University of Technology Sydney

C07137v1 Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science

Award(s): Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (GradDipForSc)
CRICOS code: 098063G
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 48
Course EFTSL: 1
Location: City campus

Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Articulation with UTS courses
Other information

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science prepares students for professional and specialist work in the discipline of forensic science and is designed for professional scientists wishing to update their industry-related skills for career advancement.

This course is designed to build students' knowledge and practice of forensic science alongside developing science management and leadership skills. The course contains compulsory core and elective practice-focused forensic science subjects across a range of disciplines from the crime scene to the laboratory. Professional subjects covering a range of skills crucial to all professional scientists – such as project and laboratory management, advanced scientific communication, ethics, innovation and science business models – complete the course. Students also have the option of undertaking a short research internship, subject to approval by the faculty.

Course aims

The course aims to produce adaptable forensic scientists who are proficient with modern professional practice and technology, and have strong general professional skills such as scientific communication, critical analysis, and project management.

Career options

Depending on the area of specialisation, graduates may pursue employment with organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, state policing agencies, ASIO, CSIRO, ANSTO, customs, immigration, and private forensic agencies. Career options 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 Demonstrate the appraisal and application of advanced knowledge, technical skills relevant to professional practice in forensic science.
2.1 Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate approaches to forensic science problems through analysis and critical thinking 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 Reflectively discover, create, and evaluate the processes used to determine the value, integrity, and relevance of sources of information to derive solutions to forensic science problems.
5.1 Communicate complex ideas 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 Develop knowledge of 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.

Course duration and attendance

Thsi course is offered on a one-year, full-time or two-year, part-time basis.

Course structure

The course requires 48 credit points of study, with 32 credit points chosen from core discipline subjects and 16 credit points from professional stream subjects.

Course completion requirements

STM91293 Core subjects (Forensic Science) 32cp
STM91285 Professional stream (Science PG) 16cp
Total 48cp

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
69511 Ethics in Human Research 2cp  
60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design 6cp  
60102 Ethics in Animal Research 2cp  
60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science 2cp  
60119 Science Business Models and Intellectual Property 4cp  
15315 Project Management Principles 6cp  
Spring session
65009 Forensic Inference and Interpretation   8cp
65006 Advanced Chemical Criminalistics   8cp
65007 Biometrics and Identification Sciences   8cp

Articulation with UTS courses

Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science can transfer into the Master of Forensic Science (C04391), or 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