Master's Programme in Forensic Science
Academic year 2023/2024
- 120 credits
- Autumn 2023, Uppsala, 100%, Campus
- Programme syllabus
Most crime scenes have traces of a perpetrator. Genetic, chemical or toxicological analysis can play a critical role in an investigation and may lead to a conviction in a court trial. The advanced and improved methods for analysing evidence make forensic science a rapidly growing field of knowledge. The Master's Programme in Forensic Science will enable you to meet the increasing need for academic competence and research. At the same time, the knowledge can also be used in many other fields.
Why this programme?
The aim of the Master's Programme in Forensic Science is to give a broad as well as deep knowledge within the field of forensic science. Several of the laboratory exercises in the programme are connected to criminalistics and based on novel research. The methods are, however, generally used in many other areas apart from forensic science, for example, medicine, environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, the food industry and the biotech industry. You will, moreover, be trained in critical thinking and analysis of information and results, skills which are important in all scientific areas.
The programme gives you an in-depth understanding of the applications of biological and chemical analyses within the legal system. This includes knowledge of human genetics, criminalistics, forensic genetics, forensic medicine, law, psychology and analytical chemistry.
During the programme you can expect to:
- learn to independently carry out examinations, apply statistical methods and evaluate your results,
- have access to excellent laboratory facilities and
- acquire forensic competence and research experience.
The programme is a broad education with close ties to research. The Master's Programme in Forensic Science received the highest possible quality credential in the latest evaluation by the Swedish Higher Education Authority.
Student profile
You have a strong foundation in biology with chemistry courses, or a chemistry background that includes molecular biology. You have good knowledge of molecular biology or human genetics and organic, inorganic or analytical chemistry. During your Bachelor's studies, you also gained experience in laboratory work.
You have an analytical mindset and can express your thoughts and views in speech and writing. Talking and writing in English is not a problem for you and you expect a mutual exchange with your peer students in an international environment with different experiences and knowledge. You want a broad international education that can lead you in many directions for example in the forensic area, molecular biology, toxicology or analytical chemistry.
A future PhD education is a possibility you have thought about and you will value the opportunity to get in contact with current research. You also appreciate the possibility to apply your knowledge with an internship in the industry, within authority or abroad.
Degree
The programme leads to a Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with Forensic Science as the main field of study.
Name: Mònica Ortega Llobet
From: Barcelona, Spain
How did you choose your programme?
I studied my Bachelor’s in biochemistry already thinking of specialising in something related to forensic science. As there were not many options in my country I applied to various universities in the UK and Uppsala. I was told Uppsala University had a very good reputation and decided on this program when I got accepted.
What was it like to be an international student?
In Uppsala, the rate of international students was quite high, same within the programme so I never felt excluded or left outside of anything. Everybody, especially students and academics, know and talk English without a problem. However, knowing Swedish makes communication way easier outside of the university and student environment.
What was the best thing about studying at Uppsala University?
I think every person may have different opinions on this, but for me, the best part was the possibility to meet people with very different backgrounds, cultures and opinions and learn from them. It was and still is mind-opening. Uppsala has also everything one can need: activities, nightlife, very beautiful nature, so one is never bored!
Do you remember your first impression of Uppsala? Please tell!
When I arrived in Uppsala I felt like it was a place I could get used to living in. It is big, covers all the needs one can have but at the same time feels like a small town where you can take long walks in peace. All areas of the city are different and may fit the interests of every different kind of person.
Describe what a normal day is like for you?
My day usually starts at 7:00 with breakfast and reading a book. Then I take my bike and make the way to BMC to work. During the programme, we would have scheduled classes or laboratory. If we would have individual study time, then I would instead go to any of the libraries to do my work. Carolina Rediviva or Blåsenhus are very good options for silent study but if you need some noise and talk to be able to focus the nation houses tend to also have study places during the day.
What was your reason for studying and your ultimate goal?
My idea has always been to be able to work in science, in my field which is biochemistry, but I didn’t want to do basic science. Forensics seemed a field that would give me the most change in work with many different methods and assays from a point of view that would be directly connected to its application to society.
Describe the student life!
My student life was mainly based at the student nations. Uppsala has 13 different student organisations which offer different kinds of activities and nightlife. I got involved in Kalmar Nation due to its artistic and musical orientation. It allowed me to meet new people who are nowadays my best friends and to learn to do many different things I otherwise would have never been able to.
Three quick questions:
What is your favourite place in Uppsala?
On summer days I love biking or taking long walks along the river and bathing upstream where the river is less wide and the vegetation very green and beautiful.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
It is a difficult question to answer but hopefully still being able to work inside the forensic sciences field here in Sweden. I have come to really like life here.
Where is the best place to study?
When I studied the Master’s programme I used to go to Carolina Rediviva. If you get there early enough in the morning you may be able to find a seat with good views up on the last floor of the library. When the spring and summer come studying in a garden is very much recommended though!
Spring 2022.
Programme
During the first year, you will attend five courses that give you broad knowledge of forensic work, from the time a crime has been committed until a verdict is reached in court. In the first semester, you will learn about crime scene investigations, medical genetics and forensic medicine. During semester two, you will learn about chemical analysis methods of evidence, the legal system and the evaluation of evidence in criminal cases. The courses are organised by researchers with expertise in their respective fields, with invited many lecturers from the police and the National Board of Forensic Medicine.
In parallel with the courses throughout the first semester, you will participate in a lecture series in professional training, which includes presentation techniques, research ethics and cultural intelligence.
Year two begins with further in-depth studies of analytical chemistry, followed by an elective period. During this period, you can choose to either take a 15 credits course of your choice or extend your degree project from 30 to 45 credits. You can carry out the degree project at, for example, a forensic laboratory, company, university or government agency. It can also be done abroad and in many different subject areas (the subject is not limited to forensic science).
Courses within the programme
Semester 1
Forensic Science and Criminalistics, 7.5 credits
Forensic Genetics and Medicine, 15 credits
Semester 2
Law, Psychology and Forensic Expertise, 15 credits
Forensic Chemistry, 15 credits
Semester 3
Analytical Methods in Forensic Science, 15 credits
Elective period, 15 credits Degree Project, 45 credits
Semester 4
Learning experience
The Master's Programme in Forensic Science is given in a small international group (approximately 20 students), and the instruction includes lectures, project work, laboratory work, group instruction and demonstrations.
Lectures are mixed with laborations and you will work with a compilation of information from laboratory work, evaluate scientific articles and learn to critically review scientific texts and your results. Your achievements will be assessed by examinations, seminars and projects.
Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled sessions including demonstrations, group instructions, seminars, laboratory work and demonstration of an autopsy.
The programme is given entirely in English and requires full-time studies in Uppsala.
Career
The programme prepares you for forensic work within the police authority or at forensic laboratories. For example, you can work with DNA analyses, fingerprints, shoeprints, tool marks or toxicological analyses.
With broad and deep knowledge of biology and chemistry, you can also work in many other areas such as academia, the food industry, environmental monitoring and pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Our alumni work, for example, as laboratory engineers, chemists, quality assurance officers and life science consultants. Many students also choose to pursue a PhD after graduation.
About a third of our alumni work at Swedish or foreign authorities as, for example, forensic experts, a quarter work in academic research and a fifth in the private sector. A majority find their first job before or within six months after graduation.
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career. Learn more about UU Careers.
Admissions
Below you will find details about eligibility requirements, selection criteria and tuition fees. For information on how to apply and what general documents you need to submit, check the application guide. Besides the general supporting documents, you also need to submit two programme-specific documents: 1. an Application Summary Sheet (including your statement of purpose); 2. document(s) and/or letter(s) of recommendation certifying your previous experience (if applicable).
Master's Programme in Forensic Science
120 credits
Autumn 2023, 100%, Campus
Location: Uppsala
Application deadline: 16 January 2023
Application code: UU-M3855 Application
Language of instruction: English
Requirements:
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The degree must be in biology, biomedicine, molecular biology, chemistry or a similar field. Also required is:
- organic/inorganic chemistry or analytical chemistry totalling 15 credits; and
- courses in genetics or cell/molecular biology totalling 15 credits.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
Selection: Students are selected based on:
- an overall appraisal of previous university studies;
- a statement of purpose; and
- relevant work experience.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
Fees:
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees. Fees cover application and tuition only and do not cover accommodation, academic literature or the general cost of living. Read more about fees.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first semester: SEK 72,500
Tuition fee, total: SEK 290,000
Contact and further resources
Is this programme right for you?
Contact
For programme-specific information, please contact Marie Allen
+46 18 471 48 03
Study counsellor (for questions about eligibility and application)
For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology
Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20
The Rudbeck Laboratory, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
Programme start and registration
When you have been accepted to the Master's Programme in Forensic Science, you are required to participate during the roll call on 22 August 2023 to be registered and officially admitted to the program. More information about the program start and other practicalities can be found on the program page on Studium.
If you have been accepted on specific terms, you have to be able to show, latest at the course start, that you fulfil all the requirements. Please follow the instructions received via email. In case of any questions, please contact the course coordinator.
If you have been placed on the reserve list, you will be contacted by the course administration of the department via email if we can offer you a spot in the programme. Please confirm via email if you wish to accept the offered spot or not.
www.uu.se/education