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
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have the following:
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent, 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: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 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