Curious about studying Biological and Forensic Sciencesat Coventry University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Coventry University
Full Time
Sep 2026
3 Year
This course combines the rich diverse study of biology and the living world, with the forensic challenge of using scientific analysis to investigate legal cases. This combination of subjects provides a broad perspective that is very appealing to employers.Graduates are able to tackle challenges like the spread of infectious diseases and developing new treatments, and also practical problem-solving skills to analyse evidence from crime scenes.Course aims:Enable you to apply critical thinking skills to assess and solve problems in biological and forensic sciences, considering different perspectives and ethical approachesDevelop your knowledge and understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of human health and disease, and of forensic science, including the criminal justice system processes and investigative practiceProvide a broad and varied educational experience, with experiential learning including a wide range of community and international contexts, and multidisciplinary real-world problems.3 years full-time
This module provides you with an introduction to the living world; the origins of life; the cellular basis of life and the diversity of living organisms from single celled prokaryotes to multicellular eukaryotes. You will consider the structure of biological molecules and their functional properties within the cell, and discuss the action of enzymes including the basic principles of enzyme kinetics. The module also provides you with an introduction to microbiology, including aspects of bacterial cell structure and growth.
This module aims to achieve an understanding of the structure and functions of mammalian cells, and the metabolic processes that occur within them. The module covers cell division mechanisms, energy metabolism, and cell communication. There is an introduction to genetic inheritance patterns linked to understanding of DNA replication, transcription and translation, and a consideration of evolution and natural selection mechanisms.
This module is designed to introduce you to specialist areas of forensic science including crime scene protocols, processing and management, quality assurance and control, plus forensic biology and chemistry based analytical techniques. During the module you will also discuss legal aspects of forensics, explore a range of forensic scenarios and conduct an investigation into a simulated crime scene.
This module is about human physiology - the science that attempts to explain the structure and functions of the human body and the way it adapts to its environment. It places emphasis on the relationship between structure and function, and on cause-and-effect mechanisms, integrating comparisons between healthy and disease states. You will also explore the concept of metabolic and development control. You will be introduced to laboratory based techniques for the measurement of physiological variables (e.g. metabolic rate, heart rate, blood pressure and spirometry) and investigation of cellular physiology. The module aims to provide you with a sound foundation of human physiology relevant to biology based courses.
The aim of this module is to facilitate the development of key skills that are essential for successful undergraduate study and also future employability. As part of this module, you will be introduced to, and will be required to demonstrate, skills that are fundamental to your course. These include effective scientific communication in both written and oral formats, identifying, interpreting and utilising relevant scientific literature, quantitative skills, teamwork, experimental design and safe and appropriate laboratory practical work. The concepts of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and appropriate record keeping in the laboratory are considered. You will study this module alongside students studying Analytical Chemistry and Forensic Science and the group work sessions will encourage interdisciplinary working and the opportunity for you to consider forensic science topics from different perspectives.
This module extends the topics that were introduced in Skills for Forensic Sciences 1 as well as introducing you to new concepts in preparation for the next level of study. This module encourages you to consider and begin to prepare for future employment. You will extend your understanding of scientific data analysis with effective use of Excel for data manipulation and presentation, plus an introduction to statistical analyses with a focus on those particularly relevant to the forensic science field. You are also introduced to on line molecular databases (bioinformatics) and their applications in your discipline. Building on the skills taught and developed in Skills for Forensic Sciences 1, laboratory skills and competency will be reinforced by a “mini-project” which will allow you to design and carry out an experiment using and practising laboratory techniques learnt previously.
This module focuses on fundamental features and activities of eukaryotic cells such as control of cell division and differentiation, cell communication and interaction with other cells and with the external environment. The module also investigates cellular organisation from cells to tissues to organs from the early stages of development to the whole body system. Much of our current knowledge of normal cellular processes has come from detailed study of disease states, and this is integrated throughout this module. Modern advances in cell biology and genetics which aim to aid diagnosis or therapy are also discussed, with consideration of the uses of adult and embryonic stem cells. The importance of cell signalling pathways is covered with their involvement in a number of diseases and their therapeutic applications and potential. This module will also cover areas such as tissue remodelling, regeneration, ageing and the role of cell death in body patterning.
On successful completion of this module you will have advanced your understanding and practise of biomolecular and forensic science research and data analysis including using SPSS for statistical evaluation. The value and use of biological databases (bioinformatics) and the importance and application of this discipline in genomics as applied to course specific topics will be explored. You will continue to review and extend your skills in scientific literature review and written presentation, plus reference management systems. The module also further explores careers opportunities, professional training placement and/or employment preparation. This will include consideration of employment selection practices and professional skills, knowledge and attributes that will contribute to successful employment, both in forensic industries or in wider career fields, including entrepreneurial activities and self-employment.
This module extends the study of both the DNA based biochemistry and the basic understanding of genetics developed in Year 1 to the study of human genetic disorders (chromosomal and molecular abnormalities) and the techniques and theoretical knowledge which has made the recent great strides forward in our understanding of our genes and genome. You will also explore the applications and implications of such knowledge.
The aim of this module is to expand your knowledge and skills in different aspects of forensic science. It is designed to enable you to learn in detail about forensic laboratory protocols and the techniques used to analyse evidence. Analytical techniques for the examination of biological and chemical evidence will be studied, including their application and interpretation within forensic scenarios. You will also be introduced to the detection of drugs and poisons.
On this module you will practise and develop your research skills through the planning, execution, analysis and reporting of a group based mini-project. You will utilise and extend your understanding of quantitative and qualitative experimental design, research ethics and risk assessment, and data analysis and presentation. These skills will prepare you for your final year individual research project.
Professional Experience Sandwich Year
Study Abroad
This module is designed to enable you, with the aid of specific case studies, to critically analyse and evaluate forensic evidence obtained from a range of sources. The module builds upon the forensic analysis techniques previously learned and concentrates on the appropriate application of these techniques to a range of offence types including homicides, sexual offences, other violent crimes (such as assaults and woundings), volume crimes (such as burglary, car crime and fraud) and drugs offences. The module also addresses the principles of forensic quality and statistical (probabilistic) evaluation of evidence and the presentation of evidence to a criminal court.
This module extends the discussion of forensic DNA analysis to consider the analysis and interpretation of more challenging samples such as low copy number and mixed samples, as well as modern advances in forensic analysis. These include novel multiplex PCRs for STRs, SNP analysis and prediction of phenotype, and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The application of RNA analysis in the determination of body fluid identity and in estimation of post mortem interval is also covered. You will also review other forensic identification applications such as foot-in-shoe, facial recognition and gait analysis, and considers their use in both suspect identification and crime prevention.
The aim of this module is to enable you to conduct a piece of investigative research, which may be laboratory or non-laboratory based, in a specialised area of Biological and Forensic Sciences. This module follows from Research Design and you implement your research proposals in this module. You are expected to demonstrate increasing independence, organisational and time management skills, technical skills and awareness of ethical and health and safety issues, all of which are required when working in the area.
This module aims to equip your with the skills necessary to design a piece of research in a specific area of Biological and Forensic Sciences. You will consider ethical issues associated with your research design and any health and safety implications. Through a series of lectures, workshops, group and individual meetings, you will design a hypothesis driven research project considering current literature, appropriate methodology and data analysis. After successful completion of this module you will progress on to conduct the designed research project.
BBC Grades/points required
Not currently available, please Contact University for up to date information.
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