Master/Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science

The Master and Graduate Diploma Programme in Forensic Science is a multidisciplinary degree articulating the research and teaching of the University of Western Australia with the public and industry needs of WA and beyond. Although primarily focussed on concerns in regard to violent crime within WA, the course also addresses the needs of forensic investigation within allied industries such as insurance and the law.

Scientists, medical practitioners and academic lawyers spanning six major Faculties at UWA have acted as consultants in Forensic Science and the planned Graduate Diploma and Master’s course in Forensic Science seeks to build on this collective experience. In addition, the programme seeks to link expertise in the PathCentre®, the CSIRO, the Chemistry Centre and Agriculture WA, and other allied industries. The programme incorporates the wealth of current forensic practice in the WA Police Service, Ministry of Justice and the Department of Public Prosecutions. Importantly the course links Forensic Science with the University’s Crime Research Centre, which offers a parallel Degree and Diploma in Criminal Justice.

There is a great diversity of research interests at UWA related to Forensic Science, with new cutting edge technologies developing each year. These areas range from research into the age-old practice of dating cadavers through an understanding of the nature of invading decomposing fauna to the latest world-class computer technologies of image intensification. The University of Western Australia is rich in advanced technology and research expertise. Creating a degree in Forensic Science exposes this intellectual resource to the practice of criminal investigation. For example the University has one of the most advanced scan and transmission electron microscopy centres in the Southern Hemisphere and has cutting edge technologies in DNA sequencing as well as leading research infrastructure in computer technology. In the materials sciences its academic expertise includes analysis of chemical structure at molecular and atomic particle levels, extensive basic research into soil science and geology. In the biological domain, there are key centres in human genetics, forensic anthropology and entomology. Finally, the programme has the capacity to link Science and Law with a number of medical disciplines such as Psychology, Pharmacology and Psychiatry.

Arrangements exist for units within the Diploma and Master of Criminal Justice to be cross-credited with certain units within the Diploma and Master of Forensic Science. Before assuming units may be cross-credited it is advisable for students to discuss each case with the Director of their own degree programme. Currently, the unit  Criminology, Criminal Law and Public Policy is a requirement of the Forensic Science programme and is offered within the Case Study component. The points value for the degree of Criminal Justice represents half the value of those in Forensic Science, in this case the points value of cross-crediting units will be counted as having equivalent value. For example, a 4-point Criminal Justice unit will be considered equivalent to 8 points of study towards the Forensic Science degree.

http://www.forensicscience.uwa.edu.au