Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Forensic Science+

at University of Bedfordshire - Luton Campus United Kingdom

Offering the in-depth technical and professional training you need for a career as an information technologist, this course is run in collaboration with local companies so you gain real-world experience while studying.

In your first year, you develop the skills to study the specialist topics later in the course including an introduction to software; hardware and how computers are built; how computers work with databases; and Structured Query Language (NoSQL). You will also learn about software applications (such as Microsoft, Oracle and Java) and hardware installation, configuration and maintenance.

In year two, you focus on software design and development; how software and hardware work together; designing secure systems; and approaches for testing software.

Learning in your final year focuses on research methods and emerging technologies as you undertake an independent IT project.

Why choose this course?

• It offers in-depth technical and professional training, including CompTia, Security+ and CCNA, which are required to practise as an information technologist
• Throughout the course, you benefit from work-based learning projects and hands-on experience which prepare you to graduate as a professional
• You learn how a wide range of technology can be deployed to provide systems that support organisations to achieve their business objectives
• You develop the knowledge and skills to draw out user requirements from non-IT experts and transform these into implemented system-level designs
• You will be able to lead an IT project, using transferable skills such as effective collaboration and critical thinking
• Take the course over four years and include a professional placement year (see below) where you can gain experience, build your CV and make contacts for the future

Marketing graduates, with understanding of the dynamics of modern business marketing, are highly employable, and this professionally-accredited degree will ensure you are up-to-date with developments in communications, digital and social media as well as essential business functions like finance, HRM and operations.

Marketing embraces psychology, consumer behaviour, management, innovation, sociology and popular culture and is central to life in the 21st century.

After studying buyer behaviour, marketing data analysis, branding, competition, and media and communications, you will combine it all in practical assignments.

Why choose this course?

• Learn from staff with extensive industry experience as you engage with real marketing projects
• Study the latest marketing developments ensuring you graduate with up-to-date knowledge
• Develop your career opportunities with an optional placement and links to industry practitioners
• Gain knowledge of marketing and communications areas including management, marketing in contemporary contexts, marketing data and international business
• Explore a range of potential career options including sales, brand management, business development, market research, communications and customer liaison
• Benefit from studying a degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), with an optional placement (sandwich) year.

In each year of study, you will be involved in  practical marketing projects from real companies and you will interact with professional practitioners, allowing you to engage with theory and practice and encourage you to make links between your studies and workplace practice.

This provides you with an understanding of modern business marketing and will ensure that you are up-to-date with developments in communications, digital and social media, as well as business functions like finance, HRM and operations.

Our professionally-accredited course will provide you with the opportunity to take the Introductory Certificate in Marketing qualification awarded by the renowned Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), with further exemption opportunities for the CIM Professional Certificate and CIM Professional Diploma.

After graduation, this could provide a great way to start your marketing career and save you time and money towards your professional marketing qualification

Our BSc (Hons) Construction Management Top-up course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in an exciting career in construction.

This degree will give you the opportunity to expand on your current skills, knowledge and understanding of design and construction, and to advance as a construction professional.

As an industry experiencing major shortages in skilled construction professionals, on completion of this qualification you will be well-positioned as a valuable asset and to continue on the path to senior management positions.

You will be working on real-life scenarios and case studies, and will explore key areas of construction management from a number of perspectives, including contracting and procurement, management of project resources, programmes and teams, as well as managing project finances and economics.

There is a strong focus on employability. As well as bringing a wealth of industry experience to our construction courses, the teaching team also utilise close collaborative relationships within industry, including both regional and national employers, to bring the latest developments, techniques and technologies into the taught curriculum. This typically involves specialist presentations and seminars from industry experts as well as site visits, which in recent years have included visits to individual projects worth over £1bn.

Industry presenters have included project managers and directors, civil engineers, local authority planners and construction professionals, government agency representatives, professional bodies, and have also included past graduates from our courses who have progressed into senior positions in the industry.

This course responds to the growing market demand for graduates who aim to deal with the information and organisation needs of businesses.

As a student, you will gain understanding of information and organisation structures in a business, as well as skills of exploiting existing software that is required for designing and developing information systems.

You will also obtain skills and ability to interact with business analysts, computer programmers, software engineers and computer scientists.

Why choose this course?
The course will provide you with academic and technical skills to analyse, interpret and make sense of how to handle the huge amount of ubiquitous data created daily. It will enable you to meet the demands of tomorrows information society and draws from our expert staff in Information Systems, Data Science and Computing.

• Learn to exploit and integrate existing software, and design information systems
• Study web database management systems, decision support systems and data mining
• Develop the technical ability to interact with business analysts, computer programmers, software engineers and computer scientists
• Gain an understanding of the integration of industrial standard technologies and advanced information technology strategies, including grid and cloud computing
• Explore your career opportunities with our industry contacts
• Challenge your intellectual abilities as you focus on the skills needed to conceptualise, develop and manage information systems
• Benefit from the opportunity to study in a dedicated environment using the latest hi-tech industry standard equipment

This course examines key issues of media and communication, introducing principles of cultural theories and media research methods, providing a broader understanding of how different aspects of the media interconnect.

Why choose this course?

• Project Management Units covers a wide range of Project functional areas so that you become knowledgeable and effective managers

The MSc Automotive Engineering for Electric Vehicles is about educating and training senior vehicle developers and offering them in-depth technical training for R&D of next generation low carbon or non-carbon vehicles.

The course focuses on new and emerging sustainable automotive technologies, such as hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.

Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art design and advanced development and simulation tools, to vehicle development, design, calibration and optimisation.

By closely collaborating with local automotive and motorsport companies, you will contribute to real world solutions to vehicle R&D.

The Automotive Engineering Lab suite includes a range of experimental facilities, such as an engine test bed with full instrumentation, two advanced automotive engine demonstrators, various test rigs for vehicle aerodynamics, materials and engineering structure, machining workshop, etc. 3D printers and a CAE lab.

These form an important part of the course, allowing the exploration of many practical aspects of automotive engineering, and to further development of hands-on skills.

Why choose this course?

• State-of-the-art equipment for electric vehicles
• Access to a wide range of engineering facilities within the University’s STEM building
• Interdisciplinary consideration of alternative energy systems

While teaching you all the essential skills you need to work creatively as an animator - including visual thinking, model-making, 3D design, digital illustration and time-based media – this wide-ranging course also gives you the confidence to respond to briefs, create independent projects and work collaboratively within the creative industries.

Our Animation BA (Hons) is based in narrative and storytelling for short-form film, the moving image industry and communication design. Students work on live briefs, submit for national competitions and work on projects with our expert academic team.

You learn your craft through practical workshop sessions, sustained practice in the studio, some work-related learning opportunities with ‘live briefs’, one-to-one tutorials, seminars, demonstrations and independent research. All your instruction takes into consideration professional and work-related practices.

In the first year, we introduce the key skills in animation, building a close relationship between practice and theory. In your second year, you work more independently, taking ownership of your creativity and its outcomes.

At the end of the course, you take on a creative project of your own, demonstrating your insight into the critical, cultural and professional contexts in which your work is placed.

Why choose this course?

• It enables you to study, develop and apply critical enquiry skills to a wide range of key ideas and contemporary professional practice
• Practical learning activities give you the opportunity to tackle visual problems and explore ideas relevant to animation
• It builds your understanding of animation’s different contexts, and its wider global impact on social, environmental and political issues
• It equips you with the knowledge, experience and understanding of design environments you need to communicate and present ideas and work to audiences in a range of situations
• It gives you the skills to work effectively with others, through collaboration, collective support and negotiation
• It offers insights into professional practice that will prepare you for a future career in the creative industries as well as the world of work generally
• You have the option to take your degree over four years and include a fee-free placement year in industry when you can gain practical experience, build your CV and make valuable contacts

Radio is as popular as ever and has evolved excitingly to keep pace with digital technology. This degree opens up many opportunities for graduates in both broadcast radio and in the creation of audio content for other platforms, such as podcasts and websites.

As well as delivering a range of practical broadcasting and journalistic skills, the course gives you a grounding in media theory and history; a thorough understanding of how the medium works; and what goes into creating great content. You will graduate as a professional ready to work in broadcast media or within the wider field of audio-content creation.

You study a combination of units that, together, provide a broad range of professional knowledge and skills including Radio Skills, Reporting and Writing, Understanding Media and Preparing for the Audio Workplace. You can also specialise with optional units in your second and third years.

Throughout your study, you have access to Radio LaB, the University’s own community radio station, offering opportunities for presenting, producing or working on promotions and special events.

Why choose this course?

• It gives the practical and academic skills needed to produce creative audio and broadcast radio content
• Through Radio LaB, you can broadcast on FM across Luton and surrounding areas as well as worldwide online, building up your experience and CV
• In your final year, you work independently on a special project of your choosing
• It opens up wider work opportunities in technical and managerial broadcasting roles, providing a broad knowledge of industry practice and regulation
• It develops your range of operational skills, particularly in relation to programme planning and content development. These skills are transferable if you decide to pursue other media-related career paths
• Take the degree over four years and include a Professional Practice Year in industry where you gain experience, build your CV and make contacts for the future

It’s never been more important to understand the impact of human action on the environment as well as the effect environmental change may have on human health. This integrated course works at the cutting edge of environmental and health science, exploring the issues, challenges and new technologies that will decide our own and our planet’s future.

This degree gives you a sound base in biology and biochemistry where you explore the functioning of living organisms; the diversity of life on the planet; and the interactions between the environment and humans. You also develop your understanding of how the human body functions in health and disease, and how this is related to the environments in which we live. Focusing on the environment, you investigate the impact humans have on ecosystems; the consequences of environmental change, locally and globally; and the sustainable management of food production, the food chain and the importance of food security to human health.

Laboratory work is an essential part of the course and you build your skills in this area as well as your expertise in the practical and analysis techniques relevant to working in environmental and health sciences.

Why choose this course?

• Develop your understanding of environmental protection and the role of individuals, organisations and governments in preserving the environment
• Be able to discuss the ethical issues and challenges around environmental protection
• Study with an academic team with established research expertise in areas across biomedicine, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, genomics and bioinformatics
• Benefit from our academic collaborations with the University’s Schools and Research Institutes as well as with external institutions and organisations
• Gain work experience through the Life Sciences Liaison Board, which has strong links to a network of industry and practice organisations
• When you graduate, there are a number of career paths open to you including government agencies; industry; science laboratories; higher education institutions; and environmental agencies
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry, gaining work experience, building your CV and making contacts for the future
• If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year which guarantees you a place on the degree course

How can we understand, intervene and promote health and wellbeing across the course of life? Health psychology works to answer this question, looking towards the interaction of psychological, social and biological factors to understand health and illness.

Health psychology moves away from the medicalisation of health and illness. Instead, on this course, you take a more whole-person approach to understanding health and illness, studying social issues and aspects such as obesity, lifestyle and stress. Taught by an academic team actively involved in research in the field, you benefit from their up-to-the-minute knowledge and research skills.

This course forms stage one of the training you need to become a chartered psychologist member of the Division of Health Psychology within the British Psychological Society.

Why choose this course?

• Gain new insights into the theory and practice of health psychology
• Learn to show how the links between scientific theory and practice can guide the collection and interpretation of empirical data
• Develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current problems in the field
• Gain confident knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods which will allow you to perform complex data analysis, interpretation, evaluation and synthesis
• Develop your competence in a range of techniques including multivariate analyses
• Benefit from a strong sense of personal responsibility and professionalism that will enable you to practise or conduct research within ethical guidelines