Course

Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science)

Approved Abbreviation: BSc(ForSc)

Western Sydney University Course Code: 3589.2

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 049084J

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course was 2006 to 2010.

Commencement Year 2004, 2005 - 3589.1 Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science)

This is a three year program that produces scientists who have a good background in the biological and chemical sciences, coupled with specialised expertise in forensic science, including methods of forensic analysis, crime scene investigation, forensic photography, finger printing, forensic materials/drug investigations, crime and criminal justice and complex case studies on terrorism, corporate crime, computer crime, money laundering and people smuggling. Students may specialise in forensic biology, chemistry or microbiology or combine the core units with additional forensic electives or studies in a related or unrelated discipline. Career opportunities include forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, private investigators and consultants, quality controllers, drug analysts, researchers and academics, document and fingerprint investigators. The main employers of forensic scientists are State and Federal police services, State and Commonwealth Government Health Departments and analytical chemical laboratories. Graduates will be versatile with a wide skills base with (depending on their choice of electives) potential for employment in analytical chemistry and microbiology, quality control and assurance, biochemistry and molecular biology, scientific research, education and the chemical industry.

Study Mode
Three years full-time.

Admission

There is no specific prerequisite for entry into the course. Preferably, students should have successfully completed the HSC at the 2U level or better in at least two of the following units: Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

UAC

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International Office

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website (UAC).

UAC

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Students need to obtain an aggregate of at least 240 credit points, with no more than 100 credit points at Level 1. In addition, 60 credit points must be at Level 3 or above.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

300221

Biology 1

300224

Chemistry 1

300375

Digital Forensic Photography 1

And one elective

Spring session

Biology 2

Chemistry 2

Forensic Science

Biometry

Year 2

Autumn session

300219

Biochemistry 1

300493

Forensic and Environmental Analysis

Choose one of

400680

Crime and Criminal Justice

400681

Crime and Criminology

And one elective

Spring session

300374

Crime Scene Investigation

300377

Forensic Analysis of Physical Evidence

Choose one of

300376

Digital Forensic Photography 2

300535

Soils

And one elective

Year 3

Autumn session

300234

Molecular Biology

300494

Forensic Chemistry

Choose one of

300378

Forensic Archaeology

300334

Invertebrate Biology

And one elective

Spring session

300373

Complex Forensic Case Studies

One of:

EH217A

Toxicology

300627

Toxicology

Note: from 2010, EH217A - Toxicology replaced by 300627 -Toxicology

And two electives

Note: Where an alternate unit option is available in the recommended course sequence, but a unit is not on offer in the same session, please contact the Course Advisor or Head of Program for advice.

Sub-major elective spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).

Search for sub-majors

Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Indigenous Australian Creative Expressions Sub-major

Indigenous Economics Sub-major

Business Sustainability Sub-major

Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)