UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

UNDERGRADUATE

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Programme Title:

Policing & Criminal Investigation

Awarding Body:

Staffordshire University

Accreditation:

Final Awards:

BSc (Hons) Policing & Criminal

Investigation

Intermediate Awards:

BSc Policing & Criminal Investigation

Cert HE, Dip HE

Mode of Study

Full time and Part Time

UCAS Codes:

FM4X

QAA Subject Benchmarks: There are no benchmark standards

for this type of award

Professional/Statutory Body

Date of Production:

April 2012

Date of Revision:

June 2012

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EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

To provide a broad knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of policing and criminal investigation

To train the student to become proficient in the collection, documentation, and analysis of intelligence from both physical and witness evidence

To enable the student to act the role of investigator (in presenting evidence in a mock courtroom) and interviewer/interviewee (in a mock interview scenario). To develop transferable skills, especially in team working and in the

communication and reporting of evidence in a fashion understandable to the general public.

To develop research skills that the learner can utilise effectively to pursue independent work in a specified area within the discipline of policing and investigation

What is distinctive about this programme?

 An innovative mix of both the theoretical and practical elements of policing and criminal investigation

 Use of crime scene house to develop investigative skills through practical application

 The examination and investigation of both volume and serious incidents from the crime scene to court

 Highly knowledgeable and dedicated staff with vast experience of all aspect of criminal investigation and policing

 At level 4 students will study modules in common with the Forensic investigation award. Meaning that at the end of first year students from both awards will have the opportunity to swap from each to each other, without the necessity to complete additional modules.

The Staffordshire Graduate in Policing and Criminal Investigation

The Staffordshire Graduate represents a set of qualities that the University

passionately believes is necessary for success in the 21st century. The Staffordshire Graduate is a reflective and critical learner with a global perspective, prepared to contribute in the world of work.

The BSc (Hons) degree in Policing and Criminal Investigation aims to produce graduates who are reflective and critical learners, with a global perspective, and who are prepared for the world of work whether that is in the policing arena or elsewhere. .

Across all levels of the degrees and across all Policing and Criminal Investigation modules, we aim to provide our graduates with discipline expertise. We instil a

critical knowledge of the discipline that is underpinned by the experience, research and scholarship of the academic staff and which strives to reflect the key issues that affect the world in which we live. At level 4 we provide an introduction to forensic science and policing to provide Policing and Criminal Investigation students the transferable skills required for the workplace. At level 5 and 6, key areas of policing procedure and investigation methods are studied and expertise is further developed by the introduction of specialist modules that allow the depth of the world of criminal investigation to be discovered.

As part of our commitment to ensuring that Policing and Criminal Investigation graduates demonstrate professionalism, we aim to produce graduates who are equipped to enter the world of work and are enterprising or entrepreneurial by nature. We use tutorial modules, practical work, case study analysis, crime scene analysis and research projects, to develop and refine the transferable skills (and the confidence and proficiencies that such skills endow) that create

graduates with the abilities that employers seek. Policing and Criminal

Investigation students who are enterprising are not only innovative in how they think and conduct their work, but are creative in seeking solutions based on the knowledge and skills that the curricula impart.

In order to capitalize on the knowledge and understanding that the degrees aim to develop, effective communication and an ability to work in teams and with diverse stakeholders, are seen as essential attributes of our graduates. The development of communication, presentation and team working skills lie at the heart of the Policing and Criminal Investigation degree and are nurtured from first principles to a high level of proficiency in many of the thematic modules and, especially, through tutorial programmes, practical sessions and modules that reflect professional practice. We aim to produce graduates that are confident in communicating correct policing terminology, investigative methods and related legislation in a formal setting such as a court room. Ample practice time is provided to hone these presentation skills, for example, in the Case File to Court module at level 6, where students present case findings in a mock court scenario. Employers also value independence of thought and a creative ability to find

solutions. The degree in Policing and Criminal Investigation enables students to take ownership of their learning – whether individually or in groups – and

encourages independence of thought and problem-solving across a spectrum of activities: in the conduct of a research dissertation or in analysing information from a criminal case; in student-led investigative projects; in critical reading and writing in thematic modules; or in tutorial discussions and presentations.

These are essential attributes of the critical, reflective and life-long learners that Staffordshire graduates are expected to become. Throughout the three years of the degree, students are encouraged to develop their understanding through critical reflection; to question different views and perspectives and to use both their generic and specialist skills (including analytical and digital technologies) to recognize and resolve problems.

Increasingly those problems are set in a global context and globalisation and global citizenship are central to the way that police investigators look at the world. The majority of the thematic modules that structure these awards explore understandings of how global policing and legal systems work; how those systems impact upon individuals; and how graduate Policing and Criminal Investigation students can work professionally to manage global issues.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

What will this programme teach me to do? At the end of your studies you should be able to:

Subject Specific

Critically evaluate results and produce a comprehensive file for presentation in court or to progress other legal outcomes

Knowledge & Understanding

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects, at least some of which lies at the forefront of policing and criminal investigation and its applications.

Learning

Demonstrate a capacity to drive and sustain independent learning and to evaluate individual contributions to team working.

Enquiry

Select, deploy and adapt techniques and methodologies to carry out a team project in crime investigation and analysis, and in an independent research project in a specific area of criminal investigation.

Analysis

Demonstrate and comment on current research or equivalent advanced scholarship. Make judgement as to its value in criminal investigation and analysis of evidence.

Problem Solving

Devise, refine and apply research questions to achieve a critical

understanding of issues of importance in criminal investigation and analysis of evidence.

Communication

Demonstrate an advanced standard of competence in a range of

communication skills, especially in presenting scientific information and evidence in a fashion understandable to the general public.

Application

Apply knowledge and skills learned to review, consolidate and extend further an advanced understanding of criminal investigation and other related

sciences to construct, articulate and defend advanced intellectual arguments and positions.

Reflection

Manage learning, exercise initiative and personal responsibility. Demonstrate the learning abilities, qualities and transferable skills necessary for

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, MODULES AND CREDITS

Potential award = CertHE (120 credits at L4 or higher)

L E V E L 4 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 SCS 82125-4 Introduction to Policing SCS 82106-4 Introduction to Forensic Science SCS82131-4 Science for Justice SHS82124-4 Recording the Crime Scene Subject Specific Option (15 credits) (To progress to Level 5 at least 90 credits must be passed)

Potential award = DipHE (240 credits passed with at least 120 at L5)

L E V E L 5 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 SCS82216-5 Crime and Dishonesty SCS82223-5

Investigative Skills SCS82227-5 _Community Policing and Public Order (30 credits) SCS82226-5 Research and Professional Skills For Policing (15 credits) Subject Specific Option (15 credits)

(To progress to Level 6 at least 210 credits must be passed including ***

Potential award = Honours Degree (360 credits passed with at least 120 at Lev6 & no more than 120 at L4) L E V E L 6 Teaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2 SCS82313-6 Independent Project Policing and Criminal Investigation SCS82322-6 Intelligence and Major Crime Investigation (30 credits) SCS82320-6 Case File to Court Subject Specific Option (15 credits) Subject Specific Option (15 credits)

Please see Policing and Criminal Investigation student handbook for list of currently available options

HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED?

Students gain experience and knowledge, and learn in many different ways, over the course of your degree, you will be taught by a variety of learning and teaching strategies, which will include lectures, practical sessions, project supervision, demonstrations, and workshops. Many conducted in a classroom or laboratory environment, but will include number of hands on practical sessions and realistic crime scene scenarios and role-play situations.

During your course where possible you will be given the opportunity to put into practice that which you learn in theory. At levels 4 and 5 this is facilitated by the use of 30 credit modules delivered over two semesters. This style of delivery allows for an integrated approach to theory and practice. Meaning you can undertake practical work and demonstrations alongside your theory classes. This in turn exposes you to a variety of processes and equipment types you may make use of in future careers.

Level 4 focuses on the delivery of principles and concepts relating to policing, and forensic investigation elements, you will also have your first introduction to a crime scene scenario. Lectures and practical sessions will be supported by small group tutorials. Your average class contact will be 12 hours at this level.

Level 5 develops your skills and knowledge gained at level 4, by introducing investigative skills and statement taking. This is achieved through the use of group practical sessions. Level 5 will also see a change of learning focus to a more student-centred, independent style with average class contact of 8 -10 hours.

There is an even greater shift of emphasis to student-centred, independent study in your final year. Individual one to one tutorial sessions are required to ensure successful completion of your Policing Independent Project. You will also further develop your time management, team working and problem solving skills through attendance at mock crime scenes and subsequent file preparation and attendance at a moot court. This level also allows you to select combinations of options modules to develop potential career paths. Average contact hours (including project time) will be 12-13 hours per week. In conjunction with the tutor led sessions, directed study supports and builds upon the knowledge and skills learnt in class to provide a fuller understanding of the subject. Personal and module tutors are on hand to provide support to students to discuss queries. The curriculum is structured so that skills and knowledge developed in core modules can be transferred, re-applied and further developed. Regular meetings are built into the personal tutorial system and personal development planning to ensure that students constantly reflect upon, adapt and enhance their learning.

Assessment

The Forensic and Crime Science department employs an innovative range of assessments including essays, examinations, poster presentations, reports, laboratory notes, data worksheets, oral presentations, and role play exercises. This is to: ensure that learning outcomes are tested in the most appropriate way; reflect the sorts of tasks you may be asked to undertake in your future career; and recognise that learners have different abilities. Although the practical and skills based nature of Policing and Criminal Investigation and its delivery at Staffordshire University means that some emphasis is placed on coursework, formal examinations and class tests are also used to assess knowledge-based and problem-solving elements across all levels.

Please see module descriptors for a full breakdown of the assessment requirement for each of the core modules you will take during the course - module descriptors can be searched for through the following web address, using the module codes listed in the programme structure above: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/student/modules/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

What qualifications would I need to join this programme?

The entry requirements for the award are normally:

240 points to include two Advanced GCE/ VCEs.

240 points to include 160 points in an appropriate VCE Double Award BTEC National Diploma in an appropriate subject with at least 3 merit

grades

Scottish Leaving Certificate with passes in five separate subjects. 240 points to include two passes at Scottish Advanced Higher. Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of five Higher passes. International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 28 points

Other deemed appropriate in accordance with tariffs accepted by the University.

English Requirements for International Students without English as a first language

IELTS overall minimum score of 6.0 or equivalent

Disability Statement

Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching and learning to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study_here/disabled_students/index.jsp

Further information about the award can be found in the relevant Student Handbook and on the University Website. This includes information about optional modules, learning outcomes at levels below

honours, student support, and academic regulations.

ADDENDUM FOR DELIVERY AT A PARTNER INSTITUTION

This section should record any matters within the programme specification which do not apply to the delivery at the partner. It should also note any differences in delivery, course content, module choice etc.

Name and location of partner NA Partnership Context

E.G., The awards listed below are part of a franchise arrangement with Staffordshire University.

Awards to be offered at partner NA Aims / Learning Outcomes NA Curricula NA Teaching and Learning NA Assessment NA Admissions Criteria NA Specific Regulations NA Date of completion NA

All of the above sections should be completed as appropriate for each partner organisation.