Bachelor of Forensic Science
Course summary for current students
Student Information Centre
Tel 1300 334 733
enquire@deakin.edu.au
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Tel 03 9244 6699
sebe@deakin.edu.au
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Bachelor of Forensic Science |
|---|---|
| Campus | Offered at Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus |
| Duration | 3 years full time or part time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 073106G |
| Deakin course code | S324 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Fees and charges
- Course rules
- Major sequences
- Course structure
- Details of major sequences
Course overview
Deakin's Bachelor of Forensic Science aims to provide formal training in the skills and techniques essential to modern forensic science, including the examination and presentation of scientific evidence.
The course combines studies in biology, chemistry, biochemical and chemical analysis, statistical analysis and molecular biology. You will also undertake studies in criminology, including the examination and interpretation of evidence and courtroom skills.
The course has extensive industry links with local and Australian forensic organisations, and features guest lecturers and site visits in collaboration with leading forensic organisations.
Graduates may also have the opportunity to go on to further study and enter honours and postgraduate programs.
Students and graduates of this course are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).
Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.
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.
Fees and charges
Unit fees can be viewed within individual unit descriptions. You can search for a unit using the Unit Search.
Please be aware:
- Fees are calculated on a per unit basis
- Fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen
- Fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services
Course rules
The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- 12 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
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
Course structure
Core units
Level 1
Trimester 1
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes (B, G, W) |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World (B, G) ^ |
| SIT191 | Introduction to Statistics (G, X) |
| ACR101 | Introducing Crime and Criminology (G, X) (Formerly ASL113) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (B, G, W) * |
*SLE010 is a 0-credit-point compulsory unit
Trimester 2
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function (B, G) |
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (B, G) |
| SLE112 | Fundamentals of Forensic Science (G) |
| ACR102 | Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice (G, X) (Formerly ASL111) |
^Note: Students who have completed Year 12 Chemistry or equivalent may choose to replace SLE133 Chemistry in Our World with an elective unit.
Level 2
Trimester 1
| SLE212 | Biochemistry (B, G) |
| SLE213 | Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles (G) |
Trimester 2
| SLE208 | Forensic Biology (G) |
Level 3
Trimester 2
| SLE313 | Forensic Analysis and Interpretation (G) |
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
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.
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes (B, G, W) * |
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function (B, G) * |
| SLE211 | Principles of Physiology (B, G) |
| SLE212 | Biochemistry (B, G) * |
| SLE221 | Anatomy and Physiology (B, G) |
| SLE254 | Genetics (B, G, W) |
| SLE313 | Forensic Analysis and Interpretation (G) * |
| SLE340 | Genomes and Bioinformatics (G) |
* Already core units in the degree.
Forensic Chemistry - unit set code MJ-SU00015
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.
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences (B, G) * |
| SLE210 | Chemistry the Enabling Science (B, G) |
| SLE212 | Biochemistry (B, G) * |
| SLE213 | Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles (G) * |
| SLE214 | Organic Chemistry (B, G) |
| SLE229 | Introduction to Separation Science (G) |
| SLE316 | Analytical Chemistry (G) |
| SLE318 | Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry (G) |
* Already core units in the degree
