MASTER ACADEMIC 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 this study programme is to acquire the academic title of Master Engineer of Technology. The content of this study programme is related to modern technical and technological methods used for characterization of materials as well as identification of objects in criminalistics and in public and commercial sectors. The contents of certain scientific disciplines have also been introduced, such as: modern materials identification techniques, special purpose materials, technical and technological engineering, chemical engineering, electrochemical engineering, biochemical engineering. These contents are in line with the highest scientific achievements and standards that enable a master engineer of technology to be able to perform the most complex tasks in managerial positions related to technical and technological projects and criminal identifications, both in laboratories and upon processing crime scenes. A master engineer of technology can also take part in the educational process and scientific research within institutions of higher education and research where the knowledge of this profile is required. This study programme provides an opportunity for continued professional development, i.e. for the enrollment in doctoral studies.

 

Objectives of Curriculum

The objectives of the master study programme include the following:
• Adoption of fundamental and applied science methods providing the competence required for the profile of master engineer of technology;
• Adequate application of scientific methods for carrying out and improving technological processes as well as complex and specific tasks related to obtaining evidence;
• Applicability of acquired knowledge in carrying out the tasks that require knowledge of scientific methods that form the basis of modern identification techniques (automatic identification systems, methods of characterization of building materials, machine elements, polymer fibres, etc.);
• Application of acquired knowledge in the field of traffic, polymer and ballistic engineering in the procedures for resolving specific criminal cases and the reconstruction thereof;
• Application of acquired knowledge in the field of human and material resources management;
• Knowledge of the relevant legal framework and ethical standards required for carrying out specific assignments related to crime investigation, state and commercial sectors.

 

Competences of Graduated Students

A student who passes all the exams within the master study programme in Forensic Engineering and defends the master thesis attains higher education and the academic title of a master engineer of technology.

The acquired academic title implies the following competences:
- Independent application of fundamental and applied sciences for material characterization and identification of persons, objects and traces;
- Knowledge of technological procedures necessary for material identification;
- Assessment of possibilities for applying technical and technological procedures with a view to obtaining reliable evidence;
- Adequate access to automatic identification systems following appropriate selection of samples for their identification and adequate registration (databases);
- Ability to work in research and development units within the Ministry of the Interior and other state authorities, organizations and non-governmental bodies;
- Required levels of practical application of appropriate computerized systems;
- Participation in the development of strategic plans and analyses;
- Students will also have acquired the social-interaction and communication competence necessary for job positions within teams of engineers, along with communication skills for clearly formulating and presenting the tasks, solutions and results of their work.

 

Student Enrolment

The following candidates are eligible:
- candidates who have previously achieved the scope of undergraduate academic studies of at least 240 ECTS at the accredited curriculum.

In addition to the abovementioned, a condition is that the candidates have completed previous studies at the appropriate universities as follows – the faculty of technical-technological sciences, natural sciences, medical sciences, as well as criminalistics, safety, law, economy and special education and rehabilitation;

 

Entrance exam

Entrance exam for master academic studies of Forensic Engineering is not necessary for a candidate who has completed undergraduate academic studies at the University at an appropriate department regardless of their GPA, or has completed them at another appropriate higher education institution with a GPA no less than 8.00.

Entrance exam for the curriculum of Forensic Engineering consists of three out of six courses offered: Biology, Basics of Forensics, Physical Chemistry, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

For this curriculums each exam is eliminatory, with no possibility of taking them again. A candidate has passed the exam if they were graded with at least 11 of 20 points on each of the three exams that they take.

Literature list for the courses of the entrance exam are available at the web site of the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies www.kpu.edu.rs.

Ranking, that is, the order of candidates for enrolment to master academic studies of Forensic Engineering is determined based on:
- GPA achieved at undergraduate studies expressed in points (up to 40 points, or GPA at undergraduate studies multiplied by four) and
- GPA achieved at the entrance exam (up to 60 points).

Candidates that do not take entrance exam, that is, candidates that have completed academic studies at the University at an appropriate department regardless of their GPA, or have completed them at another appropriate high education institution with a GPA of at least 8.00 during their studies are awarded with the maximum of 60 points which refer to the entrance exam even though they are not taking it.