SLE208 - Forensic Biology
Unit details
Year | 2025 unit information |
---|---|
Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
Credit point(s): | 1 |
Previously coded as: | SBF208 |
EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Xavier Conlan |
Prerequisite: | STP010, SLE112 and any three level one units |
Corequisite: | SLE010 |
Incompatible with: | Nil |
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. |
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. |
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.
Learning Outcomes
ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
---|---|---|
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 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 |
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 |
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, 2,500 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 (Group and Individual) | 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 SLE208 can be found via the University Library.
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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