The MSc (Med) programme is fully research-based and students may select their discipline of choice from the list below. It aims to equip students with knowledge, attitudes and skills in the chosen specialised field and allows students develop prior knowledge and skills in the discipline.
The requirement for this full master’s dissertation, conducted under supervision, is that it must not exceed 50 000 words in length and must be on a topic in the relevant discipline. Students are trained in statistics where necessary, in research methods, in conducting literature reviews, and in designing a research proposal. Having submitted their research proposals for approval and having obtained formal ethics approval where necessary, candidates proceed with their research, analyse the results and write up the dissertation. The dissertation is externally examined.
MSc (Med): Forensic Genetics
Course convener: Laura Heathfield
Research areas:
Molecular autopsies in unresolved cases; sudden unexpected death, toxicogenetics
Human identification including molecular phenotyping, forensic DNA profiling, database creation
Optimisation of DNA extraction from challenging samples
MSc (Med): Molecular Forensics
Course convener: Laura Heathfield
Research areas:
Body fluid identification
Molecular evidence in sexual assault
MSc (Med): Forensic Medical Microbiology
Course convener: Prof Lorna J Martin
Research areas:
Optimisation of bacteria and virus detection in deceased individuals
Non-invasive sample collection from decedents for downstream microbiology analysis
MSc (Med): Forensic Toxicology
Course convener: Bronwen Davies
Research areas:
Forensic Toxicology
MSc (Med): Forensic Entomology
Course convener: Dr Marise Heyns
Research areas:
Morphological identification of local forensically active species
