Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2020 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Forensic Science / Bachelor of Criminology
Course Map	Trimester 1 2020 course map Trimester 2 2020 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

Become a crime scene expert by studying the Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology, a double degree that trains you to piece together the many facets of crime, from understanding motives to unlocking hidden details in evidence.

Want to pursue a combined course that gives you a distinct career advantage in forensic science or the justice system?

Understanding the nature of crime and the motivations behind criminal behaviour is a sought-after skill. The ability to use scientific evidence to solve crimes is equally in demand.

Combining both skills makes you far more employable and lets you see crime through multiple lenses, so you can perform your role at a much higher level.

Led by a team of highly experienced criminology and forensic science experts, the Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology gives you a glimpse into the minds of criminals, while training you to confidently examine, interpret and present forensic evidence.

This combined course draws from both 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 teaches you how to examine evidence using modern forensic analysis techniques.

In the forensic science stream you can specialise in either forensic biology or forensic chemistry. Depending on your major, you'll cover a range of disciplines including:

decomposition
toxicology
arson and explosives investigations
analysis of illicit drugs
DNA analysis
blood spatter pattern analysis
entomology.

Our purpose-built crime scene facility lets you apply the theory you learn in the classroom in a simulated crime scene environment. Search for evidence, conduct forensic analysis and get hands-on training taking an investigation from the crime scene to the courtroom.

In the criminology stream, you’ll explore topics that are crucial to the prevention of crime, such as cyber security, surveillance, anti-terrorism and policing. Learn about the historical repercussions, technological developments and media representations of crime and the desirable outcomes of criminal justice processes. Get hands-on experience with our work-integrated learning opportunities, which allow you to bridge theory with practice and gain insight into how the study of criminology applies across different industries and sectors. You can even take your learning overseas and gain a global perspective on how other countries approach criminology.

Our course is designed in conjunction with professional bodies including Victoria Police and the Australian Crime Commission. This means you’ll develop the skills in demand by employers and graduate ready to tackle criminal justice issues in fields including:

anti-corruption agencies
correctional services
community services
crime prevention agencies
intelligence agencies
law enforcement
local, state and federal government
private security industries
state and federal police.

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

This combined course gives you a competitive edge in the fields of criminology, forensic science and forensic criminology. Your strong understanding of both the criminal justice system and forensic science prepares you to thrive in a variety of roles including:

forensic scientist
research scientist
insurance investigator
crime prevention officer
cyber security specialist
intelligence analyst
risk assessment officer
state and federal policing.

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 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point);
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;
At least 12-credit points of ACR coded units, including the compulsory core units of ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302;
At least 6 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

Career Tools for Employability (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 Career Tools for Employability (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 Criminology ACR coded units in list A below:

ACR203

Crime, Victims and Justice

ACR204

Crime, Media and Justice

ACR206

Criminology in Action

ACR211

Crime Prevention and Security **

ACR212

Crime, Surveillance and Technology *

ACR304

Crime, Surveillance and Society **

ACR305

Crime, Terrorism and Security *

ACR306

Careers in Criminal Justice

* ACR212, ACR305 Trimester 1 (2021, 2023) and trimester 3 (alternate years 2020, 2022)

** ACR304, ACR211 Trimester 1 (alternate years 2020, 2022) and trimester 3 (alternate years 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 *

SLE228

Forensic Genomics

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.