Bachelor of Forensic Science / Bachelor of Laws
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Undergraduate
CRICOS: 00099F
The Bachelor of Forensic Science Bachelor of Laws is offered jointly by UTS: Law and UTS: Science. The Bachelor of Forensic Science prepares students for professional and specialist work in the discipline of forensic science. Students build a solid foundation of skills and knowledge in the enabling sciences, complemented by an in-depth understanding of forensic science in the context of their chosen discipline. Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills is a focus of the degree, with graduates in high demand from a diverse range of industries and organisations. The program provides full-time study for students wishing to obtain a professional legal qualification that satisfies the academic requirements only for admission as a lawyer together with forensic science. This course provides students with a thorough understanding of how forensic science can solve and prevent crime. This is a hands-on course using world-class facilities that are modelled on operational laboratories. Students can choose from four majors: biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, and digital forensics. The course is well-regarded with strong links to industries such as the federal and state police services, national and international forensic institutions, and government laboratories. Career options include positions in the police service, state and federal law enforcement agencies, government and private forensic or drug detection laboratories, customs, quarantine services, environmental protection agencies, pharmaceutical, chemical and analytical industries, DNA testing laboratories, medical diagnostic laboratories, hospitals or corporate multinationals providing forensic, medical or research services, digital forensic laboratories, scene of crime officers.
Structure
The course comprises a total of 240 credit points and allows students to graduate with the separate degrees of Bachelor of Forensic Science (BForSc) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB). The study components for course completion are as follows. The law component is made up of 144 credit points. The forensic science component comprises 42 credit points of core subjects and a 54-credit-point major choice taken from one of the four specified majors representing different forensic science disciplines. The course duration is five years of full-time study. The law component requires attendance of between 10-15 hours of face-to-face classes a week and timetable constraints may require attendance at daytime and evening classes. The science component requires attendance of approximately 20-22 hours a week on campus.
Subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Crime scene investigation
- Digital forensics
- Law
Standard entry requirements
- Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level. The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0
- Or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21
- Or AE5: Pass
- Or PTE: 58-64
- Or CAE: 176-184. Assumed knowledge includes: English proficiency
- Mathematics
- And Science.
Recognition
This course satisfies the requirements for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer, provided students undertake the optional PLT component. Graduates of the Bachelor of Forensic Science are eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society.
Study pathways
Students can graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) if they complete subjects Research Methodology and Research Thesis within the course. The degree may be awarded with first or second class honours, which does not require an additional honours year. The rules concerning the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) can be found in undergraduate course information. Students who meet these criteria for honours are eligible for transfer into the appropriate undergraduate honours exit course on completion of all coursework. This transfer is managed by the Haymarket Student Centre and occurs just prior to graduation. The Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours) is available to eligible students with an additional one year of full-time study.
Further information
To practise as a lawyer in NSW, students need to successfully complete an accredited legal academic qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training (PLT), which UTS offers through its PLT program. Students enrolled in this course may complete their practical legal training by undertaking a postgraduate course in PLT, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice. 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.
