A forensic science course at IT Sligo has become the first on the island of Ireland to be granted accreditation by the UK professional awarding body, the Chartered Society of Forensic Science in December 2013.
The highly prized seal of approval has been awarded to the BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation and Analysis programme.
The Forensic Science Society (FSSoc) is an international professional body with members in more than 60 countries. Recently, it was accorded the honour of being granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth and changed its name to the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
The FSSoc accreditation rating is a quality mark which signifies that the degree’s taught and practice components, the Institute’s scientific facilities and staff expertise meet the Society’s highest standards.
IT Sligo now joins an elite list of UK universities with FSSoc accreditation. They include King’s College London, Keele, Kent, East Anglia, Portsmouth, Abertay Dundee and South Wales.
The accolade comes as IT Sligo presses ahead with plans for a major boost to its scientific facilities as a five year €35 million expansion nears completion.
Following the opening of the new McMunn Science Building in September 2014 the forensic science students on the course will have access to a dedicated forensic science laboratory, a microscopy suite and a state of the art analytical science laboratory
Forensic Science lecturer Dr Aodhmar Cadogan, who has been leading the accreditation drive, said: “We have been working towards Forensic Science Society Accreditation since forensic science was introduced here in 2005.”
“It is enormously important because it represents verification of the course by an expert panel of outside assessors.
“It adds even more value and prestige to the level 8 Honours degree and students have the assurance that they are getting an internationally recognised qualification that they can take anywhere in the world.”
The wide-ranging honours course covers elements such as analytical chemical techniques, crime scene management, human genetics and court room practice. It is designed to provide students with the essential components required by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science to become practising forensic scientists and analytical scientists.
The four year degree equips graduates for a variety of career opportunities. These can include policing and forensic science laboratory roles but the majority of graduates go on to jobs in industry, applying chemical analysis skills in food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other companies, while others go on to do postgraduate research.
Dr Jeremy Bird, Head of the School of Science, said: “Chartered Society of Forensic Science Accreditation elevates this course to a very distinctive new level. It signifies that this internationally renowned body is satisfied that our course is suitable for students who want to undertake professional careers in areas of forensic science and analytical chemistry.
“Importantly, also, it is indicative of the regard the Chartered Society of Forensic Science has for the professionalism of the lecturing staff and the top quality research and study facilities that are available at IT Sligo.”
Photo captions:
Forensic Science: Forensic Science lecturers Dr Aodhmar Cadogan (pictured on right ) and Dr Eadaoin Tyrrell prepare drug samples for laboratory analysis at ITSligo.
Forensic Science: (l-r) Dr Aodhmar Cadogan, lecturer in Forensic Science, Dr Jeremy Bird, Head of School of Science, and Forensic Science lecturer ,Dr Eadaoin Tyrrell , in the laboratory at IT Sligo.