FORENSIC SCIENCE and subjects

[cyberlolz]

And i for got sorry, if i were to complete a specialisation would i only be able to work as a computer forensic or can i work as a crime scene investigator like all other forensic scientists but still hold that qualification in hand. And apparently i cant find any master degrrees Also can u do 2 Bachelors degrees in university.

[cyberlolz]

So if i work for Compiuter forensics can i still hold that qualifications and work for crime scene investigators and in labs?? And I cant find any masters degree in forensic scinece in VICtoria . If i do , do i choose a masters degree for forensic science or computer forensic? thank You So so much

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by cyberlolz

So that means for example i want to do computer forensics
i have to complete a course for - Bachelor of Analytical chemistry, forensic science and medicine(VIC uni). After i finshed that i can choose to specialise. and then if i choose chemistry or computer or medicine.etc. - in this case computer, i hav to leave Vic uni and sign up for melb uni for this course {computer} .
After that if i want to complete a masters - do i complete a masters for computer or the base course (vic uni)

By the way if u can: can u explain masters, phd,, major, double major etc.. thanks alot

You would complete the Bachelor course at Vic Uni and then you would leave anyway because you've finished the studies. So then you go to Melbourne Uni to do the graduate certificate.

A masters degree is the next step up and mostly involves course work. It takes about a year or two to complete. A PhD is a level up from that and involves practical research work and takes about three years to complete. A major is the subject or area you choose to focus on in your final year(s) at uni. For example, I did a Bachelor of Science, and my major, or the subject I chose to focus on in my final year, was microbiology. A double major is when you focus on a couple of different areas. Many people do a double major in science and law.

Actually, give this a read:
http://www.raci.org.au/chemaust/docs...pril2005p4.pdf

Originally Posted by cyberlolz

And i for got sorry, if i were to complete a specialisation would i only be able to work as a computer forensic or can i work as a crime scene investigator like all other forensic scientists but still hold that qualification in hand. And apparently i cant find any master degrrees Also can u do 2 Bachelors degrees in university.

If you specialise you aren't necessarily restricted to that area, but the longer you work in that area the more you'll forget or lose touch with the other areas of forensic science. But also you'll become such an expert in the area you've specialised in that people will require your services. If you want to specialise in computer forensics then you can work as a crime scene investigator when computers are involved.

You can certainly do two Bachelor degrees at uni, but it will probably take you five years to complete them.

Here is a list of courses related to forensic science, including Masters degrees, availabe in Victoria:
Courses and Programs—By State/Occupation

Originally Posted by cyberlolz

So if i work for Compiuter forensics can i still hold that qualifications and work for crime scene investigators and in labs?? And I cant find any masters degree in forensic scinece in VICtoria . If i do , do i choose a masters degree for forensic science or computer forensic? thank You So so much

You can certainly choose to work for crime scene investigators and in labs even if you have graduate qualifications in computer forensics. It would probably be a good idea to initially try it all to see what you like and are more suited to. Try not to limit yourself too early, but leave your options open. My advice would be to do as much work experience as you can and start doing that now. Get a feel for the job and find out what others have studied. Actually I can't stress the importance of work experience enough. It would really help you with your studies and it will give you the edge when you graduate and need a job. Make many contacts and show them that you're keen and a great worker.

[cyberlolz]

hmmm... yes but if i choose to study computer forensics does it mean i have to have some qualifications in computers already or can i have the base course from Vic uni on its own because i have realised dome universities require some knowledge / qualifications in computers and the internet.

__________________________________________________ ______________
Since there are so many courses for forensic science and maybe even more in the future how do i know which course is best for me, i mean forensic science is 1 job but there are so many courses and due to this i am afraid that if i do 2 bachelor degrees ill repeat some of the work wasting some good opportunities.
__________________________________________________ ______________
If u can , can you please find some double major courses in relation to and will be useful in becoming a forensic scientist.
__________________________________________________ _______________
I am also realising university hav diffrent pre requisites HowEver! The job guide has more for example
FORENSIC SCIENCE (job guide)
Prerequisites-> biology chemistry mathematical methods higher level maths English
Vic uni Bachelor of Science (Medical, Forensic and Analytical Chemistry)Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4-a study score of at least 20 in English (any) and in mathematics (any).
Middle-band: Completing any of biology, chemistry, and specialist mathematics = an aggregate 5 points higher per study. Completing physics, mathematical methods (either), literature, psychology or information technology (any) = an aggregate 3.5 points higher per study, to a maximum 10 points. Re-ranking also based on prerequisite studies and science (any).
(What is middle band)?

So overall why are they different because i really dislike the idea of biology in the job guide and don't know which to believe.

Thank you

Thank you for your help

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by cyberlolz

hmmm... yes but if i choose to study computer forensics does it mean i have to have some qualifications in computers already or can i have the base course from Vic uni on its own because i have realised dome universities require some knowledge / qualifications in computers and the internet.

I don't know if you would need to have qualifications in computing or whether that is covered in the course. You'll need to speak to someone at the uni about that, or maybe contact someone at the National Institute of Forensic Science.

Originally Posted by cyberlolz

Since there are so many courses for forensic science and maybe even more in the future how do i know which course is best for me, i mean forensic science is 1 job but there are so many courses and due to this i am afraid that if i do 2 bachelor degrees ill repeat some of the work wasting some good opportunities.

If u can , can you please find some double major courses in relation to and will be useful in becoming a forensic scientist.

You'll need to go through all the forensic science courses and see what they offer and pick the one you like. You've still got a couple of years before you need to apply for uni so you don't actually need to choose a course yet. Why do you need to get two bachelor degrees or why do you need a double major? If you're just interested in forensic science then just do a forensic science degree. If something else takes your fancy later on or if you want to specialise then do a graduate certificate/diploma.

Originally Posted by cyberlolz

I am also realising university hav diffrent pre requisites HowEver! The job guide has more for example
FORENSIC SCIENCE (job guide)
Prerequisites-> biology chemistry mathematical methods higher level maths English
Vic uni Bachelor of Science (Medical, Forensic and Analytical Chemistry)Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4-a study score of at least 20 in English (any) and in mathematics (any).
Middle-band: Completing any of biology, chemistry, and specialist mathematics = an aggregate 5 points higher per study. Completing physics, mathematical methods (either), literature, psychology or information technology (any) = an aggregate 3.5 points higher per study, to a maximum 10 points. Re-ranking also based on prerequisite studies and science (any).
(What is middle band)?

So overall why are they different because i really dislike the idea of biology in the job guide and don't know which to believe.

I don't know what the middle band is. School has changed a bit since I was there so talk to your teachers about that.

I believe that biology would be part of any forensic science course. You'll get some grounding in biology, chemistry, physics, among other areas, and then you'll specialise. So it would be a good idea to study biology at school so you're not lost when you get to uni.

[cyberlolz]

yes i know what you mean by "whats the point in doing 2 degrees" its so i can have a ground of my next priority if how ever they dont take me into forensics. And also, say if theres 10 courses and i pick the one i like , does this mean it will give me a disadvantage/ advantage towards my job as all 10 courses will get me in to forensic science but because of==>> "which course is more worth it " which is better" "which is more specific and detailed" -- things like that..
Say if the course i pick does not consist of biology or a very minimul amount of biology and the rest of the 9 courses which i didnt pick consists of alot of biology will that affect me in my field of work in the future? if not what do different courses mean in a university because if they all get you into the same job in the future why does it consists of "more of this and less of that" in comparison to the rest-- (also putting aside the reason to specialise later on).
Thank you so much

[Monomer]

Since I'm not in the forensic science field I don't know which course is better - that's something you're going to have to try to find out. Talk to forensic scientists and ask their opinion. Talk to the people who employ forensic scientists (perhaps your future employers) and ask what qualifications they expect applicants to have.

If you don't like biology then pick a course with little biology. It will not be a disadvantage to you because you can focus on chemistry or something else and be at an advantage for jobs requiring that knowledge. If you want to work in a particular area of forensic science that is biology based then pick a course with lots of focus on biology.

You'll need to think about what you want to do in forensic science and look at your strengths and weaknesses. Look at the courses that offer subjects that you're interested in and good at. But look beyond first year because during that initial year at uni you're going to get a grounding in a range of areas, including biology. In second year you can start to specialise so look at what the different courses offer and basically just pick what you like. Each uni offers what they can and the beauty of them all being different is that there's something for everyone. Sure you're all going to graduate as "forensic scientists" but each person will have a particular focus.

You can only make a wrong choice if you pick something you're not suited to. Seriously, just do something you enjoy; don't worry about picking the wrong course.

[cyberlolz]

but overall i think biology is included in forensic science little or less but lets doa bit of an eg putting me aside
would you choose
Course search
or
Victoria University HandBook

and why?
please tell me reasons like which gives more focus and which is more detailed because im not use to looking at university courses it confuses me.
with your experience which would be the best?? and would be your final choice .
__________________________________________________ _______________
***(putting me back into the case - which has more detailed aspects of biology -- harder biology and more focus.Which ahs more focus on chemistry????)**

And again if i were to do computer forensics do i study a master at that or at forensic science crimiology ???
Thank you (The links are the 2 courses Deakin uni, and Vic uni)

[Monomer]

I think that I would be more inclined to do the Bachelor of Forensic Science at Deakin University because it appears to be specific to forensic science. The course offered by Victoria University offers training in medical and forensic and analytical chemistry, which would likely provide more varied job opportunities upon graduation, but if I was set on forensic science I'd go to Deakin.

Deakin has little biology content and lets you choose to focus on forensic biology or forensic chemistry. From the brochure you'd have to complete 3 units of biology but then there are 4 extra units that you can choose to study chemistry instead.

I also read this in the course brochure which kind of swayed my decision:

Deakin’s Forensic Science course covers many aspects of chemical/biochemical analysis and molecular biology. Students also undertake studies in the examination and interpretation of evidence and courtroom skills.

Students have the opportunity to carry out research projects in a variety of forensic areas in collaboration with forensic scientists from organisations such as the Victoria Police, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, the Australian Federal Police and Forensic Science South Australia.

Forensic Science students use the very latest technology to convert the clues collected from a crime scene into evidence admissible in a court of law. They have access to a forensic crime scene room and full suite of forensic instrumentation for learning and research that is unique within the Victorian tertiary sector. These instruments include the Applied Biosystems 3130 DNA Analyser and Electrostatic Detection Apparatus.

The course has strong links with the local and Australian forensic community and guest lecturers and seminar speakers are drawn from leading forensic organisations. They include practising forensic scientists, experienced trial lawyers and other forensic experts. These links, which have been formally recognised in a Memorandum of Understanding with Victoria Police, give students insight into the day-to-day reality of forensic science in their future workplaces and an opportunity to develop valuable networks in the industry.

http://www.deakin.edu.au/scitech/cou...s/forensic.pdf


If you want to do computer forensics then find a computer forensics course. I'm not sure that criminology is what you want to do:

Forensics involves the use of scientific knowledge (in fields such as biology, chemistry, dentistry, entomology, medicine, pathology, psychology, and so on) in preparing or presenting evidence for legal purposes. In fact, any scientific test can be called "forensic" if it is used as evidence in a court of law.

Criminology is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of legal processes and attitudes toward crime and crime prevention. It involves the critical examination of theories used to explain crime, the operation of the criminal justice system, and the ways in which various attitudes toward crime are developed.

Forensic Science & Criminology - Student and Graduate Careers, The University of Queensland

The Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics at the University of Melbourne could be suitable for you.
Melbourne University - SoE Digital Forensics
There doesn't seem to be a Masters degree in computer forensics, but the graduate certificate would be fine.

Also, I think it's important you do honours after you've completed the bachelor course. That will ensure you can do a masters or PhD later on. You don't need an honours degree to go a graduate certificate.
Course search

[cyberlolz]

So is this a good lay out for a good position in forensic science:

Bachelor of forensic science
Major in forensic chemistry

Master social forensic science and criminology
(optional)

Computer forensics (1 year).
thank you