master in forensic science

memet

hi
anybody is aware of the existence of such master in ireland?
i only found english universities that do it

seems also only taught courses are involved for forensic science, so are there no research opportunities?

Enright

a friend of mine graduated fron Edinborough witha degree in forensic science, not a sniff of a job here in this country, appearently there are very few positions in this area. There is a better chance of getting an acting job with csi that in forensic science. He is now retraining as a school teacher!

sorry to be the bearer of bad news

memet

thanks enright
i had the impression as u say its a very enclosed environment
probably i just have to ask my lecturers to get a better idea
what to do..

Baron_Kunkel

There are no masters degrees in the country and the only undergraduate courses are through DIT and LIT (Limerick). These courses are lumped in with other science disciplines to attract students caught in the headlight glare of glamerous fictional soap operas....more dosh for the colleges one presumes and free advertising to boot. The Forensic Science Laboratory only hire qualified Ph.Ds and not very many. Employees at the lab come from science backgrounds in chemistry, microbiology, genetics etc.

N.B. If your heart is set on this carreer path start your masters/doctorate in genetics now. The DNA database of offenders is due for ratification in the short to medium term by the Dept of Justice and the Forensic science DNA Lab will be boosting its numbers considerably and may need to lower its sights to masters graduates as I doubt there would be the required number of Docors in the market.

dfx-

Baron_Kunkel wrote: »

There are no masters degrees in the country and the only undergraduate courses are through DIT and LIT (Limerick). These courses are lumped in with other science disciplines to attract students caught in the headlight glare of glamerous fictional soap operas....more dosh for the colleges one presumes and free advertising to boot. The Forensic Science Laboratory only hire qualified Ph.Ds and not very many. Employees at the lab come from science backgrounds in chemistry, microbiology, genetics etc.

As a graduate of the DIT course, I'd agree that other science disciplines are thrown in. Effectively you are an analytical chemist with a specialisation, so to speak, in forensic analysis. Also the title of "and Environmental Analysis" gives that away.

Out of +/- 30, I only know of one of us who has chosen Strathclyde's world-renowned masters course. Difficult to get into it though..they can be very selective, but have differing end degrees depending on progress and student ability. Personally, the undergrad stuff at DIT was enough for me:)

Gibbs

Baron_Kunkel wrote: »

There are no masters degrees in the country and the only undergraduate courses are through DIT and LIT (Limerick). These courses are lumped in with other science disciplines to attract students caught in the headlight glare of glamerous fictional soap operas....more dosh for the colleges one presumes and free advertising to boot. The Forensic Science Laboratory only hire qualified Ph.Ds and not very many. .

This post is completely misinformed. The course in DIT is taught only to forensic students, with the exception of 2 or 3 modules, which are co-taught. It trains people to be analytical scientists/chemists, and offers some specialised topics in forensic and environmental areas. Compare this with the likes of DCU, which co-teach about 8 science courses for two years. With reference to dfx post, it is not responsible for a college to over-specialise at degree level, which some UK courses do; as it severely limits employment prospects.

The forensic lab hires graduates from Level 7 degrees (used to be called diploma) upwards. Check recent adverts from the lab to verify that.

With reference to OP, it is possible to do postgraduate research in forensic science. What area are you interested in?

sunnyjim

While not misinformed, you're not helping this guy, Gibbs.

The forensics students do quite a bit more than 2 or 3 modules with the others. I'm only here 7 months and I'm on 3 with ye already, and thats not including labs.

The lab states a minimum is a level 7 degree. But unless you've got buckets of clout and a wealth of experience, you're not getting in without a masters.