To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) - 4 years.
The Forensic and Analytical Science 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, and the School of Bological 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.
There is an alternative 1 year program for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor of 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.
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 and or molecular biology principles to solve problems, including those of a forensic nature
- understand the role of mathematics in forensic and analytical science and apply this knowledge to problems in this area
- master the various laboratory techniques and instrumentation used in forensic and analytical science so as to be able to work independently in a laboratory
- 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
Graduates are expected to be able to:
- plan and execute an individual research project in forensic and analytical science applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
- understand and critically apply the advanced theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures relevant to the discipline of forensic and analytical science
- work independently, as part of a research team, in a chemistry or molecular biology laboratory using appropriate techniques and instrumentation
- analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems. This may involve, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data in an independent manner
- 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 (Honours) (Forensic and Analytical Science) specialisation a student must complete 144 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) – 4 years
program of study. The program of study for the specialisation is detailed below:
Students choose from one of two streams in the Forensic and Analytical Science Specialisation:
Stream - Forensic Biology - 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*
Stream - Forensic Biology - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
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 Separation Science (4.5 units)
FACH2702 Chemical Criminalistics (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics*
Stream - Forensic Biology - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
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)
And two of:
BIOL3772 Integrating Molecular Biosciences (4.5 units)
MMED3935 Human Molecular Genetics (4.5 units)
CHEM3701 Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (4.5 units)
FACH3702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis ** (4.5 units)
Stream - Forensic Biology – Honours Year topics
36 units comprising:
BIOL4700B Biology Honours Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
BIOL4700C Biology Honours Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
BIOL4700D Biology Honours Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
BIOL4700E Biology Honours Research Project (4.5/22.5 units)
BIOL4720 Honours Grant Writing Skills (4.5 units)
BIOL4730 Honours Scientific Methods and Data Presentation (4.5 units)
BIOL4731 Evidence Evaluation (4.5 units)
Stream - 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*
Stream - 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 Criminalistics (4.5 units)
Plus
9 units of elective topics*
Stream - Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
CHEM3701 Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (4.5 units)
FACH3702 Drug Action, Metabolism, Toxicology and Analysis (4.5 units)
Plus four of:
BIOL3771 DNA to Genome (4.5 units)
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)
And
9 units of elective topics*
Stream – 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)
Plus three of:
BIOL4731 Evidence Evaluation (4.5 units)
CHEM4703 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4.5 units)
CHEM4723 Advanced Macromolecular Science (4.5 units)
FACH4703 Chemistry of Energetic Materials (4.5 units)
NANO4711 Advanced Nanotechnology (4.5 units)
* 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.
# These topics are cognate studies topics which must be taken to complete the specialisation.
** 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.