DOCTORAL STUDIES OF FORENSIC ENGINEERING

CURRICULUM

 

Institutional language policy

The courses within this study programme are taught in Serbian language.

For all additional information on the courses or a study programme please contact the Erasmus institutional coordinator, Professor Saša Mijalković, PhD, the Vice-Rector for International and Institutional Cooperation, at e-mail: sasa.mijalkovic@kpu.edu.rs.

All information on the teachers who are in charge of the courses of this study programme are available in the following document: TEACHING STAFF.

 

Purpose of the Curriculum

The purpose of the study programme is to produce the most competent researches in the field of technological engineering. The study programme of Forensic Engineering ensures the education of doctors of science qualified to independently lead original and scientifically relevant research in the field of technological engineering. Special attention is given to the development and application of new technologies and procedures and possible patent protection, which may significantly contribute to the development and promotion of technological procedures relevant for finding out the causes of failure of tested materials and establishing the facts resulting in incidents/accidents, but also bringing about advancement in the performance of materials. Bearing in mind the importance of forensics as a field in which both fundamental and applied sciences are used in practical technical and technological procedures, it is evident that this profile is necessary in a modern society which requires a wide range of knowledge. It is on experts of this profile that today’s successful development of overall social activity is based. In addition to permanent development of educational processes in line with the best practice, the objective of the study programme includes the application of scientific, fundamental and engineering knowledge aimed at developing innovative practical solutions. Therefore the experts educated in this study programme, which encompasses interdisciplinary components from the technical-technological field, will be responsible for the development in the field of technological engineering in the institutions that carry out developmental, innovative and applied research, primarily in Serbia and in the region where the need for such experts is prominent, but also within the framework of educational and scientific European community.

 

Objectives of Curriculum

The primary objective – in line with the purpose of the programme – is to produce top experts capable of independent research work, who will advance the development of fundamental and applied aspects of forensic engineering in the technical and technological fields both in Serbia and in the region. In that respect, the specific objectives of the programme are to provide high-quality state-of-the-art knowledge and appropriate skills in technical and technological procedures, forensic laboratories, laboratories of research and educational institutions. It is of particular importance that both the content and form are in keeping with the standards of European and other higher education systems, which ensures that the students will have opportunities for further education at other universities worldwide and which gives them competitive advantage upon employment. A particular goal of this doctoral study programme is related to the fact that the field of forensic engineering is not present in the educational systems of either Serbia or the other countries in the region. Therefore the aim of this study programme is to produce experts who will be able to meet the society’s need for this educational profile.

The scientific and educational objectives of the compulsory courses are reflected in mastering the methodology of scientific research. The objectives of the compulsory courses also provide for mastering the methods of analyzing the characteristics of modern materials and the use of certain optical devices in modern scientific material research.

The scientific and educational objectives of the elective courses are diversified and - depending on the choice - include the following: training students for the application of mathematical and statistical methods in scientific research and for reaching certain scientific conclusions in various fields of research, and especially in forensic analyses, as well as training the students to choose the type of mathematical statistical procedures required for specific scientific and research tasks and to actively make decisions based on statistical analyses and conclusions; training the students to analyze the characteristics of materials using various techniques (spectroscopy, physicochemical analysis) and to apply the methods of producing and processing modern materials; acquiring specialist knowledge in certain areas of biology (cell biology, genetics, microbiology, genomics, etc.) as well as their specific applications in varied biotechnological scientific research focusing on new trends; introducing the students to biomedicine, i.e. with the application of principles of various biology fields in medical research and scientific study such as molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology and toxicology; mastering the basics of and the achievements in environmental engineering; acquiring the necessary level of knowledge in the theory of risk assessment in the field of forensics and forensic engineering; acquiring knowledge of the atomic nucleus, the phenomenon of radioactivity, ionizing radiation, the application of dosimetry and the detection of nuclear radiation, radiography, radiochemistry and their application in forensics and training the students for future scientific research in the field of nuclear forensics.

 

Competences of Graduated Students

Upon completing the doctoral studies, in keeping with the purpose and objectives of the study programme, compulsory courses ensure that the student acquires the following competences and abilities:

1) Ability for independent research work, which is verified by publications and defence of the doctoral dissertation. It involves mastering top-level technical and technological knowledge, including methods of research work, relevant experimental and theoretical techniques, and the ability to adequately select and apply them.
2) Application of acquired skills and knowledge in practice and in scientific or professional institutions and ability to participate in teams engaged in research, development and implementation tasks in the field of technological engineering. Ability to select and apply methods and processes in resolving complex problems in technical and technological practice.
3) Ability to select problems which are relevant for the development of science or national or international know-how and successfully work them out employing the given personnel and material conditions Ability to monitor, analyze and apply innovations in the field of technological engineering and to develop new skills in accordance with the development of state-of-the-art knowledge and technologies, primarily in the domain of using modern spectroscopy / chromatography methods in the analysis of various materials used in industry. Ability to identify, formulate and resolve engineering problems in different technical and technological branches.
4) Ability to present obtained results relevant for court proceedings, technical and technological procedures, as well as specific issues and obtained results at scientific gatherings and in relevant publications (scientific papers, monographs, manuals, textbooks). This allows the experts of this profile to be directly involved in court proceedings (presentation of obtained results – evidence). It also allows for the engagement of doctors of science in the educational process and continuation of their work at the university or in research and development teams within technical and technological institutions.
5) Ability to engage in national and international research projects, keep up with new trends with the help of relevant literature and cooperation with the world’s leading research teams in the field of technical and technological development.
6) Ability to identify traditional materials as well as nano-structured materials, biomaterials, superconductive materials, etc., which are of significance for the field of technical and technological engineering, using appropriate scientific methods.

Within the elective subjects, the students may be guided towards acquiring some of the following competences:

1) Ability to apply mathematical-statistical methods in scientific research and in reaching certain scientific and research conclusions in various scientific fields and in forensic scientific research analyses.
2) Ability to analyze the properties of materials using different technologies focusing in particular on physic-chemical analyzing the characteristics of polymeric and composite materials, their structure and properties, as well as mastering the methods of obtaining and processing modern polymeric and composite materials.
3) Competence in the application of principles of various branches of biology in medical and forensic, general and scientific research practice, such as molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, toxicology, cell biology, genetics and genomics.
4) Ability to analyze common environmental problems on the macro and micro plan and solve general and partial environmental resource problems, as well as enhancing the students’ capacity for accepting new knowledge in the area of environmental engineering and for a scientific approach to the analysis of environmental problems. The students develop abilities to use techniques for identifying environmental factors and generalizing in the decision-making process in relation to economics-society-techniques-ecology.
5) Competence in risk management focusing on the forensic and security aspects, as well as in resolving specific cases in the field of forensics, applying the methods of risk analysis in various branches of engineering.
6) Ability to understand nuclear and radiation processes and their application in forensics and capacity for future implementation of newly-acquired knowledge and techniques in the field of nuclear and radiation physics both in forensic testing and in scientific research field of nuclear forensics.

 

Student Enrolment

The University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, that is, the departments within University organise and perform doctoral studies in accordance with the Law on Higher Education, Accreditation Standards of Curriculums at the doctoral studies, the Rulebook on doctoral studies, the Articles of Association and other General Acts of the University. Doctoral studies last three years and bear at least 180 ECTS, with a previously achieved scope of studies of at least 300 ECTS at undergraduate and master studies.

Eligible candidates for the first year of doctoral studies should have completed BA academic studies and MA studies at the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies and should have earned at least 300 ECTS with a GPA of at least 8.00 both at BA ad MA level of academic studies. A candidate who acquired their higher education under the regulations that were effective till the day the Law on Higher Education came into effect, by having completed undergraduate studies of no less than eight semesters with a GPA of at least 8 at both BA and MA studies is also eligible. It is necessary that the candidate who meets the above mentioned prerequisites know one world language, and the University determines the type of knowledge at the call for doctoral studies enrolment, as well as the way of testing the knowledge of a foreign language.

In case that an insufficient number of candidates applies for the call for the enrolment into the first year of doctoral studies, the University can accept a candidate who does not meet conditions in terms of GPA but who passes the entrance exam, in the order of the amount of the GPA if more such candidates apply. The University stipulates taking entrance exam in the adequate field of natural sciences, medicine or technical-technological sciences, in accordance with the undergraduate education of the candidates (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology). In addition to the mentioned prerequisites, a candidate should have completed undergraduate studies in the field of technical-technological science and related scientific fields. The relatedness of a scientific field is to be determined by the Council of the Department of Forensics.

Students are accepted at doctoral studies based on the call announced by the University.

The call contains: the number of students being enrolled, enrolment prerequisites, the procedure of the call implementation, the criteria for determining the order of candidates, ways and deadlines for submitting a complaint to the determined order as well as the tuition fee.

The Enrolment Commission appointed by the rector of the University carries out the call for enrolment and determines the order of the accepted candidates and announces it.

The order of candidates for the enrolment in the first year of doctoral studies is determined based on the GPA achieved at BA and MA academic studies, and other criteria of importance for the curriculum. The GPA is determined by dividing by two, the sum of GPAs at BA and MA academic studies. The candidate who has met the prerequisites and is placed on the ranking list within the number determined for the enrolment is entitled to enrolment.

If the candidate who is entitled to enrolment does not enrol within the deadline stipulated by the call, they will be substituted by the next in line candidate who meets these prerequisites.

The University concludes a contract with the eligible candidates stipulating the mutual rights and obligations.