Online Course Information

Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters in Forensic Medicine & Science (online)

An online multidisciplinary programme designed to appeal to a wide range of graduates (or equivalent). The courses are designed to maximise your "mobile" learning experience - although the course is "online" we try not to tie you to a computer screen! Material is made available as convenient .pdf files which can be printed and/or accessed "off-line". You will be required, however, to actively participate in the online weekly discussion fora as this is where issues are debated and discussed and, importantly, you learn from your colleagues on the course!

Please note the Postrgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters programme is currently not able to accept new students. If you wish to be contacted as and when this situation changes please contact us and ask to be added to our mailing list.

Fees and Course Information

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters in Forensic Medicine & Science (60/120 credits SCQF level 11) is a portfolio of online courses. Although not specifically targeted at any professional group, the course will be of interest to professionals with a forensic remit such as doctors, scientists, police, nurses, prosecution and defence lawyers. The course will also stimulate all graduates with an interest in this fascinating subject.

The tutors on the course have extensive experience gained from investigating many real-life cases (including the investigation of the Lockerbie bombing and other high profile incidents)

Education Aims of the Programme

At the completion of this course, the candidate should possess:

A knowledge of the main medical, scientific and legal concepts, techniques and methods in order that the candidate has sufficient competence to understand human diseases, conditions and behaviour in a forensic setting.
An understanding of the basic organisational structures involved in the practice of forensic medicine and science both locally and internationally.
An understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of forensic investigation.
An awareness of how forensic medicine and the forensic sciences relate to the wider context of society and how forensic practice can contribute towards improving that society.

Transferable Skills

Ability to use information technology as a tool for personal development and professional collaboration.
Develop information search strategies and effective and efficient use of available resources.

Programme Structure

The PG Certificate/Diploma in Forensic Medicine & Science is a flexible modular programme. Individual courses (course information) will be offered up to three times in an academic year. Candidates can either opt to register for the complete programme or can take individual courses (see below for a non-assessed CPD option).

On successful completion of an individual course, a student will be awarded 10 credits at SCQF level 11. Please note that although there is no formal time limit to the period of study, credits remain valid for 5 years from the date of completion of the course and cannot be used to count towards an award after expiry.

Candidates who wish to complete the Masters in Forensic Medicine & Science will be required to complete a casebook containing at least six themed cases based on the candidates' professional forensic employment.

Fees and Course Information

Teaching and Delivery Method

All courses on this programme are delivered entirely online using WebCT as the delivery platform with a password protected website dedicated to the course. Courses typically last between 10 and 16 weeks with one "lecture" topic made available each week or fortnight. Course resources, including additional reading materials and access to eJournals at the University of Edinburgh library, are provided online although candidates are expected to make use of other online resources whenever possible. Assessment is on the basis of electronically graded quiz assignments, short-note style essays, case-studies, essays and participation in the online discussion forum. Candidates are encouraged to discuss issues with their colleagues on the course. The discussion board is fully moderated and discussion themes will be responded to (within, usually, a 72 hour period) although individual posts will not necessarily be answered on an individual basis.

Candidates who wish to progress to the Masters stage of the programme are required to provide details of a professional referee from their place of work to oversee the candidates' case book preparation.

The student is not required to purchase additional software - the course runs over the internet via any modern browser. The free downloadable versions of Adobe Acrobat reader and Macromedia flash player will be required. Although the course does not require a high-speed broadband connection, a slower internet link will mean that some of the graphics take longer to download.

An introductory non-postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Medicine and Science course taught at the University of Edinburgh is also available.

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Home Course information Personnel Contact us	Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters in Forensic Medicine & Science (online) An online multidisciplinary programme designed to appeal to a wide range of graduates (or equivalent). The courses are designed to maximise your "mobile" learning experience - although the course is "online" we try not to tie you to a computer screen! Material is made available as convenient .pdf files which can be printed and/or accessed "off-line". You will be required, however, to actively participate in the online weekly discussion fora as this is where issues are debated and discussed and, importantly, you learn from your colleagues on the course! Please note the Postrgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters programme is currently not able to accept new students. If you wish to be contacted as and when this situation changes please contact us and ask to be added to our mailing list. Fees and Course Information INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters in Forensic Medicine & Science (60/120 credits SCQF level 11) is a portfolio of online courses. Although not specifically targeted at any professional group, the course will be of interest to professionals with a forensic remit such as doctors, scientists, police, nurses, prosecution and defence lawyers. The course will also stimulate all graduates with an interest in this fascinating subject. The tutors on the course have extensive experience gained from investigating many real-life cases (including the investigation of the Lockerbie bombing and other high profile incidents) Education Aims of the Programme At the completion of this course, the candidate should possess: A knowledge of the main medical, scientific and legal concepts, techniques and methods in order that the candidate has sufficient competence to understand human diseases, conditions and behaviour in a forensic setting. An understanding of the basic organisational structures involved in the practice of forensic medicine and science both locally and internationally. An understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of forensic investigation. An awareness of how forensic medicine and the forensic sciences relate to the wider context of society and how forensic practice can contribute towards improving that society. Transferable Skills Ability to use information technology as a tool for personal development and professional collaboration. Develop information search strategies and effective and efficient use of available resources. Programme Structure The PG Certificate/Diploma in Forensic Medicine & Science is a flexible modular programme. Individual courses (course information) will be offered up to three times in an academic year. Candidates can either opt to register for the complete programme or can take individual courses (see below for a non-assessed CPD option). On successful completion of an individual course, a student will be awarded 10 credits at SCQF level 11. Please note that although there is no formal time limit to the period of study, credits remain valid for 5 years from the date of completion of the course and cannot be used to count towards an award after expiry. Candidates who wish to complete the Masters in Forensic Medicine & Science will be required to complete a casebook containing at least six themed cases based on the candidates' professional forensic employment. Fees and Course Information Teaching and Delivery Method All courses on this programme are delivered entirely online using WebCT as the delivery platform with a password protected website dedicated to the course. Courses typically last between 10 and 16 weeks with one "lecture" topic made available each week or fortnight. Course resources, including additional reading materials and access to eJournals at the University of Edinburgh library, are provided online although candidates are expected to make use of other online resources whenever possible. Assessment is on the basis of electronically graded quiz assignments, short-note style essays, case-studies, essays and participation in the online discussion forum. Candidates are encouraged to discuss issues with their colleagues on the course. The discussion board is fully moderated and discussion themes will be responded to (within, usually, a 72 hour period) although individual posts will not necessarily be answered on an individual basis. Candidates who wish to progress to the Masters stage of the programme are required to provide details of a professional referee from their place of work to oversee the candidates' case book preparation. The student is not required to purchase additional software - the course runs over the internet via any modern browser. The free downloadable versions of Adobe Acrobat reader and Macromedia flash player will be required. Although the course does not require a high-speed broadband connection, a slower internet link will mean that some of the graphics take longer to download. An introductory non-postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Medicine and Science course taught at the University of Edinburgh is also available.
The University of Edinburgh (Division of Pathology)