UCC Undergraduate courses

Chemistry with Forensic Science

About This Course

Fact File

  • Title

    Chemistry with Forensic Science

  • Code

    CK402; CK406

  • College

    Science, Engineering and Food Science

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Teaching Mode

    Full-time

  • Qualifications

    BSc (Hons)

  • Fees

    Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.

  • Entry Requirements

    Refer to CK402 and CK406. See Requirements for full details.

Course Outline

Chemistry with Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary course involving forensic, chemical and biochemical science, as well as toxicology, psychology, pharmacology and pathology. It also provides practical and communication skills.

The  four-year degree course  is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry and its main strengths include:

  • Competitive skills and employability
  • Excellent student experience
  • Hands-on experience
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Research oriented teaching and innovation
  • Presentation and communication skills

Forensic modules have practical examinations and the final year includes a research project in either chemical, forensic or related sciences using the state of the art facilities.

See the student's perspective video.

Modules

Year 1 Modules:

Refer to CK402 and CK406.

Year 2 Modules:

Biomolecules;  Introduction to Forensic Science;  Current Perspectives in Genetics;  Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry;  Main Group and Transition Element Chemistry;  Energetics and Kinetics;  States of Matter;  Structures & Reactions of Main Group Compounds;  Aromatics, Carbonyls and Alkenes;  Spectroscopy;  Structure, Bonding and Quantum Mechanics  

Year 3 Modules:

Forensic Analysis;  Forensic Psychology;  Toxicology;  Pharmaceutical Chemistry;  Inorganic Chemistry;  Physical Chemistry;  Analytical Chemistry;  Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds
 
Students who have passed Year 3 may opt to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree rather than proceed to Year 4. 

Year 4 Modules:

Forensic Genetics and Molecular Biology;  Forensic and Legal Medicine;  Research Project;  Advanced Inorganic Chemistry;  Lasers, Photochemistry & Spectroscopy;   Interfaces, Microscopy & Modelling;  Advanced Organic Synthesis, Biosynthesis and Reactivity;  Advanced Methods of Forensic Science;  Advanced Analytical Chemistry

See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further details on the modules.

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture/lab/practical hours: A typical module may consist of 20 lecture hours, 10 hours of tutorials and up to 30 practical hours. Typically there are up to 20 hours of lectures and up to 10 practical hours per week. Lectures and workshops usually take place in the morning, while practical work is scheduled for afternoons. In the final year, practicals are replaced by a research project.

Why Choose This Course

The course is unique, and contains the perfect balance of chemistry and forensic science...

Eleanor Townsend, Graduate, 2013 BSc Chemistry with Forensic Science

Find Out More

Our recognised expertise in key areas of forensic science (forensic psychology, forensic and legal medicine, genetics) combined with strengths in chemical, biological and analytical science, will provide you with a unique and stimulating interdisciplinary course. In addition, you will earn a full chemistry degree.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

There may be opportunities for summer projects in the School of Chemistry. The School is an active participant in undergraduate student-exchange programmes with numerous partner universities across Europe.

Skills and Careers Information

The course offers you a unique combination of skills in chemistry, biochemistry and disciplines related to forensic science.

Transferable skills of our graduates include problem solving, communicating science, time management and teamwork.

Types of jobs our graduates get include:

  • Crime scene investigator (CSI)
  • Analytical chemist
  • Laboratory technician or manager 

The types of companies our students work include:

  • Chemical industry and R&D
  • Forensic laboratories
  • Pharmaceutical, and other chemistry-related industries
  • Quality assurance & control laboratories

Requirements

Refer to CK402 and CK406.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such appicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.

Fees and Costs

The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2022/23 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €138. Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees.

For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.

How Do I Apply

Refer to CK402 and CK406.

EU Applicants

The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. Refer to the CAO page for further information.

Mature Applicants (age 23 or over)

All interested mature applicants must make an application through the Central Applications Office (CAO). See the CAO Mature Applicants and the Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) pages. Visit our Mature Student Entry page for more information.

QQI/FET

See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)/Further Education and Training (FET) application process.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.

All Applicants

Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Check the College Calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year. 

  • In UCC, we use the terms programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments. 

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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