Bachelor of Science (Forensic and Analytical Science)

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Successful completion of SACE Stage 2 Chemistry or the equivalent is required for entry to the Specialisation in Forensic and Analytical Science.

Course aims

This multidisciplinary program provides students with a broad-based foundation in both chemistry and biology and is complemented by aspects of mathematics. This foundation is extended with extensive knowledge in the discipline of analytical chemistry or molecular biology. The program of studies provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development and prepares graduates for further study or for a career in a forensic or analytical science related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

It also aims to develop a range of skills including the capacity to:

understand the role of chemistry, molecular biology and mathematics in forensic and analytical science and apply their knowledge to problems in this area
use laboratory equipment and instrumentation in both the chemical and biological setting
understand the mathematics and statistical concepts required for the analysis and interpretation of experimental data
present information about forensic and analytical science in a scientific manner, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
retrieve, critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to forensic and analytical science and apply this knowledge to solve problems or form hypotheses
appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the discipline of forensic and analytical science and engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the role of forensic and analytical science in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises work respectfully, cooperatively and productively within a team.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

demonstrate knowledge of and critically apply the theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to the discipline of forensic and analytical science
work independently in a chemistry or molecular biology laboratory using appropriate techniques and instrumentation
critically evaluate experimental data with the appropriate statistical methods
analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
design and carry our experiments using both established and novel techniques and protocols
communicate scientific information to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
appreciate the relationships and connections between forensic and analytical science and other science and non-science disciplines
work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
work effectively within the regulatory framework surrounding forensic and analytical science, for example Occupational Health and Safety, ethics, data storage and Intellectual Property
understand the ethical issues in science with specific reference to legal and forensic issues
work productively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Forensic and Analytical Science) specialisation a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics. A topic cannot be counted twice.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Students choose from one of two streams in the Forensic and Analytical Science Specialisation:

Forensic Biology
Forensic and Analytical Chemistry

Stream - Forensic Biology - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
CHEM1101  Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1102  Modern Chemistry (4.5 units)
FACH1701  Introduction to Forensic Science (4.5 units)
SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 units)
STAT1122 Biostatistics (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

A 4.5 unit elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met.*

Stream - Forensic Biology - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

BIOL2702 Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity (4.5 units)
BIOL2771 Biochemistry (4.5 units)
BIOL2772 Molecular Biology (4.5 units)
CHEM2711 Spectroscopy and Data Analysis (4.5 units)
CHEM2712 Analytical Separations (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 13.5 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.*

Stream - Forensic Biology - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

BIOL3762 Protein to Proteome (4.5 units)
BIOL3771 DNA to Genome (4.5 units)
BIOL3792 Forensic Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL3793 Biological Criminalistics (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

And two of:

BIOL3772 Integrating Molecular Biosciences (4.5 units)
CHEM3701 Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (4.5 units)
FACH3701 Chemical Criminalistics (4.5 units)**
FACH3702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis ** (4.5 units)
MMED3935 Human Molecular Genetics (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.#*

*While students are able to select elective topics from anywhere across the University, the below are Recommended Electives.

FACH3701 Chemical Criminalistics (4.5 units)**
FACH3702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis ** (4.5 units)

** This topic can be taken if pre-requisites are met. The pre-requisite topics must be taken as electives as they are not core topics within this program

# Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as a third-year elective.

Stream - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
CHEM1101  Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1102  Modern Chemistry (4.5 units)
FACH1701  Introduction to Forensic Science (4.5 units)
SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

Plus one of:

STAT1121 Data Science (4.5 units)
STAT1122 Biostatistics (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.***

Stream - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

BIOL2772  Molecular Biology (4.5 units)
CHEM2701  Chemical Reactivity (4.5 units)
CHEM2702  Organic Reactions (4.5 units)
CHEM2711  Spectroscopy and Data Analysis (4.5 units)
CHEM2712  Analytical Separations (4.5 units)
NANO2701 Structure and Characterisation (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.***

Stream - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

CHEM3701  Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM3702  Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM3711  Organic Synthesis and Mechanism (4.5 units)
CHEM3712  Introduction to Polymer Science (4.5 units)
FACH3701 Chemical Criminalistics (4.5 units)
FACH3702  Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.#***

#Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units) as a third-year elective.

***While students are able to select elective topics from anywhere across the University, the below are Recommended Electives.

BIOL3792 Forensic Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL3793 Biological Criminalistics (4.5 units)
NANO1101 Fundamentals of Nanatechnology (4.5 units)

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).