Graduates expect to earn more than they do....

gadgetmind

Reactive wrote: »

The core mathematics and science content of these "forensic science degrees" is vastly inferior & watered-down compared to a 'proper' degree.

Yup, that seems to be the case. If you fancy going in this direction, take a degree in Biological Science or Medical Science and decide on and ongoing basis how to specialise.

Leicester Uni is good for this, and they even knock a few bob off if you get AAB or higher.

shegirl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

One of the most depressing developments in recent years has been the closure of Chemistry departments and the growth of Forensic Science degrees. Particularly ironic given that he Forensic Science Service asks for a degree in Chemistry or Biology for trainee Forensic Scientists.

The trouble I've had putting this over to Patricia Cornwell fans over the last few years!

I'm finding the whole forensic degree fad quite amusing.Aswell as the forensic science some unis are now doing forensic psychology undergad degrees which are basically like many psychology degrees with a few forensic bits added (that's how it seems anyway),this is totally pointless as the only way to become a forensic psychologist is by doing a masters in it,the undergrad means naff all apart from having a psychology degree in general.Bizarely,I've talked to several students who want to be forensic psychs who think that you have to do this degree and then you go and train!!None of them are interested in psychology in general and picture themselves working like in an F.B.I show!

Same goes with Forensic science,half of them just don't seem to get that they won't be going straight into a job or having this amazingly exciting career they see on tv.Nor do they realise what you have to do to get into forensic science.

Another one that had be amused,was a girl starting to look at her uni options for next year wanting to talk to those of us who are studying to be forensic psychs (not through daft 'lets give it a new name and add a couple of relevant modules,I add!) to check whether she would need physics A levels aswell as biology and chemistry (wth?!?!?LOL) because she assumed that 'forensic' meant that there would be a large amount of science.Unfortunately,she's not the only one and there are now a few students hoping to secure their places at uni this year to do 'forensic psychology' thinking they'll be doing a huge amount of science and profiling and not much else as that's what they think it is.

I'm not sure why so many are going on this craze and not understanding the reality of their chosen career to persue,having no idea what they will need to do and what truely amazes me is why on earth unis are offering places to them..I mean,if this is what they think they'll be doing their personal statements must reflect that right?

gadgetmind

Forensic psychology? Really?

What's next? Psychic paleontology?

shegirl

gadgetmind wrote: »

Forensic psychology? Really?

What's next? Psychic paleontology?

:rotfl::rotfl: We're probably not far off having something that daft!

Can't diss forensic psychology as it certainly has it's place,the problem is with pointless 'renamed and added a bit' degrees in it.That said,if they actually made the undergrad degrees in it more forensic based it would probably be even more pointless and leave more,ever-so-slightly-daft,students graduating and not being able to do anything relevant to their degree at all.

It's not hard to see why so many people have lost respect for university education nowadays with bizarre degrees and the acceptance of students who are pretty clueless.

atypical

gadgetmind wrote: »

Forensic psychology? Really?

What's next? Psychic paleontology?

Horse psychology is offered by Nottingham Trent and Glyndŵr University.

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/pss/course_finder/61079-0/10/BSc_(Hons)_Equine_Sports_Science_(Equestrian_Psychology).aspx

http://www.newi.ac.uk/en/Undergraduatecourses/EquestrianPsychology/

Oldernotwiser

shegirl wrote: »

I'm not sure why so many are going on this craze and not understanding the reality of their chosen career to persue,having no idea what they will need to do and what truely amazes me is why on earth unis are offering places to them..I mean,if this is what they think they'll be doing their personal statements must reflect that right?

Unfortunately, HE funding is largely based on bums on seats, particularly for the less rigorous courses.

My other problem is with Criminology degrees which lead pretty well nowhere but distract students from more appropriate degree subjects. I've never heard such a hard sell as the presentation given to Access students by our local university's Criminology tutor - it was quite embarrassing.

shegirl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Unfortunately, HE funding is largely based on bums on seats, particularly for the less rigorous courses.

My other problem is with Criminology degrees which lead pretty well nowhere but distract students from more appropriate degree subjects. I've never heard such a hard sell as the presentation given to Access students by our local university's Criminology tutor - it was quite embarrassing.

Totally agree with you!

I do have to admit however,that it's criminology I'm currently doing but bsc rather than ba and more research based with a good psychological element.Doing this followed by conversion to psychology and forensic psych masters purely because it's the criminal side that I am interested in and don't want to go through years of psychology that I will never want to use! It is,though,generally something which can be rather pointless,but from my personal view it is right for what I want and that's to go into forensic psychology without having to suffer all psychology or research.But,in fairness,I already have previous qualifications and experience and am self funding it so it's not so bad.

I think something else many students don't seem to get is that, aswell as there not being a range of opportunities stemming from certain degrees,for many of the options that exist such as those that would come from criminology and forensic psychology,just having a degree is not enough.You need experience and often post grad qualifications too.

I can understand people going to uni to do what interests them and in some respects I admire that more than some who just try and do whatever they think will give them a good job,whether they love it or hate it,but when it's funded for them,there is so much interest that certain degrees keep growing and growing and the students haven't got a clue what to do because they live in a fictional world it just makes a farce of higher education.

You'll have to tell us what the tutor said now!

shegirl

atypical wrote: »

Horse psychology is offered by Nottingham Trent and Glyndŵr University.

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/pss/course_finder/61079-0/10/BSc_(Hons)_Equine_Sports_Science_(Equestrian_Psychology).aspx

http://www.newi.ac.uk/en/Undergraduatecourses/EquestrianPsychology/

:rotfl::rotfl: What exactly is the need for horse psychology?