The university's centre for toxicology has teamed up with the Forensic Science Service and Lancashire Police for the venture.

It is a joint BSc (Hons) course, which allows students to study one other subject from a choice of criminology, psychology, journalism, law or biochemistry.

Course leaders believe the opportunities this creates for students could make the course unique in the UK.

Real crime scenes

The examination of DNA is a crucial part of forensic science

The university is setting up a forensic science laboratory, at a cost of just under £100,000, to help teach students.

During the first year of the course, they will cover topics including the identification of hair and glass fibres, blood stains, semen stains and spotting patterns of blood.

In their second and third years they will get hands-on experience at real crime scenes.

The university's link with the Forensic Science Service, an independent agency, is with its laboratory in Chorley.

It has also linked up with the Home Office pathologist based at the Royal Preston Hospital, so that students can attend post-mortem examinations and get more "real-life" experience.

Deputy course leader, toxicologist Dr Stuart McCully, said: "There are a couple of undergraduate degrees offering plain forensic science, but this joint honours course means you do not have to be a forensic scientist - you can be something else with a background in forensic science.

"Some forensic scientists go down the postgraduate route after getting a BSc, but that is expensive as it is self-funding."

'Dearth of specialists'

Graduates of the course would not go on to carry out post-mortems, as forensic pathologists with medical backgrounds do these, he said.

"Forensic science is an area of methodology which is now just so specialised, and there is a dearth of specialists. We need more forensic scientists."

To qualify for the course, which has 30 places a year and will start in September, students must have biology or chemistry at A level, and a minimum of 16 A level points. Mature students can sit a one-year course to gain A level qualifications before enrolling on the degree course.

Dr McCully said that 17 places were still available for the new course this year.

It had not been included in the university's prospectus for the coming academic year, as it was not expected to receive validation in time. After it was granted early validation, the course had been advertised in the local press.

Course leader Professor Ian Shaw, a former forensic scientist, said: "Not only does it teach the students the principles of forensic science, but it also provides them with the opportunity to gain practical experience of real case situations."