Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Forensic Science / Bachelor of Criminology
Course Map	The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. Major Forensic Chemistry Major Forensic Biology The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. Major Forensic Chemistry Major Forensic Biology Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Online	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

The Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology trains you to examine the many facets of crime. Understanding the nature of crime and the motivations behind criminal behaviour is a sought-after skill and is particularly powerful when combined with expertise in modern forensic science. By developing skills in these complementary disciplines, you will graduate with more career options and a broader perspective of crime and the justice system.

This industry-led combined degree is designed in partnership with the Australian Crime Commission, ensuring your study experience reflects the everyday challenges of your future career. Practical learning is a key focus within this degree. You will develop your skills in our purpose-built crime scene training facility, gain industry experience through work-integrated learning opportunities and learn from international leaders in criminology.

Want to pursue a career in forensic science or the justice system?

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 the arts and science disciplines. You will develop a broad appreciation of the professional, social, economic and cultural contexts of why crimes are committed and learn how to examine evidence using modern forensic analysis techniques.

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

toxicology
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 will explore topics that are crucial to the prevention of crime, including 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 through optional internships, allowing 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 with input from professional bodies including Victoria Police and the Australian Crime Commission. This means you will 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.

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. Students 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).

The Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology (Chemistry major) has been professionally accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Graduates of this course are encouraged to apply for membership of the respective local branch of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

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. More information available at Disability support services.

Alternative exits

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

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our 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.

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):

Ten (10) credit points of core Forensic Science units (plus 1 other core unit shared with Criminology – ACR102);
A six (6) credit point major sequence in either Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology;
Successful completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit point compulsory unit);
Successful completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit point unit);
Successful completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point unit);
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 A310 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.

Major sequences

Bachelor of Forensic Science major sequences

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

*Enrolment in a Trimester 3 study period is compulsory

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

SLE251

Research Methods and Data Analysis #

SLE213

The Analytical Chemist's Toolbox

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

ACR214

Inequality, Power and Justice

ACR215

Contemporary Perspectives in Criminology

ACR304

Surveillance and Social Justice

ACR305

Crime, Terrorism and Security

ACR306

Careers in Criminal Justice

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

SLE212

Biochemistry

SLE228

Forensic Genomics

SLE254

Genetics and Genomics

SLE356

Advanced Topics in Forensic Biology

SLE357

Advanced Cell Biology *

SLE340

Genomes and Bioinformatics

* available from Trimester 2, 2024

^Enrolment in a Trimester 3 study period is compulsory

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.