Biological and Forensic Sciences with foundation year
Biological and forensic sciences is a combination that brings together two disciplines with deep natural connections. Biology provides the foundational understanding of living systems, from cellular and molecular processes to ecology and genetics, while forensic science applies that biological knowledge in a legal and investigative context, using scientific analysis to answer questions about crime, identity, cause of death, and trace evidence. At Coventry University, this four-year, full-time programme begins with a foundation year, providing a supportive and rigorous introduction to the sciences before the main degree, making it an excellent route for students building their confidence in scientific study.
Through the degree you will develop laboratory skills in areas including microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry, alongside specialist forensic techniques such as DNA profiling, toxicology, bloodstain pattern analysis, and scene investigation. You will learn to apply scientific reasoning to real-world problems, to interpret complex biological evidence, and to communicate findings with the precision that legal and investigative contexts demand. The programme includes a sandwich placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain substantial professional experience in either a biological or forensic science setting, as well as a year abroad and work placement opportunities that broaden your perspective and professional skills further.
Graduates of biological and forensic sciences find careers in forensic laboratories, police services, environmental science, healthcare, pharmaceutical research, and the life sciences industry, as well as in academic and applied research. Many also go on to postgraduate study in forensic science, biology, or related fields. If you are drawn to the rigour and detail of scientific investigation and want to apply biological knowledge in contexts where the stakes genuinely matter, this programme provides a comprehensive and professionally focused foundation.