FP3S107 - Research Project and Employability Skills  01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FP3S107
Module Title: Research Project and Employability Skills 
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Analytical and Forensic Science
Module Leader: Hannah Seale
Module Team: Beth Nurse, Alexandra Maneta, Paul Jones, Rebecca Simmonds-Cavanagh, Sheri Murrell, Peter Miedziak, Ella Mason-Buck, James McCormack, Emanuele Alves, Suzanna Kean
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100385 - computer forensics 100386 - forensic biology 101222 - crime scene investigation
HECOS Code Weighting: 33 34 33

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

1. To allow students to complete a small-scale laboratory or scene-based research project in a broad range of forensic science subject areas through immersive, group-based, and individual learning strategies.

2. To provide students with professional skills related to experimental design, the interpretation, evaluation and presentation of evidence through the use of simulated casework and case studies, and to enable students to critically reflect on their generic employability skills.

3. To create an environment where students can present their findings to a suitable audience in a group-based task.

In engaging with the module, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Communication: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Leadership: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Project Management: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy: Behaviour 1, 2

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

Research and Experimental Design – Students will be assigned an individual research project which will be conducted under the guidance of an academic member of staff, for a period of 18 hours over 6 weeks. These projects will be allocated before the summer begins.

Students will be initially placed in small groups of students who are working on similar themes, to construct an experimental plan related to their research. On occasions, students may be required to work in small groups during the laboratory-phase to make effective use of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.

This independent learning activity is supplemented by lectures and workshops in the principles of the scientific method, originality, hypothesis testing and literature review, and the principles of experimental design including scientific questions, controls, sampling, and replication.

Professional Skills in Interpretation – Evaluation and presentation of evidence through written and oral methods. Professional standards, competency, and ethical behaviour. The logical interpretation of results using statistical methods.

Employability and Graduate Skills – Workshops and conference: A range of workshops in which students will evaluate their employability skills and participate in short exercises such as CV evaluations, making applications and mock interviews. Students will develop a portfolio of personal reviews and reflections.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Project supervision 24
Practical classes and workshops 12
Fieldwork 20
Independent Study 57
Directed Study 75
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate effective research, data and information analysis, critical evaluation and a wide range of presentation capabilities set in the context of forensic science, logical interpretation of evidence and the world of work.
LO2 Develop and critically appraise an action plan of their experience and skills developed within the context of a graduate recruitment process and informed by their career plans and aspirations.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 Presentation of dissertation findings through a peer assessed poster presentation. 10 N/A 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Observational Journal 1 A personal record of a student's learning experiences, and work-based skills reflected in images or written words. 0 N/A 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Dissertation / Major Project 1 Written proposal, workbook, dissertation, and project supervisors report. 0 4200 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1
Observational Journal 1
Dissertation / Major Project 1

Reading List

Adam, Essential Mathematics and Statistics for Forensic Science, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.

Langford and Dean, Practical Skills in Forensic Science, Prentice Hall, 2010.

Various specific resources will be provided by the supervisor and dependent on project title choice.