Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences

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 as well as advancement, as you will increase your knowledge in specific areas that interest you.

Course outline

Candidates for the specialisation in odontology should hold a Bachelor’s degree in dental science or equivalent. (Contact the Centre for Forensic Science for further details).

There is a great diversity of research interests at The University of Western Australia related to forensic science, with new cutting edge technologies developing each year. These areas range from research into the age-old practice of dating cadavers through an understanding of the nature of invading decomposing fauna, to the latest world-class computer technologies of image intensification.

The research aspect of the degree will be assessed on the basis of a thesis and a researched case study. The case study will incorporate a component of law (criminology, criminal law and public policy, provided by the Crime Research Centre). In the event that one or more of the optional units directly relate to the substance of the research, such as techniques in DNA analysis. Such units may be incorporated within the research part of the degree.

Core units (general program)

• FNSC8504 Research Issues in Forensic Science 1 (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)

Note: FNSC8504 and FNSC8510 must not be taken in the same semester.

 Options

Units to a value of 15 points from:

• 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:

• FNSC8505 Special Topics in Forensic Science (3 points)
• FNSC8506 Special Topics in Forensic Science (3 points)

Plus both units:

• FNSC8521 Case Study 1 (6 points)
• FNSC8522 Case Study 2 (6 points)

Note: Both FNSC8521 and FNSC8522 must be completed within two years.

Plus both units:

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

and units of Level 3 or higher to a value of 24 points chosen in consultation with the Director of Forensic Science from the unit offerings of the Faculties of Life and Physical Sciences, Natuaral and Agricultural Sciences, Law, or the UWA Business School.

Core units (The 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 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8564 DNA (3 points)

Note: FNSC8504 and FNSC8510 must not be taken in the same semester.

 Options

Units to a value of 15 points from:

• 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:

• FNSC8505 Special Topics in Forensic Science 1 (3 points)
• FNSC8506 Special Topics in Forensic Science 2 (3 points)

Plus all units:

• FNSC8523 Case Study (Odontology) Part 1 (6 points)
• FNSC8524 Case Study (Odontology) Part 2 (6 points)
• FNSC8606 Case Study (Odontology) Part 1 (6 points)
• FNSC8607 Case Study (Odontology) Part 2 (6 points)

Plus one unit from:

• FNSC9642 Forensic Science Thesis (Odontology) (36 points) (full time)
• FNSC9643 Forensic Science Thesis (Odontology) (36 points) (part time)

Core units (Forensic Anthroplogy 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)

Note: FNSC8504 and FNSC8510 must not be taken in the same semester.

Plus all the units in the following list:

• 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 units in the following list:

• FNSC8521 Case Study Part 1 (6 points)
• FNSC8522 Case Study Part 2 (6 points)

Note: Both FNSC8521 and FNSC8522 must be completed within two years.

Plus one unit from:

• FNSC9644 Forensic Science Thesis (Forensic Anthropology) (48 points) (full time)
• FNSC9645 Forensic Science Thesis (Forensic Anthropology) (48 points) (part time)
  
  

Case study

The case study for the Master’s degree is more extensive than that required for the Graduate Diploma. Students subsequently enrol in the Master’s program must undertake a new subject area, or significantly extend the case study previously undertaken for the Graduate Diploma. The case study comprises three elements: critical analysis of a case in law; completion of one or more units of study in law (provided in part by the Crime Research Centre); and presentation of evidence before a moot court.

Admission requirements

Coursework and dissertation: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area or admission to equivalent status; or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science within the past four years with an average of 60 per cent; and certification of police clearance and current of tetanus protection.

Thesis and coursework: A recognised Bachelor’s degree with honours in a relevant subject area; or completion of a combined course of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (or equivalent); or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science within the past four years with an average of 70 per cent; and certification of police clearance and currency of 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
Contact: Danielle Molan, Administrator, Centre for Forensic Science
Telephone: +(61 8) 6488 7286.