Summary

This course helps students to develop a wide range of scientific and investigatory skills including scientific procedures and techniques, criminal investigating procedures and forensic genetics to name a few. This course will start in September and there are limited places available; if you are interested in joining one of the most successful colleges in the country, please contact us via the details below Please note the Foundation Diploma is the first year of a two year programme and is equivalent to 1 and an half A Levels, and as such, will form part of a two year study programme whereby you will go to the second year to the Extended Diploma and earn the equivalent of 3 A levels.

In this course you will study:

Unit 1: Principles and Applications of Science I

• Demonstrate knowledge of scientific facts, terms, definitions and scientific formulae
• Demonstrate understanding of scientific concepts, procedures, processes and techniques and their application
• Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information to make judgements and reach conclusions
• Make connections, use and integrate different scientific concepts, procedures, processes or techniques

Unit 2: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

• Undertake titration and colorimetry to determine the concentration of solutions
• Undertake calorimetry to study cooling curves
• Undertake chromatographic techniques to identify components in mixtures
• Review personal development of scientific skills for laboratory work

Unit 3: Science Investigation Skills

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, procedures, processes and techniques and their application in a practical investigative context
• Interpret and analyse qualitative and quantitative scientific information to make reasoned judgements and draw conclusions based on evidence in a practical investigative context
• Evaluate practical investigative procedures used and their effect on the qualitative and quantitative scientific information obtained to make reasoned judgements
• Be able to make connections between different scientific concepts, procedures, processes and techniques to make a hypothesis and write a plan for a practical investigation

Unit 4: Forensic Investigation Procedures in Practice

• Explore procedures used to preserve, collect and record forensic evidence from a simulated crime scene
• Use analytical techniques to examine forensic evidence collected from a simulated crime scene
• Draw conclusions and report on the results of the analysis of forensic evidence

Unit 5: Applications of Criminology

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the criminological theories used to explain criminal behaviour, crime prevention and punishment methods, and the impact of crime on society
• Apply knowledge and understanding of criminological theories and information provided to explain criminal behaviour, crime prevention and punishment methods, and the impact of crime on society
• Be able to rationalise and make reasoned decisions based on interpretation and analysis of information and synthesis of knowledge and understanding

Unit 6: Criminal Investigation Procedures in Practice

• Understand the legal framework that criminal law investigators must adhere to in order to secure a criminal conviction
• Explore procedures and the resources available in criminal investigations
• Develop communication skills as a professional witness in a mock criminal trial

Unit 8: Physiology of Human Body Systems

• Understand the impact of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and their associated corrective treatments
• Understand the impact of disorders on the physiology of the lymphatic system and the associated corrective treatments
• Explore the physiology of the digestive system and the use of corrective treatments for dietary-related diseases

Unit 15: Practical Chemical Analysis

• Investigate quantitative analysis on the components of matrices to determine their composition
• Investigate spectroscopic techniques to identify compounds and determine concentrations
• Investigate chromatographic techniques to identify components and determine the amounts present in samples

Course assessment:

• Unit 1: Exam (2 hours)
• Unit 2: Coursework
• Unit 3: Controlled assessment
• Unit 4: Coursework
• Unit 5: Controlled assessment
• Unit 6: Coursework
• Unit 8: Coursework
• Unit 15: Coursework

This Level 3 course is based at our Stroud campus in the centre of Gloucestershire, surrounded by the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The campus is a short walk from Stroud train station and easily accessible by bus.

What do I need to join?

5 GCSEs grade 4-9 including a 4 in Maths, English Language and a 44 in Science

Work Experience

You will be required to do a minimum of 36 hours of work experience. This is usually completed in a week during your first year in term time, where you will have the opportunity to explore a career field which takes your interest. In the lead-up to this week, you will be asked to create an exciting CV during a group tutorial period. The aim of this activity is to give you an idea of what full-time employment is like and to help you think about which career you would like to follow.

What can I do next?

Students who study Forensic and Criminal Investigation do so with the aim to study this further at university. This field of study leads to careers such as: Forensic Investigation, Fraud Investigation, Social Care, Trading Standards, Intelligence Services and many others.