Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Laboratorial Sciences

Ciencias Forenses 

 

About the program/cycle of studies

The 1st Degree in Laboratorial Forensic Sciences of University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS-CESPU) offers a training especially focused on Forensic and Criminal Sciences, through the domains of Biochemistry, Medicine, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Biomedical.

The graduation in Laboratorial Forensic Sciences will enable students with knowledge and skills in various scientific areas of intervention in Forensic Sciences, suitable for the investigation at the crime scene, production and preservation of evidence and presentation of evidence in court.

The Curriculum Plan combines the capacity of the IUCS-CESPU in training in the Life and Health Sciences, with the experience of experts who daily work in the forensic field. We highlight the collaboration of experts of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Judiciary Police and several other Portuguese and foreign laboratories, with several classes taking place in real scenario. This is considered a key relationship either in the education of the specific area of the course, either for boosting the extracurricular activities of the Cycle of Studies.

The existence of graduates in Laboratorial Forensic Sciences, as a result of this 1st Cycle of Studies, represents a new paradigm since it will turn possible to have a group of professionals with clear expertise to act and intervene in forensic sciences. The general objectives are to train graduates able to solve problems inherent to forensic and criminal sciences, according to valid and recognized procedures and respecting the scientific, social and ethical principles in accordance with the judicial system. It also aims to respond the growing market needs in this area of ​​knowledge, since there are no professionals in adequate number with this degree to working in Portugal. The galloping forward, very grounded in the technological and scientific progress justifies this university academic training, beginning from the first degree.

 

Academic Degree

The Laboratorial Forensic Sciences Degree has a duration of 3 academic years (6 semesters) in a total of 180 ECTS. It is a course accredited by A3ES since 05-06-2014 for 3 years and registered by DGES R/A-Cr 82/2014). It is a university 1st Cycle of Studies leading to a Bachelor's degree - ISCED Level 5. 

 

Entry requirements

In accordance with applicable law, the following conditions through normal regimen must be accomplished:
• Approval of a course of secondary education or equivalent, and obtain the minimum grade required;
• Accomplishment of one of the entrance exams: 02 - BIOLOGY AND GEOLOGY or 07 - or 16-PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY or 16 - MATHEMATICS;
• Minimum score for entrance exams and application grade: 95 (0 till 200);
• Formula application: grade of final course of secondary school - 65%; grade of entrance exams - 35%.
• International applicants, must hold:
• A qualification granting them access to higher education, such as a diploma or certificate issued by a competent authority, which attests to the successful completion of an educational program, and authorizes them to apply for and enroll in higher education in the country where it was conferred.
• Secondary education degree legally equivalent to the Portuguese secondary education.
• The access through special applications comply the relevant legislation and internal rules adopted.

Under the regulations for international students, candidates must take an exam at CESPU. (Decree-Law no. 36/2014).

 

Official languages

English (minimum 20 students for the first year and in exceptional cases may extend to the second year)
French (minimum 20 students for the first year and in exceptional cases may extend to the second year)
Portuguese

 

Course duration

3 years - 6 semesters - 180 ECTS

 

Coordinator

Ricardo Jorge Dinis Oliveira

 

Legislation

D.R. Notice no. 7421/2014, of 24 June

 

Main scientific areas

Areas

No. Compulsory
  Credits

 

Forensic Sciences

78

 

Health Sciences

40

 

Social and Legal Sciences

37

 

Chemical Sciences

16

 

Mathematics and Physics

9

 

 

 

 

FIRST CYCLE DEGREE IN  FORENSIC LABORATORIAL SCIENCES    |   1st YEAR

CURRICULAR UNITS

SCIENTIFIC AREA

DURATION

WORKING TIME (Hours)

 

 

Total

Contact

ECTS

OBS.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

 

Mathematical Methods of Data Analysis

ME

1st Semester

140

PL: 52

5

 

Analytical Chemistry

Q

1st Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 26

5

 

Human Anatomy

BBQ

1st Semester

168

T: 26; P: 39

6

 

Organic Chemistry

Q

1st Semester

168

T: 26; PL: 26

6

 

Principles of Forensic Sciences

BBQ/M/D

1st Semester

168

T: 26; TP: 26

6

(a)

Handwriting Analysis and Forensic Linguistics

CSC

2nd Semester

112

T: 26; PL: 26

4

 

Biochemistry 

BBQ

2nd Semester

168

T:52; TP: 26; PL: 26

6

 

Botany

BBQ

2nd Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 26

5

 

Sample and Traces Collection, and Lophoscopy

BBQ

2nd Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 26

5

 

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

Q

2nd Semester

168

T: 26; PL: 26

6

 

Physics

F

2nd Semester

168

T: 26; PL: 26

6

 

(a) In the curriculum structure shall be allocated 2 ECTS for each of the scientific areas (BBQ/M/D).

 

FIRST CYCLE DEGREE IN FORENSIC LABORATORIAL SCIENCES    |   2nd YEAR

CURRICULAR UNITS

SCIENTIFIC AREA

DURATION

WORKING TIME (Hours)

 

 

Total

Contact

ECTS

OBS.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

 

Genetics

BBQ

1st Semester

168

T: 26; PL: 26

6

 

Anthropology 

BBQ

1st Semester

168

T: 26; P: 26

6

 

Biotoxicology

BBQ

1st Semester

168

T: 26; TP: 13; PL: 39

6

 

Microbiology

BBQ

1st Semester

168

T: 26; PL: 26

6

 

Biopathology

BBQ

1st Semester

168

T: 26; TP: 26; PL: 26

6

 

Forensic Entomology

BBQ

2nd Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 26

5

 

Forensic Geology and Pedology

CT

2nd Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 26

5

 

Forensic Dentistry Medicine

CD

2nd Semester

168

T: 26; P: 26

6

 

Forensic Laboratory 1

Q

2nd Semester

224

PL: 78

8

 

Ballistic, Fire and Explosives

F/Q

2nd Semester

168

T: 26; P: 26

6

(a)

(a) In the curriculum structure shall be allocated 3 ECTS for each of the scientific areas (F/Q).

 

FIRST CYCLE DEGREE IN FORENSIC LABORATORIAL SCIENCES   |  3rd YEAR   

CURRICULAR UNITS

SCIENTIFIC AREA

DURATION

WORKING TIME (Hours)

 

 

Total

Contact

ECTS

OBS.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

 

Drugs of Abuse

 BBQ 

1st Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 26

5

 

Food Toxicology

BBQ

1st Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 39

5

 

Forensic Laboratory II  

BBQ

1st Semester

224

PL: 78

8

 

Methodology and Project in Forensic Investigation

 BBQ

Annual

560

TP: 26; OT: 26; TC: 208 

16

 

Exams of Forensic Clinics

M

1st Semester

140

T: 26; P: 26

5

 

Environmental Toxicology    

BBQ

2nd Semester

140

T: 26; PL: 26

5

 

Medico-Legal Autopsy

M

2nd Semester

112

TP: 26; P: 26

4

 

Ethics and Deontology in Forensic Sciences

FE/D

2nd Semester

112

TP: 52

4

 

Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure

D

2nd Semester

112

T: 26; TP: 26

4

 

Optional - Forensic Serology   

BBQ

 2nd Semester

112

TP: 13; PL: 13

4

(a)

Optional - Criminology    

SOE

2nd Semester

112

TP: 26

4

(a)

Optional - Victimology

P

2nd Semester

112

TP: 26

4

(a)

Optional - Forensic Psychology

P

2nd Semester

112

TP: 26

4

(a)

Optional - Computational Methods in Forensic Sciences

CI

2nd Semester

112

TP: 13; PL: 13

4

(a)

(a) Optional curricular unit; the student must choose one.

 

T – Theoretical

P - Practical

TP – Theoretical and Practical

PL –Practical and Laboratorial

TC – Field Work

OT - Tutorial