To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) – 4 years.
The Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Specialisation is offered as part of The Bachelor of Science (Honours) and requires four 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 (Honours). 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.
There is an alternative 1 year program for The Bachelor of Science (Forensic and Analytical Chemistry) (Honours) for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor of Science (Forensic and Analytical Chemistry).
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:
- Undertake an individual Research Project under the supervision of an appropriately qualified staff member
- 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:
- plan and execute an individual Research Project in forensic and Analytical Chemistry applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
- 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 (Honours) (Forensic and Analytical Chemistry) a student must complete 144 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 144 units for the degree. A topic cannot be counted twice.
Elective topics to complete 144 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.
Upon completion of at least 103.5 units and with a GPA of 5 or more in the last 36 units of study, students may commence the Fourth Year Honours program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with The Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) on completion of 108 units.
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 in 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.
Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the Program may choose to exit with The Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology).
Except where there is an approved double specialisation (see Bachelor of Science (Honours) 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 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1102 Modern Chemistry (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)
Specialisation - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Honours Year topics
36 units comprising:
FACH4700A Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
FACH4700B Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
FACH4700C Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
FACH4700D Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
FACH4700E Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
FACH4703 Chemistry of Energetic Materials (4.5 units)
Plus two of:
CHEM4703 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM4723 Advanced Macromolecular Science (4.5 units)
NANO4711 Advanced Nanotechnology (4.5 units)
*Students may choose to undertake a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Minor as part of the elective component of their degree subject to meeting course/topic requirements.
#These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete The Specialisation.
Combined degrees
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Aquaculture) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with the: