Bachelor of Forensic Science

The Bachelor of Forensic Science is offered full-time on-campus at the Nathan campus. You may choose to study approved elective courses at other campuses if or where the program structure allows.

As a full-time student you will generally attend 10-15 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the trimester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week. Some scheduled classes are held off-campus during the evenings - for example, moot court sessions in 3028NSC Forensic Evidence and the Expert Witness are held at the Brisbane Magistrates Court one evening per week over eight weeks.

Student Income Support

To be classed as a full-time student, you are required to enrol in a minimum number of credit points each standard study period. The minimum credit points for full-time enrolment in this program is 30 credit points.

Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 are deemed standard study periods. As Trimester 3 is a non-standard study period, continuing students moving from one year to the next will not be required to study during this trimester to be eligible for student income support.

Domestic students who commence in Trimester 3 may be eligible for student income support from the onset of study provided they are enrolled full-time in this study period.

Please refer to the Australian Government website for more details.

Managing Study Interruptions

Taking a leave of absence from this program is permitted, subject to conditions outlined in the Enrolment Procedure.

Work-integrated learning activities integrate theoretical learning with its application in the workplace. The inclusion of work-integrated learning activities in the degree program demonstrates Griffith's commitment to preparing its graduates for success in their working life. In this program you will engage with forensic scientists and allied professionals from Queensland Health Scientific Services and the Queensland Police Service in several core courses. This will be achieved through their provision of key lectures, and through their participation in problem classes, moot courts and other assessable student presentations to expose you to the core needs of accredited forensic laboratory organisations in terms of service provision and research.

You will be prepared to work as a DNA expert, a forensic molecular biologist, forensic chemist or forensic toxicologist and as an acknowledged expert in these or a variety of other roles within the criminal justice system. You will also be able to pursue scientific careers not directly related to forensic organisations, in areas such as molecular biology, analytical chemistry and biomedical science. You may also choose to undertake a fourth-year research honours program, which can lead to a PhD and a career in research. 

Professional recognition will vary depending upon your choice of major:

• Forensic Chemistry: The Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) recognise graduates of this award.
• Forensic Molecular Biology: The Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) and the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) recognise graduates of this award.

You may choose to undertake a fourth-year research honours degree, which can lead to a Doctor of Philosophy (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)).