Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences
How to apply
Domestic students
International students
Information for International students
In addition to the attachments required in the application form, applicants who are not graduates of this University must submit an original transcript or certified copy of their academic record for all tertiary qualifications to date.
Key information
- 48 credit points
- 1 year
- Course code: 50320
- Intake period: February and July
Fees
Important dates
Application for 2010
December
Commence 2010
February
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.
This Graduate Diploma provides an avenue for further study under certain circumstances, if:
- You are ineligible for entry to Honours at UWA
- You want proceed to Master's candidature
- You want an advanced qualification in a specific area of expertise
Course outline
The program consists of both coursework and research and exposes students to a broad range of disciplines that carry the potential for significant practical application. Students will gain hands-on experience in the analysis of material associated with a crime scene, use techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, experience chemical analytical techniques including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, as well as learn how to employ DNA sequencing using specific genomic markers. In addition students will conduct experiments with animal carcasses as human models.
From these experiences the student will not only learn basic human anatomy but also aspects of pathology and decompositional processes associated with estimating the time of death, all of which may be relevant to violent crime. As part of their case research study, students will be required to receive instruction within the Faculty of Law partly in the Crime Research Centre. This component of law is specifically designed to enable students to understand both criminal justice and the process of presenting evidence as an expert witness within a courtroom.
Core units (general stream)
- FNSC8504 Research Issues in Forensic Science I (3 points)
- FNSC8510 Research Issues in Forensic Science 2 (3 points)
- FNSC8511 Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science (3 points)
- FNSC8551 Instrumentation (Chemical Instrumentation) (3 points)
- FNSC8562 Forensic Anthropology I (3 points)
- FNSC8564 DNA (3 points)
Plus units to the value of 15 points from the following list:
- FNSC8503 Forensic Pathology (3 points)
- FNSC8512 Forensic Archaeology I - Introductory Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8513 Forensic Archaeology II - Advanced Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8514 Forensic Anthropology II - Advanced Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8515 Molecular Osteology (3 points)
- FNSC8516 Forensic Odontology and Introductory Osteology (3 points)
- FNSC8552 Soils and Taphonomy (3 points)
- FNSC8553 Electron, Light and Laser Microscopies (3 points)
- FNSC8554 Forensic Image Processing (3 points)
- FNSC8561 Forensic Entomology (3 points)
- FNSC8563 Botanical Evidence (3 points)
Plus at least one unit from the following list:
- FNSC8505 Special Topics in Forensic Science 1 (3 points)
- FNSC8506 Special Topics in Forensic Science 2 (3 points)
Plus both the following units:
Core units (Odontology program)
- FNSC8504 Research Issues in Forensic Science I (3 points)
- FNSC8510 Research Issues in Forensic Science 2 (3 points)
- FNSC8511 Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science (3 points)
- FNSC8551 Instrumentation (Chemical Instrumentation) (3 points)
- FNSC8562 Forensic Anthropology I (3 points)
- FNSC8564 DNA (3 points)
Plus units to the value of 15 points from the following list:
- FNSC8503 Forensic Pathology (3 points)
- FNSC8512 Forensic Archaeology I - Introductory Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8513 Forensic Archaeology II - Advanced Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8514 Forensic Anthropology II - Advanced Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8515 Molecular Osteology (3 points)
- FNSC8516 Forensic Odontology and Introductory Osteology (3 points)
- FNSC8552 Soils and Taphonomy (3 points)
- FNSC8553 Electron, Light and Laser Microscopies (3 points)
- FNSC8554 Forensic Image Processing (3 points)
- FNSC8561 Forensic Entomology (3 points)
- FNSC8563 Botanical Evidence (3 points)
Plus at least one unit from the following list:
- FNSC8505 Special Topics in Forensic Science 1 (3 points)
- FNSC8506 Special Topics in Forensic Science 2 (3 points)
Plus both the following units:
- FNSC8523 Case Study (Odontology) Part 1 (6 points)
- FNSC8524 Case Study (Odontology) Part 2 (6 points)
Core units (Forensic Anthropology program)
- FNSC8504 Research Issues in Forensic Science I (3 points)
- FNSC8510 Research Issues in Forensic Science 2 (3 points)
- FNSC8511 Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science (3 points)
- FNSC8551 Instrumentation (Chemical Instrumentation) (3 points)
- FNSC8562 Forensic Anthropology I (3 points)
- FNSC8564 DNA (3 points)
Plus units in the following list (Forensic Anthropology Core units):
- FNSC8512 Forensic Archaeology I - Introductory Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8513 Forensic Archaeology II - Advanced Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8514 Forensic Anthropology II - Advanced Theory and Method (3 points)
- FNSC8515 Molecular Osteology (3 points)
- FNSC8516 Forensic Odontology and Introductory Osteology (3 points)
- FNSC8505 Special Topics in Forensic Science 1 (3 points)
Plus both the following units:
Note: FNSC8504 Research Issues in Forensic Science 1 and FNSC8510 Research Issues in Forensic Science 2 must not be taken in the same semester.
In order to proceed to the Master of Forensic Science, a weighted average of 70% or more across all units undertaken is required for the MForSc (Coursework and Thesis) and a weighted average of 60% for the MForSc (Coursework and Dissertation)
Admission requirements
A recognised Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline or qualifications and experience in a relevant field which are considered to be equivalent to the degree specified above. Applicants for the odontology specialisation must have a bachelor’s degree in dental science or equivalent. All applicants are also required to produce certification of police clearance and current tetanus protection.
Domestic students
All UWA coursework programs: English Language Competence
International students
All UWA coursework programs: English Language Competence
Course enquiries
Centre for Forensic Science
Telephone: +(61 8) 6488 7286 or by email
