Bachelor of Forensic Science

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Forensic Science
Deakin course code	S324
Faculty	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Online	No
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025: Forensic Biology Specialisation Forensic Chemistry Specialisation Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	073106G Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
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

Deakin’s professionally accredited Bachelor of Forensic Science exposes you to the full scope of modern forensic science, from simulated crime scenes to courtroom presentations. With a strong focus on practical training, you will graduate with the skills needed to confidently examine, interpret and present forensic evidence. Enhance your courtroom skills by building knowledge of the science behind criminal investigations and gain practical experience in our unique crime scene training facility.

In this comprehensive and flexible degree, you will cover a wide range of disciplines including illicit drugs analysis, DNA analysis and more. You can customise your degree to your interests by selecting to specialise in forensic biology or forensic chemistry. You will then learn how to apply modern forensic analysis in authentic environments like Deakin’s purpose-built training facilities.

Want to study the only professionally accredited forensic science degree in Australia?

Alongside extensive practical training, you will explore a range of disciplines throughout your course, including:

toxicology
analysis of illicit drugs
DNA analysis
bloodstain pattern analysis
entomology
analysis of physical evidence
decomposition.

Taking your technical skills into the field, you will experience a range of real-world professional situations, from crime scene examination and evidence collection to laboratory analysis, interpretation of results and communicating your findings to investigators, including presenting evidence in a moot court.

Complement your technical knowledge and be better prepared to present in court by developing a strong understanding of the Australian legal system, including how law is developed, criminal and civil law, and the laws of evidence.

This course has extensive industry links with local and Australian forensic organisations, and features guest speakers from leaders in the field. Industry connections are leveraged to put you right in the middle of real-world forensic science environments.

The Bachelor of Forensic Science is professionally accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Deakin is the first university in the Asia-Pacific region and the only university in Australia to offer professionally accredited forensic sciences courses, meaning, you can potentially work anywhere in the world. Enhance your networking opportunities further by applying for membership of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, 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).

The Bachelor of Forensic Science (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

Through your extensive practical training, you will graduate with the technical and soft skills needed to thrive in a range of areas including:

forensic laboratories
insurance investigations
risk analysis
research science
policing
government institutions
chemical, biological, food and pharmaceutical 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.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of forensic disciplines including forensic chemistry, forensic biology and the science in the crime scene to the courtroom. Apply analysis and interpretation techniques in order to deduce and test hypothesis in a variety of professional contexts. Explain and present the strengths of scientific results and associated limitations in professional environments.
Communication	Use appropriate terminology and standard operating procedures to note take, document and present a variety of accumulated information. Judge how well to present essential details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, international contributions and contexts. Converse with scientific and non-scientific audiences using appropriate language and methods of communication to clearly articulate scientific procedures and outcomes.
Digital literacy	Apply well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate scientific literature, information, data and results.
Critical thinking	Interpret and evaluate information from a number of areas including a body of knowledge from the scholarly literature, laboratory data and other individuals to place the information in a scientific context. Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement to analyse, synthesise and generate an integrated knowledge, and to formulate hypotheses and test them against evidence-based scientific concepts and principles.
Problem solving	Take into account relevant contextual factors to approach problems and make informed decisions that will assist in finding appropriate solutions to problems in forensic science. Advocate scientific methodologies, hypotheses, laws, facts and principles to create solutions to real world problems and forensic scenarios.
Self-management	Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing professional science contexts to develop autonomy as learners and evaluate own performance. Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices.
Teamwork	Work independently and collaboratively in diverse roles as members of multidisciplinary teams to contribute towards achieving team goals and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in professional, social and cultural contexts.
Global citizenship	Adopt and value multidisciplinary knowledge and perspectives for evaluating, integrating and incorporating strategies and solutions in scoping, planning and managing alternative solutions from local to global forensic problems.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Forensic Science students must pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
12 credit points of core units
1 major (6 credit points)
6 credit points of open elective units
a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3 (a minimum 4 must be SLE coded units)

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Majors

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

*Enrolment in a Trimester 3 study period is compulsory

Course structure

Core

Level 1 - Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

SLE010

Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit point)

SLE111

Cells and Genes

SLE133

Chemistry in Our World

SIT191

Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis

Plus one open elective

Level 1 - Trimester 2

SLE132

Biology: Form and Function

SLE155

Chemistry for the Professional Sciences ^

SLE112

Fundamentals of Forensic Science

ACR102

Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

STP010

Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point)

Level 2 - Trimester 1

SLE251

Research Methods and Data Analysis #

SLE213

The Analytical Chemist's Toolbox

Plus two open elective/major units

Level 2 - Trimester 2

SLE208

Forensic Biology

Plus three open elective/major units

Level 3 - Trimester 1

SLE301

Professional Practice

Plus three open elective/major units

Level 3 - Trimester 2

SLE313

Forensic Analysis and Interpretation

Plus three open elective/major units

^Assumed knowledge: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent).

# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)

Electives

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

To broaden your experience of the world, you will have an opportunity to participate in overseas placements and study tours as an elective option in your course.

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.

The course includes a compulsory professional practice unit that requires you to undertake at least 80 hours of work experience in a course-related host organisation. For more information visit SEBE Work Integrated Learning.

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, research science, policing, and biological and food industries.

Students must complete a major sequence in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry in addition to the core unit requirements.

Units

SLE212

Biochemistry

SLE228

Forensic Genomics

SLE254

Genetics and Genomics

SLE356

Advanced Topics in Forensic Biology

SLE357

Advanced Cell Biology

SLE340

Genomes and Bioinformatics

^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 chemistry-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.

Students must complete a major sequence in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry in addition to the core unit requirements.

Units

SLE210

Chemistry the Enabling Science

SLE214

Organic Chemistry

SLE312

Toxicology

SLE316

Analytical Chemistry and the Environment

SLE318

Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry

SLE361

Inorganic Chemistry

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Fees and charges

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

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.