SLE208 - Forensic Biology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SBF208
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Michelle Harvey
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.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour lecture per week, 1 x 1 hour seminar per week, 4 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) 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 court through 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
GLO4: Critical thinking

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
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO3

Apply their understanding of forensic science to analyse an authentic crime scene, of an unknown scenario, apply a range of employability skills and communicate their understanding orally to a non-scientific audience.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork
GLO8: Global citizenship

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
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
Online quizzes
Two 60-minute online quizzes 20% (2 x 10%) Weeks 5 and 11
Assessment 2
Critical essay
Written report, 2500 word maximum 20% Week 7
Assessment 3
Technical skills assessment
In class skills assessments within practical classes with follow up interpretation activities completed online 25% Week 10
Assessment 4
Forensic investigation portfolio
Composed of 10-minute collaborative presentation plus 5 minutes questions with self and peer moderation of contribution, and a 1000 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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