BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS FORENSIC SCIENCE WITH SPECILISATION IN BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (HFOSC)
| Module Code | Module Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HFOSC101 | Introduction to Forensic Science |
Introduction to Forensic Science introduces the student to principles and historical basis of forensic science and its application in legal practice. It consists of lectures, supervised field and laboratory practicals and tutorial sessions. The course is intended for BSc (Honours) Part I students in Forensic Science. It focuses on the securing and management of the incidence scene, collection and handling of forensic evidence and its reporting. It lays the ground work for all latter courses in Forensic Science.The following topics are covered: History and Development of Forensic Science; Basic Deductive Reasoning; Organisation of a Crime Laboratory; Services of a Crime Laboratory; Functions of the Forensic Scientist; Forensics and Policing: Incidence Scenes (proper approach to crime and disaster scenes, their interpretation and preservation), Evidence Types (identity of articles of forensic value), Evidence Collection, (packaging, storage and transportation of articles from crime or disaster scene), Analysis (order of priority for analysis of articles; evidential or intelligence value of articles), Reporting (reports for criminal and investigation information).Upon completion of the course, students should be able to appreciate the role of forensic evidence in legal practice. They should be able to collect, secure and communicate forensic evidence. |
| HFOSCB101 | Plant Diversity | The course provides an understanding of plant biology through critical examination of facts and principles of organismal biology, and relates this to everyday life. It also lays the framework for specialized course options in plant biology. The content of this course will lay the foundation for later courses in plant biology and provide the basic understanding of plant biology. The course aims at developing students’ understanding of plant biology through critical examination of facts and principles. Students will be expected to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and learn theoretical and practical approaches to understanding origins, diversification and speciation of plants. |
| HFOSCB102 | Cell and Microbiology | This course will introduce students to the structural differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Microbial diversity will also be introduced, examining the similarities and differences between viruses (non-living), archaea and bacteria (prokaryotes), protists, fungi, helminths and algae (eukaryotes). In addition students will be introduced to the fundamental aspects of microbial genetics, growth and pathogenesis. |
| HFOSCB103 | Forensic Practical Techniques 1 | The main goal of this course is to impart laboratory practical techniques. Students will be taught good laboratory practice, approaches to biochemical investigations, preparation of buffer solutions, potentiometric and polarographic techniques, spectroscopic and immunochemical techniques. This course provides the student with the basic practical skills and experience in laboratory techniques used in science. The target students are those interested in pursuing careers in biochemistry, industry, forensics, research and government laboratories. |
| HFOSCB104 | Cytology and Histology | The target students are those interested in pursuing careers in forensics and pathology. This course introduces basic prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, plasma membrane and membrane-bound organelles. It also introduces students to basic histology of epithelial and connective tissue, as well as equipping them with basic laboratory skills in tissue processing, microscopy, cytology and histology techniques. |
| HFOSCB105 | Basic Entomology | The purpose of this course is to introduce undergraduate students to the diverse field of entomology. The course meets the needs of undergraduate biology students who wish to pursue further studies in general and applied entomology, forensic entomology, medical and veterinary entomology. The primary aim of this course is to give the basic foundation needed by students pursuing further studies in forensic entomology. |
| HFOSCB106 | Fundamentals of forensic Genetics | The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth background in all areas of classical Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics and population and evolutionary genetics. Students who successfully complete this course will gain sufficient basic knowledge to master advanced topics in genetic analysis for kinship, phylogeny and individualisation. |
| HFOSCB201 | Forensic Botany 1 | The course introduces the student to use of botanical evidence in legal investigations. The course aims to raise students' awareness of the growing use and importance of botanical evidence (trichomes, fibres, pollen, plant tissues, seeds fruits, algae, phytoplankton, lichens and fungi) in modern forensic science; To provide students with practical experience of techniques involved in the enhancement, recovery and identification of forensically important plant material; To develop the students’ understanding of the principles and applications of botanical information to legal practice; To encourage students to apply scientific principles in legal investigation |
| HFOSCB202 | Forensic Microbiology | The course aims to give the student a broad overview on basic classical biochemical techniques used to isolate, identify and characterise microorganisms. Student will use the skills and knowledge acquired from the course in various laboratories setting in industry, medical labs, academia and research and development. The target students are those interested in pursuing careers in areas such as counter bioterrorism and bio-piracy, law enforcement and laboratories. |
| HFOSCB204 | Forensic Entomology 1 | Forensic entomology is the branch of forensic science concerned with the use of insects in legal matters. Its principal application is in death investigations where an assessment of insect succession on the body can be used to estimate the time of death. Other areas of its application include detection of exposure to drugs and toxins, and determination of the location of a crime. The course meets the needs of undergraduate biology students wishing to pursue postgraduate research, as well as those seeking careers as forensic science consultant entomologists. The primary aim of this course is to equip the student with knowledge of the types of insects which are utilized in forensic investigations, their identification, biology and ecology, laboratory rearing techniques and curation. This knowledge makes it easier for the next stage of the degree programme where the focus is on the practical applications of entomology in forensic investigations. |
| HFOSCB205 | Forensic Serology | Bodily fluids are very important in criminal investigations as they can sometimes be the only evidence that a crime was committed. Bodily fluids are divided into two categories: excreted and secreted fluids. Excreted fluids include feaces, vomit and skin oil (perspiration), while secreted fluids include blood, plasma, semen, saliva and urine. These bodily fluids can be used to identify crime victims or suspects at crime scenes.To use bodily fluids as evidence for a crime, forensic scientists must first take samples of fluids present at crime scenes. To do this, forensic scientists swab, bag and collect the fluid samples in a vial to bring back to the crime lab. At the lab, the scientists run a series of tests on the fluid, first to determine if it is in fact a bodily fluid and if so, what type. If the bodily fluid is confirmed, further tests can identify whom the sample came from. |
| HFOSCB404 | Forensic Entomology 2 | Forensic entomology is the branch of forensic science concerned with the use of insects in legal matters. Its principal application is in death investigations where an assessment of insect succession on the body can be used to estimate the time of death. Other areas of its application include detection of exposure to drugs and toxins, and determination of the location of a crime. The course meets the needs of undergraduate biology students wishing to pursue postgraduate research, as well as those seeking careers as forensic science consultant entomologists. The primary aim of this course is to equip the student with knowledge of the types of insects which are utilized in forensic investigations, their identification, biology and ecology, laboratory rearing techniques and curation. This knowledge makes it easier for the next stage of the degree programme where the focus is on the practical applications of entomology in forensic investigations. |
| HFOSCC401 | Environmental Toxicology | This course examines basic concepts of environmental toxicology, including distribution, cellular penetration, metabolic conversion, and elimination of toxic agents, as well as the fundamental laws governing the interaction of foreign chemicals with biological systems. The course also focuses on the application of these concepts to the understanding and prevention of mortality and morbidity resulting from environmental exposure to toxic substances through a case study format. The target students are those interested in pursuing careers in clinical toxicology and environmental management. |
| HFOSCB202 | Applied Forensic DNA analysis | DNA is the chemical code that is found in every cell of an individual's body, and is unique to each individual. Because it is unique, the ability to examine DNA found at a crime scene is a very useful forensic tool. It is important for forensic science students to develop a hands-on practical approach and to develop a real world appreciation of cases involving the use of DNA technologies. DNA is found in all living things and students need to develop an appreciation that its applications for Forensic science transcend human cases. Examples include the smuggling of illegal animal products; poaching of wildlife such as black rhinos and elephants; plant products suspected to have been stolen; and cattle & other livestock theft. Also included are paternity disputes in humans and other animals that could be of commercial importance. Cases of intellectual property theft and patent violations can also find applications in DNA analysis. |
| HFOSCB202 | Applied Forensic DNA analysis | DNA is the chemical code that is found in every cell of an individual's body, and is unique to each individual. Because it is unique, the ability to examine DNA found at a crime scene is a very useful forensic tool. It is important for forensic science students to develop a hands-on practical approach and to develop a real world appreciation of cases involving the use of DNA technologies. DNA is found in all living things and students need to develop an appreciation that its applications for Forensic science transcend human cases. Examples include the smuggling of illegal animal products; poaching of wildlife such as black rhinos and elephants; plant products suspected to have been stolen; and cattle & other livestock theft. Also included are paternity disputes in humans and other animals that could be of commercial importance. Cases of intellectual property theft and patent violations can also find applications in DNA analysis. |
| HFOSCC403 | Electrochemical and Chromatographic Methods 2 | This course will advance the student’s knowledge of electrochemistry, which was introduced at Level 2. Mass spectrometry will also be introduced. Electrochemical and Chromatographic Methods 2 is a Level 4 course and is an elective for the BSc (Honours) degree in Forensic Science. |
| HFOSCB401 | Forensic Toxicology | This course examines fundamentals of forensic toxicology, including basic principles and procedures used in forensic toxicology, distribution, cellular penetration, metabolic conversion, and elimination of toxic agents, as well as the fundamental laws governing the interaction of foreign chemicals with biological systems. The target students are those interested in pursuing careers in forensic toxicology. |