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Bachelor of Science (Forensic and Analytical Chemistry)

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science.

The Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Specialisation is offered as part of The Bachelor of Science and requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is offered by the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Specialisations have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in The Bachelor of Science. In order to undertake a Specialisation students must be admitted to The Specialisation program. The name of The Specialisation will appear on the transcript and parchment.

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 Chemistry.

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. 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 Chemistry related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

These studies also aim to develop a range of skills including the capacity to:

understand and apply chemical principles to solve problems, including those of a forensic or analytical nature
understand the role of Molecular Biology and mathematics in forensic and Analytical Chemistry and apply their knowledge to problems in this area
use laboratory glassware 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 Chemistry 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 Chemistry and apply this knowledge to solve problems or form hypotheses
appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the discipline of forensic and Analytical Chemistry 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 chemistry 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

Graduates are expected to be able to:

know and critically apply the theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to the discipline of forensic and Analytical Chemistry
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 chemistry techniques and protocols
communicate chemically based information to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
appreciate the relationships and connections between forensic and Analytical Chemistry 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 chemistry, 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 Chemistry) 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 detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the Faculty 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 who have completed 72 units or more with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following rule, may exit with the Diploma of Applied Science:

at least 27 units from the First Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering
at least 18 units from Second or Third Year science topics offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Except where there is an approved double specialisation (see Bachelor of Science program of study) the same upper level (2xxx or above) topic cannot be counted twice. For example an upper level topic that is counted towards a specialisation may not also be counted towards a minor.

Specialisation - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity# (4.5 units)
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life# (4.5 units)
CHEM1101 Chemistry 1A (4.5 units)
CHEM1102 Chemistry 1B (4.5 units)
FACH1701 Introduction to Forensic Science# (4.5 units)
STAT2700 Applied Statistics Laboratory# (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

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 Separation Science (4.5 units)
FACH2702 Chemical Analysis of Physical Evidence (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

BIOL3771 DNA to Genome (4.5 units)
CHEM3701 Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics* from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Plus four of:

BIOL3792 Forensic Biology (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)
FACH3702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis (4.5 units)

#These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete The Specialisation.

*Students may choose to undertake a Bachelor of Science Minor as part of the elective component of their degree subject to meeting course/topic requirements.

Honours

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

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Forensic and Analytical) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with the:

CRICOS Provider: 00114A | Updated: 25 Oct, 2011

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