Expand+Part time over 1 year

The course will be part-time over two academic years, with lectures and distance learning with feedback and discussions in small groups. There will be workshops in practical skills including the preparation of witness stateme...

Hide-Part time over 1 year

The course will be part-time over two academic years, with lectures and distance learning with feedback and discussions in small groups. There will be workshops in practical skills including the preparation of witness statements and courtroom skills. Course members will prepare personal learning profiles to plan, implement and assess their learning. They will prepare a casebook with commentaries.

The first year (part-time) will complete the requirements for a Graduate Diploma in Forenic Medicine and by successful completion of a dissertation over two semesters, students will be able to secure a Masters (MSc.) degree award.

Expand+Students who successfully complete the UCD Graduate Diploma in Forensic Medicine, or who have gained UCD accreditation of prior certified learning for qualifications gained at other institutions, may apply to complete the UCD MSc degree by dissertati...

Hide-Students who successfully complete the UCD Graduate Diploma in Forensic Medicine, or who have gained UCD accreditation of prior certified learning for qualifications gained at other institutions, may apply to complete the UCD MSc degree by dissertation.

UCD accreditation of prior certified learning is awarded on individual application. The PgDip For. Med. (University of Ulster), PGDip. For. Med. (UCLAN), DMJ (Apothecaries of London) and DFMS (Apothecaries of London / Cameron Centre / Glasgow University) are generally considered equivalent to the UCD Diploma.

International applicants should contact the academic programme director for a full list of entry requirements.

Expand+Course Features
Delivers in-depth knowledge and higher qualification in forensic medicine for professionals in the fields of medicine, law and forensic science.

Students undertake a 20,000 word Dissertation on a topic of their choice within the f...

Hide-Course Features
Delivers in-depth knowledge and higher qualification in forensic medicine for professionals in the fields of medicine, law and forensic science.

Students undertake a 20,000 word Dissertation on a topic of their choice within the field of Forensic and Legal Medicine.

Prerequisite UCD Graduate Diploma in Forensic Medicine, or approved equivalent qualification from another recognised institution, gives 60 ECTS credits towards MSc.

Enhance skills in critical reading, researching medical and legal literature and sources.

How/Where Will I Learn?
The course will be part-time over two academic years, with lectures and distance learning with feedback and discussions in small groups. There will be workshops in practical skills including the preparation of witness statements and courtroom skills. Course members will prepare personal learning profiles to plan, implement and assess their learning. They will prepare a casebook with commentaries.

The first year (part-time) will complete the requirements for a Graduate Diploma in Forensic Medicine and by successful completion of a dissertation over two semesters, students will be able to secure a Masters (MSc.) degree award.

Expand+The course will provide training for doctors, nurses and scientists working in the field of forensic medicine. The course will provide the necessary skills for the practice of forensic medicine.

Who Should Take This Course?
The MSc course provid...

Hide-The course will provide training for doctors, nurses and scientists working in the field of forensic medicine. The course will provide the necessary skills for the practice of forensic medicine.

Who Should Take This Course?
The MSc course provides higher professional training and qualification in forensic medicine for:
Doctors of all specialities
Dentists
Nurses
Midwives and other health professionals
Coroners and medico-legal advisers
Medical and forensic scientists
Toxicologists
Solicitors and barristers
Members of the Judiciary
Law enforcement officers

It is suitable for those who wish to develop the medico-legal aspects of their careers within their specialties or profession, or those who wish to give expert witness testimony in their areas of specialisation.

Expand+Course description

Areas for study on the course will include:

History and future of forensic medicine; the use of libraries and IT resources; medical and legal investigative research skills; introduction to law and legislation; ethical aspects...

Hide-Course description

Areas for study on the course will include:

History and future of forensic medicine; the use of libraries and IT resources; medical and legal investigative research skills; introduction to law and legislation; ethical aspects of medical practice; the judicial system and courts; law enforcement agencies; custody medicine; substance misuse; mental health; deaths; injuries; scenes of crime and investigation; forensic sciences; role of coroner; traffic medicine, drugs and alcohol; adult sexual offences; children and abuse; domestic violence; vulnerable witnesses; major incidents; employment, finance and practice management; occupational and public health; infectious diseases. There will be workshops covering records, statements and reports; expert witness and courtroom skills. Course members will prepare learning profiles and present a casebook.

Modules

Modules & European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

The course is divided into three modules each counting as 20 ECTS enabling students to proceed to a fourth module - a dissertation, with a further 30 ECTS to gain the MSc in Forensic Medicine. The taught modules will be assessed by continual assessment and written examinations at the end of each module. The casebook (module 3) is assessed separately and there is an oral examination.

Module One - Core

History and future of forensic medicine; the use of libraries and IT resources; medical and legal investigative research skills; introduction to law and legislation; ethical aspects of medical practice; the judicial system and courts; law enforcement agencies; custody medicine; role of the coroner injuries, death transplantation, end of life issues, forensic science, scenes of crime and investigation. There will be a workshop covering records, statements and reports. Course members will prepare learning profiles.

Module Two - Core

Substance misuse; mental health; traffic medicine, drugs and alcohol; adult sexual offences; children and abuse; domestic violence; vulnerable witnesses; major incidents; employment, finance and practice management; occupational and public health; infectious diseases. There will be a workshop covering expert witness and courtroom skills. Course members will prepare learning profiles and present a casebook.

Module Three – Core

Course members will prepare a casebook of 10 cases with medico-legal commentaries in which they are involved in, or have observed. They will also present a learning profile.

MSc in Forensic Medicine

Students who complete the graduate diploma will be eligible to apply to undertake a fourth module consisting of a dissertation leading to the award of the MSc in Forensic Medicine.

Examinations

Modules 1 and 2 (taught modules)

The taught modules will be assessed by continual assessment and written examinations at the end of each module (December and May).

Module 3 (Casebook)
The casebook is assessed separately and there is an oral examination. Learning profiles will also be assessed.
The course is divided into three modules each counting as 20 ECTS enabling students to proceed to a fourth module - a dissertation, with a further 30 ECTS to gain the MSc in Forensic Medicine.