Physics with Forensic Applications, BSc (Hons)

This unique course retains the core areas of Physics while exploring fascinating practical examples of its use in the real world. You will gain experience in forensic science topics such as ballistics and firearms, analyse sound recordings, detect forged documents and bank notes and lift footprints and fingerprints.

This course offers an opportunity to study the application of physics in forensic science alongside the fundamental concepts of undergraduate physics. This degree includes modules from the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (Physical), which will include practical exercises in our crime scene house, together with a major final year project in forensic applications.

Why choose this course?

• This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics, which ensures that our graduates satisfy the undergraduate qualification requirements for Membership of the Institute and for achieving Chartered Physicist (CPhys) status.
• You will benefit from outstanding facilities including:
  • an on-campus five metre dome observatory boasting a computer controlled 20-inch telescope
  • a 2.3m radio telescope
  • a 14-inch Meade GPS-LX200 telescope, portable laptop computer controlled go-to field telescopes
  • dedicated Crime Scene House Forensic Training Facility.
• You also have the opportunity to complete a year-long placement in industry.
• We provide our students with a host of field trips.
• Our teaching quality is amongst the very best in the country, being one of only ten Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics departments awarded the maximum 24/24 rating in the latest External Subject Review by QAA and with a nationally unique Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Science.

Questions? Just ask NTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200

What will I study?

Year One

• The Forensic Process
• Matter – Evidence for Quantisation
• Ideas of Motion – From Galileo to Einstein
• Laboratory Instrumentation and Physics Skills
• Microscopy and Sound
• Mathematical Techniques

Year Two

• Forensic Audio
• Fundamental Forces
• Thermal and Environmental Physics
• The Quantum World
• Optics and Semiconductors
• Digital Techniques

Year Three
This is your optional placement year.

Final Year

• Condensed Matter
• Advanced Experimental Techniques
• Research Project
• Advanced Experimental Techniques
• Advanced Modern Physics.

For further information, download the module descriptions document

How will I be assessed?

Each module will be assessed on a variety of components including the following.

Coursework and Practical 58%

• Assignments
• Dissertation
• Group projects
• Oral presentations
• Laboratory assessment

Written 42%

• Exams
• Written tests

There are approximately 90 places across the Physics cluster of courses and students can choose to change their course at the end of Year One and opt for a specialist route:

• BSc (Hons) Physics
• BSc (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics
• BSc (Hons) Physics with Nuclear Technology.

How will I study?

You will have around 20 hours per week of scheduled contact time with your academics. This includes:

• five hours of laboratory work
• 15 hours split between traditional lectures and student centred activities.

Student activities include:

• workshops
• presentations
• personal tutorials
• problem solving tasks.

We have a very open door policy, which students always comment on and this means that contact time is actually higher than scheduled.

Where will I study?

All lectures are on Clifton campus, laboratories are based in the Erasmus Darwin building, with Astronomy laboratories in the Observatory. Lectures are spread between various buildings on campus, including:

• Erasmus Darwin
• George Eliot
• Computing and Informatics Building.

Clifton campus maps and travel information.

What’s included in the fees?

All laboratory costs are covered, including use of Observatory and research-level equipment predominantly for Year Three projects. A scientific calculator, membership of the student Astronomy and Physics Society (Apsoc) as well as a home version of essential software (Labview) are provided. Field trips have been included in the past, and will be again.

Who will teach me?

Dave Fairhurst was short-listed for the Outstanding Teaching Awards 2012.

Martin Bencsik, who teaches MRI studied for his PhD with Nobel-prize winning Sir Peter Mansfield, inventor of MRI. Martin was also invited to speak at an international teaching conference.

Dan Brown, who teaches Astronomy modules, is regularly interviewed on radio and TV for his Astronomy work with schools and other outreach events.

The Physics Team has a very good research pedigree, excellent assessment at the last Research Assessment Exercise, with 15% described as 'World Leading' and 40% as 'Internationally Excellent'.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

Our Physics team provides very well equipped teaching laboratories, including:

• a CAT scanner
• scanning tunnelling microscope
• new optical bench equipment
• audio booth
• radio telescope
• portable telescopes.

You will have access to the teaching and research facilities at no extra cost. Our wide variety of facilities and equipment enables taught lecture material to be reinforced for students by performing relevant experiments for themselves.

The Physics Team are available throughout the teaching year. They offer a very active open door policy. This means that you can get more contact time with your tutor than the scheduled hours. Our computer facilities are open twenty-four hours a day. This will give you flexibility in your study hours.

Across NTU, we have a range of first-class facilities that you would expect from a university with high quality teaching and world-leading research, including:

• a British Olympic Association-approved environmental chamber
• materials imaging laboratory
• a crime scene training facility
• a host of sporting clubs and societies to get involved in.