C04393v1 Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science
Award(s): Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science (MPhilForSc)CRICOS code: 098062J
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 96
Course EFTSL: 2
Location: City campus
Notes
This course is not offered by direct entry. Admission is via Course Transfer with faculty approval.
Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Other information
Overview
The Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science provides students with a unique opportunity to undertake original research and gain in-depth knowledge in their chosen area of forensic science. Students have access to staff that are leading researchers and experts in their field. Undertaking this course allows students to explore their research potential and develop research skills. It is designed to provide a scholarship pathway to the UTS PhD program.
This course is designed to expand students' knowledge and practice of forensic science alongside developing science management and leadership capabilities, culminating in a substantial research project in Year 2. The course contains compulsory core and elective practice-focused forensic science subjects across a range of disciplines from the crime scene to the laboratory. Professional subjects covering a range of skills crucial to all professional scientists – such as project and laboratory management, advanced scientific communication, ethics, innovation and science business models – complete Year 1.
Year 2 comprises a substantial research component, giving students an opportunity to undertake original, cutting-edge research. For students with suitable achievement levels, this provides a direct pathway to the UTS PhD program.
Course aims
The course aims to produce adaptable forensic scientists who are proficient with modern professional practice and technology, and have strong general professional skills such as scientific communication, critical analysis, and project management. With a substantial research component, students develop their research skills, which can be utilised either in industry R&D or as the initial foundations of a research career.
Career options
Depending on the area of specialisation, graduates may pursue employment with organisations such as the Australian Federal Police, state policing agencies, ASIO, CSIRO, ANSTO, customs, immigration, and private forensic agencies. Career options include criminalist, trace evidence specialist, forensic toxicologist, DNA specialist, scene-of-crime officer, team leader in investigations, fire investigator, fingerprint analyst.
Graduates may also proceed to a career in research through entry to a PhD.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.1 | Demonstrate critical engagement with the appraisal and application of advanced knowledge and technical skills to conduct research and generate new knowledge relevant to contemporary forensic science. |
| 2.1 | Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate approaches to complex forensic science problems through investigation, analysis and the application of suitable research methods 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 independently 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 research and 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.
This program is normally available to students who have commenced in the Master of Forensic Science (Extension) (C04392) or Master of Forensic Science (C04391), and demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and research potential. Admission is via internal course transfer. Prospective students must liaise with their program director to organise a supervisor and project.
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 course is offered on a two-year, full-time basis.
Course structure
The course requires 96 credit points of study, comprising 24 credit points of professional stream subjects, a 24 credit points of core subjects, and a 48-credit-point intensive research component.
The intensive research component of the course is a research project that extends over the final year and normally takes the form of an experimental, analytical or theoretical investigation. Candidates may also be required to undertake one or more critical reviews of the literature in the area of their project. During the course of their research project, candidates are also offered workshops to help with the writing and interpretation of results. The results of the project are presented in an oral seminar and in a written thesis, both of which are formally assessed.
Course completion requirements
| STM91292 Core subjects (Forensic Science) | 24cp | |
| STM91284 Professional stream (Science PG) | 24cp | |
| STM91296 Forensic Science Thesis | 48cp | |
| Total | 96cp |
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 | |
| Select 4 credit points from the following: | 4cp | |
| 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 | |
| 60117 Understanding Data and Statistical Design | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 65009 Forensic Inference and Interpretation | 8cp | |
| 65007 Biometrics and Identification Sciences | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| 60106 Research Proposal Writing | 2cp | |
| 60109 Professional Science Document Writing | 2cp | |
| 60116 Risk Assessment and Management for Science | 2cp | |
| 60119 Science Business Models and Intellectual Property | 4cp | |
| 15315 Project Management Principles | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 60122 Forensic Science Thesis 1 | 24cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 60123 Forensic Science Thesis 2 | 24cp | |
Other information
Further information is available from:
UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS
Further information regarding honours, including available projects and the application process, can be found at: