Enhance your skills and knowledge of forensic science by completing the Master of Forensic Science.
Introduction
The Master of Forensic Science is a two year degree which combines coursework units in a variety of forensic disciplines with research dissertation in a specialist area of your choice.
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Course description, features and facilities
The Master of Forensic Science is a multidisciplinary degree that focuses on scientific methods for investigating crime, whilst also addressing the needs of forensic investigations within allied industries.
The suite of units provides an interdisciplinary introduction to many forensic science disciplines including DNA, entomology, anthropology and forensic chemistry. Students are 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 of the course, students complete a dissertation on a specific topic of their choice that further develops their research skills.
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Structure
Students complete coursework units in a variety of forensic disciplines in the first year. In the second year there is an opportunity to specialise in an area of interest by completing a dissertation and additional elective coursework units. More information can be found at http://www.forensicscience.uwa.edu.au/.
| Key to availability of units: |
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; S3 = summer teaching period; N/A = not available in 2013;
NS = non-standard teaching period; OS = offshore teaching period; * = to be advised |
(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points comprising—
Part 1
(a) all units in Group A:
Group A
| S1 | FNSC5611 | Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science |
| S1 | FNSC5612 | Forensic Anthropology I—Introductory Theory and Method |
| S2 | FNSC5613 | Introduction to Forensic Chemistry |
| S2 | FNSC5619 | Forensic DNA Analysis |
and
(b) the units in Group B:
Group B
| S1, S2 | FNSC5620 | Expert Testimony Part 1 Â (3 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5630 | Expert Testimony Part 2 (3 points) |
and
(c) units to the value of 18 points from below:
| S1 | FNSC5615 | Death Investigations |
| S1 | FNSC5616 | Digital Imaging in Forensic Science |
| S2 | FNSC5617 | Forensics and Information Technology |
| S2 | FNSC5518 | Forensic Science and Policing |
| S2 | FNSC5614 | Forensic Archaeology—Theory and Method |
| NS | FNSC5520 | Criminal Behaviour |
| S2 | FNSC5626 | Forensic Anthropology II—Advanced Theory and Method |
| N/A | FNSC5618 | Special Topic in Forensic Science |
and
Part 2
(d) all units in Group A:
Group A
| S1, S2 | FNSC5646 | Forensic Science Dissertation Part 1 Â (12 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5644 | Forensic Science Dissertation Part 2 (12 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5623 | Advanced Expert Testimony Part 1 (3 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5633 | Advanced Expert Testimony Part 2 (3 points) |
and
(e) 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 Faculty of Science, Law or the UWA Business School.
(2) The Odontology specialisation consists of units to a total value of 96 points comprising—
Part 1
(a) all units in Group A:
Group A
| S1 | FNSC5611 | Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science |
| S1 | FNSC5612 | Forensic Anthropology I—Introductory Theory and Method |
| S2 | FNSC5613 | Introduction to Forensic Chemistry |
| S2 | FNSC5619 | Forensic DNA Analysis |
and
(b) the units in Group C:
Group C
| S1, S2 | FNSC5621 | Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 1 (3 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5631 | Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 2 (3 points) |
and
(c) units to the value of 18 points from below:
| S1 | FNSC5615 | Death Investigations |
| S1 | FNSC5616 | Digital Imaging in Forensic Science |
| S2 | FNSC5617 | Forensics and Information Technology |
| S2 | FNSC5518 | Forensic Science and Policing |
| S2 | FNSC5614 | Forensic Archaeology—Theory and Method |
| NS | FNSC5520 | Criminal Behaviour |
| S2 | FNSC5626 | Forensic Anthropology II—Advanced Theory and Method |
| N/A | FNSC5618 | Special Topic in Forensic Science |
and
Part 2
(d) all units in Group B:
Group B
| S1, S2 | FNSC5647 | Forensic Science Dissertation (Odontology) Part 1 (12 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5648 | Forensic Science Dissertation (Odontology) Part 2 (12 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5624 | Advanced Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 1 (3 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5634 | Advanced Expert Testimony (Odontology) Part 2 (3 points) |
and
(e) 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 Faculty of Science, Law or the UWA Business School.
(3) The Forensic Anthropology specialisation consists of units to a total value of 96 points comprising—
Part 1
(a) all units in Group A:
Group A
| S1 | FNSC5611 | Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science |
| S1 | FNSC5612 | Forensic Anthropology I—Introductory Theory and Method |
| S2 | FNSC5613 | Introduction to Forensic Chemistry |
| S2 | FNSC5619 | Forensic DNA Analysis |
and
(b) all units in Group D:
Group D
| S1 | FNSC5615 | Death Investigations |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5622 | Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 1 (3 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5632 | Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 2 (3 points) |
| S2 | FNSC5614 | Forensic Archaeology—Theory and Method |
| S2 | FNSC5626 | Forensic Anthropology II—Advanced Theory and Method |
and
Part 2
(c) all units in Group C:
Group C
| S1, S2 | FNSC5649 | Forensic Science Dissertation (Anthropology) Part 1 (12 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5650 | Forensic Science Dissertation (Anthropology) Part 2 (12 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5625 | Advanced Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 1 (3 points) |
| S1, S2 | FNSC5635 | Advanced Expert Testimony (Anthropology) Part 2 (3 points) |
and
(d) 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 Faculty of Science, Law or the UWA Business School.
Career opportunities
Forensic scientists may have a wide variety of responsibilities including identifying illicit drugs; analysing drugs and poisons in human tissue and body fluids; examining and comparing materials such as fibres, paints, cosmetics, oils, fuels, plastics, glass, metals, soils and gunshot residues; and examining human and animal biological material to be compared with victims and suspects using DNA profiling.
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Further study opportunities
Students may consider the opportunity to pursue further studies in research in the area of forensic science.
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These pages are under review and are being updated.
Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- Admission Requirements
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Admission Requirements
A bachelor's degree in a relevant subject area from this University, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science within the past four years with an average of at least 60 per cent (or international equivalent); and a current National Police Certificate indicating no criminal conviction; and currency of tetanus protection.
English competency
Advanced standing
If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).
Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.
On this page
- Prerequisites
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites
As a rule, international students must:
- Have a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline (where required), completed to a sufficiently high standard;
- Meet the specific prerequisites for the course. (Refer to admission requirements for this course)
- Meet UWA's English language requirement.
English competency
All prospective international students must meet the English language proficiency requirements of the University. The most common international examination used in applications is the IELTS (academic) and the University’s requirement is an overall score of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0) for most coursework courses.
Please refer to our English language competency requirements to see a list of other accepted examinations. The University accepts a number of qualifications and any not listed will be considered on an individual basis.
Advanced standing
Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).
These pages are under review and will be updated in early 2013.
How to apply
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- Application Deadlines
- How to apply
- Fees
- Contact details - admission information
Application Deadlines
Semester 1: 23 January
Semester 2: 26 June
How to apply
Submit a completed application form
Fees
Annual fee: $16720.
As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.
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On this page
- Application Deadlines
- How to apply
- Fees
- Contact details - admission information
Application Deadlines
While there are no strict application deadlines for the submission of international postgraduate coursework applications, prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply with sufficient time to allow for the processing of their application and to secure a student visa.
Postgraduate coursework applications generally take four weeks from receipt of an application to offer.
How to apply
International postgraduate applicants must complete the postgraduate application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
Fees
$30980, per year.
This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.
UWA International Centre (M352)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 3939
- Fax
- (+61 8) 9382 4071
- Contacts
- International Centre
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Location
- UWA Map
- Opening hours
- Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
- About UWA
- Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
- Foundation and preparatory courses
- There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
- Social life on campus
- There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.
These pages are under review and will be updated in early 2013.
