Applied Science (Forensics) - Level 2

This is an exciting opportunity to get an introduction to the principles of science and forensic examination. You’ll study the environment, energy, human behaviour, the universe, and the principles of forensic crime scene investigation whilst conducting practical work in professional laboratories.

Everything you learn will help you formulate your own hypotheses and investigations – strengthening your theoretical and critical thinking skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to carry out multiple experiments, including rates of reactions, chemical analysis, and forensic crime scene investigations in our specialist crime scene suite and DNA laboratory. 

You will study a range of units across science and forensic investigation.

Some of the units you will study:

• Principles of Science
• Chemistry and our Earth
• Applications of Physical Science 
• The Living Body 
• Investigating a Crime Scene
• Understanding Human Behaviour

You will need:

• To be aged 16 to 18
• Four GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English Language, Maths and Science or a Level 1 Diploma in Science, with Functional Skills in Maths and English at Level 1

All applicants must have an interview and assessment to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

You will be assessed by a range of methods, including written assessments, presentations to your peers, group work and practical assessments. All assesements attract a pass, merit or distinction grade. 

There are also 2 externally assessed units which are exam based. These are: 

• Unit 1 Principles of Science
• Unit 8 Scientific Skills

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

Once you have completed your course and successfully completed all of your assignments, you could progress to employment, an apprenticeship or one of our level 3 courses which lead to higher education.

You could progress to one of our own courses: 

• T Level in Science
• Level 3 Forensic Crime Scene Investigation
• Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services
• Level 3 Applied Science

Georgina is a lecturer of Forensic Science, Public Services and Access to Policing at City and Islington College. She is a fully qualified Police Officer and Detective Constable, specialising in PIP2 investigation techniques. 

Georgina graduated from the University of Nottingham and following a year teaching in an international school in Switzerland, she joined Bedfordshire Police. Throughout her career with the police, Georgina worked across multiple departments including response, CID, drugs, guns and gangs and the rape and serious sexual offences unit. 

Georgina is an experienced lecturer, has a wealth of knowledge in her subject matter and teaches students aged 16-18 as well as adult learners on the Access to HE program. She is incredibly passionate about her subject and provides real-life examples from her experience on the front line. As well as lecturing, she is also a personal tutor and provides support and career advice to students.

Monalisa is a friendly, kind, and approachable Forensic Science Lecturer with PGCE and many years of experience teaching Chemistry and Biology to a variety of courses such as A Level, BTEC Levels 1, 2 and 3, GCSE and Higher National level diplomas. Monalisa not only teaches, but also assesses the exams from different awarding bodies such as Edexcel, OCR, and AQA and has a broad knowledge of exam requirements. 

Monalisa enjoys making science interesting by adding lots of practical elements during the lessons. Monalisa has also taught functional skills in Level 2 Maths and can therefore assist learners to apply maths elements while learning science. 

Monalisa has experience teaching in both academic and vocational qualifications and guides learners in a smooth transition from academic to vocational courses or vice versa. 

Jo has an undergraduate degree in Forensic Science with Psychology from the University of Derby, as well as a Masters degree in Crime and Forensic Science from UCL.

She has experience in gathering forensic evidence including fingerprints, physical materials, chemical substances, and other data from crime scenes. She is also experienced in performing complex forensic laboratory tests and analyses. Her experience and passion for the forensic science industry make her the perfect lecturer for the Level 3 Forensic Science course!

Jo utilises a mixture of theory and practical-based sessions, ensuring that her lessons follow the correct and realistic crime scene-to-court procedures. Her favourite units to teach are Forensic Investigation Procedures in Practice (Year 1), Applications of Criminal and Forensic Psychology, Forensic Anthropology and Environmental Forensics (Year 2). Jo has organised several practicals, unique to City and Islington College, like the never-done-before observation of a decomposing carcass. 

Jo also takes on the role of a personal tutor for several groups, working to support and motivate learners during their time at the college. She is a great listener and is willing to assist the learners in any way that she can. One of her favourite times of the week is her tutorial lessons!

Miss Altenor joined City and Islington College in 2017 teaching the Public Services Level 2 and 3 courses as well as the Level 3 Health and Social Care course. 

Miss Altenor has a sports background where she has previously worked as a Sports Development Officer and for the NHS as a Technical Instructor working specifically in Mental Health. She has previously taught YMCA, NVQ and BTEC Level 1-3 sports courses with adults and 16+ learners. Miss Altenor has a Certificate in Education and did her BEd in Education at the Institute of Education. 

Miss Altenor also works with British Weightlifting as an Educator; she is also qualified Category 1 Technical Official (TO) with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) where she has represented Great Britain at many international Senior and Junior weightlifting competitions. Miss Altenor has also worked as a Technical Official at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.

Mr Lewis has worked in the public services for over 30 years, in the police service as a police officer in central London, and in the National Health Service as a nurse. He has been teaching for the past 15 years on both Further Education and university curriculums and remains a guest lecturer at The University of West London. 

Mr Lewis is the Curriculum Manager for the City and Islington Crime Academy which incorporates Uniformed Protective Services and Forensic Science. His areas of specialism are Critical and Major Incident Policing, Public Order Policing, Trauma Care, Professional Standards and Discipline, as well as Forensic Psychology and Human Behaviour. He also provides drill and self-defence training to Public Services students.

Mr Lewis completed the 2-year Post Graduate Certificate in Education in 2016 at Greenwich University, having earlier completed his 3-year Nursing and 2-year Police Officer training and a 3-year BA (Hons) at the Open University in Forensic Psychology. Mr Lewis is currently studying for another BA (Hons) degree in Educational Psychology at the Open University.

Mr Lewis is a member of the society for Education and Training and the International Police Association. He is also a mentor for trainee teachers following the University of Greenwich Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. 

When he is not at work or studying, Mr Lewis mentors students internationally who are completing their masters degree or doctorate.

The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.