To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program for High Achievers - 4 years.

The Forensic and Analytical Science Specialisation is offered as part of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program for High Achievers and requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is offered by
the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences and the School of Biological Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Specialisations may have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program for High Achievers. In order to undertake a Specialisation students must be admitted to the
Specialisation program.

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 (Year 12) Chemistry and at least two of the following SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) subjects; Biology, Mathematical Studies, Specialist Mathematics, Physics, Geology, or the equivalent are normally required for entry to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Forensic and Analytical Science) Enhanced Program for High Achievers.

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 either 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 or analytical 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 within 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 by. 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

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)
 SERC1012 Introduction to Research (4.5 units)
 STAT1122  Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 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)
 SERC2700   Research Project 1  (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 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)
 SERC3700   Research Project 2  (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)

Plus 4.5 units of elective topics
 

Stream - Forensic Biology – Honours Year topics

36 units comprising:

  BIOL7700A  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700B  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700C  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700D  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700E  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units) 
  BIOL7730  Honours Scientific Methods and Data Presentation  (4.5 units)
  BIOL7731  Evidence Evaluation (4.5 units)
 
Plus one of:
 
 BIOL7710  Honours Critical Readings  (4.5 units)
 BIOL7720  Honours Grant Writing Skills  (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)
 SERC1012  Introduction to Research (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

 STAT1121  Data Science  (4.5 units)
 STAT1122  Biostatistics  (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 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)
 SERC2700  Research Project  (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 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)
 SERC3700  Research Project 2  (4.5 units)

Plus four of:

 BIOL3771  DNA to Genome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3793  Biological Criminalistics  (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)

Plus 4.5 units of elective topics

Stream – Forensic and Analytical Chemistry - Honours Year topics

36 units comprising

CPES7700A  Honours Research Project  (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700B  Honours Research Project  (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700C  Honours Research Project  (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700D  Honours Research Project  (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700E  Honours Research Project  (4/5/22.5 units)

Plus

CPES7701  Advanced Research Skills  (4.5 units)
CPES7711  Advanced Techniques in Chemical and Physical Science  (4.5 units)
CPES7721  Advanced Chemical and Physical Science  (4.5 units)

## 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

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Forensic and Analytical Science) - Enhanced Program for High Achivers may also be studied in a combined degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering .