Forensic Science 1 (8778.3)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | ||
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Science And Technology |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Academic Program Area - Science | Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Apply a knowledge of basic concepts in forensic science in the areas of crime scene examination, impression evidence, fires and explosions, document examination, fingerprints, toxicology, biological evidence, electronic evidence, and general trace evidence; and
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the role of forensic evidence in the legal system.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
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Required texts
The following text books will be referred to by the lecturers and are available free of charge electronically via the UC Library and/or Canvas Unit Reading list, however it is recommended that students enrolled in the Forensic Science degree pathways consider purchasing books that will be referred to in other units as well as valuable for their careers in forensic industry:
- "Forensic Science" (2017) Jackson, A. R. W. and Jackson, J. M. 4th Edition. Pearson Education Ltd.
- "The Science of Crime Scenes" (2017) Houck, Crispino and McAdam. 2nd Edition. Elsevier Science and Technology.
- "Techniques of crime scene investigation", (2012) Fisher, Barry A. J., 8th Edition. CRC Press.
- "Science for the curious photographer : an introduction to the science of photography". (2017) Charles Johnson. 2nd Edition. Routledge.
- "Interpreting evidence : evaluating forensic science in the courtroom". Robertson, Bernard, Vignaux, G.A.,; Berger, Charles, E.H., (2016) Wiley.
- "Statistics and chemometrics for analytical chemistry" Miller, Miller and Miller. (2018) Pearson.
- "Forensic Examination of Glass and Paint". Caddy (2001) Taylor and Francis.
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Some assessment pieces may require students to complete a written document (such as a case file), practical activity, or crime scene sketch on paper rather than electronically. In these instances, students will be required to scan documents to pdf using printer-scanners available on campus which can then be uploaded to Canvas. The type of submission will be specified on Canvas. For documents uploaded to Canvas, students are advised that excessively large or numerous files will not be accepted as submissions.
Special assessment requirements
The final marks for this unit will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. In order to obtain a pass grade or better, students must:
- Attempt all assessment items
- Achieve an overall aggregate mark of 50% or higher
- Attend and complete the Crime Scene Practical and associated assessment items
The Unit Convener reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Learner engagement
The notional workload for this unit is assumed to be 150 hours across the semester.
Contact hours consist of one two hour lecture each week, one two hour tutorial in Weeks 1-7, and one two hour practical session (allocated in Week 10, 11, 12 or 13). The total class time equates to 40 hours.
Students are advised that some lectures and tutorials may consist of recordings and videos that can be completed in a self-paced way, but should nominally take no more than two hours to complete.
There are also four Assignments that will take approximately 2-4 hours each to complete.
The remaining hours should be apportioned to revision, remaining assessment items and supplementary study (including readings etc.). It is recommended that students consider apportioning time to these activities by considering the weighting of assessment items, the length of the class being prepared for or revised, and, each student's individual learning style and requirements.
Participation requirements
Participation in the Tutorials and attendance at the Crime Scene Practical is a compulsory condition of this unit and attendance will be documented.
In the event that a student cannot attend a class due to illness or unavoidable commitments, they are required to contact the Unit Convener vua Forensic.Science1@canberra.edu.au as soon as possible, preferably prior to the commencement of their class. Students will need to provide the Unit Convener with an official medical certificate, counsellor's certificate, or similar documentation of their circumnstances to be permitted absence from these compulsory classes.
In order to pass this unit students must:
- Attend and participate in all face-to-face tutorials
- Failure to participate in the scheduled activities will be considered a non-attendance at that session
- Absence from these sessions (to a maximum of two sessions) is only permitted with written/electronic permission from the Unit Convener
- Attend and complete the Crime Scene Practical
- Attendance at the practical session and completion of the associated assessment items is a mandatory requirement to pass the overall unit
- Failure to participate in the Practical will be considered a non-attendance at the discretion of the Unit Convener
Required IT skills
Familiarity with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), as well as internet browsers, is necessary.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None.
Additional information
Foundation of Unit
This unit involves practice- and research-led education. There are active practitioners, researchers and industry experienced staff delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the work they are carrying out.
Provision of information to the group
Notifications through the Canvas Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the unit's Canvas website (Canvas forum messages are emailed to student email addresses only). Students should ensure they check their student email regularly. The Canvas discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.
Use of student email account
The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes". Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.
Unforseen Circumstances
Unforeseen circumstances beyond the Unit Convener's control could result in changes in the mode of delivery of lectures, tutorials/practicals (where applicable) and assessments. Students will be advised if this occurs and appropriate alternatives will be arranged.
