Criminology is the study of crime and the motivations behind criminal behaviour. Forensic science is an applied science concerned with the law and legal proceedings and can include specialist areas such as crime scene investigation, forensic medicine and lab sciences. Led by a team of highly experienced criminology and forensic science experts, you’ll learn about the many interrelated concepts that underpin these professional areas where the law meets science. The combined degree draws from both the arts and science disciplines. It’s designed to give you a broad appreciation of the professional, social, economic and cultural contexts of why crimes are committed and teach you how to examine evidence for the purposes of legal proceedings. In the forensic science stream you can choose to focus your studies by completing a major sequences in either Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry. Depending on your major, you'll cover a wide range of disciplines, including toxicology, arson and explosives investigations, analysis of illicit drugs, DNA analysis, blood spatter pattern analysis and entomology, and also undertake studies in criminology. Forensic study will focus on the examination, interpretation and presentation of evidence, and include courtroom presentations. Our purpose-built crime scene facility lets you search for evidence and you’ll also learn how to apply forensic analysis including chemical, biological and physical techniques. In the criminology stream you’ll take a close look at the nature of crime, investigating why crimes are committed. You’ll explore the various theoretical approaches that shape our understanding of crime in contemporary society and how communities respond to criminal behaviour. You’ll examine the criminal justice system from a sociological perspective, explore crime prevention and security, criminal and civil law and the laws of evidence. This double degree prepares you for careers in criminology, forensic science and forensic criminology. You might choose to work in crime prevention, community development, security, policing, corrections, military services or criminal justice research. Other specialist areas you can explore include forensic sociology, criminal psychology and forensic investigation. Course structure To complete the Bachelor of Forensic Science/Bachelor of Criminology, students must attain 32 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 32 credit points, you’ll need to study 32 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year. This combined course comprises 32 credit points of study. Students will undertake 16 credit point in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment and 16 credit points in the Faculty of Arts and Education units. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Forensic Science (S324) and Bachelor of Criminology (A329) must be satisfied. Graduate outcomes Career outcomes As a graduate of this course, you may find employment opportunities as a forensic scientist, criminologist or related role, in both the public and private sector, including areas such as the forensic science industry, science-based industries, teaching, government agencies, state and federal police, ASIO, correctional services, community services, and private security industries. Professional recognition Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS). The Bachelor of Forensic Science component of the combined course is also accredited with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.