Julie Wilhelm, MSc student
I wondered a long time what I could do with my general engineering degree that I earned in France. Forensic science was one of the paths I was considering. When I started my research, I found a lot of programmes in the US required a high entry level in chemistry. But then I was happy to see that the University of Amsterdam accepted all sorts of scientific backgrounds. I looked at the list of courses and I really liked the diversity offered with both practical and theory parts. And so I started the programme in 2012.
What I have really been enjoying so far is the variety of lecturers we have been meeting, such as the Dutch Police, people from the NFI or private forensic experts. I have to say though that I hadn’t realized that the master was as research oriented as it is.
What does a typical week in the first year look like? I start on Tuesday with two classes in Statistics and DNA evidence. I must admit that statistics is not my favorite field in science. Wednesday is exciting, we are going to the NFI for a whole day for Forensic and Physical Anthropology (FPA). It’s already Thursday when we are back at Science Park where we have most of our classes. We have to work on a scientific journal and present it to class. My group is very international and I always find it interesting to see how the different members are used to work. After this class we have to hop on our bikes and get to a practical at the AMC. We look at different skulls and have to look at specific ethnic traits. Finally, the week finishes in the city center with a practical where we’re working on cremated remains.