Master of Forensic Science (Professional Practice and Research)

Learn specialist forensic disciplines including bloodstain pattern analysis, fingerprint analysis, pathology, forensic DNA and forensic chemistry. As part of your degree in Master of Forensic Science (Professional Practice and Research), you'll also complete a year-long research project to further hone your expertise. If you have a degree in science, or a relevant bachelor's degree, this course will give you the skills you need to help in criminal investigations. Reconstruct crime scenes as you learn to collect, process and interpret biological, chemical and physical evidence. Build your expertise in specimen preparation, sources of contamination, quality assurance, statistical interpretation and the admissibility of evidence as you learn to prepare and deliver courtroom testimony. You’ll complete a one-year research project within your master's degree, giving you specialist knowledge about a topic, and setting you up for potential progression to further research to a PhD. If you're looking to complete your Master in just 18 months, we also offer a 1.5 year Master of Forensics (Professional Practice).

University level (AQF Level 7) qualification in Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, “Other Natural and Physical Sciences” or relevant Health related fields (Medical, Veterinary or Dental Studies, Nursing, Pharmacy or “Other Health”). Majors in Criminology will be considered if they contain units in a Biological or Chemical Science (i.e. Crime Science) at the discretion of the Academic Chair. Majors in Criminology or other non-cognate degrees that do not contain units in a Biological or Chemical Science cannot gain direct entry to the M1292 because they have not yet demonstrated scientific competency at tertiary level. These students can apply for consideration by the Academic Chair to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science (Professional Practice) (C1131) or Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Professional Practice) (G1085). Successfully completing 12 credit points in either of these courses will provide students with evidence of scientific competency required for subsequent admission to the M1292. Both C1131 and G1085 are nested programs within the M1292, thus students who successfully complete units within C1131 or G1085 will receive credit for those units if they transfer to M1292.

English Language requirements: IELTS overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0; CAE - 169 overall with no band below 169; PTE - 50 with no band below 50; TOEFL IBT - 73 with no band less than 18; OET - OET with a minimum of C (250-290) in each of the four components.