Bachelor of Forensic Science
2019 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2019 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Forensic Science |
| 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 | 3 years full time or part time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 073106G Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | S324 |
| 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
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Major sequences
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of major sequences
- Other learning experiences
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.
You'll cover a wide range of disciplines, including toxicology, arson and explosives investigations, analysis of illicit drugs, DNA analysis, bloodstain 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.
The course has extensive industry links with local and Australian forensic organisations, and features guest speakers from leading forensic organisations.
Students of this course are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (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.
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).
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Forensic Science, career opportunities exist in forensics laboratories, insurance investigation, risk analysis, research science, policing, in government institutions and in 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.
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
| 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. |
Approved by Faculty Board 7 June 2018
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 STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point compulsory unit)
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- at least 6 credit points at level 3 (including a minimum of 4 Science units)
- 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.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Major sequences
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Course structure
Core
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| STP050 | Academic Integrity (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 |
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 | Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point) |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE212 | Biochemistry |
| SLE213 | Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SLE208 | Forensic Biology # |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| SLE313 | Forensic Analysis and Interpretation |
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point unit)
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).
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 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.
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 |
| SLE229 | Introduction to Separation Science |
| SLE316 | Analytical Chemistry |
| SLE318 | Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry |
| SLE312 | Toxicology |
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.
Students must complete a major sequence in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry in addition to the core unit requirements.
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.
^ Available at the Melbourne Burwood Campus from 2020
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Other learning experiences
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.