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The MSc in Forensic Science is a 40 units programme. The programme can be completed full-time over one year (two semesters) or part-time over two years (four semesters) with a maximum candidature of two years for full-time students and four years for part-time students.

Students need to complete seven courses comprising of one essential course (4 units) and five elective courses (20 units), and one research project (16 units).

List of Elective Courses

• FSC5201 Advanced CSI Techniques (4 units)
• FSC5202 Forensic Defense Science (4 units)
• FSC5203 Digital Forensic Investigation (4 units)
• FSC5204 Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology (4 units)
• FSC5205 Forensic Science in Major Cases (4 units)
• FSC5206 Specialised Topics in Forensics I (4 units)
• FSC5207 Specialised Topics in Forensics II (4 units)
• FSC4201 Articulating Probability and Statistics in Court (4 units)*
• FSC4202 Forensic Human Identification (4 units)*
• FSC4203 Forensic Toxicology and Poisons (4 units)*
• FSC4205 Criminalistics: Authenticity, Fraud and Counterfeit (4 units)*
• FSC4206 Advanced Criminal Litigation – Forensics on Trial (5 units)*
• FSC4207 Forensic Entomology (4 units)*
• IFS4102 Digital Forensics (4 units)*
  
  

* Please note that only a maximum of 2 level-4000 elective courses (8 units) can be taken in place of 2 level-5000 elective courses.

Core Course

FSC5101 Survey of Forensic Science (4 units)

This is a Masters-level course which provides an in-depth survey of the major fields in Forensic Sciences, Criminalistics, Crime Scene Procedures and Documentation and co-relate them to the local context. This course will also look at how forensic evidence is identified, collected, documented and utilised in our Courts. The teaching objective is to provide students with an understanding of forensic science and criminalistics and to prepare them for advanced courses in these fields.

Research Project Course

FSC5199 Research Project in Forensic Science (16 units)

This is a compulsory project-based course for students taking the M.Sc. in Forensic Science programme. Students will conduct research on topics related to forensic science, under the supervision of a faculty member and/or co-supervisors with our industry partners. Through this independent project, students will gain hands-on practical knowledge in solving forensic science related problems using scientific techniques. The project is concluded with a written report and oral presentation.

Elective Courses

FSC5201 Advanced CSI Techniques (4 units)

In the courtroom, the presentation of key evidence is important to securing a conviction or acquittal. Anyone can take a photograph, but not everyone possess the ability to take photographs of examinable quality and admissible in legal proceedings. This course covers the management of forensic evidence in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and will be delivered by domain experts from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force. Aspiring investigation officers or forensic scientists will be able to conduct forensic documentation and photography, as well as to learn the internationally established scientific methodology applied in the forensic process of analysis, comparison and evaluation of matching friction ridge pattern evidence.

FSC5202 Forensic Defense Science (4 units)

This course brings in cross-disciplinary practical expertise from the Unconventional Threats Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which acts as our first line of defence against terrorism to detect threats from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials (CBRNE threat materials). Effective anti-terrorism measures utilising new methodologies customised and optimised for forensic use in order to provide fast and accurate detection and identification of CBRNE threat materials will be shared. Students will get the rare opportunity to experience first-hand the applications learnt at MHA’s operational forensic laboratories at checkpoints. Relevant underlying scientific principles will be augmented by internal faculty members. Students will also be exposed to a holistic view of the laws and international conventions involving CBRNE threat materials.

FSC5203 Digital Forensic Investigation (4 units)

As processes and transactions become increasingly more streamlined using technology, digital forensics rises to be of paramount significance in the context of digital incident investigation. It is an essential methodology and skillset for an effective and efficient analysis of voluminous varieties of digital sources to identify key evidence for investigation and court cases. This course examines the role of digital evidence in the forensic process and demonstrates the skillsets applied to conduct digital forensic investigations.

FSC5204 Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (4 units)

Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology are gaining importance in Medicolegal cases where evidence by psychiatry and psychology experts contribute to important legal judgements with a direct bearing on sentences that are imposed on accused persons. This is complicated by the imprecise nature of Psychiatry and Psychology, compared to other branches of Science. This course aims to educate on the skill sets and limitations of Forensic Psychiatric and Psychological practice and how they contribute to legal jurisprudence.

FSC5205 Forensic Science in Major Cases (4 units)

In recent years, Singapore courts have increasingly relied on forensic evidence, which is considered objective and corroborative of other evidence as compared to the testimony of eyewitnesses and confessions of accused persons, which have at times proved to be unreliable. Forensic evidence also plays a very important role in the assessment of sufficiency of evidence in major cases in Singapore. This course serves the capstone role in which students utilise knowledge and skills gained in preceding forensic science courses to conduct in-depth analysis of major cases in Singapore such as murders and rape, and appreciate how forensic science had decisively shaped the outcome of these cases.

FSC5206 Specialised Topics in Forensics I (4 units)

A healthy and safe society promotes economic growth, social stability, and individual prosperity. This course will cover how forensic science is applied to safeguard the health and safety of the people in the nation specifically in the areas of i) clinical forensics for detection and treatment of substance abuse, ii) biosecurity for detection and mitigation of biological threats, identifying the source of outbreaks, and tracking the spread of emerging diseases and iii) consumer forensics for ensuring consumer health and safety through detection and investigation of consumer product product safety issues.

FSC5207 Specialised Topics in Forensics II (4 units)

One important aspect of Forensic Science is to determine ‘What happened?’ To be able to provide an accurate reconstruction of a crime scene, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the different physical evidence present. In addition, being able to immerse oneself into the crime scene would provide a deeper understanding of the things associated with the case. This course introduces students to the various aspects of developing a reconstruction, using technology to facilitate the reconstruction and presenting their findings in a moot court.

FSC4201 Articulating Probability and Statistics in Court (4 units)

Prerequisite(s): FSC2101/LSM1306 Forensic Science or with department approval

Probability and statistics provide powerful tools for quantifying the weight of forensic evidence. These quantities often come along with associated assumptions and need to be interpreted and articulated in a manner that is easily understood. Students will learn the necessary probability and statistical techniques in quantifying forensic evidence and error evaluation metrics. The fallacies and errors in interpreting results of selected forensic topics such as paternity testing and representative drug sampling will be covered. Additionally, students will learn the art of articulating these quantitative findings to non-scientists through real case studies involving DNA evidence, illegal drugs, forensic toxicology and criminalistics.

FSC4202 Forensic Human Identification (4 units)

Prerequisite(s): FSC2101/LSM1306 Forensic Science or with department approval

Ever wondered how DNA Evidence makes its way from the crime scene to the courtroom? This course is delivered in an interactive seminar-style format, where students will experience first-hand challenges and practical usage relating to Forensic DNA Evidence. Students will undergo practicals to learn the entire chain of forensic DNA techniques, from collection, characterisation, and storage to processing DNA Evidence. Students will also play the role of expert witnesses for the prosecution or defence based on evidence gathered at mock trials. Students will appreciate the importance of DNA as part of a toolkit used for individualisation in forensic investigations.

FSC4203 Forensic Toxicology and Poisons (4 units)

Prerequisite(s): FSC2101/LSM1306 Forensic Science or with department approval

Preclusion: LSM4211 Toxicology

Ever wondered how much of the coffee you consumed is subsequently metabolised? Find out using forensic toxicology! This multi-disciplinary course aims to support medical and legal investigation into the cause of death, poisoning and adverse responses to substances. Drawing from the foundational principles in toxicokinetics, students will be able to (1) study the physicochemical properties of substances and their effect(s) on the host and (2) consider the toxicological outcomes of exposure due to the unique handling of substances by organ systems. The lectures will conclude with real-life applications led by practitioners.

FSC4205 Criminalistics: Authenticity, Fraud and Counterfeit (4 units)

Prerequisite(s): FSC2101/ LSM1306 Forensic Science or with department approval

Forgery is a perennial problem and exists everywhere – in fake jewellery, counterfeit medications, fake death to scam insurance, fake signatures. The question this course seeks is how do we use forensic science to expose forgery for justice to be meted out. Students will learn fundamental scientific concepts and will apply them in case studies, such as establishing anachronism in cheques and wills; determining whether the person is dead or alive when an insurance payout for his death was made and if the gold bars which were stolen were indeed gold.

FSC4206 Advanced Criminal Litigation – Forensics On Trial (5 units)

Prerequisite(s): FSC2101/ LSM1306 Forensic Science or with department approval

Forensic science can play a large part in criminal litigation, from DNA and fingerprint evidence to the detection of forgery. Forensic scientists can play a significant role by presenting evidence in a trial, and effective trial lawyers should be equipped with the skills and knowledge to manage, present, and challenge forensic evidence. This interdisciplinary course brings law and science undergraduates together to equip them with key communication and analytical skills to present forensic evidence in Court in the most effective way. Key topics covered include advanced trial techniques, the law of evidence, and aspects of forensic science.

FSC4207 Forensic Entomology (4 units)

Prerequisite(s): FSC2101/ LSM1306 Forensic Science or with department approval

This course introduces students to forensic entomology, the study of insects for medicolegal issues, which has been dated back to China in the 13th century. Studying these forensically important insects is useful in estimating post-mortem intervals. Legal implications will be explored using various case studies. A 5-day field course is incorporated and will be conducted by the forensic entomologist expert in Medical Faculty, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kuala Lumpur. Students will also visit the Entomology Unit and the Forensic Laboratory in KL. Students will observe the progression of decomposition and be exposed to the different families of forensically important flies.

IFS4102 Digital Forensics (4 units)

Prerequisite(s): CS3235 Computer Security

Digital forensics encompasses the recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices in relation to cyber crime and other crimes where digital evidence is relevant. This course gives an introduction to principles, techniques, and tools to perform digital forensics. Students will gain a good understanding of the fundamentals of digital forensics; key techniques for performing evidence extraction and analysis on UNIX/Linux systems, Windows systems, networks, Web applications, and mobile devices; and gain exposure to available tools. Some legal aspects of digital forensics will also be discussed.

For continuation of candidature, a student must obtain satisfactory progress during his/her candidature.

1. Academic warnings will be issued to students if their GPA falls below 3.0 (but ≥2.50); and
2. Dismissal will be issued to students if their GPA falls below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters of study; or GPA below 3.00 (but ≥2.50) for three consecutive semesters of study.

To be awarded the MSc in Forensic Science, the student must successfully complete a programme of study consisting of at least 40 units with a minimum GPA of 3.00, which consist of the following:

1. 24 units from the prescribed essential and elective courses list
2. 16 units from FSC5199 Research Project in Forensic Science

For existing students admitted from AY2020/2021 and new students admitted in AY2022/2023

Pathways¹

A) Direct Admission Route 

B) ‘Stackable’ Route (including Graduate Certificate) 

– SC/SPR students may be eligible to receive course fee subsidies for SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) funded courses

• A non-refundable and non-transferable acceptance fee of S$5,000 – which will be credited towards your tuition fees – is payable upon acceptance of offer. 
• No scholarship support is available.
• Miscellaneous Student Fees is payable for every regular semester, subject to prevailing rates. For miscellaneous student fees, please refer here.

¹ Students who have started on a selected pathway are not allowed to switch over to the other route. 
² Course fees can be found in the Online Application Portal or course catalogue. For updates on SSF for CPE students, please refer to the NUS SCALE website.

For enquiries, please email us at mforensic@nus.edu.sg