If you want an exciting career that stimulates you, challenges you, and rewards you, then a postgraduate degree in science sets you on the right path.

Completing further study beyond a Bachelor degree will enhance your chances of employment and advancement within your career, as you will increase your knowledge in specific areas that interest you. The Master of Forensic Science is a multidisciplinary degree that focuses on scientific methods for investigating crime, and also addresses the needs of forensic investigations within allied industries.

1. Course outline
2. Admission requirements
3. Course enquiries

Course outline

The Master of Forensic Science by dissertation and coursework is a two year degree which combines coursework units in a variety of forensic disciplines with research in a specialist area of your choice.

In the first year, you will gain an interdisciplinary introduction to many forensic science disciplines, including DNA, entomology, anthropology and forensic chemistry. Students are also given the opportunity to research a particular topic in more detail, and gain experience in the criminal justice system and expert evidence in the Expert Testimony unit.

In the second year, you will complete a dissertation on a specific topic of your choice, enabling you to develop your research skills. The completion of an Advanced Expert Testimony unit encourages you to apply the skills you have learnt in a mock court setting. You will also have the chance to select units from other faculties to complement or broaden your forensic science knowledge.

The lectures for part one of this course will primarily be held in the evenings in order to accommodate students in the workforce. Please contact us for more information.

GENERAL STREAM

All units have a value of 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

Part one

Students complete the following core units:

• FNSC8611 Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science
• FNSC8612 Forensic Anthropology I - Introductory Theory and Method
• FNSC8613 Introduction to Forensic Chemistry
• FNSC8619 Forensic DNA Analysis
• FNSC8620 Expert Testimony Part 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8630 Expert Testimony Part 2 (3 points)

plus units to the value of 18 points from the following list (subject to availability each year):

• FNSC8614 Forensic Archaeology - Theory and Method
• FNSC8615 Death Investigations
• FNSC8616 Digital Imaging in Forensic Science
• FNSC8617 Forensics and Information Technology
• FNSC8518 Forensic Science and Policing
• FNSC8520 Criminal Behaviour

Part two

Students complete a second Expert Testimony unit:

• FNSC8623 Advanced Expert Testimony Part 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8633 Advanced Expert Testimony Part 2 (3 points)

plus the following dissertation units:

• FNSC8646 Forensic Science Dissertation Part 1 (12 points)
• FNSC8644 Forensic Science Dissertation Part 2 (12 points)

and units of Level 4 or higher to a value of 18 points chosen in consultation with the Director of Forensic Science from the unit offerings of the Faculties of Life and Physical Science, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Law or the UWA Business School.

ODONTOLOGY PROGRAM

Part one

Students who have a Bachelor of Dental Science or equivalent and who are admitted to the Odontology program complete the same units as students in the general stream, except:

• FNSC8521 Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8531 Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 2 (3 points)

Students in this stream are also encouraged to choose an odontology-based topic (in consultation with the Director) for their Ethics and Research Methods critical report.

Part two

Odontology students complete a second Expert Testimony unit:

• FNSC8624 Advanced Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8634 Advanced Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 2 (3 points)

plus the following dissertation units:

• FNSC8647 Forensic Science Dissertation (Odontology) Part 1 (12 points)
• FNSC8648 Forensic Science Dissertation (Odontology) Part 2 (12 points)

and units of Level 4 or higher to a value of 18 points chosen in consultation with the Director of Forensic Science from the unit offerings of the Faculties of Life and Physical Science, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Law or the UWA Business School.

ANTHROPOLOGY PROGRAM

Part one

Students who have a Bachelor of Science in anthropology, human anatomy or another relevant subject and who are admitted to the Anthropology program complete the same units as students in the general stream, except:

• FNSC8522 Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8532 Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 2 (3 points)

Students in this stream are also encouraged to choose an anthropology-based topic (in consultation with the Director of Studies) for their Ethics and Research Methods critical report.

Part two

Anthropology students complete a second Expert Testimony unit:

• FNSC8625 Advanced Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8635 Advanced Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 2 (3 points)

plus the following dissertation units:

• FNSC8649 Forensic Science Dissertation (Anthropology) Part 1 (12 points)
• FNSC8650 Forensic Science Dissertation (Anthropology) Part 2 (12 points)

and units of Level 4 or higher to a value of 18 points chosen in consultation with the Director of Forensic Science from the unit offerings of the Faculties of Life and Physical Science, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Law or the UWA Business School.

Progression

In order to progress from part one of the course to part two you must achieve a weighted average mark (WAM) of 60% or higher in part one. Students who acheive a WAM of 70% or higher in part one may be eligible to apply for the Master of Forensic Science by Research.

Credit for prior learning

If you have completed a similar subject, for example Forensic DNA Analysis, at another university, providing it was passed as part of an equivalent postgraduate course, you may apply for a credit for that unit. If you completed a similar unit as part of an undergraduate degree, you will not be granted an exemption.

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Admission requirements

General Stream: A Bachelor degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent as determined by the Faculty; or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science within the past four years with an average of 60 per cent or higher.

Odontology Program: A Bachelor degree in dental science or equivalent as determined by the Faculty; or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Odontology program) within the past four years with an average of 60 per cent or higher.

Anthropology Program: A Bachelor of Science degree in anthropology, human anatomy or another relevant subject as determined by the Faculty; or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Anthropology program) within the past four years with an average of 60 per cent or higher.

When submitting your application you must also include a National Criminal Record History Check (no more than 12 months old) and proof of having had your tetanus vaccination.

English Language Competence

All applicants for UWA coursework programs must demonstrate a minimum level of English Language Competence.

Course enquiries

Centre for Forensic Science
Telephone: +(61 8) 6488 7286

Email: enq-cfs@uwa.edu.au

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