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Growing up, Aberdonian Sam Walker decided he wanted to become a scientist. After studying higher Biology and Chemistry at Hazelhead Academy and with the goal of university in mind, he attended North East Scotland College (NESCol), earning a HND in Applied Sciences before making his way to 亚博体育官网 in year three.

鈥淏efore leaving secondary school I had considered the idea of going into medicine but realised that wasn鈥檛 the setting I wanted to enter. Crime, law, and policing have always interested me, and so forensic science was a natural fit.

鈥淚 went through college with forensics in mind as a long-term goal and studying it at 亚博体育官网 through Degree Link offered me the chance to develop many of the lab skills I learned at NESCol while also developing some unique ones in areas such as crime scene work, fire investigation, and blood analysis.

Whilst at 亚博体育官网, Sam experienced the full range of what the departments had to offer, including the chance to examine mock crime scenes, giving him vital experience and insight into what a career in forensic science might look like.

鈥淕etting the chance to investigate mock crime scenes and follow the evidence from collection to courtroom was an amazing experience. Being able to get hands on experience with this, analysing blood patterns, and learning from experts both from the school and further afield has been brilliant.

鈥淧lanning, researching and defending my work in fourth year has not only given me a taste of what might lie ahead in postgraduate study, but has also given me more confidence and pride in my work.鈥�

Now that he鈥檚 gained a first-class degree in Forensic and Analytical Sciences, Sam is looking ahead to postgraduate study and his future career.

鈥淚鈥檝e gained a great deal more confidence in my skills in the lab over these past two years, and the experience of planning and researching my honours project will hopefully be very useful going forward into a master鈥檚 degree.

鈥淢y current plans are to move on to further study in analytical science through a master鈥檚 degree, and following this, I may potentially pursue a PhD or perhaps begin searching for jobs in forensic science.

鈥淏eing taught by lecturers from a range of scientific backgrounds, as well as having guest lectures from police staff, and those from further afield has certainly made me more aware of the wide variety of possible careers this degree offers.鈥�

During his time at university, Sam even had the opportunity to work with 鈥渞eal samples from the deceased鈥� through supervised research with 亚博体育官网 staff, the James Hutton Institute of Environmental Science, and a team in Portugal.

Having started out at NESCol, he is delighted with his pathway and how far he has come.

鈥淐oming up directly from NESCol, my tutors made me feel incredibly welcome and at ease in my first semester of third year. I鈥檇 highly recommend any potential direct entrants who are nervous about studying at 亚博体育官网 to just go for it.

鈥淚鈥檓 very proud, to say the least. The past two years have been challenging, but extremely worthwhile, and I鈥檝e made many friends here that I hope to stay in touch with from here onwards.鈥�