UTS course code: C10174
UAC code: 607115
Testamur title: Bachelor Science in Biomedical Science in Forensic Biology
Abbreviation: BSc
Course Director: Dr Tamara Sztynda
Course fee: HECS (local); $8,250 per semester (international)
Total credit points: 144

Overview
Course aims
Admission requirements
Advanced standing
Attendance
Course duration
Course structure
Course program
Assessment
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science in Forensic Biology provides a firm foundation in biomedical sciences and their applications to forensic investigations of human evidence. Specialist forensic science and legal subjects dealing with the presentation of forensic evidence are integrated into the course. Emphasis is placed on the use of modern scientific methods and instrumentation for forensic investigation and on the validation of forensic evidence. Graduates are prepared for entry to professional work as specialists in the forensic sciences area or in the field of biomedical science. Major areas of study include forensic investigations of human evidence (DNA and tissues), molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and haematology. Students acquire familiarity with advanced instruments and technology, data processing and evaluation, reporting of scientific information and are encouraged to participate in seminar activities. Furthermore, students gain an understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of biological Forensic Science, including privacy considerations, record keeping and legal reporting of evidence. In second and third year, students may also take approved electives to extend their knowledge in specific areas of interest. Students are also encouraged to undertake the Diploma in Scientific Practice¹, a period of industrial training providing excellent preparation for employment in the field. Progression to Honours is also strongly recommended for students.

Footnotes:
1. The Diploma in Scientific Practice is not available to international students.

Course aims

This course aims to produce professional forensic scientists with highly adaptable and practical scientific skills, accompanied by a thorough grounding in biological and biomedical theory. Students gain a sound body of knowledge in biomedical science and its forensic applications, and understand, and are able to apply, the scientific method to problems. Students develop skills in the use of scientific instrumentation and technology, data processing and evaluation, and the reporting of scientific information. Students will be capable of contributing creatively and constructively to scientific practice. They gain an understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of biological forensic science, including privacy considerations, record keeping and legal reporting of evidence. Graduates can expect to find employment as forensic biologists associated with the police services and in private investigative laboratories, quarantine laboratories and environmental agencies. Other career opportunities for graduates are in Commonwealth and State health departments, CSIRO, universities, medical research institutes, pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, and private pathology laboratories. These industries are dependent on a high level of professional competence in experimental techniques in disciplines such as biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology and pathology. The student's personal choice of electives ensures a broader range of employment options in addition to forensic biology. In particular, the course provides the underpinning knowledge and experimental skills for graduates to progress further to a career in biomedical research by undertaking an Honours degree. The course also provides an excellent preparation for entry to graduate medical degrees.

Admission requirements

Australian students are required to apply for admission through the NSW University Admissions Centre (UAC). For school leavers, admission is based on UAI scores. We recommend that HSC studies include the following subjects: HSC Mathematics, English and at least one science subject. Non-current school leavers should apply through UAC in addition to submitting a Personal Statement to UTS. Applications are taken from September to December each year.

International Students should contact the UTS International Office for application procedures. In addition to academic requirements, students are required to meet English language proficiency requirements. Further details are available from the International Office.

Advanced standing

UTS recognises prior tertiary level learning, including that from other universities and TAFE (Associate Diploma and Diploma only). Once a student's application to study has been accepted, he or she may apply to receive recognition of successful prior learning, and may therefore be able to complete the course in less than the standard time. Applications for credits and exemptions should be made to the Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) in the Faculty of Science.

Attendance

Full-time attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week at the University. This enables a full stage of the course to be completed in one semester.

Course duration

Students can complete the course in:

• three years, full time
• four years, full time with successful completion of the Diploma in Scientific Practice, or
• four years, full time with Honours.

Course structure

Subjects are divided into core subjects and elective subjects, some of which may form a coherent second major strand. All students enrolled in the degree must satisfactorily complete all core subjects for the award of the degree and, in addition, must satisfactorily complete the required number of credit points of elective/second major subjects. Students generally choose these subjects with a particular theme or area of expertise in mind. Electives that are highly relevant or complementary to forensic science are listed in the Recommended electives for the Biomedical Science Forensic Biology course table. Students should also refer to the section on Second majors in this handbook and contact the Forensic Biology Course Director for advice and approval on selecting second majors and electives. It should be noted that timetable constraints may prevent the undertaking of some elective combinations.

Course program

Full-time program

Footnotes:
1. See table of recommended electives. Students must get approval from the Forensic Biology Course Director when choosing electives.

Recommended electives for the Biomedical Science Forensic Biology course¹

A = Autumn semeter S = Spring semester

Footnotes:
1. Elective choices must be approved by the Forensic Biology Course Director.

Assessment

Depending on the subjects chosen, students can expect to undergo a variety of assessment types before completion of this course including formal and informal examinations, assignments and essays, practical reports, and seminar presentations. Assessment tasks may be based on individual or group work. For further details on individual subjects, see the Subject Descriptions section of this handbook, or contact the subject's coordinator.

Honours

The Honours program is designed to introduce students to research work relating to forensic biology. It allows selected students to continue on with postgraduate studies if desired and enhances their employment prospects. For further information, see Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biomedical Science.

Professional recognition

Graduates of this course are eligible for membership of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society and the Register of Forensic Practitioners.

Other information

All academic inquiries should be made to:

Course Director, Forensic Biology
Dr Tamara Sztynda
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
telephone (02) 9514 4157
fax (02) 9514 4026
email Tamara.Sztynda@uts.edu.au