% or above in the `key¿ compulsory chemistry programme modules of inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry. The pass mark for a module is 40% at Levels 4-6 and 50% at Level 7.

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.