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Bachelor of Forensic Science

Course summary for local students

Award granted	Bachelor of Forensic Science
Campus	Offered at Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds
Length	3 years full time or part time equivalent
Next available intake	March (Trimester 1)
Indicative course fee 2010	$4,540* - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Faculty contacts	Faculty of Science and Technology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Tel 03 9244 6699 sci-tech@deakin.edu.au www.deakin.edu.au/scitech/les
Clearly-in ENTER	Waurn Ponds (Geelong): N/A
VTAC Codes	15231 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) 15233 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
Deakin course code	S324

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Fees and charges
• Career opportunities
• Course rules
• Major sequences
• Course structure
• Admission requirements - general
• Admission requirements - specific
• Credit for prior learning - general
• How to apply

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 to solve crimes.

 

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. Access to the very latest technology and facilities such as a full suite of forensic instrumentation for learning and research is unique to the Deakin forensic science course.

 

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.

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Fees and charges

Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.

Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.

* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2010, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2010 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Forensic Science, career opportunities exist in forensics, insurance investigation, risk analysis, research science, education, in government institutions and in chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.

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Course rules

The Bachelor of Forensic Science course covers many aspects of chemical and biochemical analysis, and molecular biology. To be awarded a Bachelor of Forensic Science, students must complete a total of 24 credit points, and those achieving a high average will be able to apply for the Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) course. This course may be completed by full-time study or part-time equivalent. Due to the specialised nature of forensic science and its ethics and legal requirements, a number of the units are prescribed and students must pass all core units.

 

Students must complete 11 credit points of core units and 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.

All students are required to complete at least one wholly online unit.

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Major sequences

Forensic Biology

Forensic Chemistry

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Course structure

Core units

Level 1
Trimester 1

SBB111 Cells and Genes  

SBC131 Principles of Chemistry  

SIT191 Introduction to Statistics  

ASL111 The Criminal Justice System  

SBS010 Laboratory Safety Induction Program  *

*SBS010 is a 0-credit-point compulsory unit

 

Trimester 2

SBB132 Biology: Form and Function  

SBC152 Chemistry of Life  

SBF111 Fundamentals of Forensic Science  

ASL113 Crime, Criminology and Policing  

Level 2
Trimester 1

SBC211 Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles  

Trimester 2

SBF208 Forensic Biology  

Level 3
Trimester 2

SBF313 Forensic Analysis and Interpretation  

 

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Admission requirements - general

Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.

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Admission requirements - specific

Applicants should have successfully completed VCE or equivalent. Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au

Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.

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Credit for prior learning - general

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

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How to apply

Applications for on and off campus study must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).