Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 3 Modules

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers

The Futures Event has been part of the curriculum for several years and the Forensic Seminar Series is something that will be arranged in line with the revalidated course. These extra-curricular lectures showcase professionals working within the field of Forensic Investigation.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is embedded into the human remains module where students take part in an excavation with our external partner Sherlock Bones.

Work Placements

Students have the option to take GEPU201 Professional Practice and Placement as part of their second year. This module will normally take place after the second year of study. It enables students in the School of Applied Sciences the opportunity to work with a commercial/industrial employer, undertake a simulated placement, or study abroad at a partner university. Simulated placements will usually be with an employer and involve a desk-based live brief. Placements will either be offered by the University or arranged by individual students.

Work-Based Learning

Students are supported with applications to the Graduate Internship offered by South Wales Police. The careers team support students who want to complete internships and we have the careers team talk to students at the induction week.

Sandwich Years

Covered by work placements

Employee Forums

Students can engage in the Science futures event which allows them to engage with future potential employees and ask any questions.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction

The course leader will provide students with a bespoke induction session where the philosophy of the course will be explained, and a course handbook provided. This event will also introduce the students to the library and student support services.

Personal Academic Coach

All students are assigned to a Personal Academic Coach when they join the course. The same PAC will be carried throughout all 3 or 4 years of study to allow consistency and develop the mentor-mentee relationship. Meetings with the personal academic coach will take place two times during the year.

Learner Analytics

USW uses learner analytics through Jisc’s Study Goal app. The app is used to maintain attendance records. These data can be used by course leaders to determine dates of last engagement or by PACs to check on attendance patterns and assessment submission.

Office hours

Students can book appointments with staff using the online booking system. This offers them flexibility to choose times that suit them and also an option of an online or in person meeting depending on their personal preference. They can book staff time using the Student Appointment Scheduling System (SASS).

Tutorials

Seminars are offered in several modules through the degree.

Seminars

Seminars are offered in several modules through the degree.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is incorporated into all levels of the course, from small practical reviews in the first year through to crime scene based analysis in the third year.

Progress meetings

Students are encouraged to meet with their Personal Academic Coach at least twice per academic year, but PACs are available more often if the student chooses. Students are also invited to meet with their course leader at any time to discuss progression or seek additional support.

Research Supervision

All students undertake an independent dissertation project in their final year. Students put in their topic requests and are assigned to a supervisor in the spring of their second year, allowing for plenty of time for advice and discussion before beginning their research. Project supervisor varies by project and student need, but one-to-one meetings with the dissertation supervisor throughout the final year is expected.

Online Resources

Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers an extension of in-class materials for asynchronous study. At a minimum, all modules use the VLE to provide assessment briefs and deadlines, a learning schedule, copies of lecture slides, and recordings of lectures. Module leaders may also use the VLE more interactively, with online discussion boards, tests, online lessons, wikis, or other distance-learning tools as needed. Each module has the same structure developed through the DEAL process.

Advice Zone

Students have dedicated advice zones open to them. They operate with an online booking system and are available through all USW campuses.

Disability

Students with disabilities and learning difficulties can access initial assessment and appropriate support to meet their needs by the Disability and Dyslexia service (DDS). This includes one to one in class support, note takers and specialist equipment. Support may also take the form of one-to-one meetings for study skills and organisational skills support which is allocated on an individual learner basis to ensure closest fit of support to enable their engagement with learning. Students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia have access to additional sessions via DDS to support them with their studies. DDS also coordinates student access to assistive technology and liaises with the Examinations Department over concessions.

IT/Library

Library Services provides a wide range of high-quality library and information services to USW students. Services are delivered by library staff within libraries and provided online. There is a library on each of the Treforest, Glyntaff, Cardiff and Newport City campuses.

Resources have been developed to be specific to Forensic Investigation and journals such as Science and Justice are subscribed for student access.

PASS

Peer Assisted Study Support (PASS) sessions are group study sessions led by trained higher year students (PASS Leaders) and provide a safe environment for first year students to discuss ideas, share problems and resolve questions to improve their understanding of module content. PASS sessions are timetabled weekly in one-hour slots, but attendance is not compulsory. PASS is usually attached to first year modules that students may find challenging.

The sessions are based on lecture content and are intended to promote collaborative learning and provide an opportunity for Leaders to share their experiences. Leaders do not re-teach material but instead encourage students to compare notes, clarify what they read and hear, analyse, criticise, question and problem solve.

PASS leaders are chosen from their grade profiles, the students are then contacted and are given full training if they wish to take up the role.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

MSc Analytical and Forensic ScienceMRes Applied SciencesAlthough this module is listed as Optional in systems for operational reasons, its profile within the course is FP1S013W and should be treated as such for the purposes of considering student profiles and when considering award and progression decisions.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

BSc Requirements

Entry to the BSc course is as published on the University web-site and individual course pages - Presently

Typical A level offer – BCC  (this is equivalent to 104 UCAS tariff points).

Typical Welsh Baccalaureate offer – Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level (this is equivalent to 104 UCAS tariff points).

Typical BTEC offer – BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical I IB offer –Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including 5 or above in English at standard level

Typical Access to Higher Education Diploma offer – Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points

Additional Requirements - The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English/welsh at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

BSc (Foundation Year) Requirements

Entry to the Foundation Year of the BSc course is as published on the University web-site and individual course pages - Presently Foundation Year - DD (48 points)

Typical A level offer – EE

Typical BTEC offer – BTEC Extended Diploma Pass Pass Pass or BTEC Diploma Pass Pass in a relevant subject

Typical I IB offer – Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points from Higher Levels to include Science or Maths.

Typical Access to Higher Education Diploma offer – Pass Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points

Additional Requirements - The University normally requires a minimum 3 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4?or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances

International Requirements

We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications.

If the current qualifications don't meet the entry requirements for entry onto year 1 of the student’s chosen undergraduate degree, we offer one-year International Foundation Programmes through our pathway partnership with QAHE to help the student reach the level required for progression.

English Requirements – In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A