Would this be worth £1,350?

Kristoph

Kristoph

Kristoph

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Joined
11 May 2007
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I've found a course that I think would help me get into Forensic Firearms after I complete my degree in Forensic and Crime Scene Science.

The course is from:

Where experts from Academia - Cranfield University - and Officers of the British Armed Forces meet to teach Defence Science, Technology and Management. We are the academic provider and partner to the Defence Academy, UK.
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The course is 5 days long and details are found here:

http://www.dcmt.cranfield.ac.uk/prospectus/shortcourse/ESD75
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Do you think this would be worth the money (ie. would I have a better chance over others with this type of qualification. aswell as my degree?)


Thanks,

Kris
 
Probably, would look very good on your CV. My gf has done similar things, she wants to be a vet and she has gone on courses.
 
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Nitefly said:
Surely a degree in veterinary science is vital? Or so I was aware.
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Yeah, but I mean if she applied for a job in veterinary after she got a degree and lots of people had applied, she would probably get chosen over them as she has had more experience.
 
Justin said:
Yeah, but I mean if she applied for a job in veterinary after she got a degree and lots of people had applied, she would probably get chosen over them as she has had more experience.
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Ah, devious.
 
Nitefly said:
Ah, devious.
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It's all about that know adays. so many people have degrees. you eother need a industry year(sandwich course) or extra qaulification. Excluding a 1st from top university's for that subject.
 
AcidHell2 said:
It's all about that know adays. so many people have degrees. you eother need a industry year(sandwich course) or extra qaulification. Excluding a 1st from top university's for that subject.
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As far as I'm aware there are only 4 universities which do that course, and you can't get a first in them anyway if I was to be pedent ;)

Vet science degree is as near as possible as you can get to an instant job, although further specialisation will require further study of course.
 
Nitefly said:
As far as I'm aware there are only 4 universities which do that course, and you can't get a first in them anyway if I was to be pedent ;)

Vet science degree is as near as possible as you can get to an instant job, although further specialisation will require further study of course.
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]#


even in vet science, there's so many people leaving with that degree(compared to jobs) you will either need work experience, or other courses to get a job. A few of my mates have done vet at degree level and some have got a job others haven't. It's the ones with something other on there cv that have got it.
 
OK, why? If you want to be a forensic firearms examiner, it's not likely this will help. The market is a very small one, and only recruits a couple of people a year - if that. Those recruited are generally either experienced in the work (by dint of actually doing it, not going on a five-day course), or else forensic scientists trained in other areas who have transferred. The handful of companies which do this work would generally far rather train you in the specialist techniques themselves, as they will almost certainly do things differently to Cranfield. This is Cranfield leaping on a rather slow-moving bandwagon. If you want to get into this field, a course in aerodynamics and/or fluid dynamics would help you more.

Obviously, if you're just doing it because it interests you, it's your money.


M
 
The recommended level is a degree (usually BSc) at at least a 2.1 in either chemistry and biology. Something like biochemistry would also do.


M
 
Ok. Whats your opinion on the BSc I'm doing then? Its a BSc in Forensic and Crime Scene Science. I can get module listings if you want to see whats covered.

Would a first or 2.1 in this be less likely to be chosen over say a 2.1 in chem or bio? (My head is telling me chem/bio is better :( )
 
Essentially, yes. The companies which do forensic work (essentially the FSS and LGC-Alliance) both very much prefer "general" degrees, especially biology and chemistry to give you the background they can't teach you (there isn't time). All the specialist stuff they will teach you, because they want you to do it their way. Both consider "forensic science" degrees a very poor second - barely a step up from worthless.

I quote the entry qualifications from the FSS website:

Trainee Forensic Scientist
A scientific degree, preferably biology or chemistry based with at least a 2.2 pass. Previous laboratory experience would also be beneficial.
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(from here )

But note that all jobs tend to be massively over-subscribed by people who've been watching CSI (or wasting their time doing forensic science degrees), the companies can pick and choose at leisure. There are of course, lower grade jobs which require less qualifications, but are less interesting. Or not. Like all jobs, it always sounds more interesting than it is in real life. The real thing is far patchier: interesting bits, mixed with tedious (but important) paperwork for instance.


M
 
Ok, I'm starting to see the picture here. So basically I'd probably need a 1st in my degree with a few additional modules / units (can pick up specialist ones for around £250/300 in my summer hols).

Otherwise it looks like its going to be another degree on my plate after uni :eek: :confused: :(
 
You'd have been better off doing a degree in one of the Chemisty/Biology fields and then maybe done a postgrad in forensics after. Even then forensics is a hard field in which to get a job in. :(
 
mp3kla said:
Ok, I'm starting to see the picture here. So basically I'd probably need a 1st in my degree with a few additional modules / units (can pick up specialist ones for around £250/300 in my summer hols).

Otherwise it looks like its going to be another degree on my plate after uni :eek: :confused: :(
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If you are too far committed on your current course to change, the best thing would be to add basic biology and chemistry modules if you can, and drop some of the "forensic" stuff. If you can change the course completely and still at at least a 2.1 then I'd change to one of those two. It might also be worth looking at an MSc in something more mainstream.


As I said, the ideal course would be chemistry or biology, followed by an MSc in forensic science (the Strathclyde one is the best) as sushi says. But sometimes you only learn this late in the day. What you should be aiming for is the least amount of specialist stuff, and the most amount of general chemistry and/or biology. It sounds counter-intuitive, but believe me that is correct.

Now the downside of forensic science: the reason I'm up this early on a Sunday is because I have to go to work. Like yesterday. And tomorrow... :(


M
 
They charge £1350 for ONE MSc level module?? :o

My MSc (was i actually paying for it) would have cost £3,150 for the year, that includes 6 5 day modules and 6 months of supervised time in which to do my thesis!!

I know people cant always put the time in but a third of what I would have been charged for less than a tenth of the content and time sounds extortionate to me :\
 
Here are my current modules for each year:

Programme Content

Year 1 - Level C
Legal Studies 1
Chemistry
The Crime Scene and Forensic Science
Human Physiology and Anatomy
Molecular Biology
Study and Research Skills

Year 2 - Level I
Legal Studies 2
Laboratory and Analytical Skills
Forensic Biochemistry
Forensic Biomolecules 1
Biological Anthropology
Research Methods

Year 3 - Level H
Forensic Science in Practice
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Archaeology
Personal Research Project
Business and Communication Skills
Major Incident Management and Recovery



Theres quite a fair bit of standard bio/chem in the course. I've also done A-levels in chem and bio.
 
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