CRICOS Code: 0101789

This program applies to students who commenced in 2020 up to Autumn 2022. 

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For commencement Year 2017 to 2019 - please refer to 3733.1 Bachelor of Medical Science (Forensic Mortuary Practice)

This is a three-year degree that combines traditional biomedical disciplines (biology, chemistry and biochemistry) with those of medical science (anatomy, physiology, pathology) and with a focus on forensic science in the senior years. Career opportunities include forensic mortuaries and forensic laboratories (as forensic technicians), and also in the funeral industry or as post mortem assistants.

This program will involve study at both Campbelltown and Hawkesbury campuses.

Note: This program involves a mandatory health and medical assessment that must be completed prior to enrolling in MEDI 3008 Mortuary Practice, which is offered in Year 3 Autumn, and undertaking the associated clinical placement. Students who are unable to pass the assessment by the end of Autumn session in Year 2 of the program will be required to take a leave of absence pending re-assessment in the following year, or transfer to an alternative medical science or science degree such as 3673 Bachelor of Medical Science (Anatomy and Physiology major) or 3589 Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science).

Study Mode

Three years full-time

Program Advice

Dr Sam Merlin

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Campbelltown Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above
Hawkesbury Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

One-day placement (observational) at a forensic mortuary in MEDI 3008 Mortuary Practice.  Two-week clinical placement at a forensic mortuary (or similar) in NATS 3003 Advanced Mortuary Practice.

Students taking part in the placements do so under the University Student Placement Policy. Ultimately the subject coordinator will have responsibility for ensuring the quality of supervision whilst students are on placement. This will be facilitated by regular contact with the students whilst they are on placement. The course is co-designed and co-delivered by members of FASS and a FASS member (Director) is a member of the EAC. Whilst at FASS the director will have responsibility for ensuring the quality of supervision and liaising with the subject coordinator to ensure a quality outcome. The quality of supervision at non-FASS sites will be the responsibility of the subject coordinator. ‘Good Supervision’ guides are available to help those sites unfamiliar with supervising WSU students.

Admission

Assumed knowledge required: At least two of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites

In order to enrol in the third year Clinical placement subjects, all students must have a National Police Certificate, and a First Aid Certificate. Clinical placements are a mandatory component of this program. To be eligible for clinical placements, students must:

1. Comply with NSW Health vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. NSW Health can provide details of necessary vaccinations.
2. Receive a clearance from an authorised Western Sydney University-approved provider after successfully completing a health/medical/fitness assessment as prescribed by the University.
3. When on clinical placement students must wear the Western Sydney University Forensic Science t-shirt.
4. Any special requirements incurring a fee will be at the student’s expense.

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
Campbelltown or Hawkesbury Campus
NATS 1009	Human Anatomy and Physiology 1	10
NATS 1019	Scientific Literacy	10
NATS 1008	Forensic Science 1	10
CHEM 1008	Introductory Chemistry	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
Campbelltown or Hawkesbury Campus
MATH 1003	Biometry	10
BIOS 1012	Cell Biology	10
CHEM 1005	Essential Chemistry 2	10
NATS 1001	Concepts in Human Anatomy	10
	Credit Points	40
Year 2
Autumn session
Campbelltown or Hawkesbury Campus
NATS 2034	Human Systems Physiology 1	10
BIOS 2014	Functional Proteins and Genes	10
Select one of the following:		10
CHEM 2001	Analytical Chemistry
NATS 2019	Forensic and Environmental Analysis
	Credit Points	30
Spring session
Campbelltown or Hawkesbury Campus
BIOS 3027	Molecular Biology of the Cell	10
NATS 3037	Neuroanatomy 2	10
NATS 1022	Functional Anatomy 2	10
NATS 2035	Human Systems Physiology 2	10
SUMMER SESSION
Hawkesbury Campus
NATS 2015	Evidence and Crime Scene Management	10
	Credit Points	50
Year 3
Autumn session
Campbelltown and Hawkesbury Campus Concurrently
Campbelltown Campus:
NATS 2004	Anatomy of the Thorax and Abdomen	10
Hawkesbury Campus:
CHEM 3010	Forensic Chemistry	10
NATS 3023	Forensic Anthropology	10
MEDI 3008	Mortuary Practice	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
Campbelltown and Hawkesbury Campus Concurrently
NATS 2037	Pathological Basis of Disease	10
Campbelltown Campus:
NATS 3006	Anatomy of the Head and Neck	10
Hawkesbury Campus:
NATS 3026	Forensic Biology	10
NATS 3003	Advanced Mortuary Practice	10
	Credit Points	40
	Total Credit Points	240

1	This subject is only available at Hawkesbury campus.
2	These subjects are only available at Campbelltown campus.

Equivalent subject

The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2021 or earlier.

BIOS 2026 Molecular Biology, replaced by 301251 Molecular Biology of the Cell