Bachelor of Forensic Science
2016 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2016 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Forensic Science |
| Campus | Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Cloud Campus | No |
| Duration | 3 years full time or part time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 073106G Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | S324 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Course rules
- Major sequences
- Course structure
- Details of major sequences
Course overview
Study forensic science at Deakin and you’ll get formal training across the full scope of modern forensic science, acquiring skills and authentic experiences from ‘crime scene to court’ by spending time in our unique crime scene training facility. Deakin is the first university in Australia, and the only university in the Asia-Pacific region, to offer a professionally-accredited forensic science course.
Deakin’s Bachelor of Forensic Science combines studies in biology, chemistry, biochemical and chemical analysis, statistical analysis, and molecular biology. You’ll learn how to apply forensic analysis including chemical, biological and physical techniques while also learning about the Australian legal system, including how law is developed, criminal and civil law, and the laws of evidence.
When you study forensic science at Deakin you’ll also undertake studies in criminology, including the examination, interpretation and presentation of evidence.
You’ll cover forensic chemistry and toxicology, arson and explosives investigations, analysis of illicit drugs, forensic toxicology and acquire courtroom skills.
The course has extensive industry links with local and Australian forensic organisations, and features guest speakers and site visits in collaboration with leading forensic organisations.
The Bachelor of Forensic Science is professionally accredited by the Australian and New Zealand Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (ANZFSS). Graduates of the course can expect to find work in areas such as forensics, insurance investigation, risk analysis, research science, in government institutions and within chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.
Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Forensic Science has been professionally accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Forensic Science, career opportunities exist in forensics, insurance investigation, risk analysis, research science, in government institutions and in chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Forensic Science, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- 11 core units
- Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit point compulsory unit)
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- at least 6 credit points at level 3 (at least 4 must be Science course grouped)
- Completion of a major sequence in either: Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology
With careful planning, students may use up to eight of their remaining electives on units offered outside the Faculty such as units in Criminology, for example.
Major sequences
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Course structure
Core
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| SLE111 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE133 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SIT191 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE010 | Unit description is currently unavailable (0 credit point) |
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SLE132 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE155 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE112 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| ACR102 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE212 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE213 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SLE208 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SLE313 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Electives
Select from a range of electives 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).
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 based on toxicology, drug detection and chemical detection.
Students must complete a major sequence in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry in addition to the core unit requirements.
Units
| SLE210 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE214 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE229 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE316 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE318 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE312 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
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 based on entomology, human anatomy and DNA based forensic science.
Students must complete a major sequence in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry in addition to the core unit requirements.
Units
| SLE211 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE212 | Unit description is currently unavailable * |
| SLE221 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE254 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
| SLE356 | Unit description is currently unavailable (Tri-3) |
| SLE340 | Unit description is currently unavailable |
* Already core units in the degree.