Bachelor of Forensic Science
Deakin University
About
Deakin’s Bachelor of Forensic Science exposes you to the full scope of modern forensic science, from simulated crime scenes to courtroom presentations.
With a strong focus on practical training, you’ll graduate with the skills needed to confidently examine, interpret and present forensic evidence.
You’ll enhance your courtroom skills by building knowledge of the science behind criminal investigations and gain authentic experiences in our unique crime scene training facility.Forensic science at Deakin is a comprehensive and flexible degree.
You’ll cover a wide range of disciplines including illicit drugs, DNA analysis and more.
You can customise your degree to your interests by selecting to specialise in forensic biology or forensic chemistry.
You’ll then learn how to apply modern forensic analysis in authentic environments like Deakin’s purpose-built training facilities.Want to study the only professionally accredited forensic science degree in the Asia-Pacific region?
Structure
To complete the Bachelor of Forensic Science, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- 11 core units
- Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit point compulsory unit)
- Completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (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 SLE coded units)
- Completion of a major sequence in either: Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology.
With careful planning, students may use up to eight of their remaining electives on units offered outside the Faculty such as units in Criminology, for example.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Entry requirements
If you are currently studying Year 12 in 2020 or completed Year 12 in 2018 or 2019 and have not attempted higher education or VET study since, your selection is based on the following.
Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection consideration
Personal statement
If you wish for your professional, work, life or community experience to be considered you are required to complete and submit a personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| outcome type | outcome description |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of forensic disciplines including forensic chemistry, forensic biology and the science in the crime scene to the courtroom. Apply analysis and interpretation techniques in order to deduce and test hypothesis in a variety of professional contexts. Explain and present the strengths of scientific results and associated limitations in professional environments. |
| Communication | Use appropriate terminology and standard operating procedures to note take, document and present a variety of accumulated information. Judge how well to present essential details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, international contributions and contexts. Converse with scientific and non-scientific audiences using appropriate language and methods of communication to clearly articulate scientific procedures and outcomes. |
| Digital literacy | Apply well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate scientific literature, information, data and results. |
| Critical thinking | Interpret and evaluate information from a number of areas including a body of knowledge from the scholarly literature, laboratory data and other individuals to place the information in a scientific context. Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement to analyse, synthesise and generate an integrated knowledge, and to formulate hypotheses and test them against evidence-based scientific concepts and principles. |
| Problem solving | Take into account relevant contextual factors to approach problems and make informed decisions that will assist in finding appropriate solutions to problems in forensic science. Advocate scientific methodologies, hypotheses, laws, facts and principles to create solutions to real world problems and forensic scenarios. |
| Self-management | Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing professional science contexts to develop autonomy as learners and evaluate own performance. Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices. |
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively in diverse roles as members of multidisciplinary teams to contribute towards achieving team goals and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in professional, social and cultural contexts. |
| Global citizenship | Adopt and value multidisciplinary knowledge and perspectives for evaluating, integrating and incorporating strategies and solutions in scoping, planning and managing alternative solutions from local to global forensic problems. |
Institution
