SLE208 - Forensic Biology
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| Previously coded as: | SBF208 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Natalie Gasz |
| Prerequisite: | STP010, SLE112 and any three level one units |
| Corequisite: | SLE010 |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1 hour class per week, 1 x 1 hour seminar per week, 4 x 3 hour practical classes per trimester. |
Content
This unit will focus on a range of biological topics relevant to forensic science, which will include forensic serology, botany, entomology, biological techniques other than DNA analysis, laboratory examination of biological evidence, and modern approaches to DNA analysis. Students will engage in activities that will require them to apply forensic processes from a crime scene to the courtthrough the laboratory analysis process and communicate their findings. In addition, students will develop broadly applicable knowledge and skills that are fundamental to a successful career.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Discuss and justify the application of biological sciences to forensic science. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Apply their critical thinking skills and understanding of forensic science to a situation and provide justification for their evaluation of an issue. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Apply their understanding of forensic science to analyse a crime scene, of an unknown scenario, and communicate their understanding orally to a non-scientific audience. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Demonstrate their skills in biologically based laboratory analysis and interpret findings by applying their critical thinking skills in forensic science. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online quizzes | Two 60-minute online quizzes | 20% (2 x 10%) | Weeks 5 and 11 |
| Critical essay | Written report, 2,500-word maximum | 20% | Week 7 |
| Technical skills assessment | In class skills assessments within practical classes with follow up interpretation activities completed online | 25% | Week 10 |
| Forensic investigation portfolio | Composed of 10-minute collaborative presentation plus 5 minutes questions with self and peer moderation of contribution, and a 1,000-word evidence log/statement | 35% | Week 11/12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
Prescribed text(s): Gunn, Essential Forensic Biology, (3rd edition), 2019, John Wiley & Sons.
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE208 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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