What is a Forensic Science Graduate

1
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?

• Richard Smith,
• Director, Science and Technology
• SEMTA
• The Sector Skills Council For Science,
  Engineering and
• Manufacturing Technology
• Rsmith_at_semta.org.uk
• 0207 227 8417
• 07740 637 347

2
Forensic Science GraduateSEMTA Research
Background

• Commissioned by employers to research
  proliferation of forensic science degrees
• 50 degree programmes and over 350 possible course
  combinations
• Funded jointly by the LTSN network and HEFCE
• Employer concerns about impact on industry and
  student expectations
• Report due for publication in June 04

3
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?A
University Perspective

• Employable in the forensic science sector or
  police related forensic work Scientific support
  units
• Employable in the wider science community
  Chemical and Pharmaceutical industries
• A convert to Science Would not normally have
  undertaken a science degree
• For some other science degrees would have been
  considered
• 5 out of 6 institutions over supply

4
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?Student
Expectations

• 45 of students hope to work as a Scenes of Crime
  Officer or Fingerprint Officer after graduating
• 20 hope to work for a provider of Forensic
  Science services after graduating
• 13 of students had no idea what they would do
  following graduation
• Skills students hope to gain from their studies
  20 cited the ability to apply Forensic Science
  in their work, and a further 20 the development
  of their interpersonal and communication skills.
  Others prominently mentioned were analytical
  skills and laboratory skills

5
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?Employers
Perspective

• Employers in both the Forensic Science sector and
  in other Science areas consider Chemistry a more
  desirable degree
• The ideal combination for these employers is a
  Chemistry first degree with an MSc in Forensic
  Science.

6
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?Employers
Perspective

• Most employers were unaware of forensic science
  BScs
• Those who were, criticised the courses for lack
  of clarity and consistency Content
• Diversity of degrees viewed by some as a weakness
• Pure science degrees favoured Chemistry

7
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?Other
Factors

• Government policy towards HE 50 participation
• Increase in the number of students studying
  fashionable degrees Forensic Science
• Employers have doubts about content, knowledge
  and scientific literacy needed to perform at work
• Argument that 50 target could affect jobs Over
  supply of graduates entering the market

8
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?Draft
Conclusions

• BSc Forensic Science degrees have been a success
  in their own right
• More young people attracted to study science
• Concerns raised by employers over diversity and
  content
• Too many degrees weaken the preferred pure
  science BScs which employers favour
• Students have cited their desire to undertake
  police/forensic work Many will be disappointed

9
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?The Way
Forward

• Review marketing process in respect of student
  expectations
• Consider variability and diversity of course
  content Consider QA process which employers and
  HE to agree on
• Establish national mechanism for employer
  consultation

10
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?Preferred
Conclusion

• Scientifically literate
• Sound higher education experience grounded in
  Chemistry
• Employable across the forensic and wider science
  communities
• Informed and aware of all career and learning
  options
• Holds a degree which is valued by the student and
  industry

11
What is a Forensic Science Graduate?

• Richard Smith,
• Director, Science and Technology
• SEMTA
• The Sector Skills Council For Science,
  Engineering and
• Manufacturing Technology
• Rsmith_at_semta.org.uk
• 0207 227 8417
• 07740 637 347