Master of Science (MSc) in Forensic Science, orientation Chemical Criminalistics

The Master of Science in Forensic Science, orientation Chemical Criminalistics, aims to understand the contribution of analytical chemistry techniques to forensic science as well as to several other fields requiring instrumental analyses in order to solve problems.

The programme of the Master of Science in Forensic Science, orientation Chemical Criminalistics, includes a theoretical component supplemented by a large number of practical exercises involving analytical chemistry as well as the application of forensic science. In addition to courses taught by the School of Criminal Justice, the programme benefits from the collaboration of the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Section (SCGC) of the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and of the University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva (CURML). Some courses may be in English.

Organiser
School of Criminal Justice
Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration

Degree awarded
Master of Science (MSc) in Forensic Science, orientation Chemical Criminalistics

ECTS credits
120

Duration
4 semesters

Teaching language
French. Recommended level: C1. A very good understanding of English is necessary, since most most of the literature is published in English and a few courses may be taught in English.

Admission requirements
The candidate must be a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science or in Chemistry affiliated to the “Forensic Science” or “Chemistry” study branch (swissuniversities).
Another degree or university title may be judged to be equivalent and give access to this Master’s degree course, with or without further conditions. The School of Criminal Justice is competent for the final decision on equivalence (info.esc@unil.ch), subject to the candidate’s formal admissibility to the Master’s degree course.

Enrolment and final dates
The degree course begins in the autumn semester only.
Applications must be submitted to the Admissions Department before the deadline.
Final enrolment date: 30 April. Candidates needing a visa to study in Switzerland: 28 February.

More information
Course description

University studies develop, in addition to specific academic skills, a great many transverse skills such as: problem-solving abilities, communication, critical, analytical and summarising faculties, abilities in research, and so on. This panoply of skills, combined with specialist knowledge acquired in the course of studies, is excellent preparation for a wide range of employment opportunities such as:

• Forensic science laboratories in Switzerland or abroad
• Swiss or foreign scientific police laboratories
• Cantonal laboratories
• Institutes of legal medicine and toxicology
• Private or public laboratories active in analytical fields, quality control, the environment, hygiene
• Academic and research careers in the forensic and analytical chemistry fields
• Organisations that combat counterfeiting and illicit trafficking
• Insurance companies, loss control

Alumni move into a wide variety of roles, for example as a scientist in a biomedical material testing laboratory.