Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology

2015 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Course rules
• Major sequences
• Course structure
• Details of major sequences

Course overview

Deakin University’s Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology is the only combined course in Victoria which provides the opportunity to study forensic science and criminology as a combined course.

The course has been designed to enable graduates to work both in specialised fields and across professional boundaries. It is contemporary and relevant, with teaching staff who are active researchers in their respective fields. 

You will learn both arts and science traditions, giving you a broad appreciation of the professional, social, economic and cultural contexts of the forensic science and criminology disciplines.

You will have the opportunity to learn the skills and techniques essential to modern forensic science, including the examination and presentation of scientific evidence and courtroom skills. The course will also give you practical, professional training to enable you to study critical analysis in the fields of policing, security, corrections, crime prevention and community safety, and various paralegal fields.

In your forensic science studies you can choose to major in Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry. Other areas of study in the course include topics such as forensic analysis and interpretation, the criminal justice system, crime prevention and security, and designing and conducting criminological research.

Graduates may also have the opportunity to go on to further study and enter honours and postgraduate programs.

Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.

Professional recognition

Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS). The Bachelor of Forensic Science component of the combined course is also accredited with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this course, you may find employment opportunities as a forensic scientist, criminologist or related role, in both the public and private sector, including areas such as the forensic science industry, science-based industries, teaching, government agencies, state and federal police, ASIO, correctional services, community services, and private security industries.

Course rules

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 course-grouped units. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Forensic Science (S324) and Bachelor of Criminology (A329) must be satisfied.

Forensic Science requirements (16 cp):

• At least 16 credit points of Science course-grouped units;
• 10 credit points of core Forensic Science units (plus 1 other core units shared with Criminology – ACR102);
• Successful completion of SLE010 – Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 cp);
• Successful completion of a major sequence in either Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology;
• At least 4 credit points of Science course-grouped units at level 3;
• Up to 6 credit points of Science course-grouped units at level 1.

 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 core units of ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302.

Major sequences

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Biology

Course structure

Bachelor of Forensic Science

Core Units

Bachelor of Criminology units

* ACR212, ACR213 Trimester 1 (alternate years 2014, 2016) and trimester 3 (alternate years 2015, 2017)

** ACR210, ACR211 Trimester 3 (alternate years 2014, 2016) and trimester 1 (alternate years 2015, 2017)

^ SLE010 is a 0-credit-point compulsory unit

Details of major sequences

Forensic Chemistry - unit set code MJ-SU00015

Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

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.

Details of major sequences

Students must complete a major sequence in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry on top of the core unit requirements:

Forensic Biology - unit set code MJ-S000049

Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

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.

* Already core units in the degree.

^ not available until 2016