This course prepares students for entry to professional work in the field of applied chemistry or as specialists in the forensic science area. It includes a foundation in the basic sciences, with in-depth development of chemistry and analytical sciences and forensic techniques, emphasising forensic applications. It also includes a compulsory Honours program to develop research and forensic skills.
This is the first Australian specialist undergraduate degree in forensic science. Facilities and equipment are world-class, with internationally recognised teaching and access to leading forensic scientists. The course has strong links with the Federal and State Police Services, national and international forensic institutions and the analytical industry.
This course aims to produce professional forensic scientists and chemists with highly adaptable and practical scientific skills, accompanied by a thorough grounding in theory.
Career options include positions in the police service, in private investigation, environmental chemistry, drug detection, and state and federal law enforcement agencies. Graduates are in high demand for employment in forensic laboratories, private DNA testing laboratories, law enforcement agencies, government departments, hospitals and medical pathology laboratories.
Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry.
This course is offered on a four-year, full-time basis (including Honours).
Attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week at the University during the first year, and 18 hours per week in the second and third years.
The course comprises 144 credit points of study, consisting of eight academic stages, including one stage for Honours. Stages 1–4 (the first two years) of the program are similar, though not identical, to the Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry (C10179). Stages 5–8 (the final two years) are strongly focused on forensic studies. Stage 8 comprises the compulsory Forensic Research Project.
33190 Mathematical Modelling for Science | 6cp | |
65101 Chemistry 1C | 6cp | |
68101 Foundations of Physics | 6cp | |
Select one of the following: | 6cp | |
91701 Medical Science 1 | 6cp | |
91101 Cells, Genetics and Evolution | 6cp | |
33290 Statistics and Mathematics for Science | 6cp | |
65201 Chemistry 2C | 6cp | |
65241 Principles of Forensic Science | 6cp | |
Select one of the following: | 6cp | |
91702 Medical Science 2 | 6cp | |
68201 Physics in Action | 6cp | |
67101 Introduction to Materials | 6cp | |
65202 Organic Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
65410 Chemical Safety and Legislation | 6cp | |
65341 Forensic Imaging | 6cp | |
65307 Physical Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
65508 Organic Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
65411 Inorganic Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
65306 Analytical Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
91141 Biological Evidence | 6cp | |
65409 Analytical Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
65543 Crime Scene Investigation | 6cp | |
65542 Forensic Toxicology 1 | 6cp | |
65541 Physical Evidence 1 | 6cp | |
65606 Analytical Chemistry 3 | 6cp | |
65607 Physical Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
65642 Forensic Toxicology 2 | 6cp | |
65641 Physical Evidence 2 | 6cp | |
65741 Chemistry and Pharmacology of Illicit Drugs | 6cp | |
65742 Fire and Explosion Investigation | 6cp | |
65743 Complex Forensic Cases (Chemistry) | 6cp | |
79024 Complex Forensic Cases (Law) | 6cp | |
65856 Forensic Research Project | 24cp | |
Total | 192cp |
The course commences in Autumn semester. The example program shown assumes full-time attendance.
Year 1 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
33190 Mathematical Modelling for Science | 6cp | |
65101 Chemistry 1C | 6cp | |
68101 Foundations of Physics | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points from the following options: | 6cp | |
91101 Cells, Genetics and Evolution | 6cp | |
91701 Medical Science 1 | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
33290 Statistics and Mathematics for Science | 6cp | |
65201 Chemistry 2C | 6cp | |
65241 Principles of Forensic Science | 6cp | |
Select 6 credit points from the following options: | 6cp | |
67101 Introduction to Materials | 6cp | |
68201 Physics in Action | 6cp | |
91702 Medical Science 2 | 6cp | |
Year 2 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
65202 Organic Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
65410 Chemical Safety and Legislation | 6cp | |
65341 Forensic Imaging | 6cp | |
65307 Physical Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
65508 Organic Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
65411 Inorganic Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
65306 Analytical Chemistry 1 | 6cp | |
91141 Biological Evidence | 6cp | |
Year 3 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
65409 Analytical Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
65543 Crime Scene Investigation | 6cp | |
65542 Forensic Toxicology 1 | 6cp | |
65541 Physical Evidence 1 | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
65606 Analytical Chemistry 3 | 6cp | |
65607 Physical Chemistry 2 | 6cp | |
65642 Forensic Toxicology 2 | 6cp | |
65641 Physical Evidence 2 | 6cp | |
Year 4 | ||
Autumn semester | ||
65741 Chemistry and Pharmacology of Illicit Drugs | 6cp | |
65742 Fire and Explosion Investigation | 6cp | |
65743 Complex Forensic Cases (Chemistry) | 6cp | |
79024 Complex Forensic Cases (Law) | 6cp | |
Spring semester | ||
65856 Forensic Research Project | 24cp |
Royal Australian Chemical Institute; Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society.
All academic inquiries should be made to: