Online Courses Handbook 2003

303316 v.2 Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science) (Honours)

BSc(Hons)(Curtin)

Introduction
This course provides the opportunity to apply knowledge of forensic science to the investigation of crime. Forensic science is essentially a crime laboratory-based profession. While forensic science is, among other things, concerned with the analysis of human tissue and organs, it is not forensic pathology, which is a specialised field of medicine. Forensic science in the broad sense includes ballistics and firearm expertise, DNA analysis and serology, chemistry and many other fields.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
Chemistry and Applicable Mathematics. Physics is desirable.

Specific Requirements
The STAT is not accepted for entry to this course.

Duration and Availability
This course is designed as a four-year program with honours. Students not performing at a sufficiently high level at the end of third year will graduate with a Bachelor of Science pass degree and not continue to the fourth year. The course is also available on a part-time basis.

Intermediate Awards
A student who has successfully completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of Science may apply under exceptional circumstance provisions for graduation in the Bachelor of Science subject to approval of the Course Coordinator. A student who has not met the University Honours entry requirements at the end of the third year must exit and will be awarded the Bachelor of Science.

Course Organisation
The course is designed as a four-year program for a Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science) (Honours). Students not performing at a sufficiently high level at the end of third year will graduate with a Bachelor of Science pass degree and not continue to the fourth year. The first three years are heavily biased toward the chemical and biological sciences with considerable emphasis on the analytical techniques that are so critical in forensic science. There is a chemistry research project in third year. The fourth year is in two sections. The coursework section consists of studies of specific aspects of forensic science such as legal issues in forensic science practical experience with the Forensic Branch of the Western Australian Police Service or a forensic laboratory and forensic case studies. The second section is an Honours research project and written dissertation describing research and the findings.

Professional Recognition
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute recognises the course as fulfilling the academic requirements for graduate membership. On obtaining the necessary experience graduates will be admitted to membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit

Year 1 Semester 1

1754 v.5 Cell Biology 101 5.0 25.0

1756 v.6 Plant Biology 101 5.0 25.0

7039 v.4 Chemistry 101 7.0 25.0

7054 v.5 Physics 113 3.0 12.5

7056 v.5 Mathematics 111 4.0 12.5

100.0

Year 1 Semester 2

1373 v.5 Statistics 121 2.0 12.5

1762 v.4 Animal Biology 102 5.0 25.0

7040 v.5 Chemistry 102 7.0 25.0

7042 v.6 Analytical Chemistry 112 4.0 25.0

7868 v.4 Programming in Basic 102 2.0 12.5

100.0

Year 2 Semester 1

7749 v.5 Mathematics 213 2.0 12.5

8024 v.5 Analytical Chemistry 201 6.5 25.0

8027 v.4 Organic Chemistry 201 7.0 25.0

8029 v.3 Inorganic Chemistry 201 2.0 12.5

8306 v.9 Quantitative Biology 201 5.0 25.0

100.0

Year 2 Semester 2

2789 v.9 Cell Biology 202 4.0 25.0

8026 v.4 Physical Chemistry 202 6.0 25.0

8028 v.4 Organic Chemistry 202 7.0 25.0

8030 v.4 Inorganic Chemistry 202 7.0 25.0

100.0

Year 3 Semester 1

13574 v.2 Physical Examination of Evidence 302 4.0 25.0

302546 v.2 Analytical Chemistry 301 5.0 25.0

7755 v.4 Inorganic Chemistry 301 6.0 25.0

7756 v.4 Organic Chemistry 301 7.0 25.0

100.0

Year 3 Semester 2

10015 v.2 Chemistry and Technology 302 3.0 12.5

13572 v.2 Introduction to Toxicology 302 2.0 12.5

13577 v.2 Biological Profiling 301 4.0 25.0

301995 v.3 Introduction to Communication Skills 116 2.0 12.5

9048 v.6 Chemistry Project 390 9.0 37.5

100.0

Year 4 Semester 1

13573 v.2 Legal Issues in Forensic Science 401 2.0 12.5

302540 v.2 Analytical Chemistry 401 4.0 25.0

302877 v.2 Forensic Science Honours Dissertation 497 8.0 50.0

306891 v.1 Forensic Investigation Practicum 401 6.0 12.5

100.0

Year 4 Semester 2

13578 v.2 Forensic Case Studies 401 2.0 12.5

13579 v.2 Forensic Toxicology 401 2.0 12.5

302541 v.2 Analytical Chemistry 402 4.0 25.0

302878 v.2 Forensic Science Honours Dissertation 498 8.0 50.0

100.0

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