Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology

2019 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2019 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2019 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Forensic Science / Bachelor of Criminology
Course Map	2019 course map If you started your course before 2019, please refer to the plan your study page or contact a Student Adviser
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Cloud Campus	No
Duration	4 years full time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	075455D Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Deakin course code	D329
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Explore the nature of crime and the science behind the collection, examination and presentation of evidence with this combined degree in criminology and forensic science. You’ll discover what’s behind criminal behaviour, learn valuable courtroom skills and get hands-on experience examining evidence in simulated crime scenes.

Criminology is the study of crime and the motivations behind criminal behaviour. Forensic science is an applied science concerned with the law and legal proceedings and can include specialist areas such as crime scene investigation, forensic medicine and lab sciences.

Led by a team of highly experienced criminology and forensic science experts, you’ll learn about the many interrelated concepts that underpin these professional areas where the law meets science.

The combined degree draws from both the arts and science disciplines. It’s designed to give you a broad appreciation of the professional, social, economic and cultural contexts of why crimes are committed and teach you how to examine evidence for the purposes of legal proceedings.

In the forensic science stream you can choose to focus your studies by completing a major sequences in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry. Depending on your major, you'll cover a wide range of disciplines, including toxicology, arson and explosives investigations, analysis of illicit drugs, DNA analysis, blood spatter pattern analysis and entomology, and also undertake studies in criminology. Forensic study will focus on the examination, interpretation and presentation of evidence, and include courtroom presentations.

Our purpose-built crime scene facility lets you search for evidence and you’ll also learn how to apply forensic analysis including chemical, biological and physical techniques.

In the criminology stream you’ll take a close look at the nature of crime, investigating why crimes are committed. You’ll explore the various theoretical approaches that shape our understanding of crime in contemporary society and how communities respond to criminal behaviour. You’ll examine the criminal justice system from a sociological perspective, explore crime prevention and security, criminal and civil law and the laws of evidence.

This double degree prepares you for careers in criminology, forensic science and forensic criminology. You might choose to work in crime prevention, community development, security, policing, corrections, military services or criminal justice research. Other specialist areas you can explore include forensic sociology, criminal psychology and forensic investigation.

Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Forensic Science has been professionally accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Graduates of this course are encouraged to apply for membership of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (ANZSOC).

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this course, you may find employment opportunities as a forensic scientist, criminologist or related role, in both the public and private sector, including areas such as the forensic science industry, science-based industries, teaching, government agencies, state and federal police, ASIO, correctional services, community services, and private security industries.

Participation requirements

You may be required to complete units in Trimester 3 depending on your chosen major. Please refer to the Handbook for unit offering patterns.

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Alternative exits

Bachelor of Criminology (A329)
Bachelor of Forensic Science (S324)

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of the single degree.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology, students must attain 32 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 32 credit points, you’ll need to study 32 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

This combined course comprises 32 credit points of study. Students will undertake 16 credit point in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment and 16 credit points in the Faculty of Arts and Education units. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Forensic Science (S324) and Bachelor of Criminology (A329) must be satisfied.^

Forensic Science requirements (16 cp):

10 credit points of core Forensic Science units (plus 1 other core unit shared with Criminology – ACR102);
Successful completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Successful completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 cp);
Successful completion of STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 cp);
Successful completion of a major sequence in either Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology;
At least 6 credit points at level 3 (including a minimum of 4 Science units).

Criminology requirements (16 cp):

Students must complete 16 credit points of study from the Faculty of Arts and Education including;
12 credit points of ACR coded core units, including the compulsory core units of ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302;
At least 4 credit points at level 3 including ACR301 and ACR302;
4 elective units available from within the Bachelor of Arts major sequences. Please refer to A300 Bachelor of Arts for a list of Faculty of Arts and Education units.

^Combined rule: No more than 10-credit points at level 1 including SIT191, SLE111, SLE112, SLE132, SLE133, SLE155, ACR101 and ACR102

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Major sequences

Bachelor of Forensic Science major sequences

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

Course structure

Core

Bachelor of Forensic Science

Core Units

STP050

Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

SLE010

Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

STP010

Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit points)

SLE111

Cells and Genes

SLE133

Chemistry in Our World

SLE112

Fundamentals of Forensic Science

SLE132

Biology: Form and Function

SLE155

Chemistry for the Professional Sciences

SIT191

Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis

SLE208

Forensic Biology #

SLE212

Biochemistry

SLE213

Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles

SLE313

Forensic Analysis and Interpretation

Students must complete a major sequence in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry on top of the core unit requirements.

# Must have successfully completed STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point unit)

Bachelor of Criminology

Core Units

ACR101

Introducing Crime and Criminology

ACR102

Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

ACR201

Issues in Criminal Justice

ACR202

Criminology Theory

ACR301

International and Comparative Criminal Justice

ACR302

Criminology Research

Plus at least six credit points from

ACR203

Crime, Victims and Justice

ACR204

Crime, Media and Justice

ACR210

Crime, Surveillance and Society **

ACR211

Crime Prevention and Security **

ACR212

Crime, Surveillance and Technology *

ACR213

Crime, Terrorism and Security *

ACR303

Criminology Practicum

* ACR212, ACR213 Trimester 1 (2019, 2021, 2023) and trimester 3 (alternate years 2020, 2022)

** ACR210, ACR211 Trimester 1 (alternate years 2020, 2022) and trimester 3 (alternate years 2019, 2021, 2023)

Course structure

Electives

Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. In some cases you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).

It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.

Work experience

This course aims to provide students with a holistic experience of their role as forensic analysts. You will have the opportunity to visit a court, a crime scene and participate in a ‘moot court’ which allows students to experience a simulated courtroom environment.

Details of major sequences

Forensic Biology

Campuses

Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

Unit set code

MJ-S000049

Overview

The forensic biology major aims to provide you with the specific biological skills that are very important in the forensic science workplace. These biological-based skills complement the generic forensic science attributes developed in the core units of the course. Study in this area may lead to a career in forensic laboratories, entomology, human anatomy, research science, policing and biological and food industries.

Units

SLE211

Principles of Physiology

SLE212

Biochemistry *

SLE221

Systems Physiology

SLE254

Genetics and Genomics

SLE356

Advanced Topics in Forensic Biology (Tri-3)

SLE340

Genomes and Bioinformatics

* Already core units in the degree.

Details of major sequences

Forensic Chemistry

Campuses

Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

Unit set code

MJ-SU00015

Overview

The forensic chemistry major aims to provide you with the specific chemistry skills that are very important in the forensic science workplace. These chemically-based skills complement the generic forensic science attributes developed in the core units of the course. Study in this area may lead to a career in forensic laboratories, toxicology, drug detection, chemical detection, research science, policing, and chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.