UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM FACULTY OF SCIENCE TEACHING AND EXAMINATION REGULATIONS PART B: programme specific section Academic year 2015 2016 MASTER S PROGRAMME IN FORENSIC SCIENCE Chapter 1 Article 1.1 Article 1.2 Article 1.3 Chapter 2 Article 2.1 Article 2.2 Chapter 3 Article 3.1 Article 3.2 Article 3.3 Article 3.4 Article 3.5 Article 3.6 Chapter 4 Article 4.1 Article 4.2 Article 4.3 Article 4.4 Article 4.5 Article 4.6 Article 4.7 Article 4.8 Article 4.9 Article 4.10 Article 4.11 Chapter 5 Article 5.1 Article 5.2 Article 5.3 Article 5.4 General provisions Definitions Study programme information Enrolment Programme objectives and exit qualifications Programme objectives Exit qualifications Further admission requirements Admission requirements Pre Master s programme Limited programme capacity Final deadline for registration English language requirements Free curriculum Curriculum structure Composition of programme Compulsory components Literature Thesis Forensic Science Colloquia Forensic Science Research Project Forensic Science Forensic Elective and Specialisation Courses Sequence of examinations Participation in courses and rules for priority admission Validity period for results Degree Double Master s Programme Transitional and final provisions Amendments and periodic review Transitional provisions Publication Effective date Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 1
Chapter 1. General Provisions Article 1.1 Definitions a. Compulsory courses: courses that are compulsory for all students. b. Literature Thesis : a component of 5 ECTS credits comprising research into the literature, always resulting in a written report. Where necessary, the definition of a Master s thesis is further refined in Part B of these Regulations (with specific information on the individual programmes). c. Colloquia: are defined as either Frontiers of Forensic Science lecture sessions organized by the MSc Forensic science and the Co van Ledden Hulsbosch Center or as the presentations held by other forensic science students defending their Literature Thesis or Research Project. Where necessary, the definition of a colloquia is further refined in Part B of these Regulations. d. Research project: a component of 36 ECTS credits comprising an internship, always resulting in a written report. Where necessary, the definition of a Master s thesis is further refined in Part B of these Regulations (with specific information on the individual programmes) Article 1.2 Study programme information 1. The Master s programme in Forensic Science CROHO number 60338 is offered on a full time basis and the language of instruction is English. This means that the Code of Conduct for Foreign Languages at the UvA 2000 and the provisions laid down in Section 7.2 of the Act apply (see Appendix 3 of part A). 2. The programme has a workload of 120 EC and concludes with a final examination. One ECTS credit equals 28 hours of study activities. 3. A unit of study comprises 6 EC or a multiple thereof, except for Literature Thesis and Colloquia which are registered separately from each other. Article 1.3 Enrolment The programme is offered starting in the first semester of the academic year only (1 September). Chapter 2. Programme objectives and exit qualifications Article 2.1 Programme objectives The objective of the master programme in the interdisciplinary field of Forensic Science is to educate students as scientists who are able to contribute independently to the scientific developments in forensics and to follow the developments within forensic research and its applications critically. Masters of Forensic Science are able to perform research independently within the discipline of their pre education, take into account the interdisciplinary character of the forensic sciences, and know the judicial system and the chain of evidence. Article 2.2 Exit qualifications At all events, a graduate of the study programme will have the following: Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 2
Knowledge and understanding 1. Graduates will know and understand the forensic process in detail, including the players and their roles, the statistical foundation for the interpretation of evidence, the judicial context and the quality requirements within the process. 2. Graduates will have gained an overview of the most common traces and knowledge of the classical forensic expert areas, the scientific principles of the main techniques used in those areas and the appropriate methods used for the analysis of the data generated by such techniques. 3. Graduates will have gained state of the art knowledge of the scientific developments within their bachelor's discipline and are able to integrate those within the forensic science to make innovative contributions to these areas. Applying Knowledge and understanding 4. Graduates will be able to apply their forensic knowledge to a basic forensic case including the application of the Bayesian paradigm for the interpretation of evidence. 5. Graduates are able to identify relevant forensic issues, to formulate appropriate research questions, develop an experimental set up and to design a project plan to answer their question and implement that plan under supervision. 6. Graduates are able to work autonomously and with others in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams and are able to apply their problem solving abilities in unfamiliar environments within multidisciplinary contexts related to the field of forensic science. Making judgements 7. Graduates are able to review situations critically and in a systematic way and are able to draw inferences on the basis of incomplete information; and they are aware of the limitations of these inferences. 8. Graduates will have knowledge of and insight into the role of forensic science in society and awareness of the standards required for scientific research in order to function adequately and autonomously in their future professions and reflect on societal problems. Communication 9. Graduates will be able to communicate findings and conclusions with solid argumentation both ly and with written reports to expert and non expert audiences in the legal context. Learning skills 10. Graduates will be able, through reflection, to independently identify and fill in possible gaps in knowledge required to solve problems, such as answering specific research questions, and to acquire the use of new tools where necessary. 11. Graduates are aware of their knowledge and competencies and have the ability to reflect upon their contribution and future professional development. Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 3
Chapter 3. Further admission requirements Article 3.1 Admission requirements Article 3.1.1 Admission to the Master s Programme in Forensic Science will be granted to: 1. Each person who has a Bachelor s Degree in the area of Exact Sciences, Information Sciences or Life Sciences from a Dutch university and meets the additional requirements as described in article 3.1.2 2. All students with a foreign qualification comparable to those stated in paragraph 1, on condition of sufficient command of written and spoken English. Foreign certificates will be evaluated on the basis of the criteria and procedures laid down by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic). 3. The Admissions Board will investigate whether interested parties meet the admission requirements. Article 3.1.2 Procedure and criteria 1. Admission can be granted when: The academic (WO) bachelor's Grade Point Average (GPA) is 6.6 or higher (according to the Dutch grading system). The GPA is the average of the bachelor's course grades weighed by course/study load. The professional (HBO) bachelor's Grade Point Average (GPA) is 7.0 or higher (according to the Dutch grading system). The GPA is the average of the bachelor's course grades weighed by course/study load. 2. Candidates have to present a strong, convincing motivation for choosing the Forensic Science programme. 3. Other Bachelor of science (or equivalent) oriented academic programs are not beforehand excluded. Their admissibility depends on the composition of the programmes and the type of courses. Examples of those programs are: BSc Electrical Engineering BSc Toxicology BSc Neurosciences BSc Pharmacy BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc Mechanical Engineering BSc Econometrics BSc Health Science 4. An assessment can be part of the intake procedure. Candidates can be assessed on behavioural characteristics which are required for the forensic work field, such as: Analytical skills Communicational abilities Entrepreneurship Organisational sensitivity Ability to perform under pressure 5. Candidates with a MSc degree in Exact Sciences, Information Sciences or Life Sciences can also apply. The Board of Examiners can decide to give exemptions for part of the Forensic science programme (e.g. specialisation courses). Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 4
Article 3.2 Pre Master s programme The master s programme Forensic Science does not offer a Pre Master s programme. Article 3.3 Limited programme capacity Not applicable. Article 3.4 Final deadline for registration A candidate must submit a request to be admitted to the programme before 1 May in the case of Dutch students, before 1 April in the case of EU students and before 1 February in the case of non EU students. Under exceptional circumstances, the Examinations Board may consider a request submitted after this closing date. Article 3.5 English language requirements 1. The proficiency requirement in English as the language of instruction can be met by the successful completion of one of the following examinations or an equivalent: The minimum scores required on the TOEFL test are: Internet based test (ibt): 90 Computer based test (CBT): 235 Paper based test (PBT): 580 Minimum score IELTS test: 6.5, at least 6 on each sub score (listening/reading/writing/speaking). A Cambridge Examination Score with a minimum test result of CAE A or B will also be accepted. For the CPE test a minimal score of C is required. 2. Those possessing a Bachelor s degree from a Dutch university satisfy the requirement of sufficient command of the English language. Article 3.6 Free curriculum 1. Subject to certain conditions, the student has the option of compiling a curriculum of his/her own choice which deviates from the curricula prescribed by the programme. 2. The concrete details of such a curriculum must be approved beforehand by the most appropriate Examinations Board. 3. The free curriculum is put together by the student from the units of study offered by the University of Amsterdam and must at least have the size, breadth and depth of a regular Master's programme. 4. The following conditions must at least have been met in order to be eligible for the Master's degree: 1. at least 60 EC must be obtained from the regular curriculum; 2. the level of the programme must match the objectives and exit qualifications that apply for the programme for which the student is enrolled. Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 5
Chapter 4. Curriculum structure Article 4.1 Composition of programme 1. The programme consists of the following components: Compulsory Courses 54 EC Literature Thesis Forensic Science: 5 EC Professional Development 1 EC Research Project Forensic Science 36 EC Forensic elective courses 6 12 EC Specialisation courses 12 18 EC Total 120 EC 2. Every component will be tested. Within the Master s programme Forensic Science different types of testing are used. This is described per component in the course catalogue. 3. Within the Master s programme Forensic Science different types of teaching methods are used. This is described per component in the course catalogue. Article 4.2 Compulsory Components Component Code Study load (EC) Period Teaching method Assessment Criminalistics and Analytical Chemistry 5274CRAC6Y 6 1/1 L, T written, Forensic Science Between 5274FSBC6Y 6 1/1 L, T, PR written Crime Scene and Research Reasoning and Formal Modelling 5274RFMF6Y 6 1/2 L, T, CP written for Forensic Science Statistics for Forensic Science 5274SFFS6Y 6 1/2 L, T written, Complex Crime Scenes 5274COCS6Y 6 1/3 L, T, CP written, Forensic Statistics and DNAevidence 5274FSDE6Y 6 1/4 L, T written, Criminal Law and Expert 5274CLEE6Y 6 1/5 L, T written Evidence Chain of Evidence 5274CHEV6Y 6 1/5 L, T, PR written, Policy, Ethics and Media 5274POEM6Y 6 1/6 L, T written, L = Lectures; T = Tutorials; CP = Computer practical, PR = practical, Article 4.3 Literature Thesis Forensic Science 1. The literature thesis is a mandatory part of the Forensic Sciences programme and counts for 5 EC. Details can be found in the Protocol Literature Thesis Forensic Science (see: www.student.uva.nl/fs). 2. If the deadline for writing the thesis is extended by more than 3 months, the lecturer can assess the thesis as insufficient. Article 4.4 Professional Development Forensic Science 1. The Professional Development component intends to prepare students for their future career through developing professional skills and attitude and is a mandatory part of the master Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 6
programme Forensic Science. 2. Students have to develop a portfolio and attend forensic colloquia in order to obtain 1 EC. 3. For the forensic colloquia students have to attend at least 20 presentations. From these 20 presentations, students have to attend at least 5 Frontiers of Forensic Science colloquia organized by the MSc Forensic Science and the Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center. Other colloquia presentations are defined as the presentations held by other forensic science students defending their Literature Thesis or Research Project. Article 4.5 Research Project Forensic Science 1. The Research Project is a mandatory part of the Forensic Science programme and is scheduled for 36 EC. Details can be found in the Protocol Research Project Forensic Science (see: www.student.uva.nl/fs). 2. As entry requirement for starting the research project generally all courses have to be completed. Also, the literature thesis has to be successfully finished before starting the research project. However, it is allowed to start the project with maximally 6 EC missing from electives or specialisation courses. Article 4.6 Forensic Elective and Specialisation Courses Article 4.6.1 Forensic Elective Courses The master s offers the following forensic elective courses. Students can chose 6 12 EC out of these courses. Component Code Study load (EC) Period Teaching method Assessment Physical and Forensic Anthropology 5274PHFA6Y 6 1/4 L, T, PR written, Cybercrime & cybersecurity VU University 6 1/4 (VU) Observer Based Techniques 5274OBBT6Y 6 2/2 L, T, CP written, L = Lectures; T = Tutorials; CP = Computer practical, PR = practical, Other possible elective courses will be announced in the study guide. Article 4.6.2 Specialisation Courses Students have to follow specialisation courses in line with their bachelor s discipline. According to their background, students can choose between the following specialisations (12 18EC): Specialisation Biological Sciences (with background in molecular biology) Biological Sciences (other than molecular biology background) Chemistry Information Technology other Courses Molecular Biology of the Cell + Advanced Forensic Biology + preapproved specialisation courses list (depending on availability of Biological course) Suitable courses can be chosen from the preapproved specialisation courses list Courses from preapproved specialisation courses list Courses from preapproved specialisation courses list Individual program Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 7
In consultation with the study adviser a student s study programme, containing all specialisation courses, has to be made at the end of the first year. A list with preapproved courses will be published in the study guide. If the student wishes to take a different subject than the units of study listed, advance permission must be obtained in writing from the Examinations Board. Article 4.7 Sequence of examinations Students may participate in examinations and/or practical exercises of the units below only if they have passed the examination or examinations for the units mentioned hereinafter: Course Chain of Evidence (5274CHEV6Y) Advanced Forensic Biology (5274ADFB6Y) Entry requirement Criminalistics and Analytical Chemistry (5274CRAC6Y) and Forensic Statistics and DNA Evidence (5274FSDE6Y) Forensic statistics and DNA evidence (5274FSDE6Y) and Molecular Biology of the Cell (5234MOBC6Y) Article 4.8 Participation in courses and rules for priority admission 1. Every student must enrol for every course component. To participate in courses, the student must meet the entry requirements of the course as stated in the study guide and must enrol within the period indicated in the UvA Course Catalogue and according to procedures mentioned there. The student may be refused the opportunity to participate if he/she does not enrol or fails to enrol in time. 2. Admission to courses with limited capacity takes place based on the order of enrolment. Students enrolled in the programme are given priority over others when enrolling for courses. 3. Persons who are not enrolled at the University have no right to participate in teaching and examinations. Article 4.9 Validity period of examinations The validity period of interim examinations and exemptions from interim examinations is limited to the academic year in which it was sat. Article 4.10 Degree Students who have successfully completed their Master's examination are awarded a Master of Science degree. The degree awarded is stated on the diploma. Article 4.11 Double Master s Programme In order to be awarded two Master s degrees or to have stated on the Master s diploma that two Master s programmes have been completed within the discipline, the following requirements must be met: 1. The total programme of the candidate should amount to at least 180 ECTS credits. 2. The candidate s work for the programme (lectures, research work, etc.), must be of such a standard that all the compulsory requirements of each of the two programmes have been met. 3. The candidate must have conducted separate research work for both Master s degrees. This may consist of two separate Master theses with supervisors from the respective study programmes. Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 8
4. The Examinations Boards of both study programmes must approve the student s double Master s programme before the student commences the double Master s programme. Chapter 5. Transitional and final provisions Article 5.1 Amendments and periodic review 1. Any amendment to the Teaching and Examination Regulations will be adopted by the dean after taking advice from the relevant Board of Studies. A copy of the advice will be sent to the authorised representative advisory body. 2. An amendment to the Teaching and Examination Regulations requires the approval of the authorised representative advisory body if it concerns components not related to the subject of Section 7.13, paragraph 2 sub a to g and v, and paragraph 4 of the WHW and the requirements for admission to the Master's programme. 3. An amendment to the Teaching and Examination Regulations is only permitted to concern an academic year already in progress if this does not demonstrably damage the interests of students. Article 5.2 Transitional provisions By way of departure from the Teaching and Examination Regulations currently in force, the following transitional provisions apply for students who started the programme under a previous set of Teaching and Examination Regulations: 1. In situations that are not covered by these regulations, the Board of Examiners will decide. 2. For students that started the programme in the year 2013 or earlier the following transitional provisions apply: Old course EC New course EC Statistical Paradoxes and Professional Skills 6 Statistics for Forensic Science 6 Article 5.3 Publication 1. The Dean of the faculty will ensure the appropriate publication of these Regulations and any amendments to them. 2. The Teaching and Examination Regulations will be posted on the faculty website and deemed to be included in the course catalogue. Article 5.4 Effective date These Regulations enter into force with effect from 1 September, 2015. Thus drawn up by the Dean of the Faculty of Science on 25 August 2015. Teaching and Examination Regulations 2015 2016 Part B Master s Programme in Forensic Science 9