Health and Safety: Occupational Health. Physiological anatomy. Toxicology. Occupational ill health and disease. Welfare. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. First Aid. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regs.
Communication to include Information, Consultation and Safety Signs. Accident Investigation and Reporting. The Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrence Regs 1995.
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Structure: comparative structure and function in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. A review of the major organelles of eukaryotic cells.
Biological Macromolecules: an introduction to structure and function in carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Enzyme function and kinetics; factors affecting enzyme activity, enzyme inhibitors.
Fundamentals of Genetics: The role of chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis. An introduction to Mendelian genetics. Principles of population genetics.
Fundamentals of Microbiology: an overview of the important microbial taxonomic groups to include the protozoa, algae, fungi and viruses. An introduction to microbial growth, cultivation and identification.
Cell types: differences in structure eg epithelial cells, secretory cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, specialised plant cells. Tissue sectioning and staining for viewing by light microscope.
The role of bacteria and viruses in forensic science: microorganisms in the decomposition process. The use of microorganisms in bioterrorism. The role of microbes in food poisoning. Protists, fungi and plants as forensic indicators.
The importance of DNA: historical aspects. DNA structure, replication and repair mechanisms. The central dogma; the genetic code, transcription and translation. The molecular basis of mutations; mutagenic agents
Introduction to major organ systems of the body: structure and function of the following systems - muscular, nervous, circulatory, skeletal, digestive systems. Interactions between the systems. Endemiology of cancer in organ systems.
An introduction to the use of bodily fluids and molecular biological techniques as forensic indicators
Practical exercises to include but not be restricted to:
• Calibration and use of the high power light microscope
• Basic microbiological techniques using aseptic techniques
• Determine optimum conditions for enzymic activity
• Slide preparation for cell and tissue examination
• Presumptive tests for bodily fluids
• Isolation of DNA from fruit