C04391v1 Master of Forensic Science
Award(s): Master of Forensic Science (MForSc)CRICOS code: 098061K
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 72
Course EFTSL: 1.5
Location: City campus
Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Articulation with UTS courses
Other information
Overview
The Master of Forensic Science is one of Australia’s leading qualifications in this niche scientific discipline, combining hands-on advanced forensic science practice with high-level professional and research skills acquisition. Our research-informed curriculum is focused on highly practical, case-based activities that take place in world-class facilities designed to replicate real forensic science environments. These include our acclaimed Crime Scene Simulation Labs and other professional laboratories stocked with the latest industry-standard equipment.
As a master’s degree, this course is focused on developing students for leadership roles in forensic science. Curriculum is informed by leading academics and practitioners in the internationally acclaimed UTS Centre for Forensic Science, as well as by real-world organisations. As such, course content reflects the needs and priorities of the global forensic science profession.
Explore the Master of Forensic Science (Extension)
Students with an interest in the Master of Science should also consider the UTS Master of Forensic Science (Extension) a two-year program of full-time study that includes an additional 24 credit points on top of the standard Master of Forensic Science curriculum. High-performing Master of Forensic Science Extension students with an interest in research can transfer into the Master of Philosophy in Science, which provides a pathway to a PhD.
Course features
- Forensic Science subjects: Students complete two core subjects (Foundations of Forensic Science and Forensic Inference and Interpretation) designed to help them develop the practical, interpretive and investigative skills required to thrive in a forensic science career. From there, they can shape their degree by building specialist skills in domains of their choosing, from forensic toxicology and recreational drug analysis to biometrics, chemical criminalistics and more.
- Professional subjects: Students complete two core subjects common to many UTS postgraduate science degrees (Advanced Communication Skills in Science and Understanding Data and Statistical Design). They can then customise their remaining professional stream credit points with choices in science writing, risk assessment, business and intellectual property, and more, preparing them to master new ways of working in a diversity of professional environments.
- Research subjects: A research internship elective provides hands-on experience with a real-world forensic science challenge, either within a UTS lab, including the renowned Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research, or with external forensic science and criminal justice organisations, among others. Students also gain exposure to the administrative components of scientific research through additional electives in human and animal research ethics, research proposal writing and more.
Career options
Graduates can pursue employment with organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, state policing agencies, ASIO, CSIRO, ANSTO, customs, immigration, and private forensic agencies. Career options depend on elective subject choices; roles include criminalist, trace evidence specialist, forensic toxicologist, DNA specialist, scene-of-crime officer, team leader in investigations, fire investigator and fingerprint analyst.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.1 | Critically engage with the appraisal and application of advanced knowledge, technical skills and research principles relevant to professional practice in forensic science. |
| 2.1 | Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate approaches to complex forensic science problems through investigation, analysis and independent research in a relevant professional context. |
| 3.1 | Develop and execute - individually or collaboratively - ethical, safe and sustainable work practices, accountable to stakeholder requirements in forensic science, locally and globally. |
| 4.1 | Reflexively discover, create and evaluate the processes used to determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information to derive innovative solutions to complex forensic science problems. |
| 5.1 | Communicate complex ideas and justifications in a rigorous and professional manner using a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to discipline experts, scientists, stakeholders, and the general public. |
| 6.1 | Critically reflect on Indigenous Australian knowledge and experience to inform professional cultural capability to work effectively with and for Indigenous Australians in forensic science. |
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.
Entry into the course requires the completion of a bachelor's, master's, graduate diploma, graduate certificate qualification in chemical sciences, biochemistry and cell biology, human biology, forensic science or medical science.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Recognition of prior learning
Students enrolled in this course may be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 24 credit points if the subjects previously studied are deemed by UTS: Science to be equivalent to those specified for their course.
To be considered for recognition of prior learning, subjects must normally have been completed no more than five years prior to the commencement of this course.
Course duration and attendance
The standard course duration is 18 months of full-time study.
The course may also be completed in part-time mode, typically over three years. Part-time students must be prepared to attend some afternoon or morning classes during each teaching week.
Course structure
The course requires 72 credit points of study, comprising a 24-credit-point professional stream and 48 credit points of core subjects.
Course completion requirements
| STM91294 Core subjects (Forensic Science) | 48cp | |
| STM91284 Professional stream (Science PG) | 24cp | |
| Total | 72cp |
Course program
The following examples show typical full-time programs for students commencing in Autumn or Spring sessions.
| Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 68109 Advanced Communication Skills in Science | 6cp | |
| 65019 Foundations of Forensic Science | 8cp | |
| Select 10 credit points from the following: | 10cp | |
| 60105 Ethics in Human Research | 2cp | |
| 60102 Ethics in Animal Research | 2cp | |
| 60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science | 2cp | |
| 60119 Science Business Models and Intellectual Property | 4cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 65009 Forensic Inference and Interpretation | 8cp | |
| 60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design | 6cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| 65006 Advanced Chemical Criminalistics | 8cp | |
| 65007 Biometrics and Identification Sciences | 8cp | |
| 65015 Forensic Science Research Internship Project A | 8cp | |
| 65016 Forensic Science Research Internship Project B | 8cp | |
| Select 2 credit points from the following: | 2cp | |
| 60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science | 2cp | |
| 60106 Research Proposal Writing | 2cp | |
| 60109 Professional Science Document Writing | 2cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 24 credit points from the following: | 24cp | |
| 65008 Crime Scene Investigation and Management | 8cp | |
| 65010 Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis | 8cp | |
| 65015 Forensic Science Research Internship Project A | 8cp | |
| 65016 Forensic Science Research Internship Project B | 8cp | |
| 65017 Forensic Science Research Internship Project C | 16cp | |
| 65018 Forensic Science Research Internship Project D | 16cp | |
| Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 68109 Advanced Communication Skills in Science | 6cp | |
| 65019 Foundations of Forensic Science | 8cp | |
| 65009 Forensic Inference and Interpretation | 8cp | |
| Select 2 credit points from the following: | 2cp | |
| 60106 Research Proposal Writing | 2cp | |
| 60109 Professional Science Document Writing | 2cp | |
| 60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science | 2cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design | 6cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| 65008 Crime Scene Investigation and Management | 8cp | |
| 65010 Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis | 8cp | |
| 65015 Forensic Science Research Internship Project A | 8cp | |
| 65016 Forensic Science Research Internship Project B | 8cp | |
| Select 10 credit points from the following: | 10cp | |
| 60105 Ethics in Human Research | 2cp | |
| 60102 Ethics in Animal Research | 2cp | |
| 60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science | 2cp | |
| 60119 Science Business Models and Intellectual Property | 4cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select 24 credit points from the following: | 24cp | |
| 65006 Advanced Chemical Criminalistics | 8cp | |
| 65007 Biometrics and Identification Sciences | 8cp | |
| 65015 Forensic Science Research Internship Project A | 8cp | |
| 65016 Forensic Science Research Internship Project B | 8cp | |
| 65017 Forensic Science Research Internship Project C | 16cp | |
| 65018 Forensic Science Research Internship Project D | 16cp | |
Articulation with UTS courses
Students who complete this course can transfer into the Master of Forensic Science (Extension) (C04392) and receive recognition of prior learning for the completed course.
Other information
Further information is available from:
UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS