Program start date | Application deadline |
2024-02-05 | - |
2024-07-22 | - |
Program Overview
The Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science at UTS equips students with advanced knowledge and research skills in forensic science. Through a combination of coursework and a substantial research project, students gain expertise in various forensic disciplines, preparing them for careers in crime scene investigation, forensic laboratories, and research institutions. The program fosters scientific expertise, research abilities, and professional development, providing a pathway to the UTS PhD program for exceptional students.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science provides students with a unique opportunity to conduct original research and obtain in-depth knowledge in their preferred area of forensic science. Students have access to experts in their field who serve as leading researchers and teachers. This course enables students to investigate their research potential and hone their research abilities. It is intended to serve as a scholarship route to the UTS PhD program. This course has been created to expand students' knowledge and practice of forensic science while also developing science management and leadership skills, culminating in a substantial research project in Year 2. The course offers compulsory core and elective practice-focused forensic science courses across a range of disciplines, from the crime scene to the laboratory. Professional subjects covering a range of critical abilities for all professional scientists, such as project and laboratory management, cutting-edge scientific communication, ethics, innovation, and science business models, complete Year 1. Year 2 consists of a significant research component that provides students with the opportunity to engage in original, cutting-edge research. This offers a direct path to the UTS PhD program for students who achieve the necessary success.
Objectives:
- Equip students with solid scientific expertise and a thorough grasp of forensic science principles and practices.
- Provide students with the skills and information they need to succeed in both business R&D and as the foundation for a research career by completing a substantial research component.
- Help students build their research skills through the development of a significant research project.
Program Description:
The Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science is a two-year, full-time program that offers students a thorough foundation in forensic science coupled with a substantial research component. The program's coursework provides students with a strong theoretical foundation in forensic science principles and practices, while the research component allows them to pursue their own research interests under the supervision of experienced faculty members. The program's coursework includes core courses in forensic science, research methodology, and professional development. Students also select elective courses from a range of forensic science disciplines, allowing them to tailor their program to their individual interests. The research component of the program requires students to complete a significant research project. This project allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world problem and make an original contribution to the field of forensic science.
Outline:
Program Content:
The program covers a wide range of topics in forensic science, including:
- Crime scene investigation
- Forensic biology
- Forensic chemistry
- Forensic toxicology
- Forensic pathology
- Digital forensics
- Forensic psychology
- Forensic accounting
Course Schedule:
The program is offered on a full-time basis, with classes typically held during the day. The program can be completed in two years, with students typically taking four courses per semester. : The program's coursework includes both core and elective courses.
Core Courses:
- Advanced Communication Skills in Science: This course develops students' scientific communication skills, including writing, presenting, and critical analysis.
- Foundations of Forensic Science: This course provides an overview of the history, principles, and practices of forensic science.
- Forensic Inference and Interpretation: This course examines the principles and practices of forensic inference and interpretation.
- Biometrics and Identification Sciences: This course explores the use of biometrics and identification sciences in forensic investigations.
Elective Courses:
- Ethics in Human Research: This course examines the ethical issues involved in human research.
- Ethics in Animal Research: This course examines the ethical issues involved in animal research.
- Risk Assessment and Management for Science: This course provides an overview of risk assessment and management in a scientific context.
- Science Business Models and Intellectual Property: This course examines the business models and intellectual property issues relevant to scientific research.
- Understanding Data and Statistical Design: This course provides an overview of data analysis and statistical design for scientific research.
- Research Proposal Writing: This course provides guidance on writing research proposals.
- Professional Science Document Writing: This course provides guidance on writing professional science documents.
- Project Management Principles: This course provides an overview of project management principles and practices.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The program is taught using a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Laboratory work
- Fieldwork
Faculty:
The program is taught by a team of experienced and internationally renowned forensic science researchers and practitioners.
Assessment:
The program is assessed using a variety of methods, including:
- Essays
- Reports
- Presentations
- Examinations
- A research project
Careers:
Career Paths:
Graduates of the Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science are qualified for a variety of careers in forensic science, including:
- Crime scene investigation
- Forensic biology
- Forensic chemistry
- Forensic toxicology
- Forensic pathology
- Digital forensics
- Forensic psychology
- Forensic accounting
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of the program are employed by a variety of organizations, including:
- Law enforcement agencies
- Forensic laboratories
- Private forensic firms
- Government agencies
- Universities
Career Outcomes:
Graduates of the program have the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue successful careers in forensic science. They are able to apply their scientific expertise to a variety of forensic investigations and contribute to the advancement of the field.