University of Technology Sydney

C04391v1 Master of Forensic Science

Award(s): Master of Forensic Science (MForSc)
CRICOS code: 098061K
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 72
Course EFTSL: 1.5
Location: City campus

Notes

Commonwealth Supported Places

There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) within this course that are competitive and allocated on merit. Applicants must indicate on their application if they wish to be considered for a CSP.

As applications are assessed progressively, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to be considered. Eligible applicants must accept their offer by the lapse date to retain their place.

  • Autumn 2024 closing dates:
    • Round 1: Sunday 26 November 2023
    • Round 2: Sunday 21 January 2024 (if places are available)
  • Spring 2024 closing dates:
    • Round 1: Sunday 26 May 2024
    • Round 2: Sunday 30 June 2024 (if places are available)

Refer to Postgraduate courses with Commonwealth Supported Places for more information.

25% Academic Merit Scholarship

There is a 25% Academic Merit Scholarship available in 2024. Eligible students must commence a Master's or Master (extension) postgraduate course program in the Faculty of Science.

For more details, refer to the UTS Science Postgraduate Academic Merit Scholarship.


Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Articulation with UTS courses
Other information

Overview

The Master of Forensic Science is one of Australia’s leading qualifications in this niche scientific discipline, combining hands-on advanced forensic science practice with high-level professional and research skills acquisition. Our research-informed curriculum is focused on highly practical, case-based activities that take place in world-class facilities designed to replicate real forensic science environments. These include our acclaimed Crime Scene Simulation Labs and other professional laboratories stocked with the latest industry-standard equipment.

As a master’s degree, this course is focused on developing students for leadership roles in forensic science. Curriculum is informed by leading academics and practitioners in the internationally acclaimed UTS Centre for Forensic Science, as well as by real-world organisations. As such, course content reflects the needs and priorities of the global forensic science profession.

Explore the Master of Forensic Science (Extension)
Students with an interest in the Master of Forensic Science should also consider the UTS Master of Forensic Science (Extension) a two-year program of full-time study that includes an additional 24 credit points on top of the standard Master of Forensic Science curriculum. High-performing Master of Forensic Science Extension students with an interest in research can transfer into the Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science, which provides a direct pathway to the UTS PhD program..

Course features

  • Forensic Science subjects: Students complete two core subjects (Foundations of Forensic Science and Forensic Inference and Interpretation) designed to help them develop the practical, interpretive and investigative skills required to thrive in a forensic science career. From there, they can shape their degree by building specialist skills in domains of their choosing, from forensic toxicology and recreational drug analysis to biometrics, chemical criminalistics and more.
  • Professional subjects: Students complete two core subjects common to many UTS postgraduate science degrees (Advanced Communication Skills in Science and Understanding Data and Statistical Design). They can then customise their remaining professional stream credit points with choices in science writing, risk assessment, business and intellectual property, and more, preparing them to master new ways of working in a diversity of professional environments.
  • Research subjects: A research internship elective provides hands-on experience with a real-world forensic science challenge, either within a UTS lab, including the renowned Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research, or with external forensic science and criminal justice organisations, among others. Students also gain exposure to the administrative components of scientific research through additional electives in human and animal research ethics, research proposal writing and more.

Career options

Graduates can pursue employment with organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, state policing agencies, ASIO, CSIRO, ANSTO, customs, immigration, and private forensic agencies. Career options depend on elective subject choices; roles include criminalist, trace evidence specialist, forensic toxicologist, DNA specialist, scene-of-crime officer, team leader in investigations, fire investigator and fingerprint analyst.

Course intended learning outcomes

1.1 Critically engage with the appraisal and application of advanced knowledge, technical skills and research principles relevant to professional practice in forensic science.
2.1 Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate approaches to complex forensic science problems through investigation, analysis and independent research in a relevant professional context.
3.1 Develop and execute - individually or collaboratively - ethical, safe and sustainable work practices, accountable to stakeholder requirements in forensic science, locally and globally.
4.1 Reflexively discover, create and evaluate the processes used to determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information to derive innovative solutions to complex forensic science problems.
5.1 Communicate complex ideas and justifications in a rigorous and professional manner using a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to discipline experts, scientists, stakeholders, and the general public.
6.1 Critically reflect on Indigenous Australian knowledge and experience to inform professional cultural capability to work effectively with and for Indigenous Australians in forensic science.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.

Entry into the course requires the completion of a bachelor's, master's, graduate diploma, graduate certificate qualification in chemical sciences, biochemistry and cell biology, human biology, forensic science or medical science.

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 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

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.

Recognition of prior learning

Students enrolled in this course may be eligible for recognition of prior learning of up to 24 credit points if the subjects previously studied are deemed by UTS: Science to be equivalent to those specified for their course.

To be considered for recognition of prior learning, subjects must normally have been completed no more than five years prior to the commencement of this course.

Course duration and attendance

The standard course duration is 18 months of full-time study.

The course may also be completed in part-time mode, typically over three years. Part-time students must be prepared to attend some afternoon or morning classes during each teaching week.

Course structure

The course requires 72 credit points of study, comprising a 24-credit-point professional stream and 48 credit points of core subjects.

Course completion requirements

STM91294 Core subjects (Forensic Science) 48cp
STM91284 Professional stream (Science PG) 24cp
Total 72cp

Course program

The following examples show typical full-time programs for students commencing in Autumn or Spring sessions.

Autumn commencing, full time
Year 1
Autumn session
68109 Advanced Communication Skills in Science   6cp
65019 Foundations of Forensic Science   8cp
60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design   6cp
Select 4 credit points from the following:   4cp
60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science 2cp  
60102 Ethics in Animal Research 2cp  
60119 Science Business Models and Intellectual Property 4cp  
Spring session
65009 Forensic Inference and Interpretation   8cp
65006 Advanced Chemical Criminalistics   8cp
65007 Biometrics and Identification Sciences   8cp
Year 2
Autumn session
65010 Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis   8cp
65035 Forensic Science Capstone Project   8cp
Select 8 credit points from the following:   8cp
60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science 2cp  
69511 Ethics in Human Research 2cp  
60102 Ethics in Animal Research 2cp  
60119 Science Business Models and Intellectual Property 4cp  
15315 Project Management Principles 6cp  
Spring commencing, full time
Year 1
Spring session
68109 Advanced Communication Skills in Science   6cp
65019 Foundations of Forensic Science   8cp
65009 Forensic Inference and Interpretation   8cp
Select 2 credit points from the following:   2cp
60106 Research Proposal Writing 2cp  
60109 Professional Science Document Writing 2cp  
60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science 2cp  
Year 2
Autumn session
60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design   6cp
65010 Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis   8cp
Select 10 credit points from the following:   10cp
69511 Ethics in Human Research 2cp  
60102 Ethics in Animal Research 2cp  
60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science 2cp  
60119 Science Business Models and Intellectual Property 4cp  
15315 Project Management Principles 6cp  
Spring session
65006 Advanced Chemical Criminalistics   8cp
65007 Biometrics and Identification Sciences   8cp
65035 Forensic Science Capstone Project   8cp

Articulation with UTS courses

Students who complete this course can transfer into the Master of Forensic Science (Extension) (C04392) and receive recognition of prior learning for the completed course.

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS