Forensic Science, Testamur Major (T049)

  • Western Sydney University Major Code: T049

Previous Code:  MT3022

Available to students in other Western Sydney University programs?  No

The Forensic Science Major provides students with specialised expertise in forensic science including methods of forensic analysis, crime scene investigation, forensic photography, forensic investigation, and complex case studies. Career opportunities include forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, private investigators and consultants, police officers, drug analysts, researchers and academics, and specialised forensic science practitioners. The main employers of forensic scientists are State and Federal police services, State and Commonwealth Government Health Departments and analytical chemistry laboratories. Graduates will be versatile with a wide skills base with (depending on their choice of electives) potential for employment in analytical chemistry and microbiology, quality control and assurance, biochemistry and molecular biology, scientific research, education and the chemical industry.  All students must complete 60 credit points of study at Level 3 to meet course requirements.

Location

Campus Mode Advice
Hawkesbury Campus Internal science@westernsydney.edu.au

Recommended Sequence 2023

All students must complete 60 credit points of study at Level 3 to meet program requirements.

Select the link for your program below to see details of the major

Bachelor of Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Science requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
MATH 1003 Biometry 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
NATS 1003 Digital Forensic Photography 10
CHEM 1012 Essential Chemistry 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 2010 Crime Scene Investigation 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3027 Laboratory Quality Management 10
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary)

Qualification for the Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary) with a major in Forensic Science requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Science given above.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
MATH 1003 Biometry 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
NATS 1003 Digital Forensic Photography 10
CHEM 1012 Essential Chemistry 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 2010 Crime Scene Investigation 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3027 Laboratory Quality Management 10
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

In addition, all students must complete a mandatory 40 credit point minor in Education Studies. Students must choose one of:

Education Studies – Primary Teaching, Minor (0296)

Or

Education Studies - Secondary Teaching, Minor (0267)

Students must meet this requirement by choosing subjects from the selected Education Studies minor as electives within their Bachelor of Science program.

Bachelor of Advanced Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Advanced Science with a major in Forensic Science requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
MATH 1003 Biometry 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
NATS 1003 Digital Forensic Photography 10
CHEM 1012 Essential Chemistry 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
NATS 2001 Advanced Science Project A 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 2010 Crime Scene Investigation 10
NATS 2002 Advanced Science Project B 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3027 Laboratory Quality Management 10
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Diploma in Science/Bachelor of Science, full-time start-year (Term 1) intake

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 250 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Please note that some units are only available for students enrolled in this major and may require completion at Hawkesbury campus.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
Year 1: College Subjects  
Standard 3-term year  
Preparatory subject:  
CHEM 0001 Chemistry (WSTC Prep) 10
Eight university-level subjects as follows:  
BIOS 1014 Cell Biology (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1013 Essential Chemistry (WSTC) 10
NATS 1020 Scientific Literacy (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1009 Introductory Chemistry (WSTC) 10
BIOS 1003 Biodiversity (WSTC) 10
MATH 1027 Quantitative Thinking (WSTC) 10
NATS 1029 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (WSTC) 10
NATS 1030 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (WSTC) 10
NATS 1026 Digital Forensic Photography (WSTC) 10
 Credit Points100
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 2010 Crime Scene Investigation 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3027 Laboratory Quality Management 10
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points260

Diploma in Science/Bachelor of Science, full-time mid-year (Term 2) intake

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 250 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Please note that some units are only available for students enrolled in this major and may require completion at Hawkesbury campus.

Subject Title Credit Points
Year 1 and Autumn Year 2: College subjects
Standard 3-term year
Preparatory subject:
CHEM 0001Chemistry (WSTC Prep)10
Eight university-level subjects as follows:
BIOS 1014Cell Biology (WSTC)10
CHEM 1013Essential Chemistry (WSTC)10
NATS 1020Scientific Literacy (WSTC)10
CHEM 1009Introductory Chemistry (WSTC)10
BIOS 1003Biodiversity (WSTC)10
MATH 1027Quantitative Thinking (WSTC)10
NATS 1029Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (WSTC)10
NATS 1030Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (WSTC)10
NATS 1003Digital Forensic Photography10
Total Credit Points100
Plan of Study Grid
Year 2
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 2010 Crime Scene Investigation 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 3027 Laboratory Quality Management 10
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points160

Recommended Sequence 2024

All students must complete 60 credit points of study at Level 3 to meet program requirements.

Select the link for your program below to see details of the major

Bachelor of Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Science requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
MATH 1003 Biometry 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
NATS 1003 Digital Forensic Photography 10
CHEM 1012 Essential Chemistry 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 3053 Crime Scene Investigation 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points30
Spring session
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
Choose three electives 30
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary)

Qualification for the Bachelor of Science (Pathway to Teaching Primary/Secondary) with a major in Forensic Science requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Science given above.

In addition, all students must complete a mandatory 40 credit point minor in Education Studies. Students must choose one of:

Education Studies – Primary Teaching, Minor (0296)

Or

Education Studies - Secondary Teaching, Minor (0267)

Students must meet this requirement by choosing subjects from the selected Education Studies minor as electives within their Bachelor of Science program.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
MATH 1003 Biometry 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
NATS 1003 Digital Forensic Photography 10
CHEM 1012 Essential Chemistry 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 3053 Crime Scene Investigation 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points30
Spring session
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
Choose three electives 30
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Bachelor of Advanced Science

Qualification for the award of Bachelor of Advanced Science with a major in Forensic Science requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
NATS 1019 Scientific Literacy 10
MATH 1003 Biometry 10
CHEM 1008 Introductory Chemistry 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
BIOS 1012 Cell Biology 10
NATS 1003 Digital Forensic Photography 10
CHEM 1012 Essential Chemistry 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
NATS 2001 Advanced Science Project A 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 3053 Crime Scene Investigation 10
NATS 2002 Advanced Science Project B 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
 Credit Points30
Spring session
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
NATS 3043 Advanced Science Research Project C 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Diploma in Science/Bachelor of Science, full-time start-year (Term 1) intake

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 250 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Please note that some units are only available for students enrolled in this major and may require completion at Hawkesbury campus.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
Year 1: College Subjects  
Standard 3-term year  
Preparatory subject:  
CHEM 0001 Chemistry (WSTC Prep) 10
Eight university-level subjects as follows:  
BIOS 1014 Cell Biology (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1013 Essential Chemistry (WSTC) 10
NATS 1020 Scientific Literacy (WSTC) 10
CHEM 1009 Introductory Chemistry (WSTC) 10
BIOS 1003 Biodiversity (WSTC) 10
MATH 1027 Quantitative Thinking (WSTC) 10
NATS 1029 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (WSTC) 10
NATS 1030 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (WSTC) 10
NATS 1026 Digital Forensic Photography (WSTC) 10
 Credit Points100
Year 2
Autumn session
NATS 2019 Forensic and Environmental Analysis 10
BIOS 2018 Genetics 10
NATS 2021 Imaging Science 10
NATS 1008 Forensic Science 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
CHEM 3010 Forensic Chemistry 10
NATS 3053 Crime Scene Investigation 10
Choose two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
1H session
NATS 3055 Practicum 1 10
 Credit Points10
Autumn session
NATS 3012 Environmental Forensic Investigations 10
NATS 3026 Forensic Biology 10
Choose one elective 10
 Credit Points30
Spring session
NATS 3008 Complex Forensic Studies 10
Choose three electives 30
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points260

Diploma in Science/Bachelor of Science, full-time mid-year (Term 2) intake

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 250 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Please note that some units are only available for students enrolled in this major and may require completion at Hawkesbury campus.

Subject Title Credit Points
Year 1 and Autumn Year 2: College subjects
Standard 3-term year
Preparatory subject:
CHEM 0001Chemistry (WSTC Prep)10
Eight university-level subjects as follows:
BIOS 1014Cell Biology (WSTC)10
CHEM 1013Essential Chemistry (WSTC)10
NATS 1020Scientific Literacy (WSTC)10
CHEM 1009Introductory Chemistry (WSTC)10
BIOS 1003Biodiversity (WSTC)10
MATH 1027Quantitative Thinking (WSTC)10
NATS 1029Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (WSTC)10
NATS 1030Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (WSTC)10
NATS 1003Digital Forensic Photography10
Total Credit Points100