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This guide is intended to provide information for prospective
students. Enrolled students will find the necessary course information and
resources on the appropriate Blackboard site
This course guide is intended to provide an introduction to this course.
In it you will find the aims and objectives of the course, a detailed syllabus,
information on when and where to meet, details of how your performance in the course will be assessed and
the tutorial and other assignments which form part of the course.
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
What the course is
The Master of Forensic Medicine is a 1-year taught masters course designed primarily for overseas medical graduates.
It may be suitable also for dental graduates, and for graduates in nursing or the biological sciences who have already
completed a postgraduate degree such as an MSc or a PhD.
The philosophy of the programme is to foster the development of
medico-legal expertise founded in current scientific knowledge and devoid
of bias. The course addresses those aspects of forensic medicine and
science which are most frequently the subject of expert testimony in the
courts. The intention is to provide postgraduate students with core
knowledge and intellectual skills in forensic medicine.
The course may be taken full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24
months. The course begins in mid-September, at the start of the university
academic year. (The precise dates of the university academic year can be
found on the university website). Students should plan on attending at the
university during Freshers' Week, which is the week immediately before the
start of the first semester. The course follows the usual university
semester dates with a Christmas vacation of four weeks and an Easter
vacation of three weeks.
Teaching is through lectures, small group seminars in which the students
are required to make Powerpoint presentations, and one-to-one case-based
teaching on medico-legal autopsy cases. All of the teaching materials,
including the course and module guides, the lecture schedules, the lecture
notes and assignments are provided on a computer-based system (Blackboard).
Each student has personal desk space with computer, printer and internet
access at all hours, seven days a week. There is also access to the
Centre library at all hours, seven days a week.
What the course is not
This one-year taught masters course is not a route to medical registration and the right to practice forensic medicine
in the United Kingdom. The registration of medical practitioners in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of the
General Medical Council and information on registration is available from their website.
The degree of master of forensic medicine (MFM) is not a qualification which allows or facilitates registration with the
General Medical Council.
The one-year taught masters course is not a route to specialist
registration in forensic medicine in the United Kingdom. Training of
forensic pathologists in the United Kingdom is under the auspices of the
Royal College of Pathologists and requires five years of training in
approved posts. Although the Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine at the
University of Dundee is approved by the Royal College of Pathologists for
postgraduate training in forensic pathology, the training posts in forensic
pathology are quite separate from the one-year taught masters in forensic
medicine.
This taught masters course utilises medico-legal autopsy cases for
teaching purposes. There is no teaching on clinical forensic medicine
cases for practical and ethical reasons. All assessments during the course
are by written essay-type assignments and a written dissertation. There is
no assessment of technical competence in performing a post mortem
examination and consequently the degree is not a certification of technical
competence in this area.
For students contemplating taking the diploma in medical jurisprudence
(DMJ) of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, the master of
forensic medicine degree should permit exemption from part I of the DMJ
examination. However, students should make their own individual inquires
with the Society of Apothecaries to assure themselves that this exemption
will apply. The literature review dissertation aspect of the MFM course is
very suitable for development into the casebook requirement of the DMJ part
II examination of the Society of Apothecaries.
Departmental facilities
The Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine at the University of Dundee has excellent facilities for post-graduate studies.
The Centre has its own histopathology and toxicology laboratories and the mortuary (operated by Tayside police force)
is a newly built modern facility.
The Centre library holds complete sets of all English-language
forensic medicine and science journals and an extensive collection of
forensic medicine and science textbooks. The Centre library is
open to students at all hours, seven days a week but journals and books may
not be removed from the library. The main university library is 100metres
from the School of Law library 200 metres away. The medical
school library is located on the Ninewells hospital site about 3 kms from
the main campus. A free 'bus service runs from the main campus to the
Ninewells site.
Inquiries & applications
Informal inquiries should be addressed to the Director, Professor Derrick Pounder by e-mail d.j.pounder@dundee.ac.uk
The application form for taught master courses is available on the
University website and can be downloaded in either PDF or Word format. The
return address is on the form.
For entry into the course students must meet the university standard
IELTS or equivalent scores as a demonstration of competence in the english
language. All of the assessments used in the course require a high degree
of competence in written english. Consequently, a student with a low
written english score may only be accepted onto the course conditional upon
taking a university english course during the August immediately preceding
the September entry date.
Students with disabilities
The Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine welcomes applications from disabled students and seeks to make their programmes
and modules as inclusive as possible. Specific adjustments may also be possible in order to better meet individual
student needs. All disabled students are therefore encouraged to contact Professor Pounder and the University disability
services Department disability@dundee.ac.uk in
confidence in order to discuss their individual support requirements.
Further information for disabled students may be found on the university disability
services pages on the university web-site.
Course fees
The course fees are determined by the university and the precise fee for any particular year can be found on the
university website. As a general guide the course fee is in the order of £10,000. No other fees are payable.
The Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine does not offer scholarships for this course, nor discount the course fee.
Half of the course fee should be paid on matriculation in September, with the remaining half payable within 2 months at
the latest. Prospective students are advised that they should not enter the course unless they have the necessary funds
for the tuition fees and their living expenses.
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COURSE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
This one-year taught Masters course stands alone with no prerequisite course requirements other than a basic degree
in medicine, that is MB, ChB, or an equivalent qualification. The philosophy of the programme is to foster the development
of medico-legal expertise founded in current scientific knowledge and devoid of bias.
The course addresses those aspects of forensic medicine and science which are most frequently the subject of expert
testimony in the courts. The intention is to provide postgraduate students with core knowledge and intellectual skills
in forensic medicine.
After completing this course the successful candidate will:
- Have a knowledge and understanding of forensic medicine principles, concepts and terminology
- Have an understanding of related applications of forensic science
- Be able to apply their knowledge and skills to accurately observe and document medico-legal findings
- Be able to develop and critique medico-legal opinions based upon current literature
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SYLLABUS
The MFM course comprises three modules. There are two compulsory taught modules, the one in forensic medicine and
the other in forensic science. The third module which makes up the course may be either a literature review dissertation
or alternatively a research dissertation based upon a small research project.
The overall aim of the forensic medicine module is to provide an integrated working knowledge of the main subject
areas within forensic medicine. The more detailed learning outcomes of the module and the listing of lecture topics
are set out in an appendix to this document (Appendix 1). The forensic
medicine module is delivered through lectures, some of which are
discussion-based requiring student participation. The lecture material is
illustrated with case examples. Each lecture is of two hours and there are
15 lectures in all. In addition there is case-based one-to-one teaching in
the mortuary involving external examination of deceased and post mortem
dissections. Students are required to complete records of learning on a
minimum 50 external examinations and 50 post mortem dissections. The
one-page record of learning sheets follow a similar format to those used by
the Royal College of Pathologists for the training of forensic pathologists
in the UK. Students are required to submit photocopies of these sheets as
part of the course requirements. In addition there are four written essay
type assessments which require the development of medico-legal opinions in
fictionalised cases. There is available on Blackboard a detailed module
guide for the forensic medicine taught module together with the lecture
schedule, lecture notes, teaching notes on the medico-legal autopsy, the
record of learning sheets, the four assignments and examples of
medico-legal opinions. Students will find clear information regarding the
scheduling of all assessments, including submission dates for coursework
within the module guide. Feedback is provided to students on all assessed
work and is scheduled into the lecture series (see Appendix ). Students may
request additional individual feedback from the module lecturer at any time
by contacting the lecturer via email through Blackboard.
The overall aim of the forensic science module is to develop an understanding of applications of forensic science
related to the practice of forensic medicine. The more detailed learning outcomes of the module and the listing of
seminar topics are set out in an appendix to this document (Appendix 2).
The forensic science module is delivered through small group seminars in which students are required to make
Powerpoint presentations on allocated topics detailed in the module guide. These presentations form the basis of
class discussions. Presentations are assessed in relation to content, focus and style.
Seminar presentations and student participation in the seminars count for 50% of the final mark for the forensic science
module. Each seminar is of two hours and there are 10 seminars in all. Teaching is enhanced using computer-based
fictional case scenarios and internet-linked material for individual study. There is available on Blackboard a detailed
module guide for the forensic science taught module together with the seminar schedule, a listing of relevant references,
student seminar tasks, example Powerpoint presentations and advice on how to prepare such a presentation, fictional case
scenarios and internet links to sites with relevant teaching material. Assessment is by course work with seminar
presentations and participation in the seminar counting for 50% of the final mark. There are two written essay type
assignments each counting for a further 25% of the module final mark. Students will find clear information regarding
the scheduling of all assessments, including submission dates for coursework within the module guide.
Feedback is provided to students on all assessed work and is scheduled into the seminar series (see Appendix ).
Students may request additional individual feedback from the module lecturer at any time by contacting the lecturer
via email through Blackboard.
The third module is either a literature review dissertation or a research dissertation based upon a short research
project. The majority of students undertake a literature review dissertation.
The literature review module intends to provide the student with the ability to retrieve, critically review published
literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis. The subject matter of the review dissertation is agreed
between the course organiser and the individual student within 4 weeks of the start of the MFM programme.
The selection of the subject matter takes into account current issues in forensic medicine, the interests of the student,
and any particular medico-legal issues specific to the area of the world in which the student intends to practice.
A first draft of a significant part of the review dissertation must be submitted in the first week of classes following
the New Year holiday break. The alternative option, the research dissertation, aims to provide the necessary skills to
plan, execute and write-up a research project. There is one-to-one teaching on the project and developing a literature
review around the subject matter of the project. There are limited opportunities to undertake research projects and
students who wish to do so should raise the matter no later than the first few weeks of the course, and preferably prior
to entering the course. Feedback on literature review and research projects is provided orally to students on an
individual basis within 2 weeks of submission of any written work. Students may request additional individual feedback
from the module lecturer at any time by contacting the lecturer via email through Blackboard
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students should:
- A detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of the science and art of forensic medicine
- A critical awareness of current issues in forensic medicine
- A critical understanding of the application of forensic science
- The ability to interpret forensic medical evidence with objectivity and balance
- The ability to retrieve, critically review published literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis
- The ability to communicate with peers and more senior specialists orally and in writing
- The ability to use a wide range of software to support and enhance the above
- The ability to take responsibility for their own work and to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in a learning environment
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RECOMMENDED TEXTS
The prescribed course texts are listed in the forensic medicine and forensic science module guides.
Students are advised that a sufficient number of these texts are available
in the Centre library for the use of students. These texts may
not be removed from the library and are available at all hours, seven days
a week. Consequently students may choose not to purchase their own copies
of these texts, some of which are expensive.
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ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION
Attendance at every tutorial meeting and seminar (subject to illness or other good cause) is required if a student
is to meet the standards of attendance and participation. If a student fails to attend tutorials or seminars,
absence will be noted on the student record and so be a consideration at any stage where decisions about progress
and future are being made and when references are being prepared. A student may be required to do additional work to
compensate for absence (whatever the reason for the absence) and to demonstrate that there has been coverage of the
materials and skills which that tutorial or seminar was designed to address. Such work must be completed.
If a student has good reason for missing a class, eg illness, the student can self-certify absence for up to 5 days
and should also inform the module organiser so that this can be noted. If an illness results in absence for more
than 5 days, students must go to their doctor for confirmation of the illness and obtain a medical certificate signed
by the GP. Medical certificates should be sent to the Centre office who will inform others as appropriate. Please note, however, that
self-certification of illness is not permitted in relation to late
submission of assessments.
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ASSESSMENT
The individual coursework assignments provide formative assessment but also contribute towards a summative statement
of achievement. Formative assessment is designed to provide students with feedback on progress and inform development.
Summative assessment provides a measure of achievement or failure made in respect of a student's performance in
relation to the intended learning outcomes of the programme. The intended learning outcomes for the course as a whole
are set out above and for the individual modules are set out as appendices to this document (see Appendices1-3).
Information on the types and number of assignments is given in the section on the syllabus above, and an overall
outline of the timetable of work and assessments is given in an appendix to
this document (Appendix 5). Students will find clear information regarding
the scheduling of all assessments, including submission dates for
coursework within the individual module guides. This information is
provided at the start of the programme to enable students to plan and
prepare effectively. Feedback is provided to students on all assessed work
and is scheduled into the lecture and seminar series in forensic medicine
and forensic science. Feedback on literature review and research projects
is provided orally to students on an individual basis within 2 weeks of
submission of any written work. This feedback is intended to promote
learning and facilitate improvement. Students may request additional
individual feedback from any of the module lecturers at any time by
contacting them via email through Blackboard.
Assessment details are given in the individual module guides and have been outlined above.
If, for whatever reason, you do not complete the assignment(s) for a module you will be deemed to have a nil
mark for that element of the module though the circumstances of your non-completion will be considered by the
board of examiners.
All students must be aware of the following points which are of great practical importance in relation to assessment:
Academic Dishonesty & Plagiarism
Matters concerning plagiarism and academic dishonesty are addressed in
the
University's Code of Practice on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty to
be found on the university web pages and reproduced as an appendix to this document.
Students must familiarize themselves with the content of this document in
order to avoid falling foul of this code of practice in their coursework,
since penalties can be severe.
Academic dishonesty involves cheating to obtain a mark or some
privilege to which the student would not otherwise be entitled. It is an
extremely serious matter. (Plagiarism is separately mentioned below). There
is no closed list of forms of academic dishonesty. Forms include taking
unauthorised materials into examinations, collusion with others in
submitting work, submitting as your work something done by another person,
duplication of material submitted for another assignment, false declaration
to obtain an exemption or privilege, and falsification of data. The
penalties for academic dishonesty can be very severe. This is because
cheating strikes at the heart of the award of degrees. There can be a
warning which is recorded in a student's file, and may well have
consequences for references. There can be a reduction in marks. There can
be a requirement to take an entire module again. There can be a refusal to
award a degree. There can be fines. There can be expulsion from the
University. All these penalties have been used. It is no defence to a
charge of academic dishonesty that you did not intend to cheat. It is
suggested that you should be wary, in particular, about cooperation with
someone else in the preparation of written assignments. If the ideas or
work of someone else are submitted as your own, without acknowledgment,
that may be misleading to an examiner and be academic dishonesty. You
should seek guidance from academic staff if you do wish to have the help of
someone else in preparing your work.
Plagiarism is regarded as a serious example of academic
dishonesty, and thus can result in any of the penalties mentioned above. It
is important to note that there can be plagiarism even where there is no
intention to cheat.
It is defined in the University's Code of Practice (see Appendix 4)
as: "the unacknowledged use of another's work as if it were one's own".
Examples include:
- using more than a single phrase (or even a single particularly distinctive phrase) from another's work without
the use of quotation marks and acknowledgment of the source;
- summarising another's work by changing a few words or altering the order of presentation without giving full acknowledgment;
- copying the work of another, whether a published author or fellow student;
- using another's ideas without acknowledgment.
The mere inclusion of a publication in the bibliography is not a
sufficient acknowledgment where particular ideas or phrases have been taken
from it and used. Plagiarism should not be a problem if you are careful in
taking notes from the sources which you have used acknowledging those
sources, and in preparing your work. Make sure that you take accurate
notes, using quotation marks where you copy an author's exact words and
clearly identifying the source. When writing an essay make sure that you
check and specifically acknowledge (i.e. in footnotes or endnotes) where
ideas and phrases come from. Whilst discussing issues and ideas with fellow
students is to be encouraged, be careful that this does not lead to the
appearance of collusion. You should also be careful about lending drafts or
outlines of essays to others for the same reason.
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Submission of Assignments (see also late submission of assignments below)
All written work required for assessment must be typed or
prepared with a word processor. Work which is not presented in this way
will receive a mark of zero. Assignments will have a word length. This will
not normally include footnotes, endnotes and bibliography. Excessive or
insufficient length will be penalised. There is no formula for deduction of
marks, but in any case, an essay that is too long will likely be verbose
and irrelevant and be marked accordingly. Similarly, an essay that is
excessively short is likely to have arguments that are underdeveloped or
may fail to address core questions and the mark will reflect this.
Assignments should be submitted, by the student in person, to the
Forensic Medicine Departmental Office using the Assignment Submission Form annexed to
this document and also available on Blackboard.
This submission form must be completed, so acknowledging that you have read and understood the
rules on academic dishonesty and plagiarism. There is anonymous marking of
written assignments which are identified by the student's matriculation
number only.
Each written assignment is accompanied by specific details of
the required format, content, completion time, as well as the place of
submission, and penalties for late submission.
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Late Submission of Assignments
Module guides set out the details and submission dates of all assessed work. All assessed work is due at 4.00pm
on the dates specified in the module guide (which will not be Fridays).
Any work handed in after 4.00pm on the specified date will be subject to the penalties indicated below.
As you are given generous notice of the work required of you, it is
expected that the work will be submitted on time.
The policy of the Centre on the late submission of assignments
is
set out in every assignment which is distributed. The policy is that where
the Director of Centre is satisfied that there is good cause for the
late
submission of an assignment, no deduction is made from the final mark.
Where the Director of the Centre is not satisfied that there is good cause
for
the late submission of an assignment, marks are deducted from the final
mark, at a rate of two marks on the aggregation scale (see above) for every
day or part of a day the work is late up to a maximum of 5 days. No
assignment is accepted more than 5 days after the due date for submission.
The weekend (Saturday and Sunday) is counted as one day for the purpose of
this rule.
Although this is not an exhaustive list, "good cause" does NOT include the following:
- (a) computer failure or other IT difficulty;
- (b) illness which has insufficient connection in time or severity to the submission date;
- (c) bereavement, other than that of a very close family member.
It is the responsibility of students to organise their time properly.
When the
deadline for submission has been known well in advance, but work is left
until the last minute, any failure to meet the deadline because of a minor
illness or an IT difficulty is not the result of an unavoidable external
problem but is the result of a failure in the student's own
time-management.
The Centre's policy is that there are NO extensions for late submission
of course work.
Exceptionally penalties for late submission may be waived where written evidence is produced to support
such a waiver. In the case of medical grounds this must take the form of a
doctor's certificate indicating clearly the dates or period to which the
medical condition applies. Doctors are unwilling to see patients for
short-term minor illness such as colds or 'flu' for which there is no
medical treatment in the ordinary case other than letting the illness take
its course. Where a medical problem is more serious or more prolonged and
requires prescribed medication, there should be no difficulty in getting
either a medical certificate or an extension. In the case of a family
bereavement a letter from the student or a member of the immediate family,
clergy or doctor is acceptable. This should state as a minimum, date of
bereavement, date of funeral, relationship of deceased to student. Only
sickness or major life crises will be considered. Where such evidence is
produced attached to the late submission the module organiser will refer
the matter to the Director of the Centre who has the discretion to accept
the
late submission and reduce or waive the penalties. A note of the decision
will be recorded and notified to: the student's file and the module
organiser who will advise the student concerned. If late submission is
wholly or partially waived, the student is advised that any mark given is
provisional and subject to confirmation by the board of examiners.
It
should be noted that NO work can be accepted after the same has been marked
and returned to the rest of the class. In such cases a zero must be
awarded for the work and any extenuating circumstances can be brought to
the attention of the board of examiners.
No extensions will be granted
for the literature review or research dissertations but any mitigating
factors, again supported by appropriate medical or other certification, can
be taken into account by the board of examiners.
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Marking of coursework
There is internal moderation of all assignments to ensure that the marking is fair, rigorous and reflects the
intended learning outcomes of the module and hence standards. This is achieved by the review of all work for all
students at the end of the module. The external examiner for the course is a medical practitioner in active
forensic medicine practice. There are two internal examiners, one of whom is the course organiser.
Together the external examiner and the two internal examiners constitute the board of examiners.
Any information on marks or performance that is provided to students prior to completion of moderation and
approval by the board of examiners is necessarily provisional, and subject to change by moderation,
and the decision of the board of examiners. The board of examiners may take account of extenuating circumstances
affecting a candidate's performance.
The standard university assessment scale is used for all assessments within all modules and for all modules
within the programme. Click here to visit the
document link on the Univerity website.
The scale is reproduced here in PDF format which is more suitable for
printing.
Page 2 of this document relates the assessment scale to the specific
requirements of the Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine.
This scale will be used for reporting grades to students and will be used on all official University transcripts.
The alpha-numeric reporting scale is associated with an aggregation scale which is used to aggregate elements of assessment
together to obtain an overall module grade. For the MFM no overall course grade is given, except that an
aggregated grade of A3/Excellent or above on the assessment scale will lead to the award of the degree with distinction.
Since the course assessment is by course work throughout the year there is no provision for a resit examination
for a student who fails the course work in the forensic medicine or forensic science taught modules.
A student who fails either one of the forensic medicine and forensic science modules will not be permitted to
proceed in the programme, and will be awarded the degree of Diploma in Forensic Medicine (DFM) only if the
aggregated mark for the two modules is D3/Satisfactory or above on the assessment scale.
There is a provision for re-submission of the literature review or research dissertation if it is graded as less
than Satisfactory.
Appeals are dealt with in accordance with the University's appeal procedures, the details of which can be
found on the university web pages.
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DIFFICULTIES AND FEEDBACK
If you have any difficulties with the course there are a number of ways in which you can get help.
If you are having problems with understanding material you should be able to get help at tutorials or seminars or you
could approach the lecturer or tutor dealing with that part of the course. Questions about the organisation of the
course or the examining arrangements should be taken up with the course organiser.
Students will meet regularly with the course organiser. These meetings will provide a regular opportunity for students,
as a group or individually, to raise problems and matters of concern as well as to discuss the progress of literature
reviews and research projects. Students should feel free to raise urgent problems with the course organiser, or their
supervisor, immediately they arise rather than waiting for regular meetings.
Comments about the course can also be made through your student representative on the Faculty Post-graduate Committee.
For each of the two taught modules, and for the course as a whole, students will be asked to complete anonymous
feedback questionnaires which are used to improve and develop the course.
The information obtained will be studied by the course staff and the Post-graduate Committee.
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APPENDIX 1: FORENSIC MEDICINE MODULE
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
- A detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of the science and art of forensic medicine
- A critical awareness of current issues in forensic medicine
Skills:
- The ability to apply their knowledge to accurately observe and document medico-legal findings
- The ability to interpret forensic medical evidence with objectivity and balance
-
- The ability to communicate with peers and more senior specialists orally and in writing
- The ability to concisely and cogently critique medico-legal opinions based upon current medical literature
Lecture topics:
- Introduction, Wounds 1
- Wounds 2
- Post Mortem Changes and Time of Death
- Gunshot Wounds
- Alcohol and Drugs
- Assignment 1 Discussion
- Death and Related Matters: Certification, Disposal & Organ Transplantation
- Death Investigation
- Assignment 2 Discussion
- Bodies recovered from Fire and Water
- Asphyxia
- Personality Profiling of Assailants
- Sexual Offences and Child Abuse
- Assignment 3 Discussion
- Assignment 4 Discussion
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APPENDIX 2: FORENSIC SCIENCE MODULE
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
- Have an understanding of the principles and practice of physical evidence collection and preservation
- Have a critical understanding of the principles underpinning the various class and individualising tests
performed by the laboratory, for each type of physical evidence
Skills:
- The ability to retrieve, critically review published literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis
- The ability to communicate with peers and more senior specialists orally and in writing
- The ability to use a wide range of software to support and enhance the above
- The ability to take responsibility for own work and to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in a learning environment
Seminar topics:
- Laboratory Instruments and Techniques in Forensic Science
- Physical Match and Fingerprints
- Fingerprints
- Fibres & Hairs
- Blood spatter, Serology & DNA
- Drugs and Document Examination
- Firearms
- Paint and Road Traffic Accidents
- Statistical Analysis
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APPENDIX 3: LITERATURE REVIEW DISSERTATION OR RESEARCH DISSERTATION
(a) Literature review dissertation
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
- critical awareness of current issues in forensic medicine
Skills:
- The ability to retrieve, critically review published literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis
-
- The ability to communicate with peers and more senior specialists orally and in writing
- The ability to use a wide range of software to support and enhance the above
- The ability to take responsibility for own work and to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in a
learning environment
(b) Research dissertation
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should have:
- Knowledge of safety procedures as they apply within a scientific laboratory
- An attitude which values honesty, frankness, and integrity in scientific research.
- The ability to plan and execute a significant project of research or investigation
- The ability to retrieve, critically review published literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis
- The ability to take responsibility for own work and to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in a project
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APPENDIX 4: UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE SENATUS ACADEMICUS
REGULATIONS GOVERNING PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
{Note: these Regulations apply to all undergraduate and postgraduate
degrees, diplomas and certificates}
- 1. The University's degrees and other academic awards are granted in
recognition of a candidate's personal achievement.
- 2. Any action on the part of a candidate which involves plagiarism
(defined as the unacknowledged use of another's work as if it were one's
own exemplified by copying from a source without acknowledgement of its
origin) or other form of academic dishonesty, in work which may be assessed
as part of the requirements for an academic award, will be regarded as a
serious offence.
- 3. Where a substantive case of academic dishonesty or plagiarism is
detected by an examiner, a written or oral report shall be made to the
Board of Examiners(1) concerned, along with one of the following
recommendations:
- that the examiner is satisfied that the matter should
be noted but requires no further action by the Board(1) because it involves
no more than a single lapse or a very few minor lapses which have been
taken into account in the examiner's assessment of the work; or
- that the nature of the academic dishonesty is such that in the examiner's
opinion it is appropriate to reduce the candidate's mark by a specified
amount to reflect the examiner's assessment of the extent of the cheating;
or
- that the nature of the academic dishonesty, and/or its extent, is
so significant that the examiner is unable to penalise the work adequately
by a reduction in marks and that the Board of Examiners(1) should consider
it as a serious case of cheating.
- 4(1) In the case of a recommendation from
an examiner in terms of Regulation 3(2) the Board of Examiners(1) has the
discretion to adjust the marks and results up to the point where the
academic rating for the piece of work in question is reduced to zero with
whatever consequences would normally follow from such performance,
including loss of class in the case of honours examinations, or failure in
the case of other examinations.
- 4(2) A Board of Examiners(1) has no power
to make a greater adjustment to marks by way of penalty for what it regards
as a more serious and substantial case of academic dishonesty. Where a
Board of Examiners(1) believes the extent of the dishonesty in terms of
Regulation 3(3) to be such that sanction over and above the disallowance of
work is appropriate, as detailed a report as possible of the circumstances
of the offence should be sent to the Academic Secretary who will arrange
for it to be considered along with his recommendation concerning the
subsequent action which might be taken by the University Committee on
Academic Dishonesty. In such a case, any decision by the Board of
Examiners(1) concerning that particular student shall be suspended pending
the decision of the Committee.
- 4(3) The decision of the Committee on
Academic Dishonesty shall be final except in those cases where the
Committee believes refusal to award a degree or other qualification or
exclusion from the University is appropriate. In such cases the Committee
shall make a recommendation to the Senate.
November 2000
Footnotes
(1) or the Director of the Centre in cases where academic dishonesty or plagiarism is
detected in
coursework undertaken during the academic year. This is to ensure that
matters may be dealt with expeditiously in the interests of the students
concerned rather than having to wait for the annual meeting of the Board of
Examiners in June.
(2) Any such decision of the Senatus is subject to the
provision of Statute 9(5)(b).
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