Course description
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Forensic Science, career opportunities exist in forensics, insurance investigation, risk analysis, research science, education, in government institutions and in chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.
Course rules
The Bachelor of Forensic Science course covers many aspects of chemical and biochemical analysis, and molecular biology. To be awarded a Bachelor of Forensic Science, students must complete a total of 24 credit points, and those achieving a high average will be able to apply for the Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) course. This course may be completed by full-time study or part-time equivalent. Due to the specialised nature of forensic science and its ethics and legal requirements, a number of the units are prescribed and students must pass all core units.
Students must complete 11 credit points of core units and a major sequence in either Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology. Students may use up to eight of their remaining electives on units offered outside the Faculty such as units in Criminology, for example.
All students are required to complete at least one wholly online unit.
Major sequences
Forensic Biology
Forensic Chemistry
Course structure
Core units
Year 1
Trimester 1
SBB111 Cells, Genes and Diversity
SBC131 Principles of Chemistry
SIT191 Introduction to Statistics
ASL111 The Criminal Justice System
SBS010 Laboratory Safety Induction Program *
*SBS010 is a 0-credit-point compulsory unit
Trimester 2
SBB132 Biology: Form and Function
SBC152 Chemistry of Life
SBF111 Fundamentals of Forensic Science
ASL113 Crime, Criminology and Policing
Year 2
Trimester 1
SBC211 Introduction to Spectroscopic Principles
Trimester 2
SBF208 Forensic Biology
Year 3
Trimester 2
SBF313 Forensic Analysis and Interpretation
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants should have successfully completed VCE or equivalent. Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au
Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Applications for on and off campus study must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).
